<BR> Cina L. Wong, B.C.D.E. <P> Court Qualified Board Certified Document Examiner<BR> 1131 Granby St. Norfolk VA 23510 U.S.A <BR> (757) 622-9606 fax,622-9585<BR> E-mail: NOFORGERY@aol.com<P><BR> Mr. Darnay Hoffman, Atty.<BR> 210 West 70th Street Suite 209<BR> New York NY 10023 <P> November 14, 1997 <P> Dear Mr. Hoffman: <P> Pursuant to your request, I have examined certain materials and documents consisting of the<BR> following: <P> Questioned Document: (Copy) <P> Q1: <BR> Three page handprinted "ransom" note. Begins with "Mr. Ramsey,..." and ends with "Victory! S,B.T.C."<BR> It contains 67 lines. Probably disguised writing. <P> Standards Used for Comparison/Exemplars (Unrehearsed writing by Pasty Ramsey ): [Copies) <P> S1: <BR> Two page letter addressed to "Miss Kit..." Dated "Wednesday, June 4. <P> S2: <BR> A greeting card pre-printed with "Wishing you a bright and beautiful holiday season." Begins with "Hi<BR> Bob!" and ends with "Love, Patsy, John & Family." <P> S3:<BR> Color photocopy of a photographed sign "Welcome to the Northwest Territory," Has green holly leaves<BR> and red berries pointed on the cardboard-brown sign. Lettering is in white. <P> S4: <BR> Color photocopy of a photographed box with "Ramsey" written in the lower right corner. <P> S5:<BR> Color photocopy of a photo with four children. Printed at base of photo "Rainbow Fish Players". <P> S6: <BR> Color photocopy of a photo-scrapbook with handprinting: "This me when I was first born. That's my<BR> Mom and the doctor." "I was 1½ I'm having a picture taken." "I was 2. 1 was going bike riding with<BR> my Mom and my Dad". <P> S7: <BR> Round metal button with handprinting, "Hello... I'm Marilyn Monroe-". <P> Ramsey Handwriting Report <P> In this preliminary opinion, over 30 points of similarity between the QD (Questioned Document =<BR> "Ransom Note") and SI-S7 (Exemplars) are noted in detail. <P> Original documents were not available for examination. <P> Areas that could not be reviewed for analysis were the speed, pressure and actual size of the<BR> writings. <P> Though copies were examined, there was enough information available through pattern recognition<BR> techniques to form an opinion. <P> The term "closely matches" in this report refers to a "match" of letter(s), word(s) or the described, as<BR> in the range of a writer's normal writing variations. <P> Distinct Appearances Between the "Ransom" Note and Exemplars of Patsy Ramsey <P> The "R" is open to the left in the "Ramsey" written in S4, closely matches the "R" of "Ramsey" in line 1<BR> of the QD. <P> The "D" in S1 has an extended stroke to the upper left in the word "Dear" which closely matches the<BR> "D" of "Don't" in line 62 of the QD. <P> The tendency of an extended stroke which is mentioned in the previous paragraph, can also be found<BR> in the letter "R" in "Ramsey" of S4 and in the "R" of "Ramsey" in Line 1 of the QD. <P> The final downstroke in the letter "m" in "Welcome" of S3 closely matches the "M" in "Mr" In Line 1 of<BR> the QD. <P> The "se" connection in S4 closely matches the repetitive "se" connections found in Line 23, 36 and 64<BR> of the QD. <P> The formation (especially the upward ending stroke) of the "l" in "Welcome" in S3 closely matches the<BR> "l's" in Line 10, 51, and 53 of the QD. <P> The formation of the upward ending stroke of the "t's" in S3 closely matches the "t's" in Line 14, 16,<BR> and 40 (to name just a few) of the QD. <P> The formation of the upward ending stroke of the "i" on page 2 of S1 (word "pix"), closely matches<BR> the "i's" in Line 7 ("time"), 13, 19 ("in"), and 33 of the QD. <P> The connection of the horizontal stroke of the letter "A" shown in S4 closely matches the horizontal<BR> attachment of "A" to "n" in the word "Any" in line 29 of the QD. <P> The low placement of the "t-bar" in relation to the "h" in the word "Northwest" in S3 matches the low<BR> placement of the "t-bar" in "th" words in lines 6, 14 and 16 of the QD. <P> Occasionally, where the "t" is connected to a letter "h," the stem of the "h" is higher that the stem of<BR> the "t". This is shown in S1, page 2 Lines 5 and 8, it appears to be of the same form according to the<BR> copy of the QD. <P> The dot of the exclamation point drops below the baseline on page 2 of Sl, matching the position it<BR> falls below the baseline after the word "Victory" on page 3 of the QD. <P> The oversized "c" in "crash course" and "contenders" in S1 closely matches the oversized "c" of<BR> "carefully" in line 2 of the QD. <P> The "W" with the larger opening to the left, and a smaller opening to the right in the "Wlsll found in<BR> Si, page 2 line 5 ("would') and in S5 the word "rainbow" matches the "WI' in "Well of Line 2 of the QD.<P> The formation and combination of "ce" mimic each other (Ilc" appears to -be a 'a" and the "e" appears<BR> to be a NN cll), This is shown in SI Line 5 "performance,, which closely matches "deceive,, in Line 48<BR> and "enforcement" in Line 49 of the QD. <P> *The capital "All to "n" horizontal connective stroke in S4 is similar to the "A" to 'In" connective<BR> stroke in Line 29 of the QD, <P> *The formation and indentation (appears at 11:00) in the letter 'loll in Sl page 2 Line I word "to"<BR> matches the 'loll in "to" of Line 37 of the QD. <P> *The shape of the "o" with a point at the top of S3 in the word "to" and in the word "rainbow" of S5<BR> closely matches the "ols" found in Line 40, 44 and 52 of the QD. <P> *The observation that both the Standards and the QD have a combination of @- Ily" final strokes<BR> where the stroke ends in a straight vertical-like line without a loop, or a stroke that continues to the<BR> left forming a curve. <P> Examples of the vertical-like ending can be found in S2 "family," and in S4 which closely matches the<BR> "y's" in "try" Line 47 and in "try" of Line 52 of the QD. <P> Examples of the curved ending stroke is in S3 "territory" and S7 of "Marilyn" which is similar to the Ily"<BR> in 'money" of line 43, but more so, matches with the curved ending strokes of many of the letter "g's"<BR> found throughout the QD. <P> *Spaces between lines of writing appear to "tangle" when lower strokes of letters collide with tops of<BR> letters from a sentence below. This "tangling" can be seen in Sl page 2 Lines 5 and 6, and in lines 10,<BR> 11 and 12. These examples closely match Lines 34 and 35, 39 and 40, and 55 and 56 in the QD. <P> *The I'M" in S7 "Ilrp." closely matches the "M" in Line I of "Mr." in the QD. Soth "Mls" have pointed<BR> tops, and a @rved ending stroke. <P> *The left margin slowly pulls left ward towards the base of the page in Si and S2, which closely<BR> match the margins in the QD, <P> *The first paragraph after the salutation starts with in a range of the second word of the salutation.<BR> The example in SI and S2 closely match the first page of the QD. <P> *The upper portion of the "SI is written with a smaller area of space ("pinched" in appearance and<BR> sometimes with an angle), as opposed to the final curve of the IS" which is formed larger. Example<BR> can be seen in S3 "Northwest" and in S5 in " Fish Players." This closely matches the "s" located in<BR> Line 8 in "She", 14 in "bills", and 16 in "size,, of the QD, <P> *The curved stem of the lowercase "cl" in S6 "an(i," "doctor" and Dad" mzltches the 'Id" in Lirie 26<BR> "delivery," and in 31 "daughter," of the Qr). <P> *The baseline of a writing is an "imaginary" line or given line (if ruled paper) on which one writes their<BR> sentences on. When measured, the words in the exemplars show that some words "rise" above and<BR> some words "fall" below the baseline. If a ruler is placed under the sentences written in the QD, one<BR> can also see this repetitive pattern of "rising" and "falling" words. <P> *In the exemplars as well as the Qr), the spacing between words appear greater than average. <P> *The letters "r" and "oll have a tendency to touch together as in S7 "Monroe" which closely matches<BR> example in Line 19 "brown" and in 21 "tomorrow" of the QD. <P> *The slant of the letters in the printed exemplars of Patsy Ramsey (S3, 85,and S6) reflects the over<BR> all vertical slant which is presented in the QD (more evident in the last parts of the QD where writing<BR> is 1888 controlled), <P> *The formation of the exclamation points in SI page I line 13 SI page 2, (last exclamation point)after<BR> the word "back," in S2 line 6 after the word "ball" closely matches the exclamation point in Line 66 of<BR> the QD. <P> It shows the tendency for the initial stroke of the exclamation to have a left ward curve, causing it<BR> to have a bending effect <P> *The uniquely formed comma on Sl page 1 line 2,veers to the left, and finishes by curving to the<BR> right. This comma matches the unique formed comma found in Line 13 number "$100,000" of the QD, <P> *Untisuall@, formed portion of the letter lb." The second curved stroke of the "b's" contains an point<BR> in the 12:00 to 1:00 position. This "pointed bl' can be seen in SS "Rainbow" and matches Line 18<BR> ")Dring," and 19 "bag" of the QD. <P> Items to be examined if additional exemplars are available. <P> General shared characteristics in both the Standards and the QD are the tendency for letter like "t's"<BR> and "s's" to connect to a following letter. <P> Would like to see original exemplars to measure spacing of letters. <P> Would like to see original exemplars to measure size of letters and writing <P> Looking for "re" combos that run together. <P> Looking for "rivers" in writing caused by the large spacing in words. "Rivers" appear in the QD and in<BR> small amounts in the exemplars. <P> In writing where a person has the tendency (at times) to make apostrophes and quotations in<BR> reverse, commas are also in reverse, as the one seen in Line 1 and 15 of the QD. <P> Any of these observations will not be able to stand alone as evidence, but it is as a "collective whole"<BR> they represent a repetitive pattern which not only exists in the QD but also in the examined<BR> exemplars alleged written by Patsy Ramsey. <P> Based upon preliminary analysis of these items, and from an application of forensic document<BR> examination principles and techniques, it is my professional opinion, that the hand that authored the<BR> known Standards for Comparison as Patsy Ramsey appears to be very likely the same hand that<BR> authored the Questioned Document "Ransom Note". <P> It is requested that an examination of the original documents and any additional document relating to<BR> this case be available. <P> This opinion is based on copies alleged to be true representatives of the original document. <P> Summary Section <P> It is quite rare for a Document Examiner to quantify degrees of certainty on a numerical scale. But,<BR> for the purposes of allowing a general understanding of my results, I have designated a rating of<BR> probability based on a scale of 1-10. <P> It is my preliminary opinion, given the multitude of similarities linking the Questioned Document to the<BR> exemplars, that the probability these documents were written by the same hand is 8.5 on this scale. <P> It is not uncommon for some people to have 2 or 4 of the similar characteristics I have listed, since<BR> they may have learned to write in the same "copybook" method in grade school. <P> The relatively large number of distinctive similarities (32) found in both the "ransom note" and<BR> exemplars allegedly written by Patsy Ramsey, however, cannot be ignored. <P> Statistically, it can only be concluded that it is very likely the same hand wrote all the documents<BR> involved. <P> If further information or assistance is desired, please advise. <P> Sincerely,<BR> Cina L. Wong, B.C.D.E<BR> (Board Certified Document Examiner) <P> AFFIDAVIT OF CINA L. WONG <P> STATE OF VIRGINIA<BR> NORFOLK COUNTY<BR> CINA L. WONG, being duly sworn, deposes and says: <P> 1. I am a court qualified and board certified forensic handwriting expert. My qualifications are<BR> attached to the end of this affidavit. <P> 2. My office is located at 1131 Granby Street, Norfolk Virginia. <P> 3. I have testified in various courts of law as an expert witness in the area of handwriting<BR> identification and forensic document examination. <P> 4. I have made careful examination and comparison of the "ransom" note and the exemplars of Patsy<BR> Ramsey. I have reached the conclusion that the handwritings and "ransom" note were very probably<BR> written by the same person. <P> 5. An examination of the available exemplars of Patsy Ramsey show that there are significant areas of<BR> comparison and similarity with those of the "ransom" note. <P> 6. Attached to this affidavit will be a preliminary report of my results. <P> 7. This opinion is based on copies of Patsy Ramsey's exemplars alleged to be true representatives of<BR> the original document. <P> 8. The number- of exemplars were limited, and it is the opinion of this affiant that additional<BR> exemplars be provided as well the original ransom note in order to more firmly confirm the opinions of<BR> this affidavit and the accompanying report. <P> 9. Nevertheless, in light of the many similarities between the "ransom" note and Patsy Ramsey's<BR> exemplars, it is my professional opinion that Patsy Ramsey very likely wrote the "ransom" note. <P> Dated: November 13, 1997.<BR> (SIGNATURE OF CINA WONG)<BR> CINA L. WONG, B.C.D.E.<BR> STATE OF VIRGINIA:<BR> Sworn to and subscribed before me this day of 13th day of November, 1997.<BR> (SIGNATURE OF NOTARY)<BR> NOTARY PUBLIC<BR> My Commission expires August 31, 2001.