Expert Witness: Why Document Examiners are Important

document expert witness post by: Grayserr G.

Forensic scientists are found everywhere in mystery television shows, but do we really know what they do? Besides scrutinizing fake bills and other legal documents, they are far more than that. A forensic document examiner studies documents and other handmade or printed materials in order to determine the owner’s basic information. There is no special education or specific degree required when it comes to this job, although you will need to have a college degree and get on the job experience.

A great candidate would pay attention to the smallest details, good eyesight, stay patient and is comfortable with working by himself for hours at a time. You must also be board certified by the American Board of Forensic Document Examiners in order to get a job as a forensic examiner.

These people are very important when it comes to solving crimes, especially when the evidence needs to be authenticated for the court’s usage. An expert witness would be able to give their straight opinion about the case, although their opinion will fully depend on the evidence laid on the table or through hearsay. When needing to authenticate the evidence, this is where forensic examiners would be able to come in handy. They will be the ones to study the said evidence and notify whether or not it’s real or fake, such as signed documents, papers and records. Although it’s an efficient way for people to know whether the evidence is real or not, it can be time consuming. Other non-expert witnesses can also testify the fact that he/she signed the said document or is familiar with the handwriting shown in the piece of evidence.

But why exactly is document authentication important? Wouldn’t you just need witnesses to prove that the certain document is in fact real? Although it would be easier, it would also be difficult to believe at times if a witness comes up and testifies. There may be hired witnesses or family members wanting the defendant out of the case. If the evidence is properly authenticated, it would mean a better chance for the jury to know what their final verdict is. These authenticated evidences will be pieces to what truly happened during the scene of the crime and will be able to get the facts right. Document examiner expert witnesses and evidence alike are important to solving a case that has boggled the jury for a long period of time.

Expert Witness: Why Document Examiners are Important

Document Examiner Expert Witness

post by: Lucas M.

The main purpose of an Expert Document Examiner is to determine the authenticity of a given document. To do this, the examiner might compare handwriting or if it was written using a mechanical device; compare samples under microscope, under different lighting, performing chemical analysis of the ink used, and verifying signatures, among other aspects to be considered for the investigation and evaluation of said document.

The word “Document” not only refers to traditional documents, but also to graffiti and covert markings hidden in a letter, for example.

In most cases an Expert Document Examiner will compare a documents, or components of said documents, to a set of known standards. Most often the matter evaluated is handwriting and the authorship of the hand-written sample.

An individual with the qualifications to be considered an expert has a major in forensic science and has spent at least two years in an internship under the tutelage of a professional with broad experience in the subject to learn the technical skills to be used. Nevertheless, in addition to the study and qualifications needed, in order for an expert to be eligible to serve as a witness in court, he/she must be selected by the judge, who will consider additional aspects.

When the Expert Document Examiner becomes a Witness at court, he/she provides testimony (verbal and/or written) to the court, and gives essential information for the jury to formulate a decision. These Expert Witnesses may provide their services both in civil cases as well as criminal cases.

Document Examiner Expert Witness

Document Examiner Expert Witness

post by Ammar K.

An Expert Witness is someone who through his education, experience, or training can be considered an expert in a field. As an expert he is allowed to give voice to his opinions in a legal matter. An Expert Witness may be called in to testify in any sort of legal case that may range from road accidents down to examination of various sorts of medico-legal or other types of documents, etc.

Sometimes the court may require services of a special type of Expert Witness, a Document Examiner. It is the job of a document examiner to determine the authenticity of any set of documents that are being presented in the court, i.e. it is his job to make sure that the document presented are not forged or misrepresenting information.

Document examiners are usually experts who authenticate the source of handwritten and typewritten documents in front of court. Their general areas of expertise include verification of different sorts of documents.

Document Examiners maybe called in to verify the legal value of Wills, Deeds or other Legal Contracts that may be hand-written.

In some cases where legal documents are hand written and the court is in suspicion of duplicity, a Document Examiner may also be of service to the court in the form of Hand Writing Analysis. They study various hand writing samples and present their professional opinion to the court regarding the genuineness of the legal document.

They are also called in to pass opinion over whether certain documents are forged, or counterfeit or altered documents and bring them in light of the legal proceedings.

Document Examiners also provide services in the form of examining court documents and medical records. In Medico-Legal cases, the authenticity of hospital receipts may become a bone of contention between the defendant and plaintiff. In such cases Document Examiners examine the claims of both parties and settle the dispute of the authenticity.

Document Examiners also conduct tests and trials to verify the legitimacy of documents created using fax machines and photocopiers. They examine the ink prints, the paper and sometimes if duty demands then the document itself and any handwriting that may be found on the documents.

Being a Document Examiner is a testing job and as much is not taken lightly. With daily challenges that are unique in their own ways, this surely is one the most daunting form of expert witnesses.