The procedures outlined here are grounded in the generally accepted body of knowledge and experience in the field of forensic document examination. By following these procedures, a forensic document examiner can reliably reach an opinion concerning whether two or more handwritten items were written by the same person(s).

Note 2—The phrase “written by the same person(s)” refers to physical generation of the writing, not to intellectual ownership of the content.

1. Scope

1.1 This guide provides procedures that should be used by forensic document examiners (E 444) for examinations and comparisons involving handwritten items and related procedures.

1.2 These procedures are applicable whether the examination and comparison is of questioned and known items or of exclusively questioned items.

1.3 These procedures include evaluation of the sufficiency of the material (questioned, or known, or both) available for examination.

1.4 The particular methods employed in a given case will depend upon the nature of the material available for examination.

1.5 This guide may not cover all aspects of unusual or uncommon examinations of handwritten items.

This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory requirements prior to use.

2. Referenced Documents (purchase separately) The documents listed below are referenced within the subject standard but are not provided as part of the standard.

ASTM Standards

E444 Guide for Scope of Work of Forensic Document Examiners

E1658 Terminology for Expressing Conclusions of Forensic Document Examiners

E1732 Terminology Relating to Forensic Science

E2195 Terminology Relating to the Examination of Questioned Documents

Keywords

forensic sciences; handwriting; questioned documents;

ICS Code

ICS Number Code 03.160 (Law. Administration)

Citing ASTM Standards

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