NCJ Number
90422
Journal
Canadian Society of Forensic Science Journal Volume: 16 Issue: 1 Dated: (March 1983) Pages: 19-38
Date Published
1983
Length
20 pages
Annotation
This paper discusses such topics as manufacturing processes, typestyles, print quality, escapement, and typeface damage as areas that may help to differentiate the typescript of conventional typewriters from typescript produced by printwheels.
Abstract
Although this study disclosed no single, absolute, governing factor to consistently differentiate the typescript of printwheels and conventional typewriters, the series of considerations outlined may prove useful in approaching this problem. In particular, printwheel damage, type quality, and pressure characteristics can be useful in differentiating the typescript. In making a decision, the document examiner must remember that a few word processor systems and electronic typewriters also use ball elements, such as IBM. Because it may not always be possible to differentiate printwheel and conventional typewriter typescript, a classification system to determine the make and model of a printwheel may be more beneficial if it is incorporated into present typewriter classification systems; therefore, if examiners determine they are dealing with a printwheel product, they can eliminate the typewriter readouts; however, if the examiner is uncertain as to the origin of the questioned typwscript, all possibilities derived from the combined classification system must be taken into consideration. A table summarizes evidence indicative of printwheel typescript. Photographic illustrations and four references are provided. (Author summary modified)