NCJ Number
159686
Journal
International Journal of Forensic Document Examiners Volume: 1 Issue: 1 Dated: (January-March 1995) Pages: 32-39
Date Published
1995
Length
8 pages
Annotation
A pilot study was conducted to determine whether forensic document examiners are consistent in assigning evidential value to handwriting characteristics.
Abstract
Thirty-three forensic document examiners attending a May 1993 seminar, as well as 36 college students in a forensic science course, completed surveys in which they reviewed a document problem involving a hand-printed robbery note. The examiners ranged each letter type and other hand- printing characteristics as low, moderate, or high in significance. Results revealed that the forensic document examiners were less inclined to assign high evidential value to a given letter than were the student examiners. The examiners had an overall favorable response to the survey and provided constructive criticisms. Although forensic document examiners agreed that the methodology used to compare handwriting is valued, examiners can be grouped into two categories. One group strongly support efforts to quantify handwriting examinations; the other group maintains that quantitative studies are so restrictive in design and interpretation that the endeavors are not worthwhile. Figures, tables, form, and 4 references