What are 'charred papers', and how are they studied in CSI?

What are 'charred papers', and how are they studied in CSI?

Richard Saferstein (Former Chief Forensic Scientist) gives expert video advice on: What does a 'document examiner' examine in CSI?; What clues does a document examiner look for in handwriting evidence?; How is handwriting tested in CSI? and more...

Charred papers obviously come about as a result of a document coming in contact with extreme heat or a fire. How are they made readable? Well, through photographic techniques using reflected lighting or oblique lighting. That's one approach. Or instrumental approaches that require special photographic techniques, such as the application of ultraviolet light or infrared light.