FAQ’s

Forensic science is the application of various sciences to the law. The application of allied sciences and analytical techniques to questions concerning documents is termed forensic document examination. The examination of questioned documents consists of the analysis and comparison of questioned handwriting, hand printing, typewriting, commercial printing, photocopies, papers, inks, and other documentary evidence with known material in order to establish the authenticity of the contested material as well as the detection of alterations.

Forensic document examiners (FDEs) help lawyers by examining and offering written opinions on a variety of disputed document problems including: wills, deeds, medical records, income tax records, time sheets, contracts, loan agreements, election petitions, checks, and anonymous letters. Lawyers benefit from an FDEs specialized knowledge of literature in the questioned document field. This knowledge will assist lawyers in preparing meaningful direct examination questions for their own experts and cross-examination questions for opposing experts.

There is no college degree or major in forensic document examination. The majority of FDEs have undergraduate or master’s degrees, however. Most of the recognized regional and national forensic science organizations require a baccalaureate degree as a condition of membership.

Like most forensic disciplines, on-the-job specialized training from experienced examiners is the only way to acquire expertise. No substitute exists for a legitimate structured training program. Forensic document examination does not lend itself to autodidactic learning or to correspondence courses.

The American Board of Forensic Document Examiners (ABFDE) is the only certifying board sponsored by the American Society of Questioned Document Examiners, the Canadian Society of Forensic Sciences, The Southeastern Association of Forensic Document Examiners, the Southwestern Association of Forensic Document Examiners, and is recognized by the American Academy of Forensic Sciences. The minimum requirement established by the ABFDE for training in forensic document examination is a two-year apprenticeship in a recognized forensic laboratory or with an examiner in private practice who has previously received proper training.

The American Board of Forensic Document Examiners (ABFDE) is the only certifying board sponsored by the American Society of Questioned Document Examiners, the Canadian Society of Forensic Sciences, The Southeastern Association of Forensic Document Examiners, the Southwestern Association of Forensic Document Examiners, and is recognized by the American Academy of Forensic Sciences. The minimum requirement established by the ABFDE for training in forensic document examination is a two-year apprenticeship in a recognized forensic laboratory or with an examiner in private practice who has previously received proper training.

Minimum qualifications for ABFDE certification are:

• Baccalaureate degree
• Full-time training program in a recognized document laboratory
• Full-time practice of forensic document examination

There is only one category of certification – diplomate. There are no “retired” Diplomates or “emeritus” Diplomates. Either an examiner is currently certified by the ABFDE or they are not. For further information concerning ABFDE Certification, please click on the Certification tab in the main menu.

Graphology or graphoanalysis attempts to predict character traits from handwriting examination. Forensic document examination involves the analysis and comparison of questioned documents with known material in order to identify, whenever possible, the author or origin of the questioned document. Some graphologists call themselves handwriting analysts or document examiners and are therefore confused with FDEs. In U.S. v. Bourgeois 950 F 2d 980 (5th Cir. 1992), the court rejected the testimony of a proffered handwriting examiner, in part, because his training was completed through a correspondence school and strongly emphasized graphoanalysis. But it also pointed out that the witness was not certified by the ABFDE.

Attorneys should search for FDEs who are active members in the recognized national and/or regional forensic science organizations. The following is a list of such organizations:
1. American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS) (Questioned Document Section)
2. American Society of Questioned Document Examiners (ASQDE)
3. American Board of Forensic Document Examiners (ABFDE)
4. Midwestern Association of Forensic Sciences (MAFS)
5. Southwestern Association of Forensic Document Examiners (SWAFDE)
6. Mid-Atlantic Association of Forensic Scientists (MAAFS)
7. Southeastern Association of Forensic Document Examiners (SAFDE)
8. Northeastern Association of Forensic Scientists (NEAFS)
9. Canadian Society of Forensic Science (CSFS)

Certifications and credentials should be carefully examined in your expert witness selections. Do they have the proper training, education, professional memberships, certification, and necessary experience) Attorneys should be aware that persons who advertise as handwriting analysts may be self-trained or trained as graphologists. Groups outside of the mainstream forensic science organizations abound.