Attorney's Guide to Document Examination - Hardcover

Koppenhaver, Katherine

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1567204708 ISBN 13: 9781567204704

Publisher: Praeger, 2001

Synopsis

Attorneys must develop many skills in order to benefit fully from their collaborations with forensic document examiners in cases involving questioned documents. This comprehensive guide for attorneys provides a thorough grounding in how to prepare for court and deposition testimony. It also explains how to select appropriate comparison documents for forensic document examiners, the basic principles of handwriting identification (the knowledge of which enables lawyers to challenge incorrect statements), and what document examiners can and cannot determine based on the evidence.

When the authenticity of a document is in question in the courtroom, forensic document examiners are brought in to determine such things as whether a signature has been forged, whether the document has been altered, and whether it is all things it purports to be. The examination of suspect documents generally involves comparison with examples of known genuine writing. Attorneys need to know how to select appropriate comparison documents for forensic document examiners. This is but one of the many skills that attorneys must develop in order to benefit fully from their collaborations with forensic document examiners, and it is explained here in detail. So, too, are the basic principles of handwriting identification, the knowledge of which enables lawyers to challenge incorrect statements. This comprehensive and thorough guide for attorneys also explains what document examiners can and cannot determine based on the evidence, and it provides a thorough grounding in how to prepare for court and deposition testimony.

Among the many unique features of this attorney's guide is an extensive list of questions for lawyers to ask their own, and their opponent's, expert witnesses before going to trial. The deposition of a forensic document examiner includes questions relating to the examiner's experience, working methodology, background and education, knowledge base, certifications, achievements, and many other items relating to the examiner's abilities. Next, an extensive set of questions helps lawyers ask for the right information pertaining to the examiner's specific methods of preparation for the case at hand. After the deposition is taken, the expert must be qualified in court; this book includes 60 qualifying questions. After qualification, it is time to move on to questions about document examination and the case being litigated. Finally, new questions pertaining specifically to the cross-examination of document examiners are presented, once again relating to credentials and a given case. This valuable resource concludes with a chapter describing the relevance of various court citations involving handwriting. Appendices are devoted to suggested reading; a resource list of experts related to the field, including photographers, librarians, and appraisers; organizations; and a glossary of technical terms.

About this title

Book Description

Guides lawyers through the entire process of forensic document examination, including handwriting analysis, equipment identification, fraud and forgery detection, and cross-examination of opposing witnesses.

From the Author

Forensic document examiners study questioned documents in order to identify forgeries and to authenticate genuine handwriting. Their work includes detecting alterations, deciphering indented writing, and determining the sequence of writing. They also draw conclusions about typed and printed documents.

The process of examination involves a thorough and detailed study of the questioned documents and generally involves a comparison with genuine specimens. Attorneys need to know how to collect appropriate documents for comparison. They need to know what a document examiner can and cannot determine about the evidence. They should become familiar with the basic principles of document examination.

There is a chapter devoted to Federal court cases concern-ing decisions about handwriting. Attorneys will learn how to take request writing, the proper care and handling of sensitive documents, factors that influence handwriting and materials from which documents are made. This is the only book on the market written exclusively to assist attorneys in handling cases involving questioned documents.

Many attorneys have asked for basic information about document examination. This book has been written for all the attorneys who find themselves dealing with questioned document cases.

Edition details

• Publisher: Praeger
• Publication date: 2001
• ISBN 10: 1567204708
• ISBN 13: 9781567204704
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 288