COURSE CODE: 23UCH4S05 TITLE: FORENSIC SCIENCE

PROGRAM: II-B.Sc. chemistry Unit-III- Forgery and Counterfeiting

Give the Definition of “Document” according to indian evidence act 1872 .

According to Section 3 of Indian Evidence Act (I) of 1872, a document may be
defined as under:-
“Document means any matter expressed or described upon any substance by
means of letters, figures or marks or by more than one of those means, indented to
be used or which may be used for purpose or recording that matter.”
Illustrations

caricature is a document.

Describe the Various types of Documents

A document is any recorded information that can be used as evidence or reference. It can
exist in various formats, including written, printed, digital, or multimedia forms.

Types of Documents

1. Physical Documents – Paper-based records such as books, letters, contracts, reports,

and certificates.
2. Digital Documents – Electronic files such as PDFs, Word files, spreadsheets, and
emails.
3. Legal Documents – Contracts, wills, deeds, and official government records.
4. Historical Documents – Records that serve as evidence of past events, such as
manuscripts, archives, or treaties.
5. Technical Documents – User manuals, guides, blueprints, and specifications.

Estimate the Challenges in Authenticity of the Document

There can be many instances where the authenticity of the document is challenged.
Let us discuss few such situations, when the authenticity of the document is or
can be challenged:
 When signature or thumb impression on the document are not
genuine.
The document, defied with regard to genuineness of the initials or thumb
imprint of the executant(s) or that of the attesting witness sets up the largest
number as being the questioned document. Several times person denies their
signature or thumb impressions, and on the basis of this we can categorize the
document i.e., a genuine or forged. When the executants is required to admit or to
deny the signature or thumb impression on a document in dispute, he generally
denies his signature on the document by assuming that if the signs are admitted,
the subjects of the document will be verified, which may go against him. Thus, in
these cases executant may claim that he does not know the script in which the
signatures under dispute are made or that he is an illiterate person. On the other
hand, it is not rare that documents created by forging the signatures so as to cheat
or claim benefits from those individuals whose signs have been forged.
 If signature is admitted but the subject matter is challenged
 A clever forger prepares documents by using signature obtained on blank
paper by trickery or by using the available blank space above the signatures on
some other documents and then tearing off the portion containing previous writing.
In this way, the matter of the document becomes challenged or the whole
document becomes questioned document.
 If there is any alteration in the document then also document is
questioned
The documents which are alleged to have been altered by removing some matter or by
erasing or by the addition of words, strokes or lines in the blank spaces or by replacing or altering
by deletion or addition of strokes or letters. These are also some times defied on the foundation of
consecutive order of entries, identity of pen and ink, alteration in amount, obliteration, sequence
of writing or typewriting on a paper that has been folded to check whether it was folded after or
before the writing.
 Photocopies and carbon copies (traced) are also challenged documents.
Sometimes, the photocopies and carbon copies of document are challenged by claiming
that the produced documents are not the real ones. Some changes have been done in photocopy
by adding or deleting some of the portion(s) of writing during the process. Nonetheless, these
types of cases are very rare.

Describe the Points which are generally considered in the preliminary examination in
documents?
Points which are generally considered in the preliminary examination:

1) Is the paper of unusual size and was it cut or trimmed by hand at any margin?

2) How many times, the paper has been folded and what is the sequence of folds?

3) Does the paper bear any marks of artificial ageing and has the paper been torn, wetted,
mutilated in any way and if so, then what are the probable reasons?

4) Does the paper bear indentation marks on the front side or embossed strokes on the reverse
side?

5) Does the paper show any physical or chemical erasing, obliteration, substitution or
alteration of any kind?

6) Was the document written or typed before or after the paper was folded?

7) Was more than one kind of ink or pens used to write the body writing of the document?

8) Does the document show any unnatural spacing between the written or typed lines?

9) Is the body writing of document written in continuity by one and the same writer?

10) Any unusual feature, etc.

Describe the Impact of Simulated forgery?
In this type of forgery, the forger selects a model signature or writing and tries to copy the
design of letters and other broad features depending upon his skill, practice and competency. Such an
attempt in most of the cases results in a crude forgery, however, in some cases the forger is competent
enough to make a simulation which at first sight may appear to be genuine and may be passed as
genuine by those who compare only the general outline of letters and gives little importance to the
line quality and other minute details. A forger may be able to acquire all the writing habits of another
individual by a long practice but practically it is not possible to adopt each and every writing habit of
another person and to avoid one’s own writing habits to interact in the process of forgery the forger is
likely to fail all attempts.
Writing is the visible record of very complicated series of acts controlled by mental and
muscular habits of a writer acquired by a long continued practice. With repeated use, the handwriting
become so automatic that is cannot be easily discard or acquired at will. This is one of the basic
principles of the handwriting comparison.
Motives which incites the forger to simulate a genuine signature:
- Mainly to extort money illegally and it is this anticipation of gain and urges a person to do
such wrongful actions.
- Other options may be domestic or personal satisfaction

Fig: The above written signature are genuine whereas below signature is simulated forgery
Describe the Impact of Traced forgery?

Traced Forgery
As the name indicates, traced forgery is prepared by drawing the outline of a genuine
signature by the process of tracing.
One of the most common methods used by forger is to make an outline of genuine signature
on a paper by the use of a carbon paper. A carbon paper is placed in between the paper bearing the
model signature and the paper which is to bear the forged signature. The tracing is done with the help
of a pointed instrument to make a carbon outline on the paper. A conventional writing instrument is
then carefully moved over the carbon outline to conceal the carbon impressions and to give the
appearance of its being genuine. The indentation so produced serve as guidelines which are then filled
in with ink with writing instrument to complete the forgery.
The third most popular method these days is transmitted light method. The forger places a
paper (which is to bear the forged signature) over the document bearing genuine signature and then
both the documents are placed against a window pan. The outlines of signature thus made visible by
the sun light passing through the paper are placed on a glass top table and the light is projected from
under to increase the translucency of the papers.
A forged signature can only be branded as a traced forgery when-
1. The actual model signature from which it was traced is discovered.
2. The pencil or carbon outlines are present along with the signature indicating tracing
process.
3. The indented outlines are present along with the strokes of signature.
4. Two or more forged signature showing marked suspicious similarities or rubber stamp
effects are present and they superimpose each other in their major parts.
Apply your examination protocol to test the authenticity in Checking Silver Line
Watermark in Currency Notes?
1. What is the Silver Line Watermark?
 A security feature in currency notes designed to prevent counterfeiting.
 Typically appears as a thin, embedded metallic strip or silver-colored watermark
visible under certain conditions.
 Found in many modern banknotes issued by central banks worldwide.
2. Methods to Check the Silver Line Watermark
A. Holding Against Light (Transparency Test)
 Hold the note against a light source (natural or artificial).
 The silver line should be continuous and embedded, not just printed.
  If it appears broken or missing, the note may be counterfeit.
B. Magnification Test
 Under a magnifying glass, the security thread may have micro-lettering or numbers
visible on it.
 Some currencies feature hidden text (such as the denomination or country name)
when viewed closely.
C. UV Light Test
 Under ultraviolet (UV) light, the silver security thread may glow or reveal hidden
elements.
 Some banknotes have fluorescent security fibers that are only visible under UV
light.
3. Differences between Genuine and Fake Silver Line Watermark
Feature Genuine Note Counterfeit Note
Continuity Embedded & continuous when viewed May appear broken, missing, or just
against light a printed line
Reflection Changes color or shines under light No color change, dull or flat
appearance
Texture Slightly raised in security areas Flat and smooth
Microtext Clearly readable under magnification Blurry, smudged, or missing
UV May glow or reveal extra details No glow or incorrect reaction under
Reaction UV light

Describe the Fog test and water drop test for Diamond
The Fog Test
 Hold the diamond close to your mouth and breathe on it.
 A real diamond does not retain fog, as it disperses quickly due to its high thermal
conductivity.
 If fog stays for a few seconds, it may be a fake.
Water Drop Test
 Drop the diamond into a glass of water.
 A real diamond will sink immediately due to its high density.
 Fake diamonds like glass or quartz may float or sink slowly.

How will detect the gold purity in 22 carat ornaments by acid test and Karat meter test?
1. Understanding 22-Carat Gold
 22K gold contains 91.67% pure gold and 8.33% alloy metals (such as copper,
silver, or zinc) for durability.
 Used in jewelry making as pure 24K gold is too soft for everyday wear.
2. Methods to Check Gold Purity in 22K Ornaments
 Check for a BIS Hallmark (India) or similar standard hallmark from reputed
certifying agencies.
Acid Test (Traditional Method)
 A small sample of gold is rubbed on a black stone (touchstone).
 Different strength acids (Nitric Acid + Aqua Regia) are applied to see reaction
changes.
 22K gold will not dissolve easily in acid, but lower-purity gold will react.
Gold Purity Scanner (Karatmeter Test)
 A Karatmeter is a machine used by jewelers for precise gold purity testing.
 Uses X-ray or ultrasonic waves to measure purity without harming the jewelry.
 It is the highly accurate purity levels without damaging the gold.