What defines the term 'altered' in the context of fraudulent identification?

In the context of fraudulent identification, the term 'altered' specifically refers to identification that has been changed or tampered with. This can involve modifications such as changing personal information, altering images, or otherwise manipulating the document to misrepresent the identity of the individual. The key characteristic of 'altered' identification is that it is not a legitimate or accurate representation of the individual in question; instead, it has been intentionally modified to deceive others.

Unaltered identification would remain valid and true to the person’s identity, while expired identification is simply an issue of timing rather than tampering. Complete loss of identification indicates that the document is no longer in possession, and though it might lead to identity challenges, it doesn’t pertain to the act of altering the identification itself. Thus, the definition of 'altered' centers on the act of modification for fraudulent purposes.