"Father and Son", 30"x30", © 1977 Norval Morrisseau;
~ Analysis of the inscription on the reverse side of canvas by Mr. Brian Lindblom - Forensic Document Examiner /Click on image to enlarge/
Forensic document examination – the science today
Author : Dr. Audrey Giles
Date : May 2010
The scientific examination of documents has been an integral part of forensic science for almost a hundred years and many of the techniques developed over that period are still in use today. However, time does not stand still. The technology used to produce documents continues to evolve; the methods used to produce forgeries are ever more sophisticated; the expectations of lawyers and Courts are yet more demanding.
But forensic science is not sitting on its hands either – advances in techniques and technology mean that the forensic document examiner is fighting back.
What is a forensic document examiner? Who to instruct?
Document examiners are trained scientists. This means that they are trained in scientific method and objectivity, in assessing evidence and drawing conclusions. A good forensic document examiner is expected to hold a University Degree in a basic science – these individuals invest in their training. They have trained alongside forensic scientists and in established forensic science laboratories. They can demonstrate their continued education, having a record of attending meetings, producing research papers and refereeing journals. Very importantly, any forensic document examiner you wish to employ should have invested in equipment and laboratory facilities.
Wrongly, there is a perception that the forensic examination of documents, and particularly handwriting, is something which anybody can carry out on their kitchen table. No – forensic document examination takes place in a properly equipped forensic document laboratory. One group in particular, graphologists, frequently offer their services to the legal profession as forensic handwritings specialists. (These individuals are trained in the pseudo-science of determining personality features from handwriting.) This has absolutely nothing to do with the forensic document examination, and identification of handwritings and signatures as carried out by forensic scientists. Another group who offer services to the legal profession are scientists who have had a long career in official forensic science laboratories who then retire and, without a stick of equipment, reckon to provide the same level of work as they did in their fully equipped forensic document laboratories. They can’t – the science has moved on. No matter how impressive their CV, an invitation to hold a conference at their ‘laboratory’ will quickly clarify their actual working status!
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To continue reading this article by Dr Audrey Giles who leads the scientific work of The Giles Document Laboratory click HERE.
~ This article is based on a lecture given on 22 January 2010 at the Chancery Bar Association, London.
Source: STEP JOURNAL
/Wealth Structuring Analysis for Trust and Estate Practitioners/
~ 'Forensic document examination – the science today'
>>> Reference post:
- Downloadable Norval Morrisseau Forensic Reports (Part I),
- Downloadable Norval Morrisseau Forensic Reports (Part II),
- Downloadable Norval Morrisseau Forensic Reports (Part II),
/Signed by the artist on April 11, 2002 in Thunder Bay, Ontario/
* The illustration was shown in Downloadable Norval Morrisseau Forensic Reports (Part III).
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