OSH Security Practice Test

On your site, a witness comes forward to give a statement about an assault that occurred. The subject submits the report but it is written in purple ink. Can it be considered a legal document?

1. No. Make the subject write it again in black ink and capital letters

2. No. It must be in Blue, Black, or Red ink

3. Yes. It can be submitted as a legal document

4. Yes, but only if the person has signed it in the presence of a Public Officer

The correct answer is: Yes. It can be submitted as a legal document

The correct answer affirms that a statement written in purple ink can indeed be considered a legal document. Generally, the legality of documents is determined not by the ink color but by the content of the document and the context in which it is used. Legal documents are valid as long as they meet the necessary requirements for authenticity, clarity, and a clear intention to create legal obligations or rights. The ink color typically does not affect the validity unless specific laws or institutional policies explicitly dictate certain colors for specific types of documents. In practice, while some institutions may have preferences for certain colors of ink for various reasons, these preferences typically do not nullify the legal status of a document if those preferences are not backed by law. Therefore, unless there is a specific legal requirement or organizational policy dictating otherwise, a statement submitted in purple ink can still hold legal weight.