Standard or Exemplar
Definition
A document of known origin used for comparison with a questioned document. May be requested (taken under controlled conditions) or collected (from prior natural writings).
- Purpose
- Comparison material of known origin for questioned documents
- Requested type
- Collected under controlled conditions
- Collected type
- Drawn from prior natural writings
- Field
- Questioned document examination
Common questions
Why does a document examiner prefer collected exemplars over requested ones?+
Collected writing samples reflect a person's natural, unselfconscious handwriting habits built up over time, while requested samples written on demand can be deliberately disguised or show dictation-induced variation, so examiners use both together where possible to cross-check consistency.
How many exemplars are typically needed for a reliable comparison?+
There is no fixed number, but examiners generally want multiple samples spanning a range of dates and writing conditions close to the questioned document, since a single exemplar cannot show the normal range of variation in a person's writing.
Related terms
- Document
- Any matter expressed or described upon any substance by means of letters, figures or marks intended to be used for the purpose...
- Electronic Record
- Data generated, sent, received, or stored by electronic means, including emails, call data records, server logs, database entries, CCTV footage, and documents...
- Negotiable Instrument
- Defined under the Negotiable Instruments Act 1881 Section 13. Promissory note, bill of exchange or cheque payable to order or bearer.
- Private Document
- Defined under BSA 2023 Section 75. All documents other than public documents (personal letters, agreements, diaries, cheques in the hands of a...
- Public Document
- Defined under BSA 2023 Section 74. Records of sovereign authority, official bodies and public officers of India or a foreign country; public...
- Questioned Document (QD)
- Any document whose authenticity, source, age, sequence of preparation or content is in dispute and requires examination by a forensic expert.
- Security Feature
- Engineered element of a document (watermark, security thread, microprinting, intaglio, optically variable ink, latent image, fluorescent fibres) that frustrates forgery and supports...
- Watermark
- A pattern formed in paper during manufacture by localised fibre-density variation on the Fourdrinier wire; visible in transmitted light as a lighter...