Forensic Document Examination FA

Table of Contents
(click on a link to go to question)

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Q: What should I send you to be examined?

When applicable, send the original questioned document/s, and 5-25 original known documents of the author you want identified or disqualified as an author.
When time constraints do not allow or permit this, it is possible to send all documents via fax.
A competent forensic document examiner will be able to examine what is sent to them, however, most individuals seek the most accurate professional opinion regarding the documents they want examined for peace of mind or when appearing in court.
Conclusions and a valid opinion can be arrived by examining less documents, but it is important to be aware, examining less than 5 documents may not always allow for the most ideal comparison examination, or show enough natural variation in a person's handwriting to provide you the most complete assessment your case warrants.

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Q: What is a handwriting expert?

A handwriting expert is someone who has more knowledge than a layperson regarding handwriting
This person may be a forensic document examiner (also commonly referred to as a questioned document examiner), or a handwriting analyst. Some professionals are well trained and certified in both areas, while some professionals chose to pursue one specialized area of study instead

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Q: What is a forensic document examiner (FDE)?

A forensic document examiner (FDE) is someone with at least a two-year apprenticeship under the tutelage of a mentor, recognized as an expert in the field
They examine and compare documents by technical or scientific processes to determine authenticity from a document or signature, as well as identify or eliminate a person as an author
Such professionals may be called upon, to present expert testimony in court to demonstrate the basis and reasons for their opinion

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Q: How is forensic document examination different from graphology or handwriting analysis?

Both astronomy and astrology study the stars. However; one is treated as a science, while the other area is not held or considered in the same light. Such is the case with forensic document examination and handwriting analysis
Handwriting Analysis, while a great psychological tool, limits itself in scope to just interpreting a writer’s behavior and character through the most common held schools of thought on the subject, gestalt or trait/stroke method
A graphologist or handwriting expert may be able to provide a very concise personality profile (i.e., background check, criminal profiling, employee screening, psychological evaluation, security clearance screening, etc…), however, they do not:

- determine authorship of documents
- examine typewritten or machine-generated documents
- detection alterations
- reveal decipherment of obliterated and indented writing
- examine watermarks, rubber stamps, and other impressions; and ink differentiation

Roy A. Huber, B.Sc., Assistant Commissioner, RCMP (Ret.), July 1921 – Present, has a quote about forensic document examination. He says:

“Forensic document examination is the study of physical evidence, and physical evidence cannot lie. Only its interpretation can err. Only the failure to find it, or to hear its true testimony can deprive it of its value.”

-- Roy A. Huber

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Q: What is the basis of handwriting analysis?

As with many other established and proven investigative techniques (i.e., fingerprint, tire, tread, etc...)Pattern Recognition is the basis for handwriting analysis.

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Q: What are pattern recognition techniques?

Applications of pattern recognition techniques are demonstrated by projects in fingerprint recognition, handwriting recognition and handwriting verification.

Pattern recognition techniques are concerned with the theory and algorithms of putting abstract objects, e.g., measurements made on physical objects, into categories. Typically the categories are assumed to be known in advance, although there are techniques to learn the categories (clustering). Methods of pattern recognition are useful in many applications such as information retrieval, data mining, document image analysis and recognition, computational linguistics, forensics, biometrics and bioinformatics.

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Q: What can be determined from a handwriting examination?

Who is or is not the author/writer of the questioned documents
The questioned document contains "forged" or non-genuine signatures
The method by which a signature was produced
The Sequence of writing

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Q: What is the different between a Verbal and Written Opinion?

Verbal Opinion:

This opinion is rendered and provided when you are not going to court, and simply want peace of mind (i.e., Did I sign the check, did my spouse write or sign the document, etc...)
Written Opinion:

This opinion is sought when appearing in court, going through mediation, or because you want this a professional opinion stated in writing. The document examiner will state in an affidavit or letter of opinion, what they were given to examine, what they were asked to do, what their findings were in this matter, and that they are able to go to court to present their findings

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Q: What are the Nine (9) standardized Handwriting Opinions?

Identification:

Definite identification, highest degree of confidence in one's opinion that the handwriting belongs to the identified party.

Strong Probability:

Highly probable, very probable.
Probability:

Evidence indicates that the questioned and known may have been written by the same person but it is not conclusive.
Indications:

There are some indications of similarity but not enough to identify conclusively.
No Conclusion:

Totally inconclusive, unable to make a determination.
Indications/Did Not:

Equivalent of the more positive "Indications," but on the negative side.
Probably Did Not:

Evidence more strongly against the questioned and known having been executed in the same hand.
Strong Probability:

Evidence indicates that the writing very probably is not done in the same hand, almost certainty that it is not the same.
Did Not/Elimination:

Definite conclusion that the questioned and known writing are not in the same hand. Highest degree of confidence.

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Q: What can be determined from Paper?

Paper fibers and chemical makeup of paper
Region of country where paper was produced

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Q: What can be determined from Physical Matching (Paper, stamps, Tape, etc.)?

If two pieces of paper were at one time a single unit
If a stamp came from a specific stamp book or roll
If a piece of tape came from a specific roll of tape
Whether a tablet paper can from a certain tablet

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Q: What can be determined from Charred & Water Damaged Documents?

The text of a charred document can be visualized
Faded writing on water damaged documents can be visualized
There are methods for drying documents to minimize damage

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Q: What can be determined from Mechanical Printing Methods?

How a counterfeit document was produced
What type of printing method an investigator should be looking for
Whether the document is genuine or not
Identify the specific device that produced the document

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Q: What can be determined from Copy Machine Identification?

Identify a specific copy machine that produced a photocopy
Trace the copy machine that produced a color photocopy
Identify the photocopy process used to make a photocopy
Determine if two photocopies were produced on the same photocopy machine

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Q: What can be determined from Erasures, Alterations & Obliterations?

Visualize the text of obliterated material
Visualize the original text of altered material
Determine if material had been erased and possibly visualize that text

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Q: What can be determined from Indented Markings (Writings)?

Visualize the indented material on a harassing or threatening letter
Visualize the indented material on tablets or notepads

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Q: What can be determined from Ink Examinations (limited)?

Determine if two inks are similar or different
Determine the age of ink deposited on the paper

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Q: What can be determined from sequence of line crossings and folds?

In what order were handwriting, marks, or printed text place on a document
Was a document folded before or after the paper was folded

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Q: What can be determined form Water Marks?

Determination of time period paper was made
Determine where paper was made
Trace unusual papers
Differentiate between papers

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Q: How much does a handwriting expert charge to render an opinion?

Fees vary between professionals. The most expensive prices do not guarantee you are getting the best, only the highest priced individuals. While the least expensive prices may not bring you the level and quality of expected professional service.

Advanced Forensic Handwriting Services currently charges National Standard Rates in the United States.

A Verbal Opinion only costs $295.00 per question, while a notarized written opinion letter only costs $600.00 per question you have regarding a questioned document.

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Q: Why should I hire an expert?

Identified, qualified experts will have a similar education, apprenticeship training and/or work program in place to give them the skills and knowledge needed to address your concerns and/or unique and particular circumstances.
Such professionals will normally operate in a legal and safe fashion, be certified or hold specific licenses, as well as, be aware of, and knowledgeable of existing and current pertinent laws which may address and take into account your own specific concerns and/or unique and particular circumstances.

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Q: What training does a handwriting expert have?

It is accepted in the profession that a forensic document examiner should have participated in a 2-3 year apprenticeship program. A college degree and certification are recommended, but not required at this time.
As shown in Handwriting Identification: Facts and Fundamentals, Roy A. Huber, A.M. Headrick, CRC PRESS, 1999, there are four instructional methods that have been employed either discretely or in combination to develop forensic document examiners: self instruction, correspondence course, apprenticeship programs, and university courses.
Self instruction was the only process available up to 1939. Then along came the advent of correspondence courses, apprenticeships, and finally university courses and programs which can lead up to obtaining a Masters Degree in the field of study.
Until 2003, apprenticeship training was only provided through government agencies, was limited in length and scope, and was not accessible to private citizens.
Today, there are nationwide apprenticeship programs available to all individuals and not strictly limited to government personnel exclusively.
Additionally, there are many more educational vehicles, training aids and certification currently available and accessible to professionals.

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Q: Are original documents required for an examination?

An opinion is based upon the documents submitted, as well as subject to examination of the original documents.

It is always recommended to examine original documents. However, sometimes they no longer exist, are not available, or time constraints prohibit adequate access to them. Other times a document examiner may only be granted access or provided a photograph, photocopy or fax.
In the past, examining original document was the only way to form an adequate, professional opinion.
With today's superior technology, even with a slight degradation in quality, it is not beyond the reasonable capabilities or scope of a competent and well trained individual to render a professional opinion they are able to present as expert testimony in court to demonstrate the basis and reasons for their opinion.

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Q: Can a document examiner work with photocopies of questioned documents?

It is always recommended to examine original documents. Sometimes they no longer exist, or are not available. Sometimes time constraints prohibit adequate access to them, and a document examiner may only be granted access or provided a photograph, photocopy or fax.
A photocopy does lose line quality with each successive copy. However, a competent document examiner is still capable to render an opinion regarding a questioned document, and courts have allowed them when original documents no longer exist.

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Q: Is it possible to always identify a person's handwriting?

With enough handwriting samples (5-25), an individual's natural variation is observable and does allow a competent document examiner to identify or disqualify a person as an author of a questioned document.
A forensic document examiner will identify existing similarities and dissimilarities which appear in or on, the questioned document. An identical examination will be done with all known writing exemplars.
All provided documents will be examined and compared with one another which allow the forensic document examiner to provide a professional opinion accordingly. When required, they are able to provide expert testimony in court to demonstrate the basis and reasons for their opinion.

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Q: I have a hand-printed note, memo, or letter. Can this be compared with a person's signature to determine if that person wrote the note?

Any document may be compared with another document. However, it is best to have additional known exemplars and if possible, writing from the same date and similar style (i.e., business correspondence, printing with printing, text with text, etc...).

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Q: I have a Last Will and Testament that was supposed to have been signed by my mother, father, grandparent, etc..

As with any document you question, it can be examined and compared with known writing to determine if author is the same or not.

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Q: Can the signature be compared with only one document they signed?

It is a general rule to have as many samples of known handwriting as possible to work with.
Document Examiners examine a document for similarities and dissimilarities found on a document.
How many similarities does it take to identifying an author; as many as required
How many dissimilarities does it take to eliminate a person as an author; sometimes just one.
Between 5-25 exemplars are recommended to use for comparison purposes.

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Q: What is natural variation?

No one signs the same way twice.
Writing is like breathing, and automatic. Because we are not machines, we incorporate our own unique formations into our writing style as time goes on. It is in these unique features and formations that are traceable to each individual that other individuals are unable to duplicate or repeat, nor are we able to successfully able to duplicate every feature and formation another person writes either.
Additionally, external factors such as age, illness, intoxication, writing position, writing instrument, and care of execution may affect a person's writing.
It is through these unique features and formations in a person's handwriting that allows a competent document examiner to identify or eliminate an individual as the author of a questioned document.

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Q: By examining a document can you determine whether the writer is left- or right-handed? How about male or female?

Forensic document examiners examine documents for authorship and/or forgery, alteration, etc... They do not examine a document or handwriting to determine handedness
A document examiner can be determined the flow of ink and direction, pressure, breaks and stops which occur in a person's writing may also be identified, and many more such measureable areas.

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Q: My writing looks the same now as it did 30 years ago. How is that possible?

Natural variation occurs in everyone's handwriting.
Because of this, handwriting may appear to have changed or remain similar with how it appeared when a person was younger.
There are however, intrinsic similarities and dissimilarities which will continue to appear in your handwriting. These are unique and can be attributed to you as an individual.
It is also something another individual is not so easy or able to duplicate; nor you easily able to duplicate such features in another person's handwriting.
Handwriting can improve or deteriorate depending upon such factors as how often a person is required to write, their health, influence of drugs or alcohol, as well as how much they practice their penmanship.

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Q: Can you describe an individual's personality from examining handwriting?

Forensic Documents Examiners do not do this. This is done through the field of Graphology, where it is possible to describe and determine specific behavior and personality traits as observed and identified in a person's handwriting.

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Q: Can you compare printed writing to cursive writing?

Because we all have natural variations in our handwriting, it is possible to ascertain the identity of an author when comparing printed writing to cursive writing with enough exemplars.
Additionally, there are many factors other than letter formation that enter into the examination and analysis process.
However, it is generally accepted that it is best to be able to compare a questioned document with a known document written in a similar style, (i.e., cursive to cursive, hand printing to hand printing, upper case to upper case, lower case to lower case, etc...).
One of the first steps in methodology is to determine that all provided documents are indeed comparable according to this principle.

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Q: Will this opinion be accepted in a court of law?

Each expert witness is qualified in a court of law by decision of the judge. Once the court accepts an expert witness' qualifications, does their opinion become admissible.

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Q: What is an Expert Witness?

As defined by Wikpedia.com:

An expert witness is a witness, who by virtue of education, profession, publication or experience, is believed to have special knowledge of his or her subject beyond that of the average person, sufficient that others may officially (and legally) rely upon his opinion.

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Q: What is Rule 702?

"Rule 702. Testimony by Experts. If scientific, technical, or other specialized knowledge will assist the trier of fact to understand the evidence or to determine a fact in issue, a witness qualified as an expert by knowledge, skill, experience, training, or education, may testify thereto in the form of an opinion or otherwise."

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Q: Can you examine documents in a foreign language?

Yes, any document can be examined for alteration or identification of authorship.
it is recommended the examiner first familiarize themselves with the characteristics of the written language and how that writing is taught, as some languages, placement of diacriticals (distinguishing strokes) are important, while with other languages, shading of handwritten strokes is significant.
The actual methods of examination are the same, but factors are weighed differently when the structure of the writing varies among languages.

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Q: How much will it cost to have you come to court and testify live in person?

You can find extremely competent professionals who are reasonable for services offered. Fees vary between professionals.
Advanced Forensic Handwriting Services only charge $1,000.00 per 1/2 Day, while other document examiners may charge more or less for the same service.
The most expensive prices do not guarantee you are getting the best service, only the highest priced individuals.
Bear in mind , the above cost is not all-inclusive. Travel, lodging, and meal expenses are all taken care of by the client.

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Q: What is a Forgery?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forgery defines forgery as shown below:

"It is the process of making or adapting objects or documents (see false document), with the intention to deceive.

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Q: Do you create forgeries?

The answer is no. Forgery is against the law. But if you, or someone you know has been the victim of forgery, we can help.

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Q: Can a client fax documents to you for examination?

Ideally, it is best to examine original documents. Sometimes original documents just do not exist or a person is only given access to second generate copies (i.e. historical documents, sensitive material, etc...)
50 years ago when forensic document books were first written, technology wasn't as sophisticated as it is today.
With that being said, it is well within the capability and capacity of any competent and well-trained forensic document examiner to be able to render a professional opinion based on examining a faxed document.

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Q: In what states or countries have you rendered an opinion?

I have rendered an opinion on documents in the following states:

Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming and the District of Columbia.

I have rendered an opinion on documents from the following countries:

Bahrain, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kuwait, Mexico, North Korea, Pakistan, Palestine, Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Turkey, and the United Kingdom.

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Q: Why do you charge fees for your services?

Here at Advanced Forensic Handwriting Services, we recognize and appreciate how everyone's circumstance and situation is different and unique. Clients may pay us through PayPal, personal or cashier's check, money order, and cash. However, AFHS is not a charity based organization. It is an ethically run business that provide a range of forensic document examination and handwriting analysis services for a fee that brings tremendous value, benefit, and peace of mind to our clients who appreciate and recognize the valuable services we provide to them. It's not right that someone has taken, or is attempting to take something that is rightfully yours (deed, business, money, etc...). Now you have an organization to turn to when this happens. So while you're initial consultation is free, the work all of our handwriting experts perform for you is not.

AFHS - bringing you peace of mind regarding questioned documents since 2004.