How can forensic document examiners help attorneys?
A forensic document examiner can assist attorneys by resolving a variety of disputed signature, handwriting and other document problems. Additionally, a document examiner may provide oral or written reports, offer litigation support as a consulting expert or testify as a trial expert witness. An experienced document examiner can clarify complex and confusing issues for attorney, judge or jury.

What is Certification?
Certification is a voluntary process of peer review by which a practitioner is recognized as having attained the professional qualifications necessary to practice.

Certification by the American Board of Forensic Document Examiners (ABFDE) identifies qualified scientists capable of providing forensic document services and promotes the advancement of the field through continuing education. In doing so, the Board aims to safeguard the public interest by ensuring that anyone who claims to be a specialist in forensic document examination does, in fact, possess the necessary skills and maintain their qualifications. ABFDE Diplomates are held to the highest level of professional and ethical conduct.

Certification by the ABFDE is recognized by the American Academy of Forensic Sciences and is accredited by the Forensic Specialties Accreditation Board.

How can attorneys make sure a handwriting examiner is really a scientist?
Scientific training is the most suitable basic qualification. When selecting a handwriting or document examiner consider if he or she has a science degree or foundation in one of the physical, natural, or forensic sciences from an accredited university. Specialized training, comprehensive apprenticeship, continuing education, professional affiliations, certification and peer group testing are equally important as well as research, publications and teaching in the field.

If you wish to have handwriting or documents examined be aware that persons who call themselves forensic document examiners may be self-taught, trained in graphology, certified by groups outside mainstream forensic science organizations or lack a basic science background. Do your homework and ask questions.

Is graphology the same as forensic handwriting examination?
While both disciplines involve the analysis of handwriting the principles and methods are quite different. Graphology attempts to predict personality profiles while forensics involves scientific method to compare questioned and known writing characteristics to identify or eliminate an author.

Unfortunately, there are some graphologists who claim to be forensic scientists.