Questioned Document Section
Questioned Document Examination Defined
A document is any material that conveys a message
whether visible, invisible, or partially visible. Where a question, such as
authorship or authenticity, arises in reference to a document, the document
should be submitted to a Questioned Documents Examiner. Examinations performed
by qualified professionals in this forensic discipline involve the scientific
and systematic examination and comparison of documents and/or writings using
various techniques and equipment. Specific examinations performed by
Questioned Documents Examiners include handwriting /signature comparisons;
typewriting; printing method of production; detection of alterations,
obliterations, or indented impressions; differentiation of inks; integral
parts matching; and examination of damaged documents.
Qualified examiners in this field possess a four-year
baccalaureate degree and have undergone a two-year training program. This
structured training program involves relevant literature study, practical
experience within an established laboratory, and instruction from a practicing
examiner.
The terms forensic documents examinations (examiners)
should be considered interchangeable with the terms questioned documents
examinations (examiners) in light of the fact that "forensic" is typically
defined as "pertaining to legal proceedings". Questioned Documents Examiners
are regularly called upon to render expert testimony in both criminal and
civil court proceedings.
Purpose of the Questioned Documents
Section
The Questioned Documents Section of the Mid-Atlantic
Association of Forensic Scientists has been an integral component of the
organization since the first Annual Meeting held in 1973. The goals of the
Section continue to include: supporting research in the discipline; providing
a cost-effective platform for training and education; fostering exchanges of
ideas and information between practitioners; and in general, promoting the
improvement of professional expertise in the discipline of Questioned/Forensic
Documents Examination.
Below are a series of related Questioned/Forensic
Documents Examination links:
American
Society of Questioned Document Examiners
Southeastern Association of Forensic Document
Examiners
Southwestern Association of Forensic Document
Examiners
Workshops and other information
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No workshops and/or trainings are
currently known. Please check back for updates!
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Mid-Atlantic
Association
of Forensic
Scientists