Examination Request
Request received from Pune Police Economic Offences Wing (PPD-EOW-2025-0310-DA). Examiner instructed to compare the signature appearing on Disbursement Authorisation Form DA/CS/2025/118/DISB-001 against authenticated signature specimens of Vikram Ramchandra Desai.
Specimens Examined
| Exhibit | Document | Date | Authentication |
|---|
| Q1 | Questioned signature — Disbursement Authorisation (E14) | 27 Feb 2025 | Disputed — subject of examination |
| K1 | Known specimen — Engagement letter, Matter DA-2024-088 | 4 Nov 2024 | Authenticated by Desai & Associates firm records |
| K2 | Known specimen — Bar Council Annual Declaration | 15 Jan 2025 | Authenticated by Maharashtra Bar Council records |
| K3 | Known specimen — Court pleading, DA vs. Suryavanshi (HC Bombay) | 2 Feb 2025 | Authenticated by High Court registry |
| K4 | Known specimen — Personal will (notarised) | 10 Nov 2023 | Authenticated by notary public records |
Visual Comparison
Known Specimens (K1–K4)
V. Desai
Consistent across all 4 authenticated specimens. Characteristic upward terminal stroke on 'D'. Compact looping on 'e'. High pressure mid-stroke.
Questioned Signature (Q1)
V. Desai
Terminal stroke absent or inverted. Loop formation on 'e' inconsistent — wider and lower. Evidence of slower execution speed. Pressure inconsistent.
Visual comparison above is illustrative. Actual comparison was conducted on high-resolution scanned originals using ESDA analysis and ink profiling. Results below are based on full technical examination.
Technical Findings
| Criterion | Known Specimens (K1–K4) | Questioned Signature (Q1) | Consistent? |
|---|
| Letter formation — "V" | Sharp angular entry, equal arms | Rounded entry, unequal arms | No |
| Letter formation — "D" | Upward terminal flourish on bowl close | Terminal stroke absent / downward | No |
| Pen pressure | Heavy mid-stroke, lighter at terminals | Even throughout — suggests controlled, deliberate tracing | No |
| Writing speed | High — characteristic fluid continuity | Low — multiple micro-pauses detected under examination | No |
| Overall proportion | Tall ascenders, compressed base | Flatter ascenders, expanded base | No |
| Ink flow | Consistent ballpoint trail | Slightly irregular — possible pen-lift and re-engagement | No |
Examiner's Conclusion
FSL Classification
PROBABLE FORGERY
The questioned signature (Q1) on Disbursement Authorisation DA/CS/2025/118/DISB-001 is not consistent with the authenticated signature specimens (K1–K4) of Vikram Ramchandra Desai. The degree of dissimilarity across six independent criteria, and the evidence of deliberate slow-tracing rather than natural fluent writing, leads to the opinion that Q1 was not written by Vikram Ramchandra Desai.
Classification: Probable Forgery (Class IV — High Confidence)
This report is prepared for investigative purposes and represents the professional opinion of the examining document scientist. It does not constitute a court opinion. Expert testimony available on request.