Advance Training Certification in Questioned Document Examination

Course overview

This course provides an in-depth understanding of the scientific methods used in the examination and analysis of questioned documents. It covers handwriting and signature verification, detection of forgeries, alterations, and counterfeiting, along with the instrumental and microscopic analysis of inks, papers, and printed materials. Learners gain practical exposure to advanced forensic tools such as UV–IR examination systems, stereomicroscopes, and compound microscope and VSC. The course emphasises analytical precision, legal relevance, and report formulation to prepare students for professional roles in forensic laboratories and investigative agencies.

Programme Details

  • Duration: 2 Months.
  • Mode: Offline (Hands-on Lab training).
  • Batch Size: Limited to 5 students for individualised mastery.
  • Location: A-525, Anthurium Tower, Noida Sector 73.

Topics covered

  • Introduction to questioned documents – its legal importance                                           
  • Workflow and protocol followed in laboratories
  • Class and individual characteristics of handwritten documents
  • Natural variations and factors affecting them
  • Forgeries – types and methods
  • Digital camera – introduction, parts, working and applications in forensics
  • Stereomicroscope – introduction, parts, working and applications in forensic analysis
  • Compound microscope – introduction, parts, working and application in forensic examinations
  • Electrostatic detection apparatus – introduction, parts, working and application
  • VSC – introduction, parts, working, and applications
  • Document Alteration Detection- Mechanical/Chemical Erasure methods and Addition identification, detection, and analysis
  • Charred documents – introduction, preservation, reconstruction, and recovery techniques
  • Printed and photocopied documents – introduction, differences, class and individual characteristics, weather effects
  • Types of printers, ink and printing methodologies, methods to identify printers.
  • Ink/toner analysis of printed/photocopied documents – types of inks used, ink discharge system, toner patterns, analysis procedure
  • Fiber analysis of printed/photocopied documents – types of paper used in printing and photocopying, procedure of making of paper, fiber patterns, analysis procedure
  • Font analysis of printed/photocopied documents – parameters for analysis
  • Indentation Examination in Questioned Documents
  • Security features – bank notes, cheques, passport, PAN card, Aadhar card
  • Forensic Comparison and Analysis of Digitally captured Signatures and Handwriting
  • Digital documents – PDF basic structure and architecture
  • Fundamental of Kali-Linux
  • Parameters and commands for verifying PDF manipulation and tampering
  • Use of amped authenticate in Questioned documents
  • Legal laws associated with documents and digital records
  • Legal report making

Hands-on Training list

  1. Identifying and categorizing the class and individual characteristics of an individual based on his handwriting
  2. Detection of forged signatures through analysis and forensic examination of handwriting characteristics and stroke patterns
  3. Examination and identification of disguised handwriting through analysis of writing habits and intentional alterations
  4. Study of natural variations in handwriting to differentiate between genuine and forged writings
  5. Identification and classification of various types of handwriting forgeries, including traced, simulated, and freehand forgeries
  6. Analysis of class and individual characteristics in printed and photocopied documents for source determination and authenticity verification
  7. Toner analysis for differentiation of printed documents and determination of printing technology or source
  8. Fiber analysis of paper materials to determine origin, composition, and authenticity of questioned documents
  9. Detection and decipherment of obliterated writings using advanced forensic techniques such as infrared and ultraviolet examination
  10.  Identification of multiple inks through visual and instrumental methods (UV–IR, compound and stereo microscopy) to distinguish ink types and sequence of entries
  11. Examination and decipherment of Indented writing using Oblique lighting of Alternate Light Sources.
  12. Forensic Comparison and Analysis of Digitally captured Signatures and Handwriting
  1. Questioned Digitally captured signatures/handwriting Vs Digitally captured signatures/handwriting Reference
  2. Questioned Digitally captured signatures/handwriting Vs Conventional Document Reference
  3. Questioned Conventional Document Vs Digitally captured signatures/handwriting Reference
  4.  Examination of security features in identity and financial instruments to detect counterfeits and alterations:
  1. Bank notes – validation of watermarks, security threads, holograms, microtext, and intaglio printing
  2. Cheques – verification of cheque-paper, security fibres, MICR line, and anti-tamper features
  3. Passport – inspection of laminates, UV-reactive elements, MRZ data, and polycarbonate security features
  4. Aadhar card – checking holograms, QR code integrity, and print substrate for authenticity
  5. Pan card – verification of printed security elements, lamination, and card stock characteristics
  6. Credit cards – aassessment of embossing, magnetic stripe/chip data integrity, and tamper signs
  7. Practical operation of a digital camera for forensic documentation: correct settings, evidence photography standards, scale and lighting control, and chain-of-custody imaging
  8. Hands-on use of a stereo microscope for low-magnification examination of documents, inks, fibres, and surface features
  9. Operation of a compound microscope for high-magnification analysis of inks, paper fibres, and microscopic trace evidence
  10. Installing and downloading Kali – Linux
  11. Copying, handling, and analysing an evidence file in Kali Linux
  12. Detection and verification of PDF tampering and manipulation, using metadata analysis, file structure inspection, and forensic tools to identify edits, redactions, and forged contents

What will you learn?

  1. How do you operate documentary evidence in forensic laboratories, from crime scene to court following all protocols and legal guidelines?
  2. Understanding the conceptual basis of all types of frauds from documents
  3. How to detect fraud from documentary evidence?
  4. Understanding the differences between natural variations, forgeries and disguised handwritings
  5. Gaining knowledge about the ink discharge system of printers, analysis of toner and its patterns, analysis of fiber and its various patterns
  6. Detecting and identifying usage of multiple writing instruments in a document
  7. Differentiation between fake and real Indian currencies
  8. Credibility and authenticity of your legal identity cards – Aadhar cards, pan cards, credit cards, cheques, passports
  9. Recovery of any obliterated texts/ altered texts
  10. USE of VSC
  11. Creating legal reports
  12. Protecting the integrity and authenticity of evidence by forensic photography
  13. Viewing specimens and adjusting magnification using stereomicroscope, compound microscopy
  14. Examination of Digitally capture Signatures/Handwriting with conventional documents and vice versa.
  15. Decipherment of Indented writing.
  16. Understanding the Kali-Linux operating system, its technicalities and applications
Laxhar Lab (NABL Accredited Forensic Lab), Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh