As originally published by The Scientific Journal of the International Association of Document Examiners.
By: Kathy Carlson
Tel: 888-710-EXAM
Email Ms. Carlson
Forensic Scientists differ when defining document examination. Is it a science? If so, which science? What is our scientific analysis? Or, as some people believe, is document examination an art?
Science is a way of finding knowledge through well supported justification. It provides the best explanation given observed data.
Merriam Webster - knowledge about or study based on facts learned through experiments and observations.
Free Dictionary - the observation, identification, description, experimental investigation, and theoretical explanation of phenomena.
Wikipedia - is a systematic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions.
Pure sciences use the experimental method in order to formulate theoretical construct, explicate natural laws, and to expand knowledge.1
Historically, this expression comes from Aristotle. He used the phrase to describe sciences that demonstrate precise conclusions from known principles; philosophy, arithmetic, geometry, astronomy, and harmonics. ptolemy argued that philosophy was less precise and was not based from known principles. In the 17th century, the meaning of this expression began to change. Mathematics no longer appeared to be a science, but the language of or an assistant to science. Physics is now regarded as an exact science.
Hard sciences are quantifiable sciences. The strict use of scientific protocols is associated with mathematical equations.
Natural and Physical Sciences are harder to accumulate quantifiable conclusions: weather. They include astronomy, psychology, sociology, medical diagnosis, anthropology.
Observational Sciences cannot construct experiments to test ideas (how continents shift, how judges react to information). To substitute for experiment, statistical calculations and/or past data can allow for approximations. These sciences include geology, astronomy, and social sciences. Technology allows for observational science to become experimental sciences(discovering what comets are made of). Conclusions are represented as "The known data indicates..." "The known data infers..." The data does not prove ideas are true.
Applied sciences use scientific principles for a practical application. Practicality, time, and financial aspects are considered in applied sciences.
Kathy Carlson, a Certified, Court Qualified Forensic Document Examiner, has practiced handwriting examination for the past seven years. She has testified many times in all state levels of court, including the Supreme Court in the Turks & Caicos. Ms. Carlson serves the United States and has rendered opinions in Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Indiana, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Island of Cyprus, Japan, and Turks & Caicos.
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1/22/2018· Documentation Examination & Analysis
Discovery of a Cut-and-Paste Alteration Without the Source Signatures
By: Mike Wakshull
Generally, document examiners state that a source signatures is needed to show that the signature on a document is cut from another document then pasted onto the document in question. In this case study, a technique is presented to demonstrate how a cut-and-paste was discovered without the source signature.
4/18/2011· Documentation Examination & Analysis
Can Forensic Experts Overcome Their Biases?
By: Mike Wakshull, MS, CQE, PMP, CISA
None of us wants to feel that our opinions are tainted by bias. The ability to recognize when bias is an influence in an expert's opinion and the skill of an expert to overcome his or her biases is integral to an expert's credibility.
4/18/2017· Documentation Examination & Analysis
Birth Certificate Altered to Smuggle Child Into the United States
By: Mike Wakshull
When she was a girl, the young woman had emigrated with her family to the United States from her home country in Africa. She grew up in the northeastern USA and was now attending college. As part of her application for United States citizenship she must present her birth certificate. Her father sent the birth certificate to her. The birth certificate had apparent alterations. Government officials refused to accept the birth as valid because her appearance did not match the age on the birth certificate. She was born in 1994 yet birth certificate appears to state her year of birth as 1984.
