Typewriters and Word-Processors

"Typewritten" documents can be produced either directly from a typewriter or from a printer attached to a word-processor or computer. The printing element may be one of the following types:

• Typebar - The traditional typewriter where each letter is on a different bar and is fixed to the typewriter.
• Golfball/Daisywheel - The characters are all part of a printing element which can be removed and replaced by others of different styles.
• Matrix/Dot-Matrix, thermal and ink-jet printers ar commonly associated with computers.
• Laser Printers - Documents produced by laser printers have the general appearance of good photocopies. Used with computers and word processors.

For a document to be linked to a particular machine it is necessary for the scientist to find defects or damage. Other evidence may also be obtained:

• Ribbons - Electric typewriters may be fitted with carbon ribbons which pass through the machine only once. The scientist can read the ribbon to determine what was typed using it.

In cases concerning any of the above the following should be submitted:

• Typewriter(s)
• All golfballs/daisywheels that can be used with each machine submitted
• Any used typewriter ribbons.

If for any reason it is not practical to seize a typewriter take specimens:

• Replace the ribbon with a new one; submit the old ribbon
• Take specimens of the complete keyboard
• Type versions of the questioned documents
• If there are any more golfballs/daisywheels, take specimens using each printing element
• If the typewriter has a correcting ribbon, please also submit this.

If you have any queries as to what we need, phone us!