HANDWRITING EXPERTS ASSOCIATION

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FAQ’s

What is a forensic document examiner and handwriting expert?

A forensic document examiner, also called a handwriting expert, is someone who is qualified to critically analyze and evaluate all physical features of a document or handwriting sample to discover evidence of authenticity (genuine) or forgery (spurious).  In some cases, a handwriting expert is also able to identify the forger or perpetrator.

What is a forgery?

A forgery is the false making of a document, handwriting or signature, represented to be an original, with intent to defraud.

What does forensic mean?

Forensic means:  Of, relating to or denoting the application of scientific methods and techniques to the investigation of crime.  In a more informal sense, forensic means a laboratory or department responsible for conducting scientific tests or techniques in connection with the detection of crime.

What is an expert?

To be considered an expert, one must qualify in only one of the following areas:

• Skill

• Knowledge

• Education

• Training

• Experience 

What types of documents are forged?

 All types of documents are subject to forgery.  This includes, but is not limited to:  wills, codicils, checks, legal contracts, deeds, agreements, insurance and medical records, court documents, charge card slips, tax returns, typewritten or computer generated documents, photocopies and facsimiles. 

Why are forgeries committed?

A forgery is usually committed for the sole purpose of financial or material gain.  However, forgeries can also be used to cover-up either legal or illegal acts, such as falsifying business records, altering inventory records or doctored medical records to hide evidence of malpractice.

Who employs the services of a forensic document examiner?

Clients include anyone who has reason to suspect the genuineness of a document.  This may include someone who believes they have been falsely written out of an inheritance, a victim of identity theft, one who believes their signature has been falsely placed on a check, contract or insurance form, or someone who has received a threatening and harmful note or letter and hopes to identify the perpetrator.  Clients will also include attorneys, financial institutions, insurance companies and police departments, to name a few.

What other services does a handwriting expert provide?

In addition to the actual handwriting/document examination, a document examiner can provide a verbal opinion, written letter of opinion, full detailed report, on-site examination, document photography, court exhibits and expert testimony in court or deposition.

What is a handwriting analyst?

A handwriting analyst is someone who determines personality characteristics from the handwriting itself.  A forensic document examiner analyzes handwriting to prove authorship or to establish the identity of the writer, most often for legal purposes.  While both disciplines measure, study and analyze similar components of handwriting, they are performed for differing reasons.

What is a Curriculum Vitae?

A document examiner will list training and experience as it relates to the field of document examination on a curriculum vitae. A curriculum vitae, also referred to as a CV or vita, may include such information as education, training and apprenticeship, court testimonies, qualifications, laboratory equipment, library, conferences attended, papers and/or books published, lectures given, and membership in professional societies.

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PLEASE NOTE:  Forensic Document Examiners listed on this site work independently and conduct business under their own name.  HEA is a free service for the consumer who has found themselves victims of fraud.

DISCLAIMER: We are not attorneys. We do not dispense legal advice in any fashion. We only comment on our experiences as it relates to cases we have personally been involved in regarding handwriting, forgeries, or expert witnesses. If you want legal advice, you must consult a licensed attorney in your state.

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