ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Page Count: 9

A Study on the Use of Photopolymer Reflex Plate in the Forgery of Chinese Seals
Cheng, KC
Questioned document examiner, Forensic Science Laboratory, Ministry of Justice Investigation Bureau,

Cheng, N
Scientific officer, Institute of Science and Forensic Medicine,

Wei, YC
Associate professor and chairman of the Department of Graphic Communication, Institute of Graphic Arts, Chinese Culture University,

(Received 8 March 1999; accepted 15 November 1999)

Abstract

This study compares the identifying characteristics between the impressions made with original Chinese seals and photopolymer replicate seals, and between the impressions made with two photopolymer replicate seals that originate from one single negative. Various seal materials common to the Chinese community such as cow's horns and ivory are employed. Other than the common factors such as different incident angle upon imprinting or different degree of inking that constitute the natural variation in impressions, the physical changes of the seal materials with temperature will be considered. This study concludes that photopolymer replicate seal impressions can be differentiated from the originals in respect to print density and stroke morphology, but it is very difficult to differentiate between two photopolymer replicate seal impressions with the same origin. This study also proposes a simple method for the examination of forged Chinese seal impressions.

Keywords:
forensic science, questioned documents, Chinese seal, stamps, forgery, photopolymer reflex plate

Paper ID: JFS14830J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS14830J
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