In certain circumstances it may be important to know when a document was created,
or if a date that appears on the document is accurate. Through a variety of scientific
examinations and techniques, a Forensic Document Examiner can often answer the
following related questions:

• Is the written signature contemporaneous with other information on the document?
• Was it added at a later time? (relative dating)
  
• Are the entries in a chart or ledger entered over a period of time, or all at once?
• Is this document a recent fabrication?
• Was the paper, pen, typewriter, printer, photocopy machine available (manufactured) at the
  time of the purported date of the document?
• Is the date on this fax header authentic?

Documents Submitted for
Dating Include:

MEDICAL RECORDS

MEDICAL FILES/CHARTS

HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS

COUNTERFEITS

DIARIES & JOURNALS

LEDGERS

RECEIPTS/INVOICES

ALR Forensics maintains extensive reference files on typewriters, fax machines, print process developments and inventions to assist in the investigation of a document's purported date.

When performing a document dating examination, a forensic
document examiner must take into all of the visible and non-visible elements of a document to the naked eye. Some of the non-invasive, non-destructive examinations may include:

• Ink examinations (non-chemical, non-destructive)
• Watermark analysis
• Development of latent handwriting and other marks
• Paper examination
• Print Process Identification
• Photocopier Identification
• Fax Machine Identification
• Typewriter Identification

*Chemical ink dating is not utilized in this type of examination