Interview with Bryan Found, Bsc DipEd GradDipNeuroSci PhD - A Discussion of Issues Around Human Factors and Bias in Forensic Handwriting Examinations:

Abstract

Since the late 1980s, Dr. Bryan Found, the Chief Forensic Scientist at the Office of the Chief Forensic Scientist, Victoria Police Forensic Services Department in Australia, has accomplished more than any other researcher in the world to develop the science of handwriting identification. He has been an unrelenting advocate for not permitting biasing or context irrelevant information to enter into forensic handwriting examinations. Since the late 1980s, Dr. Found has been invited to over 20 countries to present workshops on the science of handwriting individualization and on human factors. Most recently he was invited to be a speaker for a plenary session at the International Symposium on Forensic Science Error Management sponsored by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in July 2015. He, along with his colleagues, have published over 40 peer- reviewed forensic scientific journal articles (including the Journal of Forensic Document Examination (JFDE)), 44 conference abstracts, and three invited book and encyclopaedia chapters. Dr. Found is currently the Chief Forensic Scientist for one of the world’s largest multi-disciplinary laboratories where he continues to see that laboratory develops and maintains the highest standards for forensic laboratories. These standards include educating practitioners, staff members, investigators, and attorneys about cognitive factors that include the potential impact of exposing practitioners to domain irrelevant context information. JFDE Editor interviewed Dr. Found to learn the importance of understanding how cognitive factors come into play in handwriting examinations and what procedures forensic handwriting examiners can consider to reduce the potential for bias and human errors.
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