Chapter 3 - Forensic Document Examination Defined

Abstract

Forensic science is the application of science to the law. Forensic document examination is the application of science and analytical techniques to cases involving questioned documents. Forensic Document Examiner (FDE), Questioned Document Examiner, Document Analyst, Document Examiner, and Handwriting Expert are all titles applied to practitioners. Handwriting Expert is not completely accurate because the work involves more diverse examinations than simply handwriting. Most practitioners today refer to themselves as Forensic Document Examiners (FDE). FDEs work in local, state, and federal laboratories, and also in private practice. Cases submitted to FDEs include: forged checks, threatening letters, disputed signatures on wills, trusts, business documents, mortgage documents, typewritten documents, altered business documents, medical records, and photocopied documents. Forensic handwriting identification is based on the principle that no two people write exactly alike. Forensic document examiners are not graphologists. Graphologists attempt to determine character from the analysis of a person’s handwriting. Forensic document examiners compare questioned writing with known writing for identification or elimination purposes.