NCJ Number
186098
Journal
International Journal of Forensic Document Examiners Volume: 5 Dated: December/January 1999 Pages: 339-344
Date Published
1999
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This paper discusses the procedures and conditions that can ensure the collection of proper handwriting exemplars.
Abstract
Problems in obtaining proper handwriting exemplars occur when dealing with judges, attorneys, investigators, victims, and suspects. Judges are often reluctant to grant an extended period of time for a defendant to provide writing samples. Representatives of the prosecution and defense teams often meet to discuss the date, time, location, and methods for obtaining the exemplars without conferring with the forensic document examiner. Investigators often want the content of the questioned documents to remain confidential; they therefore request that the actual wording not be dictated to the writer. Occasionally suspects will refuse to provide writing samples in the absence of their attorneys. Uncooperative writers will invariably insist that the writing they are providing is not disguised. Attempts to have them change the speed, size, or slant of their writing is usually futile. Conditions for obtaining writing exemplars are often less than desirable due to noise or lack of privacy. In order to counter many of these problems, a court order for providing handwriting exemplars should include the phrase, "Subject is to provide handwriting samples in accordance to the directions of the forensic document examiner..." This statement enables the document examiner to be a part of the decision making process in constructing the format and conditions for obtaining the exemplar. The technique for obtaining an exemplar is described. 6 figures