In no prosecutions for forging, counterfeiting, or altering any bank bill or note or for uttering, passing, or tendering in payment as true any false, forged, counterfeited, or altered bank bill or note, or for bringing into this state or for having in possession or custody any false, forged, counterfeited, or altered bank bill or note with intent to pass it as true, knowing it to be false, forged, counterfeited, or altered, shall the testimony of any person whose name is purported to be signed to the bill or note or his or her personal attendance as a witness be requisite, when he or she shall be absent from this state at the time of the trial or when his or her place of residence shall be outside the limits of this state or more than thirty (30) miles from the place of trial, but the testimony of any competent witness who is acquainted with the handwriting of the person or who has knowledge of the difference between true and counterfeit or altered bank bills and who is skilled in the difference shall be received as competent evidence to prove any bank bill or note to be false, forged, counterfeited, or altered.