ABSTRACT
This chapter is designed to assist the Forensic Document Examiner (FDE) with examinations using digital image technology. The areas discussed are hardware and software considerations, imaging, direct examinations, comparative examinations, and demonstratives. In order to conduct digital examinations, FDEs need to ensure that they have the appropriate resources to adequately comply with the standards. All digital examinations start with capturing an image of the physical items to be examined. This is accomplished with either a scanner or camera. The transition to digital examinations brings with it some additional equipment requirements, particularly sufficient computing power to process large image files. Direct examinations involve the use of image editing software to obtain a result that may not be visible to the FDE without the aid of editing software or other imaging equipment. An effective method of visualizing machine printing or writing on charred paper is infrared photography.
