NCJ Number
186095
Journal
International Journal of Forensic Document Examiners Volume: 5 Dated: December/January 1999 Pages: 306-316
Date Published
1999
Length
11 pages
Annotation
This paper describes a microscope image processing system for document examination, followed by a discussion of the application of the system in some areas of forensic document examination.
Abstract
The innovative feature of the system is the Hirox Hi-scope Microscope-CCD camera, which can be handheld. It comes with a long, flexible fiber optic cable that allows nondestructive examination of questioned documents of any size and shape. Coupled with powerful computer software to enhance and sharpen images and to perform a variety of measurements and manipulations, the system can be used effectively and efficiently in the comparison of typewriting and examination of traced forgeries. The capability of the system is further enhanced through interfacing with the Projectina DOCUBOX, which provides ultraviolet and infrared lighting. Some preliminary studies show that the various modes of directional illumination in the system could help to provide better details in the examination of intersection points of crossed-lines. In the study of crossed-line sequence determination, another interesting phenomenon was observed. Using the infrared luminescence from the DOCUBOX and with the image suitably enhanced, it was observed that if a luminescent fiber-tip ink was made over another fiber-tip ink with no luminescence, a more intense spot of the luminescence would be present just after the intersection point of the two inks and in the direction of the second ink. This observation offers another possibility for the determination of the sequence and direction of the crossed strokes of fiber-tip inks. 17 figures and 6 references