INVESTIGATION AND DETAILED

EXAMINATION OF SIGNATURES
FUNDAMENTALS OF SIGNATURE EXAMINATION
 DEFINITION OF SIGNATURE
 It is the name of a person written by him/her in a
document as a sign of acknowledgement. Or, it is a
name or mark that a person puts at the end of a
document to attest that he is its author or that he
ratifies its contents. Microsoft Encarta Reference
Library has these to say about signature: signed
name, signing of name, distinctive characteristics.
SIGNIFICANT TERMS
 A. CROSS MARK - Historically, many who could not write signed with a cross mark or
crude X. This authenticating mark is still used today by illiterates, and if properly
witnessed, it can legally stand for a signature. Ballot marks are also referred to as
cross marks because of the common practice of marking with an X.
 B. EVIDENTIAL SIGNATURE - Is not simply a signature – it is a signature, signed at a
particular time and place, under particular conditions, while the signer was at a
particular age, in a particular physical and mental condition, using particular
implements, and with a particular reason and purpose for recording his name.
 C. FRAUDALENT SIGNATURE - A forged signature. It involves the writing of a name
as a signature by someone other than the person himself, without his permission, often
with some degree of imitation.
 D. FREEHAND SIGNATURE - A fraudulent signature that was executed purely by
simulation rather than by tracing the outline of a genuine signature.
 E. GUIDED SIGNATURE - A signature that is executed while the writer’s
hand or arm is steadied in any way. Under the law of most jurisdictions
such as a signature authenticates a legal document provided it is shown
that the writer requested the assistance. Guided signatures are most
commonly written during a serious illness or an a deathbed.
 F. IMITATED SIGNATURE – Synonyms with freehand forgery.
 G. MODEL SIGNATURE – A genuine signature that has been used to
prepare an imitated or traced forgery.
 H. THEORY OF COMPARISON – The act of setting two or more
signature in an inverted position to weigh their identifying significance,
the reason being that those we fail to see under normal comparison may
readily be seen under this theory.
THE EXAMINATION OF SIGANTURES IS CONSIDERED A SPECIALIZED BRANCH OF
HANDWRITING IDENTIFICATION, FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS:

1. A signature is a word most practiced by many people and therefore most

fluently written.
2. A signature is a means to identify a person and have a great personal
significance.
3. A signature is written with little attention to spelling and some other details.
4. A signature is a word written without conscious thought about the mechanics
of its production and is written automatically.
5. A signature is the only word the illiterate can write with confidence.
TYPES OF SIGNATURES
A. FORMAL (a.k.a. CONVENTIONAL or COPYBOOK FORM) – Complete correct signature for an
important document such as will.

B. INFORMAL (CURSORY) – Usually for routine documents and personal correspondence.

1. PERSONALIZED
2. SEMI – PERSONALIZED

C. CARELESS SCRIBBLE – For the mail carrier, delivery boy or the autograph collector.

FORGERY is, strictly speaking, a legal term which involves not only a non-genuine document
but also and intent to fraud. However, it is also used synonymously with fraudulent signature or
spurious document.
CLASSES OF FORGED SIGNATURES
A. SIMULATED OR FREEHAND IMITATION FORGERY – Executed purely by simulation
rather than by tracing the outline of a genuine signature can be referred as freehand imitation
or simulated forgery. Or it refers to the free-hand drawing in imitation of model signature.

1. SIMULATED WITH THE MODEL BEFORE THE FORGER

a. DIRECT TECHNIQUE – forger works directly with ink.
b. INDIRECT – forger works first with pencil and afterwards covers the pencil
strokes with ink.
2. SIMULATED FREEHAND FORGERY (TECHNIQUE) – Used by forgers who have a
certain skill in writing. After some practice, the forger tries to write a copy of the model quickly.
B. TRACED FORGERY (TRACED SIGNATURE)
1. DIRECT TRACING – tracing is made by transmitted light.
2. INDIRECT TRACING – forger uses a carbon paper and place document on
which he will track the forged
signature under the document
bearing the model signature with a carbon paper
between the two.
TYPES OF TRACED SIGNATURE:
1. CARBON PROCESS
2. INDENTATION PROCESS
3. TRASMITTED LIGHT PROCESS

C. SPURIOUS SIGANTURE (SIMPLE SIGNATURE) – Forger does not try to copy a model but
writes something resembling what we ordinarily call a signature. For this, he uses a false (spurious)
name and makes a rapid stroke, disturbing his usual writing by adopting a camouflage called
disguise.
D. FORGERY BY MEANS OF A STAMPED FACSIMILE OF A GENUINE OR MODEL
E. FORGERY BY COMPUTER SCANNING
 SUGGESTED STEPS IN THE EXAMINATION OF SIGNATURE

STEP 1: Place the questioned and the standard signatures in the juxta-position or slide-by-side
for simultaneous viewing of the various elements and characteristics.
STEP 2: The first element to be considered is the handwriting movement or the manner of
execution (slow, deliberate, rapid, etc). The fundamental difference existing between a
genuine signature and an almost perfect forgery is in the manner of
execution.
STEP 3: Second elements to examine is the quality of the line, the presence of tremors,
smooth, fluent or hesitation. Defect in line quality is only appreciated when
simultaneous viewing is made.
STEP 4: Examine the beginning and ending lines, they are very significant, determine whether
the appearance blunt, club-shaped, tapered or/vanishing.
STEP 5: Design and structure of the letters – determine as to roundness, smoothness,
angularity and direction. Each individual has a different concept of letter
design.
STEP 6: Look for the presence of retouching or patching.
STEP 7: Connecting strokes, slant, ratio, size, lateral spacing.
STEP 8: Do not rely so much in the similarity or difference of the capital letters, for these are the
often changed according to the whim of the writer.
CHARACTERISTICS PRINCIPLES THAT SUPPLY MOST CASES:

1. PEN PRESSURE
2. MOVEMENT
3. PROPORTION
4. UNUSUAL DISTORTION OF THE FORMS OF LETTERS
5. INCONSPICUOUS CHARACTERISTICS
6. REPEATED CHARACTERISTICS
7. CHARACTERISTICS WRITTEN WITH SPEED
INDICATIONS OF GENUINENESS

1. CARELESSNESS
2. SPONTANEITY
3. ALTERNATION OF THICK AND THIN STROKES
4. SPEED
5. SIMPLIFICATION
6. UPRIGHT LETTERS ARE INTERPERSED WITH SLANTING LETTERS
7. THE UPWARD STROKES TO A THREADLIKE TRACING
8. RHYTHM
9. GOOD LINE QUALITY
10. VARIATION
INDICATIONS OF SIMULATED (Direct or Indirect Techniques) and TRACED
FORGERIES

1. Tremulous and broken connecting strokes between letters, indicating points at which
the writer has temporarily struck
2. No rhythm
3. Carefulness or unusual care and deliberation
4. No contrast between upward and downward strokes
5. Slow writing – angular writing
6. Blunt beginning and endings
7. Placement of diacritical marks just over the stem of letters
8. Absence of spontaneity – lack of smoothness of letters
9. Restrained writing – there is lack of freedom or “inhibited” movements THAT gives the
impression that every stroke is made with great difficulty. This writing is small.
10. No variation
INDICATIONS OF SIMPLE OR SPURIOUS FORGERY
1. Writing habits of the writer (forger) is evident in the forged signature

INDICATIONS OF FORGERY BY MEANS OF STAMPED FACSIMILE OF A GENUINE

SIGNATURE
2. Flat strokes
3. No contrast between upstrokes and down strokes
4. Deposit of ink at the junction of two strokes or where two strokes cross each other
5. No variation – All signature will superimpose over each other
PROCEDURE IN THE COMMON SIGNATURE PROBLEMS

A. Genuine Signature Which the Writer Refuses to Admit Not Genuine.

Generally, presence of tremors, remnants of carbon, retouching (patching)
indicates forgery. Produced, the probability of genuineness.

B. Genuine Signature Deliberately Modified. Examination of this kind of

signature is confidently discover that the modification is only on the prominent
features of the letter designs that are pointed out by the disclaimer, while the
rest appear to be normal. There are unnatural tremors and retouching. The
minute details in genuine signatures are present.
MONEY COUNTERFEITING
EXAMINATION
FUNDAMENTALS OF MONEY COUNTERFEITING
EXAMINATION
DEFINITION OF MONEY
MONEY, any medium of exchange that is widely
accepted in payment for goods and services and in settlement
of debts. Money also serves as a standard of value for
measuring the relative worth of different goods and services.
The number of units of money required to buy a commodity
is the price of the commodity. The monetary units chosen as a
measure of value need not, however, be used widely, or even
at all, as a medium of exchange.
DEFINITION OF TERMS
A. COUNTERFEITING – It is the crime of making, circulating or uttering false coins and banknotes.
Literally, it means to make a copy of; or imitate; to make a spurious resemblance of, as money or
stamps, with the intent to deceive or defraud. Counterfeiting is something made to imitate the real
thing used for gain.
B. FALSIFICATION – The act/process of making the content/s of a document not the intended
content.
C. FORGERY – The act of falsely making or materially altering, with the intent to defraud, any writing
which if genuine, might be of legal efficacy or the foundation of a legal liability.

TAKE NOTE: In forgery, every person who, with intent to defraud, signs the name of another
person, or of fictitious person, knowing that he has no authority to do so, or falsely makes, alters,
forges or counterfeits any-checks, drag-due bill for the payment of money or property – or
counterfeits or forges the seal forged, or counterfeited, with the intent the same to be fake, altered,
forged, or counterfeited, with the intent to prejudice, damage or defraud any person…is guilty of
forgery.
THE HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF PHILIPPINE PESO

 The Philippine Peso, commonly called piso (Filipino) or peso

(English and Spanish) is the currency of the Philippines. It is
subdivided into 100 sentimo (English and Spanish: centavo).
The ISO 4217 name is “Philippine Peso” and the code is
“PHP”. Although the name as printed on the banknotes and
coins changed from “peso” to “piso” in 1967, the name peso
continues to be used locally in many contexts where the
English language is used.
MAKING OF PAPER MONEY
A. ENGRAVING – It is the process by which the line to be printed are cut into pieces of metal
by hand or with a machine. Ink is rubbed over the plate to fill the cuts in the metal and the
extra ink wiped-off the top. The pressure of the paper on the plate causes the ink in the
holes to be lifted on the surface of the paper. The ink lines will be felt to be raised above
the surface. The engraving process is used for the production of all genuine bank notes.
B. LETTERPRESS PRINTING – It is the most common form of printing books, magazine,
letterheads and the usual printing in common uses. In the process, the letters are made on
raised pieces of metal which covered with ink and then impressed upon the paper in the
same form as a rubber stamp or cliché. The serial numbers of a bank note are usually
added by this letterpress process after the note has been produced by an engraving.
C. OFFSET PRINTING – Is a method where photograph is taken of the desire material and a
print is made on a specially prepared aluminum plate. The palate is kept wet with water.
When ink is applied, it sticks only these parts of the plate where printing is desired. The
aluminum plate is then put in contact with rubber roller which transfers the ink to the
papers. The offset process is quite used in small printing plants. Because it was
photographic process, it is the most common modern used by counterfeiter to make false
paper money.
 Characteristics of Genuine and Counterfeit Paper Note/Bill

GENUINE COUNTERFEIT
MAIN PRINT MAIN PRINT
1. The fingers will readily feel the main print 1. The fingers will hardly feel the main print
on the front & back on fairly new notes. on the front & back even on new notes.
2. This is due to the measurable thickness of 2. This is brought about by offset print the
the ink deposited on the paper which gives most common process employed by
the prints an embossed effect. counterfeiters.
3. The prints are mere stains on the coating
of the sensitized paper is glossy.
 Characteristics of Genuine and Counterfeit Paper Note/Bill

GENUINE COUNTERFEIT
PORTRAIT PORTRAIT

1. Appears life-like 1. It appears dead.

2. The eyes sparkle 2. The eyes do not sparkle.

3. It appears blurred, dull, smudgy, and poorly printed.
3. The tiny dots and lines (vignette) forming the details of
the face, hair, and etc. are clear, sharp and well- 4. Hair is lifeless.
defined. 5. The face and/or forehead are often naturally white or pale
4. Each portrait stands out distinctly from background. due to absence of most of the details.
This is noticeable along the shoulders. 6. The concentric lines depicting the eyes often merged into
solid printed areas.
5. The background is composed of multi-colored fine
pattern of lines varying tones and shades interlacing 7. The background often blends with the portrait and is usually
with each other. These shadings or toning are “scratchy”
intricately printed in such a way that the contrast or 8. The lines are thick with rough edges.
shifting of colors creates the impression of life and 9. The multi-colored prints on genuine notes are extremely
vividness to the notes. difficult to duplicate and as a result, counterfeit notes are
usually off-color & not of the right shade or tone.
 Characteristics of Genuine and Counterfeit Paper Note/Bill

GENUINE COUNTERFEIT
WATERMARK WATERMARK
1. The watermark underneath the security 1. This is imitated by printing white ink or dry
lace-work on the right hand side of the note block on the finished paper.
is the same on the colored portrait.
2. Sometimes wax or other oily medium is
2. The design is placed by means of dandy stamped to give transparency to the
roll during the manufacture of the paper. portion where the designing appears.
3. Sharp details of the outline or the light & 3. Printed outline is placed on the inner sheet
shadow effect are discernible when viewed where merely a paper cutout is placed
with the aid of transmitted light. inside. As a result course or harsh and
4. The relief of the features can be felt by occasional irregular lines & sometimes-
running the fingers on the design. opaque areas are very obvious.
 Characteristics of Genuine and Counterfeit Paper Note/Bill

GENUINE COUNTERFEIT
METALLIC THREAD METALLIC THREAD
1. This is a special thread placed vertically 1. Counterfeit by means of printing on the
on the paper during manufacture. back of the note, on the inner side of the
paper, insertion of twin thread or simply
2. On the surface of the paper where this
folding the note vertically where the thread
thread is located are patterns of short
appears on the genuine bill.
vertical lines.
 Characteristics of Genuine and Counterfeit Paper Note/Bill

GENUINE COUNTERFEIT
COLORED FIBERS OR SECURITY FIBERS COLORED FIBERS OR SECURITY FIBERS
1. These fibers are scattered on the surface 1. On counterfeit, this is simulated by printed
of the paper (front & back) at random & lines, cannot be picked off, but can be
can be readily picked off by means of any easily erased with ordinary rubber or by
pointed instrument. agitating with wet fingers.
2. The colors of these fibers are red & blue.
 Characteristics of Genuine and Counterfeit Paper Note/Bill

GENUINE COUNTERFEIT
LACEWORK DESIGN LACEWORK DESIGN
1. The geometric pattern which looks like a 1. On counterfeit, these geometric patterns
delicate lacework along the border on both are often blurred, round on the edges &
surfaces, embellishing the portraits, value blotch on the joints. Its continuity could not
panel & vignettes are multi-colored and be traced. The color appears faded.
composed of harp lines, which are,
continuous & traceable even at joints.
 Color of Each Denomination
Genuine notes have polychrome background with one predominant color for each
denomination. These are:
PHP 1,000.00 Blue Jose Abad Santos, Josefa Llanes Escoda, Vicente Lim
500.00 Yellow Benigno S. Aquino
200.00 Green
100.00 Mauve Manuel A. Roxas
50.00 Red Sergio Osmena
20.00 Orange Manuel L. Quezon
10.00 Brown Apolinario Mabini & Andres Bonifacio
5.00 Green Emilio Aguinaldo
 Characteristics of Genuine and Counterfeit Paper Note/Bill

GENUINE COUNTERFEIT
SERIAL NUMBER SERIAL NUMBER
1. The prefix letter/s & numbers (six of them 1. On counterfeit, the letters & numbers are
except on replacement note) are clearly poorly printed. They are usually of different
printed. style.
2. They have peculiar size style & are 2. Most often, they are evenly space and
uniform in size & thickness. poorly aligned.
3. Spacing of the numbers is uniform & 3. The numbers are too big or too small, too
alignment is even. thick or too thin & certain cases shaded on
the curves.
 Characteristics of Genuine and Counterfeit Paper Note/Bill

GENUINE COUNTERFEIT
VIGNETTE VIGNETTE
1. The lines and dots composing the 1. On counterfeit, it is usually dull & poorly
vignettes are fine, distinct, and sharp. printed.
2. The varying color tone gives a bold look to 2. It appears dirty.
the picture that makes it stands out of the
3. The lines are comparatively thicker with
paper.
rough edges.
4. There is no variation in color tone so that
the picture appears flat.
 Characteristics of Genuine and Counterfeit Paper Note/Bill

GENUINE COUNTERFEIT
CLEARNESS OF PRINT CLEARNESS OF PRINT
1. The registry of the different printed 1. In general, a spurious not exhibits a second
features is perfect. The lines are very clear hand look. It is dirty due to the sputtering of
and sharp. There are no burns clinging to ink on the interior area. Over-inked areas are
the sides. visible instantly. The shadings &
ornamentations of the letters & figures are
thick and usually merged.
EXAMINATION OF SUSPECTED COUNTERFEIT BANKNOTE

1. As well as inspection under ultraviolet light, the investigator

should look at the banknote with a hand lens.
2. He should pay particular attention to the quantity of the
portrait in the bank note. This is the one extremely fine detail
of a good engraved plate.
3. The color of the ink should be compared with the color of a
genuine banknote. It is very difficult for counterfeiter to match
exactly the same shade of ink by a genuine manufacturer.
CHARACTERISTICS OF U.S. PAPER MONEY
A. TYPES
1. FEDERAL RESERVE NOTE – with GREEN treasury seal and serial number.
2. UNITED STATES NOTE – with RED treasury seal and serial number.
3. SILVER CERTIFICATE – with BLUE treasury and serial number.

B. FEDERAL RESERVE NOTE - each federal reserve note also carries a regional seal at the left
of the portrait on the face of the bill. This seal is printed in black and bears the name of the federal
reserve bank of issue. Numbers and letters representing the federal reserve district in which that bank is
located, are;
1-Boston - “A” 7- Chicago - “G”
2- New York - “B” 8- St. Louis - “H”
3- Philadelphia - “C” 9- Minneapolis - “I”
4- Cleveland - “D” 10- Kansas - “J”
5- Richmond - ”E” 11- Dallas - “K”
6- Atlanta - “F” 12- San Francisco -”L”
C. SALIENT FEATURES COMMON TO ALL TYPES: PORTRAIT – every denomination
has the following:

$1 - Washington $50 - Grant

$2 - Jefferson $100 - Franklin
$5 - Lincoln $500 - McKinley
$10 - Hamilton $1000 - Cleveland
$20 - Jackson $5000 - Madison
COINS
These are pieces of metal stamped by government authority, for use
as money or collectively referring to metal currency.

MAKING OF COINS
Casting – is the most common method of making gold coins. Plaster molds
bearing an image of gold coins are filled (within a low temperature) with
alloy made with lead or tin. Some molds are used for high temperature
metal such as copper or silver alloy.
Striking or Stamping – is the making of an impression of a coin or metal
blank by pressure.
 COIN CHARACTERISTICS
A. GENUINE coins show an even flow of metallic grains. The details of the profile, the
seal of the Republic of the Philippines, letterings and numerals are of high relief, so
that it can be readily felt distinctly by running the fingers on these features. The
beadings are natural and the readings are deep and even.
B. COUNTERFEIT coins feel greasy & appear slimy. The beading composed of tiny
round dots surrounding the genuine coin appear irregular & elongated depressions &
are not sharp & prominent as in the genuine. The letterings and numerals are low and
worn out due to the lack of sharpness of details. The readings are uneven and shows
sign of filing.
COIN CHARACTERISTICS
1. Coin made of gold was widely used but are not now often see. Government kept their
gold in the form of heavy bars called bullions and then issue papers for the value of
gold.
2. Metal coins issued nowadays are mostly in amount for less than its face value. In
most countries, the possession of gold coins is now forbidden except for coin
collectors.

EXAMINATION OF COUNTERFEIT COINS – should be examined by a magnifying lens;

comparing it with a known coin.

DEFECTS IN CAST COIN ARE USUALLY CAUSED BY: formation of air bubbles, or
removal of small parts of the sole along with the coin. The best place to examine a
counterfeit coin in on the edge since there are usually special milling marks or design
which are added to a genuine coin by machinery.
 COUNTERFEIT PASSPORT
Passports are rarely counterfeit, because they are quite
complicated in design and manufacture. The most usual method is to steal
a genuine passport and make change in it. Many safety features are
incorporated in passports and are easily detected by close inspection.
Ultraviolet light is very useful in this type of examination. The investigator
should look particularly at the photograph in any passport as identification
card. This is always necessary because sometimes forger removes and
change or substitute the picture. Hence, the position of perforation by
staples and another pasting device should be studied carefully.
 LEGAL ASPECT OF FORGERY, COUNTERFEITING AND
FALSIFICATION
(Pursuant to Title Four, Chapter One, Revised Penal Code – Crimes against Public Interests)

1. Art. 161 – Counterfeiting the great seal of the Government of the Philippine islands,
forging the signature or stamp of the Chief Executive
2. Art. 163 – Counterfeiting coins
3. Art. 164 – Mutilation of coins
4. Art. 166 – Forging treasury or banknotes or other documents payable to bearer
5. Art. 167 – Counterfeiting instruments not payable to bearer
6. Art. 170 – Falsification of legislative documents
7. Art. 171 – Falsification by public officer, employee or notary or ecclesiastical minister.
8. Art. 172 – Falsification by private individuals
9. Art. 173 – Falsification of wireless, cable, telegraph and telephone messages
10. Art. 174 – Falsification of medical certificates, certificates of merit or service