Forensic document examination applies to the determination of legal evidence.
It concerns the reliable identification of physical evidence on a document.

Contact me if you need assistance with any of the following:

• Handwriting, handprinting and typewriting comparison and authentication of contested wills, deeds, checks, promissory notes, powers of attorney, stock certificates, leases, divorce papers, or any type of contract.
• Verification of anonymous letters, disguised writing.
• Detection of erasures, alterations and disturbance of paper fibers.
• Identification of paper characteristics and watermarks.
• High quality photomicrography.

Examination is conducted through various magnification devices: stereo microscope, transmitted light, ultraviolet light, scanner, photography, measuring devices and grids. I also have access to ESDA, video spectral comparator.

• Oral or written reports upon request.
• Expert court testimony is aided by professional exhibits, presenting facts in a convincing and concise manner. They provide exact information to the trier of fact.  My court demeanor is above reproach.
• Each case is given the same meticulous attention. I am painstakingly careful and exact about the smallest details.
• Low fees reflect a simple lifestyle NOT lack of expertise. In this era of downsizing the cost for my services becomes especially attractive to both the legal profession and individual consumers, or anyone who routinely accepts signed documents and contracts.
• Distance is no obstacle.

Qualifications

Biographical Data and Education 

• I was born in Germany and have an outstanding European education, terminating with an undergraduate degree. I moved to the United States in 1955 and became a citizen shortly thereafter.
• I acquired my Ph.D. in Psychology in 1997 from California Coast University, a fully accredited institution.
• Person to person training with a private document examiner in Manhattan was followed by several years of apprenticeship through the media of mail, telephone and fax.

Continuing Education

• I regularly participate in proficiency testing. I continually upgrade my professional knowledge by regular participation in seminars and workshops, specifically as offered at ASQDE (American Society of Questioned Document Examiners) conferences.
• I have studied the relevant textbooks in English as well as German. New material is constantly added to my reference library to keep abreast of new developments.
• On-going training with government trained Document Examiner (Illinois State Police) who is also an author and lecturer on the subject.
• On-site training at the Internal Revenue Services Lab in Chicago, Illinois.

• International Graphonomics Society, Nijmegen, The Netherlands

Experience

• For the past ten years I have worked as a forensic document examiner from a small town in Northern California. I have succeeded in building a solid reputation of reliability and excellence with the legal profession as well as with individual consumers.
• I am court qualified in the State of California and have testified in numerous cases, both criminal and civil. My in-depth analyses frequently lead to speedy settlement.

Teaching Experience

• During the summer of 1997 I taught a basic course "Handwriting Identification in Suspect Documents" to officers of the correctional facility in Susanville, California.

Accomplishments

• Research paper presented at Joint IAFS/ASQDE Conference in Los Angeles, California, August, 1999.
• Lectures to Northern California legal and business organizations, including Shasta-Trinity County Bar Association, Rotary Club.

MaryAnn's Monthly Quote of Note!

Handwriting identification is based on the premise that no two persons write exactly alike. In other words, in the real world uniqueness exists in everything. It can, therefore, be found and identified. "Handwriting identification is a discriminatory process,^"1 like fingerprint identification or DNA analysis. Document examiners study the physical composition of a person's handwriting. They compare the writing habits of various writers and, consequently, evaluate the significance of the similarities or differences that have been uncovered. Document examiners frequently mention writing characteristics or qualities. The author suggests that, instead, they should be referred to as the "manifestations of the habits formed^"1 by the writer.

 ^"1 Huber & Headrick, 1999, "Handwriting Identification: Facts and Fundamentals."