ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Page Count: 5

The Status of Training for Questioned Document Examiners in the United States
Behrendt, JE
Document analyst, Southern Region Crime Laboratory, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, TN

(Received 5 March 1988; accepted 14 June 1988)

Abstract

Questioned document examination has traditionally used on-the-job training as its primary instructional method. There are several deficiencies inherent in this method of training, however. Some of these deficiencies are the lack of a standardized course of instruction, the inability to evaluate the quality of the training received by an individual, the absence of any criteria establishing minimum levels of competency, and the length of time required which results in a reluctance to hire trainees. These and other shortcomings in on-the-job training are discussed in view of a survey that was conducted of 249 document examiners associated with federal, state, county, local, and private laboratories. Some possible remedies to correct the weaknesses in the current approach to training are offered.

Keywords:
questioned documents, education, surveys, training

Paper ID: JFS12645J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS12645J
ASTM International is a member of CrossRef.