ABSTRACT

In the early years of document examination, there existed numerous ways of reporting conclusions of handwriting or hand printing examinations. Included in those reports were findings that expressed a definitive opinion, such as whether or not a subject writer was the author of a questioned writing, and reports that were qualified, expressing opinions of lesser certainty. The very nature of handwriting examination dictates that qualified opinions should be rendered, given that several factors affect the outcome of any given case. These factors include the appearance of disguise, lack of clarity in originals or copies of documents, lack of known writing needed for comparison, and non-contemporaneous known writing.