Forensic Document Examination: Fundamentals and Current Trends

Forensic Document Examination enlightens forensic document examiners, forensic investigators, attorneys and others using the services of forensic document examiners with the basic principles and current trends in the area. Standards and methodologies apply now, which were non-existent 20 years ago. Instrumentation has moved beyond the microscope and the magnifying glass to digital cameras, digital microscopes, video spectral comparators, electrostatic detection devices for the development of indented writing on paper, scanners, and software programs like Write-On 2.0 and Photoshop.

Covers basic principles and methodologies used in forensic document examinationContains state-of-the-art techniques and new trendsIncludes research over the last ten years and describes the future direction of forensic document examination

Individuality in Handwriting
Research
Chapter 5. Basic Methodology
Methodology in Forensic Document Examination
ACE Method
Elements of Writing in Forensic Document Examination
Other Ways to Articulate FDE Methodology
Natural Variation in Handwriting
Conclusion
Chapter 6. Instrumentation
Stereo Microscope
Magnifiers
Light Panels
MiScope
Video Spectral Comparators
Hyperspectral Imaging
Electrostatic Detection Devices
Photography and Imaging
Specialized Grids
Chapter 7. Case Examples
Introduction
John Waters Will Case
Medical Records Case
Original Contract Case
Irene V. Vander Zee Will Case
Cases with Low Resolution Images of Checks
Typewriter Defect Case
Alteration Case
Alteration to a Letter
Check Alterations
Simulated Signature Case
Conclusion
Chapter 8. Standards for Forensic Document Examiners
Introduction
Standardization in Questioned Document Literature
ASTM International Standards
SWGDOC
American Board of Forensic Document Examiners (ABFDE) Certification
Chapter 9. Forensic Document Examination in the Courts
Before 1900
The 20th-Century Courts
The Critics
The American Board of Forensic Document Examiners
Forensic Document Examiners Meet Each Daubert Factor
Early Court Challenges
21st-Century Courts
Conclusion
Chapter 10. Court Preparation in Questioned Document Cases
Introduction
Pretrial Conference
Assess Credentials
Mainstream Forensic Science Organizations
Court Charts
Direct and Cross-Examination
Review Case File
Make Court Chart
Chapter 11. Court Charts
Photoshop Chart
PowerPoint Chart
Write-on 2 Chart
PowerPoint with Hyperlinks
Conclusion
Chapter 12. Questioned Document Research Present and Future
Introduction
NAS Report
NIST Conference 2013
Digital Signatures
Future Forensic Document Examination Research
Index