Talk with Vilas Anil Chavan

Forensic document Examination Crafted by-  

Mr. Vilas Anil Chavan

Assistant Professor

Department of Forensic Science,

Yashavantrao Chavan Institiute of Science,

Satara, MH, India

Forensic Document Examination (FDE) is a forensic science discipline in which expert examiners evaluate documents disputed in the legal system. “Documents” may be defined broadly as being any material bearing marks, signs or symbols intended to convey a message or meaning to someone. Questioned document examinations involve a comparison of the document, or aspects of the document, to a set of known standards (i.e., authentic specimens). The goal of the forensic document examiner is to systematically evaluate the attributes and characteristics of a document in order to reveal how it was prepared or how it may have been modified.

In forensic science, questioned document examination (QDE) is the examination of documents potentially disputed in a court of law. Its primary purpose is to provide evidence about a suspicious or questionable document using scientific processes and methods. Evidence might include alterations, the chain of possession, damage to the document, forgery, origin, authenticity, or other questions that come up when a document is challenged in court. 

Here’s the short interview of Quiz maker!

On behalf of Sherlock Institute of Forensic Science we had a short interview with Mr. Vilas Anil Chavan and here is what he says to all the student community and life time learners.

1. First of all please share your experiences with us while crafting this amazing quiz? What you wanted to impart on people? 

Let me first extend my gratitude towards Dr. Ranjeet K. Singh for giving me opportunity to craft this informative quiz on Forensic Document Examination. I also would like to thank Miss Taniya Jaiswal and entire team of SIFS for their kind support. As far as crafting of this quiz is concerned, idea was very clear that I must construct such questions which can impart the knowledge of Forensic Document Examination to Forensics students. Each question of this quiz contains the explanation about the correct answer hence it makes the quiz more interesting and knowledgeable. 

2. What is the scope of Forensic documents examination?

As we know, many Questioned Document Examinations involve a comparison of the questioned document, or components of the document, to a set of known standards. The most common type of examination involves handwriting wherein the examiner tries to address concerns about potential authorship. A document examiner is often asked to determine if a questioned item originated from the same source as the known item(s), and then present their opinion on the matter in court as an expert witness. Other common tasks include determining what has happened to a document, determining when a document was produced, or deciphering information on the document that has been obscured, obliterated, or erased. Along with this Forensic Document Examiners are continuously involved in Identification, Examination or/& comparison of Writing Surface, Writing Instrument, Writing Material, Photocopies, Typewritten matter and Printed matter. As far as duties of QD expert is concern they are continuously involved in Assisting IO’s in QD related cases, Presenting findings in the court of law, Providing training and internship to Jr. Officers, Research scholars and Students and Assisting Forensic Institutes to structure syllabus of QD and to develop QD Lab.

3. Any books you want to recommend straighten the view of forensic document examination to the students?

As we know books are the ultimate sources of getting knowledge about any domain of any subject. As far as Questioned Document related books are concern there are numerous books available in the market written by various experts. What I would like to suggest is refer those books which has genuine and peer reviewed data among the scientific community by reading which students can fulfill their thrust of Questioned Document related issues. To name a few, Questioned Documents: By Albert S. Osborn and Scientific Examination of Questioned Documents: by Ordway Hilton are the recommended books.

4. Any message would you like to give to the students who are planning to choose this field as their academic future?

Choosing any field as an academic future requires thorough background research about the concerned field as what kind of knowledge is required, what kind of technicality is required, what will be the required time duration to complete the course/program and what will be the future job openings etc. plays a vital role in the successful completion of opted course/program. As far as choosing Questioned Document as an academic future is concern one must have basic knowledge of Physics, Chemistry and Instrumentation, as the syllabus of M.Sc. in Forensic Science with specialization in Questioned Document contains the principles and theories of above mentioned domains and their application in solving the Questioned Document-related cases. In order to pursue M.Sc. in Forensic Science with specialization in Questioned The document, one must be very technical and one must have enough knowledge about the document science and should have the hands-on various instruments and techniques related to Document Examination. Students with enough knowledge related to Questioned Document Examination and a good hand on instruments and techniques related to Questioned Document Examination can be absorbed by any agencies that carry the Questioned Document-related works. So, the moral of the story is the success of students careers is totally depends upon the capabilities of students only. If you’re enough confident about your capabilities then no one can stop you from achieving your goals.