Finding the Right Kind of Handwriting Expert
Over the years, handwriting examinations have been performed with the intent of providing various types of information – from identifying the writer to how they were feeling on the day they wrote. There are two basic types of handwriting expert: Graphologists and Forensic Document Examiners (sometimes called Questioned Document Examiners).
Graphologists practice one of several styles of graphology all of which are somewhat controversial and could be considered a pseudo-science. On the other hand, graphology has been widely used in a number of applications, including; psychological profiling; compatibility testing (for employees, mates, and even jurors); medical diagnoses; and, Behavioral therapy. It should be noted that in each of its uses (and especially in medical diagnoses) graphology is not universally accepted as a valid science.
Forensic document examination, on the other hand, uses forensic (i.e., scientific study related to evidence) techniques and technology in order to support or disprove the validity of a document. A handwriting expert who specializes in forensic handwriting analysis studies handwriting in a modern forensics laboratory. Qualification to become this type of handwriting expert requires a minimum of two years post-graduate training with another seasoned handwriting expert.
An example of this kind of handwriting expert, Los Angeles questioned document examiner, Linda L. Mitchell performs handwriting analyses on contracts and other documents containing handwriting in question. Her clients, and those of other forensic document examiners, include lawyers, private investigators, and a variety of others who have legal or personal reasons to require a document be verified or proven invalid.
Those looking for expert testimony regarding the validity of a signature or document may contact Southern California handwriting expert, Linda L. Mitchell to provide a forensic analysis of questioned documents.
