Second Endorsements Deserve a Second Look

• NCJ Number: 73259
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 25 Issue: 4 Dated: (October 1980) Pages: 834-838
• Author(s): V R Truman
• Date Published: 1980
• Length: 5 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Presented at the 32nd Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, New Orleans, Louisiana, February, 1980.

Annotation

This article discusses second endorsements on forged checks and several cases of second endorsements where further investigation was desirable.

Abstract

Disputed signatures are the most commonly questioned document problem, and forged checks compose the greatest portion of many document examiners' case loads. In many forged check examinations both the payee's signature and that of the second endorser who negotiates the check will be in question. Because second endorsement signatures may routinely be taken for granted, the document examiner should exercise caution as in any signature comparison. Second endorsement problems from actual case examinations are presented. Problems illustrated in second endorsements cases involve a change in the slant of the writing, individual writing variations, simulated endorsements, and unexplained differences between the questioned and known signatures. Illustrations are given of questionable endorsements.