Q: I am an attorney. My client brought me a document and said he did not sign it. Do you handle this type of case?
A: Yes, I do. I have examined thousands of signatures.
Q: After you examine the documents do you have something I can present to the court?
A: After examining your documents, I will give you a written report that will state my opinion.
Q: What if the case goes to trial? Have you testified in court?
A: Yes, I have provided expert testimony in more than 80 cases. I am court qualified and speak in terms a jury can understand..
Q: Do you do court exhibits?
A: Yes, I will prepare exhibits that will strongly support my findings and visually prove why I came to my conclusion. Most of my cases settle out of court after my report is issued.
Q: How long have you been doing Questioned Document Examination?
A: I have been a document examiner since 1989.
Q: Are you certified?
A: Yes, by the Institute of Graphological Science.
Q: Someone sent me an anonymous note and I want to know who did it. Do you handle things like this?
A: Yes I handle all types of handwriting identification cases, including anonymous letters and notes, sexual/racial harassment and threatening letters.
Q: I have a (will/contract/promissory note/check/credit card charge/employee evaluation form/insurance form/etc) with a signature that I know is not authentic. Do you analyze signatures?
A: Yes I specialize in signature comparisons.
Q: What do I need to give you to compare the signatures?
A: You need to do the following:
- Give me the original document if it is available, and keep copies for yourself. If the original is not available then you need to get a first generation copy (a copy made from the original).
- Gather as many original documents that are dated as close to the date on the questioned documents as possible (within 6 months if possible) with genuine writing of the person whose name appears on the questioned document.
- Keep all documents as clean as possible (Do not write on them for any reason) Use post it notes to label the documents as Q for questioned writing, and K for known writing. Attach the note near the signatures but not directly over them.
- Inform me of any conditions such as illnesses, old age, drugs, and so on which could influence the writing.
Q: I did not sign this (contract, promissory note, etc) What can I do to prove I did not sign it?
A: Submit several samples of your handwriting from as close as possible to the date on the document in question. I will compare those samples to the document in question, to determine whether the signature is authentic. I may ask you to provide additional samples. Then I will examine all the writing and give you an unbiased opinion in the form of a report, or affidavit. I like to prepare an exhibit for court that will prove visually how I came to my conclusion.
Q: My client says the medical records were altered. Do you handle this type of case and what is the next step to prove it?
A: Yes, I handle altered medical records cases. To begin with, you will need to get good quality copies of the records. After I have examined those, if it looks as if there have been alterations, then you will need to arrange for me to see the originals.
Q: My client claims some corporate minutes were backdated. Can you prove it?
A: Yes, I handle altered medical records cases. To begin with, you will need to get good quality copies of the records. After I have examined those, if it looks as if there have been alterations, then you will need to arrange for me to see the originals.