FBI Trained Handwriting Expert

Comparison of questioned and known writing to determine if known writer did or did not prepare questioned writing. Other questioned document exams. Besides identifying a known writer, Examiner can compare questioned document to submitted genuine doc...

Comparison of questioned and known writing to determine if known writer did or did not prepare questioned writing. Other questioned document exams. Besides identifying a known writer, Examiner can compare questioned document to submitted genuine document to determine authenticity, date a document that has a watermark, determine the physical properties of inks (non-destructive), raise indented writing, determine the physical properties of paper and determine the nature of alteration to a questioned document. In typical case, requestor supplies copy of questioned document and known writing. The known writing is usually done on lined paper, writing the questioned signature, skipping a line between each signature, writing two columns of signatures and signing/dating the sheet at the bottom. Then, the requestor supplies some normal course of business writing that was prepared, ideally, at about the same time that the questioned document was prepared; 5 to 10 such exemplars. Typically, the Examiner can come to a conclusion within about an hour. If the conclusion is favorable to the case, then about another two hours is required for the Examiner to make more extensive notes, write a REPORT and write a letter explaining how the Examiner would testify in a legal proceeding. Sometimes, a notarized AFFIDAVIT is requested. The AFFIDAVIT will say exactly what writing characteristics led to the conclusion of the Examiner. This usually takes about an hour to write, have notarized and mail.