NCJ Number
219855
Journal
Forensic Science Communications Volume: 2 Issue: 2 Dated: 04/2000 Pages: 1-4
Date Published
April 2000
Length
4 pages
Annotation
These draft guidelines for forensic document examination developed by the Scientific Working Group for Forensic Document Examination (SWGDOC) are presented for readers' review and comment with a view toward further revision.
Abstract
The first guideline gives an introduction of the Scientific Working Group for Forensic Document Examination and the technologies and procedures used by the professional document examiner. The second guideline pertains to forensic requirements and procedures for examining handwritten items for the purpose of determining whether two or more handwritten items were written by the same person. The guideline also contains criteria for reporting conclusions. The third guideline addresses the examination of exclusively questioned handwritten items. It is a continuation of the Guideline for the Examination of Handwritten Items, as it specifies requirements, procedures, and the reporting of conclusions in determining whether two or more questioned handwritten items were written by the same person(s). The fourth guideline applies to requirements, procedures, and the reporting of conclusions for the examination of nonoriginal handwritten items. The guideline applies to the determination of whether or not two or more handwritten items, at least one of which is nonoriginal, were written by the same person(s). The fifth guideline addresses requirements, procedures, and the reporting of conclusions for the examination of handwritten items that have a distorted appearance. It applies when determining whether handwritten items, with one or more having a distorted appearance, are suitable for comparison. Another guideline addresses the safe handling of contaminated document evidence and the preservation of associated trace evidence. The concluding guideline focuses on quality assurance and proficiency testing. Each guideline is accompanied by a glossary, references, and instructions for submitting comments on the guideline.