PART I : DISPUTED DOCUMENTS
PREFACE TO THE FOURTH EDITION V
PREFACE TO THE THIRD EDITION IX
PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION X
CHAPTER I : INTRODUCTION
Illustrations 3
CHAPTER II : WRITING CHARACTERISTICS
Co-ordination of the writing muscles 8
Movement 8
Relative size of letters and words 9
Relative positioning of letter, words etc. 11
Slant and relative slant of letters, words, etc. 11
Alignment 12
Shape of letters 13
Method of production of letters 13
Line quality 14
Pen presentation and shading 14
Pen pressure 15
Arrangement of words, sentence and paragraphs 16
Rhythmic production of writing 16
Speed of writing 16
Embellishment 16
Arrangement of Handwriting 16
Skill 17
Individual Idiosyncrasies 17
CHAPTER III : HANDWRITING EXPERT AND EXAMINATION PROBLEMS
Introduction 18
Preliminary question for determination 18
What the documents laboratory can do 20
Problems which cannot be solved in a Documents laboratory 20
Standard for comparison 23
Procedure for obtaining suitable standards for comparison 24
Standard materials for comparison with typewritten matter 26
Care of Documents 27
Instructions for Collection and Packing on Exhibits 28
CHAPTER IV : LABORATORY EQUIPMENTS
Introduction 29
The Laboratory itself 29
Working Bench 29
Lighting Arrangement 29
Natural light 30
Electromagnetic Radiations 30
Ultra-voilet Rays 31
Uses of Ultra-violet rays in other fields of investigation 34
Colour of the object to be photographed 35
Typical and convenient equipment 36
Infra-red rays 37
Emission 38
Optical Equipments 39
Microscope 40
Measuring instruments 41
Photographic equipment 43
Document photography 43
Chromoscope 44
Electron Microscope 45
Thin layer chromatography 46
Video spectral comparator 47
CHAPTER V : WRITING EQUIPMENTS
Pens 49
Pencil 50
Tests for distinction 51
Chemical or destructive tests 52
Inks 53
Fountain-pen ink 54
Fibre-tip pens 56
Problems in examination 56
Methods of examination 56
Paper 57
Manufacture of paper 58
Classification of paper material 59
Tests for papers 59
CHAPTER VI : TYPEWRITER AND
EXAMINATION OF
TYPEWRITTEN MATTER
Introduction 61
Classification of makes and models of typewriters in India 62
Identification of typewriter 63
General consideration 63
Individual characteristics 65
Has the whole document been typed on the same typewriter 66
Has the whole document been typed at the same time 66
Thin layer chromatography 67
Identification of the operator 68
Times since typed 69
CHAPTER VII : ANONYMOUS LETTERS
Introduction 70
Classification of anonymous letters 71
Typical cases and investigations 72
CHAPTER VIII : ABNORMAL WRITING
Introduction 76
Unusual writing conditions 76
Intentional 77
Disguised writing 77
Important features of disguised writings 79
Writings by unaccustomed hand 80
Habitual writings 84
Examination for finger-print impressions 85
CHAPTER IX : FORGERY AND DETECTION
Introduction 86
Classification of forgeries 86
Traced forgery characteristics 89
Examination and court demonstration 89
CHAPTER X : EXAMINATION AND COMPARISON OF HANDWRITING
Introduction 91
Graphoscopy 91
General characteristics 92
Individual characteristics 94
Graphometry 95
Technique of Graphometric Analysis 96
General Rule of measurement 96
CHAPTER XI : PRINTED MATTER
Introduction 101
Printing Press 101
Mechanical type setting 102
Printing technology 102
Type characters 102
Approximate size of type in General use 102
Composing 103
Monotype 103
Forgery in Lottery Tickets 103
Alteration of the lottery ticket number to match the winning number 103
Forged printing 104
Forgery in currency notes 105
Distinction between a genuine and forged note 105
Spurious books 106
CHAPTER XII : EXAMINATION OF CHARRED DOCUMENTS
Introduction 108
Stabilization 108
Deciperment 109
CHAPTER XIII : ALTERATION, ADDITION, ERASURES AND OTHER QUESTIONED DOCUMENTS PROBLEMS
Introduction 111
Alteration 111
Additions 111
Erasures 112
Invisible writings and their Decipherment 113
Cryptography 114
CHAPTER XIV : PROBLEM OF PROOF IN COURT
Mode of Proof of Handwriting 116
Value to be attached to lay witnesses 118
Probative value of Handwriting Expert's Opinion 118
Comparison of Handwriting/Signature by the Court 120
Knowledge of Script by the Expert 122
Conflict of opinion between two experts 122
Typewriter Identification 124
Effect of non-submission of expert's opinion 125
Forgery in, Currency Note 125
PART II : FINGER PRINT
CHAPTER I : BRIEF HISTORY OF FINGERPRINT SCIENCE
Introduction 129
Historical Background 129
Importance of Finger Impressions 131
Basis of Identification Through Finger Print 132
No. of points necessary to establish identity 132
The ridge characteristics of fingers do not undergo any change
during an individual's lifetime 136
Fingerprints have such ridge patterns that permit them to be
systematically classified 137
CHAPTER II : FINGERPRINT PATTERNS
Patterns 138
Definitions 138
Congenital Abnormality 148
Dermabrasion 149
Occupational marks 150
CHAPTER III : RIDGE CHARACTERISTICS
Introduction 151
Characteristics formed by single ridge 151
Characteristics formed by two or more ridges 152
CHAPTER IV : FINGERPRINT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM
Introduction 154
Henry Classification System 154
Primary Classification System 154
The Secondary Classification System 156
The Sub-secondary Classification System 156
Whorl Tracings 157
Ridge counting 158
New Method of Ridge Counting and Ridge Tracing 159
Lettered Group Method 160
Major Divisional System 161
Single Digit System 162
CHAPTER V : LATENT FINGER IMPRESSIONS
Introduction 166
Development of Finger Impressions 166
Equipment for development at the scene of crime 171
Lifting of finger-print 171
Lifting tape 172
Silicon Rubber 172
Benzidine solution 172
CHAPTER VI : HOW TO TAKE FINGER IMPRESSION
Introduction 174
Method of taking Finger Impressions in Special Cases 175
Principle and Technique 177
Fingerprinting a decomposed dead body 177
CHAPTER VII : METHOD OF EXAMINATION OF TWO FINGERPRINTS
Introduction 180
The Matrix Process (Albert Wehde) 180
The Fingerprint Stamp (Herald Cummins) 181
Process Block 181
Transmogrification, Scarification and Dermabrasions 181
Method of Examination 182
Intrinsic Examination 182
Extrinsic Study 183
Identity by Microscopic Ridge Details 185
Edgescopy 186
Palm (Hand) and Sole and Toe (Foot) Print 186
Sole Prints 189
CHAPTER VIII : FINGERPRINT EVIDENCE
Notable cases and case laws 191
Admissibility of Fingerprint evidence without the physical presence
of expert 192
Expert's opinion on a partial print 193
Presentation of Fingerprint Evidence 193
Probative value of Fingerprint opinion 194
Thumb impression is a science of exactitude 195
Can a Magistrate direct a person to give thumb impression? 196
Footprint 197
Footprint/shoeprint comparisons 198
CHAPTER IX : THE EXPERT IN COURT
Examination in Chief 199
Examination-in-Chief (Questions & Answers) 200
Cross Examination 202
PART III : BALLISTICS
CHAPTER I : INTRODUCTION
Historical outfit 208
Gradual development of firearms 209
The Wheel-Lock 210
The Flint-Lock 210
Percussion Lock 211
Breech Loading 211
CHAPTER II : FIREARMS
Smooth bore weapons 213
Bore 213
Calibre 213
Exceptions 214
Shot-Guns 214
Single barrelled 214
Double barrelled Guns 215
Choke 216
Muskets 217
Mixed Guns 217
Paradox Guns 217
Rifled Arms 218
Effect of rifling 218
Types of Rifled small arms 218
Rifles 218
Pistols 219
Revolver 220
Sub-machine Guns 221
Light machine Guns 222
Air Guns and Air rifles 222
Assault Rifles 222
CHAPTER III : SMALL ARMS AMMUNITION
Composition of Ammunition 224
Grading of Black Powder 225
Semi-Smokeless Powder 226
Priming Mixture 226
Percussion Caps 226
Projectiles 227
Bullet 228
Cannelure 229
Shot-Gun Projectiles 229
Shots/Pellets 230
Wads 232
Turn over 233
Lubricants 233
Cartridge Shell 233
CHAPTER IV : IDENTIFICATION OF FIREARMS
Identification from fired cartridge cases - Firing pin and
breech-face markings 236
Extractor mark 237
Ejector marks 237
Drag mark 238
Chamber marks 239
Unusual marks 239
Bullets 239
Bullet fired through smooth-bore weapons 241
Identification from fired shots and bullets 241
Court decisions on identification 242
Importance of photograph for presentation of evidence 245
CHAPTER V : RANGE OF A GUN
Maximum Horizontal Range 248
Maximum Vertical Range 248
Effective Range 248
Dangerous Range 248
Safe Range 248
Range in the forensic sense 249
Contact Range 249
Point Blank/Near Contact Range 249
Near Contact Range 250
Chips range 251
Distance beyond chips range 251
Range of bullets fired by rifles 251
Effect of bullet at range between 600-1200 yards 253
Effect at range exceeding 1200 yards 253
Wound caused by Machine guns 253
Case Laws 253
CHAPTER VI : SHOT GUN BALLISTICS
Introduction 256
Contact shot 256
Near contact shot 256
Range within 1 to 3 yards 257
Range between 3-6 yards 257
Range between 6 to 10 yards 257
Range beyond 40 yards 258
Range estimation from percentage of pellets on a given target 258
Wounding power and Casualty criteria 259
Behaviour of wads 260
CHAPTER VII : COUNTRYMADE GUN
Range assessment 262
Penetrating capability 263
Direction of Fire 263
Identification problems 264
CHAPTER VIII : HOMICIDE, SUICIDES AND ACCIDENTS BY FIREARMS
Section 300 265
Suicide 266
Accident 266
Illustrative cases 268
CHAPTER IX : RANDUM NOTES
Rules of safety 268
How to Disarm 268
How to deal with an armed suspect 270
CHAPTER X : MEDICO-LEGAL INVESTIGATIONS
Section 174: Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 272
Section 175: Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 273
Section 176: Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 273
Value of inquest report 274
Conflict between Inquest-Report & Post-mortem Report 274
Post-mortem examination 275
CHAPTER XI : EXPERT'S OPINION - A FEW COURT RULINGS
Importance of the inspection of the scene of occurrence 277
Effect of non-production of expert evidence 278
What are Arms and Ammunition 278
PART IV : EXPERT EVIDENCE
CHAPTER I : EXPERT EVIDENCE - GENERAL
Introduction 283
When expert evidence is to be admitted 284
Common witness vis-a-vis expert witness 285
Who are experts? 286
Competency of expert 287
Qualities of an expert 288
Judicial approach 289
Expert Evidence should be Demonstrative 290
CHAPTER II : THE EXPERT IN COURT
Introduction 291
Court Procedure and the witness 291
Mode of Issue of Summons 291
Administration of Oath 292
Recall witness 293
Hints on Giving Evidence 294
Preparation of the testimony 294
Some Do's and Don'ts 295
SUBJECT INDEX 297