In one of our recent cases, an unauthorised page substitution in a signed agreement was suspected.
At first glance, the document looked ordinary. The only clue? A pair of staple holes.
To most people, staple holes are insignificant.
To a Forensic Document Examiner (FDE), they can be powerful physical evidence.
At SD Forensic Document Services, we routinely examine not just ink and handwriting, but also the physical structure of paper, staple holes, and tool marks to determine whether a document has been altered, tampered with, or reassembled.
Under magnification and proper lighting, staple holes are no longer “just holes”. They become measurable, comparable features that can answer important questions, such as:
- Do the staple holes match across the entire bundle?
- What tool was used to remove the staple?
- Why are the paper fibres disturbed around the holes?
- Is there evidence of repeated unstapling and reassembly?
These observations, combined with other examinations (ink, printing, handwriting, signatures, paper type, etc.), allow us to provide an opinion on whether the document is intact and original or likely altered.
There is sometimes a misconception that Forensic Document Examination is “not scientific enough”.
However, what we do is firmly rooted in science and follows a systematic, evidence-based approach:
- Hypothesis-driven: We start with clear questions: Has this page been substituted? Has this document been reassembled?
- Use of specialised equipment: Stereomicroscopes, oblique lighting, infrared (IR) light sources, and Video Spectral Comparators (VSC) help us observe features invisible to the naked eye.
- Controlled comparison: We compare questioned documents with known exemplars or with other pages in the same bundle using consistent methods.
- Replication and consistency: Our observations can be repeated, recorded, photographed, and reviewed by other trained experts.
- Documentation and reporting: Findings are clearly documented and presented in a structured report suitable for court and dispute resolution.
So, when we study paper fibres, tool marks and staple-hole geometry to reach a reasoned, reproducible conclusion, what else would you call it, if not science?
When Should You Consult a Forensic Document Examiner?
You should consider engaging a Forensic Document Examiner if you encounter:
- Suspected page substitution in agreements, resolutions or contracts
- Questioned signatures or initials on key pages
- Doubts about backdating, insertions, or replacements in a document bundle
- Concerns about document authenticity in litigation, arbitration, or insurance claims
Early consultation can preserve crucial evidence and help guide the collection of original documents before they are lost, altered, or further damaged.
Need Help With a Suspected Tampered Document?
If you are dealing with:
- Suspected document tampering
- Page substitution in contracts or agreements
- Disputed signatures or questioned documents in litigation or insurance claims
and require an independent forensic assessment, we are here to assist.
📩 Contact: [email protected]
📍 Service: Forensic document and signature examination, litigation support & expert reporting
At SD Forensic Document Services, we believe that even a staple hole can speak—if you know how to listen.