The Document Investigation Department conducts the technical examination of various types of documents – personal identification documents, banknotes, certificates, testaments, agreements, letters and other as well as examination of the materials of documents – paper, dye, paint, ink, toner, glue and other.

For complex examination of the documents the forensic experts use up-to-date equipment – Docucentre Expert, which allows an object of the examination to be observed in different lights. The high quality microscopes (including discussion stereo microscopes) give wide opportunities for detection and evaluation of micro features. The electrostatic detection device is used in order to visualize traces of indented impressions. For examination of the materials of documents various chromatographic and spectroscopic methods are applied.

With assistance of the forensic experts from the Biological and Chemical Investigation Department scanning electron microscopy and x-ray fluorescent analysis are applied in examinations and the biological examination of paper fibers is carried out as well.

Along with forensic examinations the Document Investigation Department keeps collections of the documents and writing materials and carries out practical research to determine the age of documents.

The handwriting examination is one of the most demanded types of forensic examination, with the help of which the authorship of writing or a signature can be determined.

The object of the linguistic or authorship examination is handwritten or printed writing. The forensic experts analyze linguistic features of the writing – phonetic, lexicological, stylistic and grammatical, and its structure acquiring information on personality of the author.

The forensic information technology experts conduct search of information on various types of date carriers – floppy discs, hard discs, compact discs and search of documents (also deleted) according to provided samples - agreements, authorizations etc. as well as according to different titles - company names, surnames etc. The forensic experts determine the properties of the documents found as well as the operating system of the computer, installed software and network configuration (IP and MAC address, internet connection configuration). If required, e-mail accounts are examined as well.

The forensic experts of the Document Investigation Department conduct examinations in 6 forensic science areas such as

  • Technical examination of documents
  • Information technology examination
  • Examination of the materials of documents
  • Linguistic examination of writing
  • Examination of banknotes
  • Graphic examination

Employees

Vitālijs Freidenfelds

Head of Document Investigation Department
vitalijs.freidenfelds [at] vteb.gov.lv