Ten Things to Know About Questioned Document Examination ProcessBy Joseph Zarek, FDE, HE, SA
1. Gather up all the documents you want examined
Submit a minimum of 5-25 documents for document examiner to examine and compare to your questioned document. This will reveal natural variation of author and strengthen their professional opinion.
2. Locate a Forensic Document Examiner
Document examiners do not have use the same processing standard when examining documents.
Make sure what they do is repeatable by other document examiner.
Ask your attorney for recommendations. Check your telephone book or Yellow Pages. Search the Internet using words such as "Forensic Document Examiner, or Questioned Documents, forgery."
3. College Degrees and Certification are not required for this job
While it is not uncommon for document examiners to hold degrees and certificates, there is no prerequisite. At a minimum, forensic document examiners participate in a 2-3 year apprenticeship.
4. A professional opinion can be provided to you within 24-48 hours
Be aware most competent professionals are able to provide an opinion 24-48 hour after you submit documents to them. If they still have no opinion after 2 weeks what you sent them, find yourself another professional who can.
5. Know that it takes 2-4 hours on average to examine any one document
A through process may include, 24-or more separate areas examined on each document. Because there is no standardized process in the field, it is important whatever process is used is repeatable by any other document examiners.
6. Understand this is not a free service
A good faith retainer fee is paid. Rates will vary, and higher amounts do not guarantee the best professional is working for you; only the most expensive.
7. Be aware this service is not legal advice
Document Examiners are not lawyers and cannot provide legal advice. What they will do is provide a professional opinion on questioned documents they examine, and are able to present their findings in a court of law.
For legal advice, always consult an attorney.
8. Make sure you do not alter any documents you submit
Help yourself and the document examiner by providing them original documents when available.
First and second generation copies may be used during an examination. Understand, each successive copy will lose 1% of resolution.
9. Do not send portions of signatures or parts of documents
A document examiner provides you a professional opinion on what they examine. Opposing side can also access the same documents for examination. Ensure all documents you provide are examined unaltered.
10. Know what to expect after you submit documents
You will receive a professional opinion within 24-48 hours.
You will receive either a Verbal or Written Opinion.
A document examiner will share with you one of nine professional opinions that range from 100% identification, to 100% elimination.
Findings should be repeatable and presentable in court.
Not everyone requires a forensic document examiner. When you do, know the truth will be revealed while bringing you peace of mind in the process.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Thursday, July 5, 2007
Forensic Document Examination
Q: What is a forensic document examiner (FDE)?
A forensic document examiner (FDE) is someone with at least a two-year apprenticeship under the tutelage of a mentor, recognized as an expert in the field.
They examine and compare documents by technical or scientific processes to determine authenticity from a document or signature, as well as identify or eliminate a person as an author.
Such professionals may be called upon, to present expert testimony in court to demonstrate the basis and reasons for their opinion.
Q: Why would I need to retain a document examiner?
ID Theft is on the rise, and your handwriting and signature are unique to you. Sometimes another person will alter a document, or forge another person's signature or handwriting to gain something without your knowledge or permission.
It's more than just frustrating when you find this out; or worse never do; and they get away with the crime!
Maybe you discover a house or land a relative intended for you or someone else you know has been sold recently or years ago, however you also know that's not their signature at the bottom of the sales document.
Well, no one should be allowed to get away with stealing from you or someone you know by misrepresenting you, your name and signature.
Does the following circumstance sound familiar to you:
Someone has signed a check in your name
Property in your name was sold without your knowledge or the person whose name originally did appear on the certificate or deed
You’ve received an anonymous letter
There’s an additional page inserted into a document (will, medical form, etc….)
Any other questioned document circumstance that you’re involved in right now
A recent study by Meridian Research makes the projection that by 2006 the financial institution sector alone will lose $8 billion to identity theft. In addition, an estimated 500,000 to 700,000 people a year become victims of identity theft, and Federal Trade Commission data show that nearly 86,000 people filed identity theft complaints in 2001.
Hopefully, you or someone you know will never find yourself in such a circumstance, but when you do, at least you now know you can turn to a competent forensic document examiner who can help you reveal the truth and bring you the peace of mind you seek regarding the matter. Do a search on the Internet today or go to forensichandwritingservices.com to help you find a competent, proven professional who can help you with your own unique questioned document circumstances.
Joseph Zarek, CDE, HE
AFHS, Lead Forensic Document Examiner
Advanced Forensic Handwriting Services
http://www.forensichandwritingservices.com/
A forensic document examiner (FDE) is someone with at least a two-year apprenticeship under the tutelage of a mentor, recognized as an expert in the field.
They examine and compare documents by technical or scientific processes to determine authenticity from a document or signature, as well as identify or eliminate a person as an author.
Such professionals may be called upon, to present expert testimony in court to demonstrate the basis and reasons for their opinion.
Q: Why would I need to retain a document examiner?
ID Theft is on the rise, and your handwriting and signature are unique to you. Sometimes another person will alter a document, or forge another person's signature or handwriting to gain something without your knowledge or permission.
It's more than just frustrating when you find this out; or worse never do; and they get away with the crime!
Maybe you discover a house or land a relative intended for you or someone else you know has been sold recently or years ago, however you also know that's not their signature at the bottom of the sales document.
Well, no one should be allowed to get away with stealing from you or someone you know by misrepresenting you, your name and signature.
Does the following circumstance sound familiar to you:
Someone has signed a check in your name
Property in your name was sold without your knowledge or the person whose name originally did appear on the certificate or deed
You’ve received an anonymous letter
There’s an additional page inserted into a document (will, medical form, etc….)
Any other questioned document circumstance that you’re involved in right now
A recent study by Meridian Research makes the projection that by 2006 the financial institution sector alone will lose $8 billion to identity theft. In addition, an estimated 500,000 to 700,000 people a year become victims of identity theft, and Federal Trade Commission data show that nearly 86,000 people filed identity theft complaints in 2001.
Hopefully, you or someone you know will never find yourself in such a circumstance, but when you do, at least you now know you can turn to a competent forensic document examiner who can help you reveal the truth and bring you the peace of mind you seek regarding the matter. Do a search on the Internet today or go to forensichandwritingservices.com to help you find a competent, proven professional who can help you with your own unique questioned document circumstances.
Joseph Zarek, CDE, HE
AFHS, Lead Forensic Document Examiner
Advanced Forensic Handwriting Services
http://www.forensichandwritingservices.com/
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