The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines forgery as: "an act of forging; especially: the crime of falsely and fraudulently making or altering a document (as a check).
The most common types of forgery are: counterfeit checks, bogus invoices, fraudulent wills, phony contracts, poison-pen letters, threatening notes, disputed decrees (such as divorce filings) and even ransom notes.
Probably the first time most of us were involved in forgery was when we were in school, got a note from our teacher for our parents to sign and we signed "their" names on it to stay out of trouble. Or there's the ever-popular signing of our parent's name to an excuse for absence from school.
Unfortunately, the first time most of us really become aware of forgery is when it costs us money, belongings or reputation. That's when we find ourselves baffled and looking for a solution. And that's where forensic document examination comes in. ...And my next post...
