Expert Autograph & Handwriting Analysis
Certified Forensic Analysis
Our forensic and certified autograph examination services provide reliable insights into handwriting authenticity. We utilize advanced techniques and experienced experts to ensure accurate results for legal and professional purposes.
About Examination
U.S Supreme Court Ruling
(March 23. 1999 Gumbo Tire Co. v.Carmichael) The U.S. Supreme Court by an 8-1 ruling told federal trial judges to screen out dubious testimony by self-proclaimed experts when opinions are not based in science. The ruling extends to all manners of individuals such as engineers, phychologists, accountants, or handwriting analysis. Before they are permitted to testify to juries, stated examiners must show that their opinions are based on "scientifuic principles," and not just a hunch based on self-described practical experiencee.
The high court has shown a skepticism toward hired self-procllaimed experts. Sixteen years ago, the Supreme Court said that lower courts should act as "gatekeepers" and to carefully examine testimony by these applicants. Judges should look beyond advertised qualifications and examine the basis of their conclusions on facts.
What does that mean for the collector?t
Simple, if a dealer-authenticated autograph is disputed and taken to court it will not hol up unless the dealer use scientic forensic techniques. Without credentials and facts the dealer will not be allowed to testify because they are not considered experts by the court. You, the collector, will be left hanging. The federal courts will rely on established Court Qualified & Board Certified Forensic Document Examiners as their experts.
Handwriting Examination
An examintion of handwriting includes the analysis of an individual's class and individual characteristics. As a person writed over time, this combination of traits repeats itsef, so one sample of an individuals writing can be compared to another. Consistant similarities can lead to an identification of common authorship, just as unexplainable differences can lead to exclusion. It is also important to note that no one signs their name the same every time.
Upon reciept of a questioned signature or writing, the examiner conducts various scientific tests, including examining the writing under magnification, to determine the individual and class characteristics of the writing. The same method is also used to study the known exemplars of the individual, to determine what the characteristics are, as well as the individual variation that writers have. People do not always write exactly the same, but they do have consistant patterns that make it possible to determine the range of their variations in handwriting.
Forensic and Certified examiners maintain reference libraries of known handwriting samples of both historical and contemporary famous people. Examiners photograph all questioned material, and if it identified, is added to the reference library.
What are Forensic and Certified Document Examiners
Forernsic and Certified examinters are skilled forensic scientists with a demonstrted expertise in an applied questioned document examation. They are handwriting experts, as well as experts in other areas of document examination, including machine printing processes: and obiterated, indented and erased entries.
These examiners commonly work in local, state or federal crime labs. A number of these professionals work through private investigative companies, although this type of work is generally geared toward civil cases. Forensic document examiners are also often called to testify as experts in criminal cases.