Government Examiner of Questioned Documents (GEQD)

Aastha Thakker
Nov 27, 2025
3 min read

When a signature feels a little off, a cheque looks “too polished,” or a passport trigger that quiet doubt, one team in India steps in to decode the truth, the Government Examiner of Questioned Documents (GEQD).

As defined in the UGC MOOC on Forensic Science, a questioned document is simply one whose authenticity or authorship isn’t clear and needs scientific scrutiny.

Originally created in 1904 as an official post and later placed under the Ministry of Home Affairs, the GEQD has grown into a specialized unit within the Central Forensic Science Laboratories (CFSLs). Its credibility rests entirely on the examiner’s technical skill, experience, and ability to interpret tiny document cues with precision. And since these experts often appear in court, they also carry the responsibility of presenting their findings through clear, legally sound testimony ensuring their opinion stands strong as evidence.

At present, GEQD functions are carried out within three CFSLs located at Chandigarh, Hyderabad, and Kolkata, each serving specific zones of the country. These laboratories handle national and inter-state cases involving questioned documents and provide expert opinions to law enforcement agencies, government departments, and the judiciary.

Workflow within a GEQD/CFSL division follows a systematic and legally governed process:

Evidence Submission 
        |
Registration and Acknowledgement 
        |
Scientific Examination and Analysis 
        |
Preparation of Expert Report 
        |
Court Deposition (Expert Testimony)

Objectives, Functions & Responsibilities of GEQD

Handwriting & Signature Identification: Determines authorship by comparing writing habits, stroke patterns, spacing, and signature characteristics.
Forgery & Manipulation Detection: Identifies traced, simulated, disguised, or tampered writings — along with alterations, erasures, overwriting, and substituted entries.
Analysis of Printed, Typed & Machine-Generated Documents: Examines typewritten pages, printed material, photocopies, and stamp impressions to link them to specific devices or processes.
Decipherment of Hidden or Damaged Text: Recovers obscured, faded, burnt, or water-damaged writings using tools like VSC, UV/IR imaging, and specialized microscopy.
Authentication of Security & Official Documents: Verifies currency, passports, visas, licenses, cheques, and financial records to detect counterfeiting or fraud.
Stroke Sequence & Document Reconstruction: Determines the order of writings/entries and reconstructs torn, cut, or shredded documents by matching fibers, edges, and patterns.
Ink, Paper & Material Examination: Estimates document/ink age, identifies writing materials, and evaluates physical/chemical properties to confirm authenticity.

Tools, Techniques, and Technology

The GEQD laboratories are equipped with both traditional and modern scientific instruments used to examine handwriting, inks, papers, seals, and other document features. While courts generally seek expert opinions rather than precise measurements, these tools help build data banks and ensure scientific accuracy in examinations.

A. Optical Equipment

Optical instruments use light-based visualization and magnification techniques to examine minute details of questioned documents. The choice of equipment depends on the purpose of analysis.

B. Chemical and Reagent Analysis

Chemical tests are used to study the composition and ageing of inks, paper, and other materials. These involve solvent extraction, chromatography, and reagent reactions to identify differences in chemical composition.

C. Specialized Instruments

Advanced instruments provide non-destructive, high-precision analysis and help visualize hidden or indented writings.

D. Integrated Technology Approach

Modern GEQD laboratories combine digital imaging, optical enhancement, and chemical testing for comprehensive document analysis. Data from all these tools are integrated to form a scientifically validated expert opinion, ensuring reliability and admissibility in court.

Expertise, Court Testimony, and Emerging Challenges

The effectiveness of the GEQD largely depends on the expertise, integrity, and adaptability of its forensic professionals. Examiners working in GEQD or CFSL divisions are required to possess formal education in forensic science, specialized training in document examination, and practical experience in handling diverse evidentiary materials.

The credibility of an expert’s findings relies on the examiner’s knowledge, technical proficiency, and forensic experience. Since GEQDs are often summoned as expert witnesses, they must be skilled not only in scientific evaluation but also in courtroom presentation and cross-examination, ensuring that their reports are legally admissible and scientifically defensible. During testimony, experts present visual comparisons, explain their methods, and justify conclusions drawn from evidence, contributing to judicial decision-making.

With technological advancements, the GEQD faces new challenges such as digitally forged certificates, AI-generated handwriting, deepfake signatures, and manipulated digital prints. To counter these, forensic experts are adopting machine learning tools, hyperspectral imaging, and digital pattern analysis for enhanced accuracy and automation. The integration of these technologies strengthens the reliability of forensic evidence in both physical and cyber domains.

Table: Traditional vs. Modern Challenges in Questioned Document Examination

The work of a questioned document examiner demands not just scientific acumen but also unwavering integrity, meticulous attention to detail, and the ability to present complex findings in a courtroom setting. Their testimony can determine the outcome of property disputes, criminal trials, and financial fraud cases, making their role both powerful and profoundly responsible.