Exam 8: Documentary Evidence, Models, Maps, and Diagrams

Fred is being prosecuted for forgery because he sold a document that he claimed was the handwritten notes Lincoln used while giving the Gettysburg Address. The prosecution has asked a forensics document examiner to evaluate the document. The Gettysburg Address was given in 1863. Will the document that Fred sold qualify in federal court an ancient document?

Hal has been charged with fraud based on the bankruptcy he filed for a business he owned. The prosecution has a number of documents it wishes to introduce: •Numerous invoices itemizing orders taken by the staff at Hal's company. All invoices were printed with sequential numbers but nearly one quarter of them are missing from files in the company's accounting office. •A promissory note indicating that Hal's company owes the lender $100,000. It appears that the document was altered and the original amount of the loan was $10,000. •Digital personnel records showing that Hal's company owes its staff $500,000 in back wages •Handwritten notes found in Hal's office. The notes were apparently made by Hal when discussing his gambling debts. Can Hal's handwritten notes about the gambling debt be introduced under the Business Records Exception to the Hearsay Rule?

Fred is being prosecuted for forgery because he sold a document that he claimed was the handwritten notes Lincoln used while giving the Gettysburg Address. The prosecution has asked a forensics document examiner to evaluate the document. What can the forensics document examiner tell about the handwriting that might indicate forgery?

Testimony of a person who was present when a document was prepared would be admissible at trial if the document was destroyed by accident.

Do models and diagrams need to be made to scale in order to be admissible at trial? Explain.

Explain the role of a forensic documents examiner in introducing documents in court.

Rule 1002 of the Federal Rules of Evidence mandates the original be produced in court when establishing the contents of a writing, recording or photograph. If the writing in question is stored on a computer, the side wishing to introduce it must produce:

Explain the terms primary evidence and secondary evidence as they relate to introducing documents at trial. Give an example of each.

The ancient documents rule is only used when there are no official records regarding the event in question.

In legal terms, "photographs" includes:

A certified copy of a court document is usually signed by:

List three types of documents that are self-authenticating. Explain what must be done to authenticate documents that are not self-authenticating.

A document can be authenticated by the testimony of a person who saw the document being made.

A forensic document examiner bases his/her conclusions regarding handwritten documents solely on the shapes of the letters.

The comparison of typed documents is more accurate today than it has been in the past.

All documents must be authenticated except those with the seal of a notary or a government agency.

A document is authenticated by establishing that all of the facts stated in the document are true and accurate.

Fred is being prosecuted for forgery because he sold a document that he claimed was the handwritten notes Lincoln used while giving the Gettysburg Address. The prosecution has asked a forensics document examiner to evaluate the document. What can the forensics document examiner tell from the paper and ink that might indicate forgery?

Stock market reports in the New York Times are not admissible to show the value of stock unless they are authenticated by employees of the New York Stock Exchange.

Hal has been charged with fraud based on the bankruptcy he filed for a business he owned. The prosecution has a number of documents it wishes to introduce: •Numerous invoices itemizing orders taken by the staff at Hal's company. All invoices were printed with sequential numbers but nearly one quarter of them are missing from files in the company's accounting office. •A promissory note indicating that Hal's company owes the lender $100,000. It appears that the document was altered and the original amount of the loan was $10,000. •Digital personnel records showing that Hal's company owes its staff $500,000 in back wages •Handwritten notes found in Hal's office. The notes were apparently made by Hal when discussing his gambling debts. The prosecution obtained digital personnel records from the computer in the accounting office of Hal's company. Can these records be introduced at trial in federal court?