ASIS International (ASIS) Professional Certified Investigator Practice Exam

What characterizes second degree forgery?

1. Altering a driver’s license

2. Making or altering any part of a check

3. Making or altering a government document

4. Forging any personal documents

The correct answer is: Making or altering any part of a check

Second degree forgery is characterized by the act of making or altering any part of a check. This form of forgery typically entails the intent to commit fraud through the modification or falsification of checks, which can involve changing the amount, the payee, or other critical details related to the check. Checks are negotiable instruments and are widely accepted as a means of payment, making their forgery particularly serious as it can lead to significant financial loss for individuals and institutions. Consequently, the law treats forgery of checks with heightened severity, which often classifies it as a second-degree offense, reflecting the potential harm it can inflict on victims. While altering a driver's license, making or altering a government document, and forging personal documents are also serious legal offenses and can fall under different classifications of forgery, they do not specifically pertain to the actions that define second-degree forgery. The distinction lies in the type of document and the potential for financial fraud directly associated with checks compared to other types of forgery.