Handwriting examination differs from other types of forensic examination of documents. It requires painstaking examination of handwriting samples and the use of special comparative methods. This type of examination is carried out by qualified specialists on the basis of a court order or investigative authorities.
Basis for handwriting examination and preparation for research
The basis for the appointment of a handwriting examination is an official document - a decision of a judicial authority or a resolution of an investigator conducting the relevant proceedings. The expert institution is provided with available materials, material evidence and texts of manuscripts, which become the subject of research.
Depending on the specifics of the case under consideration, experts may also request handwriting samples of those persons who are considered to be the alleged executors of the document to be examined. An important addition is also data on the personality traits of the performer of the document and the expected conditions in which the manuscript was performed.
At the first stage, the expert examines the accompanying documents, makes sure that there is a legal basis for the study. If the necessary documents are not submitted in full, the expert draws up an act about this and makes a request to the investigative or judicial authorities. Before receiving a complete set of materials, the expert does not have the right to start research.
Handwriting examination
Starting to work directly, the expert carefully comprehends the questions that are put before the examination. This is necessary in order to determine the boundaries of future research and its ultimate goal. A handwriting expert cannot single-handedly answer questions that go beyond the scope of his professional competence. For example, if it is necessary to study the composition of a paper or a coloring matter, a comprehensive examination may be assigned with the participation of chemists or specialists in the field of printing.
While conducting a study of handwritten text, a handwriting specialist carries out work on identifying the handwriting, diagnosing the characteristics of the performer and restoring the situation in which the text was created. Usually, the expert must answer the question of which of the persons subject to verification wrote the document, whether this person was in a state of strong mental agitation or alcoholic intoxication, whether he was healthy, and so on.
The basis of the examination is a detailed examination and a step-by-step study of the controversial document, as well as its comparison with the submitted handwriting samples. The arsenal of research methods is wide enough, reliable, and in most cases allows you to answer the questions of the court or the investigation with a high degree of confidence. The expert presents the results of the study in a well-grounded conclusion, which is sent to the initiator of the handwriting examination.
