Forensic Examination of Handwriting and Documents

Abstract

The goal of this paper is to provide an overview of the instruments and methods that experts currently use for forensic examination of handwriting and documents. Currently, the laboratory for forensic examinations of documents and handwriting is equipped with modern optical instruments that enable experts to conduct various examinations of disputed and undisputed material without destroying them. Most of the methods in use are nondestructive and are applied for different purposes, such as forensic examinations of handwriting and signatures, examination of security documents (analysis of security elements, substrates, printing and personalization techniques, etc.), determination of alterations in documents, examination of stamp and stamp impressions, examination of typewritten documents and typewriters, examination of toner and inkjet printed documents and printers, examination of indented impressions, and examination of intersected lines. The majority of those methods are in compliance with the ENFSI1 methods for examination of handwriting (ENFHEX WG2) and documents (EDEWG3) and are accredited according to the ISO 17025 standard. As the interpretation of the findings during the forensic expert examination of handwriting and documents is considered subjective, depending mainly on human perception of the obtained examination results, it is extremely important that handwriting and document experts are well educated and familiar with the latest scientific methods in this field of expertise.