ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Published Online: 1 January 1982
Page Count: 6

Illusions of Tracing
Vastrick, TW
Document analyst, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Crime Laboratory, TN

(Received 8 May 1981; accepted 3 June 1981)

Abstract

Numerous explainable phenomena occur in handwriting that give the product the illusion of being a tracing. This paper exposes various illusions of tracing by describing specific case studies that include diffusion of ink components viewed under infrared luminescence, “sister” lines, rough writing surfaces, writing machines, and plastic lamination. Also discussed is a common principle that exposes illusions.

Keywords:
questioned documents, tracings, forgery, infrared luminescence, writing machines, guidelines, sister lines, indentations

Paper ID: JFS11463J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS11463J
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