How easy is a Questioned Document Examination? /Revisited/

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Kevin Hearn Vs. Joseph B. McLeod and Maslak McLeod Gallery Inc.

/Court File No. CV-12-455650/
Awaiting Justice Edward M. Morgan's Judgement...

"Shaman Envelopes Soma" 52"x42",

© 1976 Norval Morrisseau /Click on image to Enlarge/
~ Click HERE to view the front of this painting, click HERE to view the inscription on the reverse side of canvas & click HERE for Forensic Report by Dr. Atul K. Singla, proving with DNA certainty that this inscription on the canvas VERSO is a true signature of Norval Morrisseau
Source: Randy Potter Estate Auction, Pickering, Ontario

"Examining signatures for authenticity is "not that easy."

It requires obtaining a genuine signature from the same time period – "and then it's a long process," comparing them using computer programs and such sophisticated tools as a video spectral comparator.

But if it's a forged signature, almost 100 per cent of the time we can detect the forgery." *



Dr. Atul K. Singla of Worldwide Forensic Services Inc. (Toronto, Ontario)



* - Quotation of Dr. Singla from article "Handwriting analysis can change lives" ; By Judy Gerstel Sat., Jan. 19, 2008 "TheStar.com"

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 >>> In a recent court judgement "Hatfield vs. Artworld of Sherway" /Court File No. SC-09-087264-0000/ Judge Paul J. Martial stated the following about Mr. Joseph McLeod (1928-2017) of Maslak McLeod Gallery:

“He demonstrated a superior depth of knowledge of Morrisseau…” (Judgment by Judge Paul J Martial: March 25th, 2013 - Page 25)

“The testimony of Mr. Joseph McLeod is indicative of his care and the detailed effort to confirm provenance, including the hiring of a forensic expert to examine the signature on the back of the painting indicate that he took his role to provide appraisals seriously. His testimony… demonstrates his depth of knowledge of the painter due to his lengthy association with the artist.” (Judgment by Judge Paul J Martial: March 25th, 2013 - Page 35)

"Mr. Robinson (of Kinsman Robinson Galleries) was qualified as an expert in the area of valuation and appraisal. His testimony however overlapped into the area of handwriting and included an analysis of syllabic and English handwriting, areas for which he was not qualified.

"He has no formal training as an expert witness in handwriting analysis and his evidence is rejected. (Judgment by Judge Paul J Martial: March 25th, 2013 - Page 37)

"Dr. Singla's forensic evidence is preferred in this regard and his finding that it is highly probable that the painting "Wheel of Life" was painted by Norval Morrisseau was supported by his detailed technical analysis of known signatures of' Norval Morrisseau. (Judgment by Judge Paul J Martial: March 25th, 2013 - Page 37)

"The Court finds that there is overwhelming evidence that Norval Morrisseau signed paintings in black brush paint.” (Judgment by Judge Paul J Martial: March 25th, 2013 - Page 34)

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