Questioned
Documents
Mission
The Questioned Documents Unit (QDU) provides forensic support to the FBI and
federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies by conducting forensic examinations
on evidence collected during an investigation. This is accomplished through
written reports that contain results of examinations and technical information
relating to the evidence and by providing expert testimony concerning
information and opinions contained in the reports, when required. The QDU
also provides training to federal, state, and local forensic examiners
on specialized technical topics in the forensic document discipline and
assists law enforcement by providing information and presentations concerning
the capabilities of the QDU and forensic document discipline in general.
The QDU monitors, develops, and provides information to legal, investigative,
and forensic personnel on legal issues and assists other forensic document
examiners in formulating written examination guidelines to standardize
procedures.
The Team
Document analysts (forensic examiner), document analysts, and management and
program assistant
The Work
Document Examinations
Examine and compare data appearing on paper, including handwriting, hand printing,
typewriting, printing, erasures, alterations, indented writing, and obliterations.
Shoe Print Database
- Maintain the database which consists of a collection of sole and heel
designs and enables users to determine the manufacturer of
shoes from prints or impressions left at crime scenes. QDU
personnel also examine shoeprint and tire tread impressions.
- Examine and match torn or perforated edges of items, such as paper
and stamps;
- Examine and analyze typewriter ribbons, photocopiers, facsimiles, graphic
arts, and plastic bags;
- Maintain the Anonymous Letter File, the
Bank Robbery Note File, the National Fraudulent Check File,
and the Watermark
File. These computerized files contain images of ransom notes,
extortion letters, and other anonymous communications that
assist examiners in the association of questioned documents
from different cases with a common source. These databases
have been extremely effective against crime committed across
state lines.
- Testify in legal proceedings.
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