Forensic document age examination helps determine whether a document was created when it is claimed to have been created. Our experts analyse inks, papers, printing and other features using modern analytical methods. The results are used in civil, criminal and arbitration proceedings when the authenticity or possible backdating of documents is in question.
QUANT Multidisciplinary Chemical Technology Center provides forensic document age examination services. This type of forensic analysis is essential when resolving disputes, confirming the authenticity of documents and protecting your interests in court. Our team combines many years of experience in forensic science with advanced analytical methods, ensuring the reliability and accuracy of our findings.
The authenticity of documentation plays a key role in legal disputes. Document age examination helps establish when a document was created, identify any subsequent changes or falsifications and detect forgeries. This type of forensic examination is particularly important in criminal, civil, arbitration and administrative proceedings, where every detail can affect the outcome.
Our team includes experts with over 20 years of experience in law enforcement and forensic science.
We are available for calls from clients worldwide.
The QUANT laboratory is equipped with one of the most advanced suites of analytical instruments in Russia.
Every detail matters. At QUANT Multidisciplinary Chemical Technology Center, document age examinations are performed with maximum precision, objectivity and impartiality. Our primary goal is to provide clear, well-substantiated evidence and an expert opinion that can protect your interests and reduce legal risk.
The cost of a document age examination depends on a number of factors and is calculated after our specialists review the scope and complexity of the work. Thanks to an in-house team of full-time experts, we are able to maintain competitive pricing while preserving a consistently high quality of analysis.
We analyse handwritten entries, signatures, stamp and seal impressions, inks and other document features to determine how and when they were produced. This stage helps identify the sequence of entries and any elements that may have been added later.
We conduct a detailed study of writing materials such as pen pastes, inks and stamp inks using forensic and analytical methods. This allows us to assess the age of the document and the conditions under which it was created, as well as the compatibility of different entries with one another.
On completion of the examination you receive a comprehensive expert report suitable for submission in court or for other official purposes. The report describes the methods used, the findings obtained and the expert’s conclusions regarding the probable time of creation and any detected alterations.
Businesses, legal professionals and private clients typically turn to us when the timing of a document’s creation has direct legal or financial consequences. Вelow are the most frequent situations in which a forensic document age examination is appropriate:
there is a suspicion that a contract, agreement, invoice or addendum was backdated to create artificial rights or obligations;
different versions of the same document exist and it is necessary to establish which version appeared earlier and whether later pages or clauses were added;
signatures, amounts or key clauses may have been entered after the parties originally signed the document;
there are doubts about the authenticity or timing of promissory notes, guarantees, powers of attorney, HR and payroll documents;
an organisation needs an independent expert opinion to support an internal investigation, compliance review, negotiation strategy or litigation.
If you are unsure whether your situation requires a full formal examination or only a preliminary assessment, our specialists can review the case materials and recommend the most appropriate scope of work.
Document age examination is not limited to the calendar date printed on a page. In practice, we analyse a complex set of physical and chemical characteristics that together reflect how and when the document was created. Depending on the task and the condition of the materials, we may examine:
handwritten entries and signatures – their sequence, relative age and possible additions;
inks, toners and other writing media – their composition, type, brand range and compatibility with the claimed time period;
paper – manufacturing method, optical properties, fillers, watermarks and other features characteristic of a certain supplier or production era;
printing and copying technologies – traces of inkjet, laser, matrix, typewriter or photocopier output, including typical defects and wear patterns;
stamps, seals and impressions – type of stamp device, ink used, repeatability and potential substitution;
traces of erasures, overwriting and corrections – mechanical or chemical interventions that may indicate deliberate modification of the document.
On this basis we build a structured picture of how the document was formed: which elements are original, which ones were added or changed, and whether the overall appearance is consistent with the stated date.
The reliability of conclusions in document age examination directly depends on the quality of methods and equipment used. QUANT combines classical forensic techniques with modern instrumental analysis, allowing us to work with both simple and highly complex cases. Depending on the specific questions, the examination may include:
Visual and microscopic examination. Detailed study of the document’s surface, stroke structure and overlap of lines using optical and digital microscopes. This helps to determine the sequence of entries, detect corrections and assess the relative age of intersecting strokes.
Spectral and optical methods. Use of ultraviolet and infrared illumination, spectrophotometry, Raman and other types of spectroscopy to characterise inks and papers. These methods reveal differences in composition that are not visible to the naked eye and support comparisons with reference materials.
Chromatographic and chemical analysis. Targeted analysis of ink components and solvent evaporation processes using chromatographic systems and chemical tests. In suitable cases this makes it possible to estimate how long ago the ink was applied and whether different entries were made in approximately the same period.
Comparative examination with reference materials. Comparison of disputed documents with samples of known age (reference documents, archived forms, standard papers and inks) from the relevant timeframe. This enables us to evaluate whether the materials used are typical for the alleged period or, on the contrary, clearly inconsistent with it.
All instruments utilised in our laboratory are included in the State Register of Measuring Instruments and undergo regular metrological verification. This ensures measurement traceability, compliance with regulatory requirements and reproducibility of results.
Our goal is to provide conclusions that are both scientifically sound and practically useful for lawyers, compliance officers and decision-makers. The final expert report may include, among others, the following elements:
assessment of the likely time of creation of the document as a whole or of particular entries (for example, “no earlier than…”, “no later than…”, or a probable time range);
evaluation of consistency between the claimed creation date and the physical and chemical characteristics of the paper, inks and printing technologies used;
identification of entries added or altered later, such as inserted pages, changed amounts, added signatures or modified clauses;
analysis of compatibility of inks, stamps, toners and papers with one another and with the alleged period of document creation;
clear explanation of methods and reasoning, so that the court or other stakeholders can understand how the conclusions were reached.
The report is prepared in a structured, formal style suitable for submission to courts, investigative bodies, regulators and internal corporate functions.
Professional forensic practice requires not only advanced methods, but also honest communication of their capabilities and limitations. Document age examination rarely produces an exact calendar date; in most cases, science allows us to define time intervals, relative ordering and probability estimates, rather than an exact day or hour.
With this in mind, we adhere to the following principles:
conclusions are based on the overall combination of all examined features, not on a single test result;
where the data are insufficient for a precise answer — for example, for very old, heavily damaged or atypically manufactured documents — we provide limited or conditional conclusions rather than speculative statements;
the wording of our opinions clearly indicates the degree of certainty (for example, “highly probable”, “probable”, “cannot be excluded”) and does not create unrealistic expectations;
we always distinguish between scientific findings and legal evaluations: our role is to describe what the evidence shows, while legal qualification remains with the court and practitioners.
Such transparency increases the evidential value of our reports and helps ensure that they withstand critical review in adversarial proceedings.
Choosing an expert centre for document age examination means entrusting sensitive and often high-value disputes to a third party. Clients turn to QUANT because we offer a combination of technical capability, practical experience and procedural reliability:
Multidisciplinary team. Our specialists have backgrounds in analytical chemistry, forensic document examination, materials science and metrology. Many have over 20 years of experience working with complex evidential materials in legal contexts.
Advanced analytical infrastructure. The laboratory operates microscopes, spectrometers, chromatographs and other analytical systems, giving us flexibility in selecting the most appropriate methods for each specific case.
Validated and documented methodologies. Our approaches are based on recognised forensic practices and current scientific research in ink and paper dating. Internal procedures describe each stage of the examination, from receipt of materials to report issuance.
Court-oriented reporting. We understand how evidence is evaluated in court. Reports are written in clear technical English or Russian, supported by illustrative materials where appropriate, and structured in line with procedural requirements.
Strict evidence handling and confidentiality. Documents are registered upon receipt, stored under controlled conditions and handled in accordance with chain-of-custody principles. Information about the case is disclosed only to authorised representatives of the client or competent authorities.
This combination of factors helps our clients reduce legal risks and strengthen their position in negotiations and litigation.
A clear and predictable process is important when dealing with sensitive documents. To initiate cooperation with QUANT, we suggest the following steps:
Initial contact and case outline. Send us a brief description of the situation: the type of document, the disputed dates, the parties involved and your key questions to the expert. At this stage we can usually indicate whether a document age examination is potentially feasible.
Preliminary review of copies. Provide high-quality scans or photographs of the documents. They allow us to assess the condition of the materials, identify obvious constraints and propose a preliminary scope of work and methods.
Proposal, cost and timeline. Based on the preliminary review, we prepare a written proposal describing the planned examinations, estimated completion time and cost. This document can be used internally for approvals and budgeting.
Transfer of original documents. Once you confirm the proposal, original materials are transferred to us under a formal protocol. From this point, we maintain strict chain-of-custody records for every movement and operation with the evidence.
Examination and reporting. Our experts carry out the agreed studies, document all steps in internal records and prepare a detailed report with conclusions. Upon request, we can provide the report in both Russian and English and arrange for expert testimony or clarification in court or at hearings.
If you have an urgent matter or a strict procedural deadline, please inform us at the initial contact stage so that we can evaluate possible prioritisation options.
No. In most cases we determine whether the document is consistent with the claimed date and define a probable time range or relative age compared with other entries and documents. Exact calendar dates are only occasionally possible and we do not promise them as a standard outcome.
Scanned copies are sufficient for a preliminary review and for some types of comparative analysis. However, a full forensic document age examination, especially ink and paper analysis, generally requires the original document.
Our reports are prepared in compliance with applicable procedural requirements and are regularly submitted in court, arbitration and investigative practice. Admissibility in a specific jurisdiction depends on local rules of evidence and the way the expert opinion is introduced into the proceedings.
We ask for a description of the dispute, copies of the relevant documents, any known history of their creation and information about related documents that may serve as reference samples. This helps us design an efficient and targeted examination.
Timelines depend on the number and condition of documents, the complexity of questions and the analytical methods required. Typical examinations take from several weeks to a few months. After the preliminary review we provide a realistic timeframe and, where possible, offer staged reporting.
is a specialist bureau providing forensic examination and analytical chemistry services. For over 20 years we have been conducting expert investigations and delivering reports that help our clients protect their interests in court and in out-of-court proceedings.
Бесплатный звонок с российских телефонных номеров
К нам обращаются клиенты со многих городов России:
+7 (961) 796 57 66
8 (800) 333-18-22
main@centr-quantum.com
454053, Россия, г. Челябинск, ул. Федорова д.25
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