KINDS OF DOCUMENTS | QUESTIONED DOCUMENTS EXAMINATION

Summary

This lesson provides an introduction to documents, their definitions, types, and legal aspects. It covers the importance of documents as evidence, their classification into public, private, and commercial documents, and the concept of questioned documents. The script emphasizes the need for proper care and handling of documents and introduces key terms like 'exemplar' and 'holographic documents'. The lesson also touches on the qualifications of forensic document examiners and their role in legal contexts, providing a foundational understanding of the topic for students.

Takeaways

• 😀 A document is any material containing marks, symbols, or signs that convey meaning, such as writing, printing, or images.
• 😀 The term 'document' comes from the Latin word 'documentum,' which means lesson, example, or instruction.
• 😀 Three types of evidence are discussed: physical evidence, testimonial evidence, and documentary evidence.
• 😀 A questioned document is one where the facts, authenticity, identity, or origin are disputed.
• 😀 Legal definitions of documents include deeds, instruments, and writings that establish rights, obligations, or agreements.
• 😀 Exemplars are known, authentic documents used for comparison to assess disputed documents.
• 😀 Public documents are created by public officials in their official capacity, such as government documents and notarized papers.
• 😀 Official documents are those issued by public officials during their duties, such as birth certificates, marriage contracts, and passports.
• 😀 Private documents are created by private individuals, such as love letters or personal contracts, and are not legally notarized.
• 😀 Commercial documents are governed by commercial law and include instruments like receipts and contracts related to commerce.
• 😀 Forensic document examiners need to understand different types of documents and evidence to properly handle and analyze questioned documents.

Q & A

What is the definition of a document according to the lesson?

A document is any material containing marks, symbols, or signs, either visible or partially visible, that convey meaning to someone. It can be in the form of pencil ink writing, typewriting, or printing on paper.

What does the term 'documentum' mean in Latin?

'Documentum' comes from the Latin term meaning 'lesson' or 'example,' which later evolved to represent instruction or official paper.

What are the three types of evidence mentioned in the lesson?

The three types of evidence are physical evidence, documentary evidence, and testimonial evidence.

How is a questioned document defined?

A questioned document is one where the facts appearing in it are contested, particularly regarding its authenticity, identity, or origin.

What is the significance of 'standards' or 'standard documents' in forensic document examination?

Standards or standard documents are sets of authentic specimens from a known source. These documents are crucial for comparison with other questioned documents to verify authenticity.

What is a holographic document?

A holographic document is one that is completely written and signed by a single person. In some jurisdictions, such documents can be probated without the need for witnesses.

What is the difference between public and official documents?

A public document is created by a public official in response to public service needs, whereas an official document is any document issued by a public official in the exercise of their duties, such as birth certificates or marriage contracts.

Can you provide an example of a private document?

A private document is any instrument executed by a private person without the intervention of a public notary. An example would be a love letter, which is a personal document between individuals.

What are commercial documents, and how are they defined?

Commercial documents are instruments defined and regulated by the code of commerce or other commercial laws. Examples include receipts and contracts related to business transactions.

What is the role of a forensic document examiner as mentioned in the lesson?

A forensic document examiner is responsible for examining questioned documents, determining their authenticity, and comparing them with known samples or standards to answer specific legal questions.