Paper And Forgeries In Forensic Science Investigations

A blackmail letter or a threatening message on notepads maybe the only clue a detective has for finding the criminal or a suspect for a murder, a fraud or forgery case, or a robbery. How can it be used to eliminate suspects or pick up the trail of a criminal? First thing to be considered is, it maybe made from a special type of paper-recycled, wood-free or coated-or bear a unique watermark which, examined with a microscope, can reveal where it was manufactured or bought.

Next thing to be considered is, the notepad may have been torn roughly into pieces so that the message could not be read again. But under a microscope, such as a forensic comparison microscope, the edges can be matched up, the pieces fitted together, and the message will be revealed. Forensic comparison microscopy can be used for closer analysis and comparison of the specimen. Handwriting experts, called graphologist, can determine whether the signature has been forged or not, or if two samples of writing have been made by the same person or by a different one. If the criminal or suspect knows about this he may create messages using letters words cuts on newspapers and stuck on down on a sheet of paper. With the aid of microscopes like a forensic comparison microscope and ultraviolet lighting, it is possible to look at the exact structure and source of print and paper if they are applied with the latest forensic comparison microscopy techniques. This may give a better impression of the criminal’s character, or tell them where he lives, what he likes to read and so on. Some types are very rare and only handled by certain suppliers. And this will be identified by logical explanation of experts.

A forgery, on the other hand, is a copy of something made to deceive or trick a person. Forgeries include copies of famous paintings and sculpture, banknotes, passports, checks, and items of jewelry. Today, paintings are usually found to be fakes by studying them with X rays- which are absorbed by the surface paint- or with infrared light- which penetrates the surface paint to reveal the artist’s pencil or charcoal sketch, Old paintings use different kind of paints and they can identify it using forensic comparison microscopes with a rotating stand. However, even the most skilled forger finds it difficult to exactly match the manufactures’ marks on jewelry or the pattern of lines on banknotes. Microscopic studies with of samples of paint, identification marks, and the thickness and the number of the lines on an intricate design will reveal any obvious difference. Forensic comparison microscopy techniques will help in a acquiring a fast and clear result.

The most expensive gold jewelry, 22 carat, is composed 22 parts gold and two parts other metals. Test of gold content of jewelry must be carried out by essay companies. They add their official mark and the hallmark. Fake jewelry may carry the hallmark for 22 carat gold yet comprise only, say, 10 parts gold to 14 parts other metals. A suspicious-looking hallmark will prompt a forensic scientist to test the jewelry and to reveal the truth about the metal. There is a specialized microscope for jewelry and other metals. A metallurgical microscope is used for metals and a simple stereo microscope can see the official mark made on the jewelry. Forensic comparison microscopy techniques help in comparing these hallmarks too.

Paintings are usually forged for financial reasons. A copy of masterpiece may deceive an art dealer, who will pay millions of dollars in order to have the painting in his private gallery. But there are cases of forgeries made just to make a fool of art critics, who largely determined the popularity of the painter and thus the market price if their work. Sometimes the forger left glaring clues so that their trick will be discovered later on. The most famous of oil painters have a unique painting style and technique, just as handwriting differs from person to person. Close examination of their work using specialized microscopes like forensic comparison microscopes, can reveal the brushstrokes. As paintings age, the layers of paint and the protective varnish layer tend to crack. The extent and pattern of the cracking, can determined if a painting is an old original or a modern fake copy. Nowadays, most galleries have an optical microscope used to test the authenticity of the paintings they display on their galleries. Read more on this subject

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