How a Forensic Handwriting Examination Is Conducted
A forensic handwriting examination is a systematic comparison of questioned writing with known writing. The examiner evaluates the writing as a whole, considering recurring habits, natural variation, similarities, differences, and the significance of the features observed.
The quality and quantity of the material available can affect the examination. Whenever practical, sufficient known writing should be provided to demonstrate the writer's normal range of variation and recurring writing habits.
Known & Questioned Material
A meaningful comparison depends not only on the questioned writing, but also on the quality, quantity, and suitability of the known material available for comparison.
Questioned Documents
Original documents are preferred whenever they are available. Examination of the original provides access to information that may not be preserved in a reproduction.
When an original cannot be submitted, a high-quality color scan or reproduction made directly from the original document is preferred. If the original is available but cannot be submitted, arrangements for its examination can be discussed.
Known Writing
For signature examinations, approximately 20–25 genuine signatures are ideal when available. In practice, examinations are often conducted with substantially fewer, and the available material can be evaluated to determine whether it is sufficient for comparison.
The amount of known writing needed depends in part on how much the writer's signatures naturally vary. A writer with substantial variation generally requires more known material to establish the range of normal writing habits.
Contemporaneous Writing
Known writing should preferably come from approximately the same time period as the questioned writing. When possible, the known material should include examples written within a year of the questioned document, with writing from both before and after its date.
Additional known writing extending over several years can also be useful in evaluating recurring habits, natural variation, and changes in the person's writing over time.
Conditions Affecting the Writing
Any known circumstances that may have affected the person's writing should be disclosed. Illness, injury, medications, drugs, or other relevant circumstances may affect the appearance or execution of handwriting and can be important when evaluating differences.
Preparing Digital Copies
When documents must be submitted electronically, scans should be made in color directly from the original document at the highest practical resolution. A resolution of at least 300 dpi is preferred.
Preferred file formats: TIF → PNG → JPG → PDF
What Makes Good Comparison Material?
The number of known specimens is important, but quantity alone does not determine their usefulness. The strongest comparison material should be genuine, reasonably comparable to the questioned writing, and representative of the writer's normal habits.
Known to Be Genuine
Comparison material should consist of writing that can reasonably be established as genuine writing of the person whose authorship is being considered.
Similar Type of Writing
Whenever possible, the known material should be comparable to the questioned writing. Signatures are best compared with signatures, while extended handwriting is best compared with other naturally written handwriting.
Similar Words, Letters & Numbers
Known writing containing the same words, letters, numbers, or letter combinations found in the questioned material can provide more directly comparable writing characteristics.
Naturally Produced Writing
Writing produced during the normal course of business or everyday activity is especially useful because it helps demonstrate the writer's natural habits and variation.
Why the Original Document Matters
Many handwriting and signature comparisons can be conducted using good-quality reproductions. Other document examinations may depend on physical features that can only be evaluated reliably from the original.
Handwriting & Signatures
A high-quality reproduction may preserve much of the information needed for handwriting or signature comparison. The quality of the reproduction and the features visible within it determine what can be evaluated.
Physical Document Features
The original may provide information that a scan or photocopy cannot preserve, including features involving the paper, writing instrument, stroke interaction, indentations, alterations, or other physical characteristics of the document.
Non-Original Documents
An original is not always available. When only a copy or digital image exists, the material can first be reviewed to determine what examinations may still be possible and what limitations, if any, the reproduction presents.
If an original document exists, it should not be altered, marked, stapled, laminated, or otherwise modified for the examination. Examinations conducted by MeyerQDE are non-destructive; original documents are not marked, altered, or modified during the examination. Arrangements for examining or submitting original documents can be discussed during the initial consultation.
How a Handwriting Examination Is Conducted
When possible and practical, the known writing is examined before the questioned material. This allows the examiner to become familiar with the writer's normal habits and natural range of variation before evaluating the writing in dispute.
Study the Known Writing
Genuine writing is examined to identify recurring habits, natural variation, and writing characteristics that normally appear in the writer's handwriting or signatures.
Examine the Questioned Material
After becoming familiar with the known writer's habits, the questioned writing is examined for the characteristics available for comparison.
Compare Significant Features
The writings are compared for features such as line quality, construction, proportions, slant, spacing, connections, rhythm, and other individual writing characteristics.
Evaluate Similarities & Differences
Observed similarities and differences are evaluated for significance, including whether differences fall within the writer's natural variation or may be attributable to known writing conditions or other relevant circumstances.
Form an Opinion
The findings are evaluated as a whole and an opinion is reached based on the quality, quantity, and significance of the available evidence.
Start with a free initial consultation.
If you have a questioned signature, handwriting, or document issue, contact Meyer Questioned Document Examination to discuss the available material and whether a forensic examination may be appropriate.