What to submit for examination
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Tips for submitting questioned documents for examination
In general, we strongly recommend submitting the original questioned document to our laboratory for examination, if at all possible. If not, the opinion may be qualified, meaning there will be limits to the strength of the opinion that can be given if the examination is based on a photocopy.
Due to the ease with which digital manipulations may be done, no document examiner can authenticate a signature as genuinely being affixed to the original document if only a photocopy of the questioned document is submitted.
It is possible for representatives from both sides of a case to be present during the examination of the questioned document if that facilitates producing the original in our laboratory. Our laboratory features a large glass window to allow viewing of the examination process.
Due to the ease with which digital manipulations may be done, no document examiner can authenticate a signature as genuinely being affixed to the original document if only a photocopy of the questioned document is submitted.
- Documents with questioned signatures or handwriting only may be examined in the field, but if any other types of non-destructive testing are requested or recommended, the original documents must be brought to our laboratory for examination, as the equipment is delicate and cannot be transported.
- Wills on file with the court will frequently require a court order in order for the original to be examined. View a sample court order here.
- Medical Records: The entire original chart must be produced, not just the page or pages in question. No destructive testing is done.
- Sign-In Sheets, Sweep Sheets or other sequentially dated documents: The questioned sheet as well as several sheets several days before and after should be submitted.
- Calendars, Journals, Diaries: Questions involving when entries were made in calendars or journals will require the originals be produced in our laboratory.
It is possible for representatives from both sides of a case to be present during the examination of the questioned document if that facilitates producing the original in our laboratory. Our laboratory features a large glass window to allow viewing of the examination process.
Tips for submitting known documents (exemplars) for comparison
If the signature or initials are in question, we will need to see at least 10 to 15 normal course of business exemplars of signatures or initials (as required by the case) dated as close in time as possible to the questioned document(s). Originals are preferred but good copies are acceptable.
It is better to submit more than requested rather than too few in order to establish a range of variation.
If the handwriting is in question, such as questions involving anonymous notes, or determining the authorship of an entry on a contract or an interlineation on a will, it is necessary to have a sufficient quantity of handwriting that is comparable in style and letter combinations.
For example, if the questioned entry is printed, then the exemplars must demonstrate the style of handprinting. If the questioned entry is cursive, the exemplars must also be in cursive.
In all cases, there must be enough examples of words and letter combinations similar to what is found in the questioned document in order to do a meaningful examination.
Rile & Hicks uses a well-recognized 9-level scale, ranging from Identification to Elimination, for expressing opinions on handwriting. A copy of this scale can be provided upon request.
It is better to submit more than requested rather than too few in order to establish a range of variation.
If the handwriting is in question, such as questions involving anonymous notes, or determining the authorship of an entry on a contract or an interlineation on a will, it is necessary to have a sufficient quantity of handwriting that is comparable in style and letter combinations.
For example, if the questioned entry is printed, then the exemplars must demonstrate the style of handprinting. If the questioned entry is cursive, the exemplars must also be in cursive.
In all cases, there must be enough examples of words and letter combinations similar to what is found in the questioned document in order to do a meaningful examination.
Rile & Hicks uses a well-recognized 9-level scale, ranging from Identification to Elimination, for expressing opinions on handwriting. A copy of this scale can be provided upon request.