Against an Illegible Signature—­Avoid Gyrations, Whirls and Flourishes—­Write Plain, Distinct and Legible—­The Signature to Adopt—­The People Forgers Pass By—­How Many Imitate Successfully—­How an Expert Detects Forged Handwriting—­Examples of Signatures Forgers Desire to Imitate—­Examining and Determining a Forgery—­Comparisons of Disputed Handwriting—­Microscopic Examinations a Great Help in Detecting Forged Handwriting—­Comparison of Forged Handwriting

CHAPTER IX

GREATEST DANGER TO BANKS

Check-Raising Always a Danger—­A Scheme Almost Impossible to Prevent—­The American Banker’s Association the Greatest Foe to Forgers—­It Follows Them Relentlessly and Successfully—­Chemically Prepared Paper and Watermarks Not Always a Safeguard—­Perforating Machines and Check Raisers—­How Check Perforations Are Overcome—­How an Ordinary Check Is Raised—­How an Expert Alters Checks—­How Perforations Are Filled—­Hasty Examination by Paying Tellers Encourages Forgers—­The Way Bogus Checks Creep Through a Bank Unnoticed—­A Celebrated Forgery Case—­Forgers Successful for a Time Always Caught—­Where Forgers Usually Go That Have Made a Big Haul—­A Professional Crook Is a Person of Large Acquaintance

CHAPTER X

THUMB PRINTS NEVER FORGED

Thumb-Print Method of Identification Absolute—­Now Brought to a High State of Perfection—­Will Eventually Be Used in all Banks—­Certified Checks and Also Drafts with Thumb-Print Signatures—­Absolute Accuracy of a Thumb-Print Identification Assured—­A Thumb-Print in Wax on Sealed Packages—­Its Use an Advantage on Bankable Paper of All Kinds—­How Strangers Are Easily Identified—­Bankers, Merchants and Business Men Protected by This System—­Full Particulars as to How Thumb-Prints Are Made—­Can be Printed by Anyone in a Few Minutes—­How and When to Place Your Thumb-Print on Bankable Paper—­Finger-Prints as Reliable as Thumb-Prints—­Use to Which This System Could Be Put—­Thumb and Finger Tips Do Not Change From Birth to Death—­Department of Justice at Washington Has Established a Bureau of Criminal Registry Using the Thumb-Print System—­Thumb-Print System Said to Be a Chinese Invention—­Its Use Spreading Rapidly—­How to Secure Thumb-Print
Impression Without Knowledge of Party—­An Interesting and Valuable
Study

CHAPTER XI

DETECTING FORGERY WITH THE MICROSCOPE

Determining Questionable Signatures By the Aid of a Microscope—­A Magnifying Glass Not Powerful Enough—­Character of Ink Easily Told—­The Microscope and a Knowledge of Its Use—­Experience and Education of an Examiner of Great Assistance—­An Expert’s Opinion—­The Use of the Microscope Recommended—­Illustrating a Method of Forgery—­What a Microscopic Examination Reveals—­How to Examine Forged Handwriting with a Microscope—­Experts and a Jury—­What the Best Authorities Recommend