Why we need sources for exemplars

Exemplars are examples of a person’s writing. A requirement for a forensic handwriting expert to perform a handwriting examination is obtaining a sufficient number of examples of a person’s handwriting to use for comparison with the questioned writing. A common concern from clients is they have only a few examples of the person’s writing. This may be especially problematic when the subject is deceased. The problem occurs when a person wants to contest a will or trust in a probate case. The forensic document examiner needs to learn the different ways a person writes. This is true for signatures and general writing.

A question is asked, “How many exemplars do you need?” The answer is, “A sufficient number to learn the ways a person wrote or signed their name.” I usually request at client find least 15 exemplars. The exemplars should be as close in time to the date of the questioned signature because people’s writing can change over time. Respected authorities have written more exemplars are needed to eliminate a writer than to identify a writer. This is generally true. In a forensic handwriting analysis case in San Diego, after 30 exemplars of the decedent’s signature the evidence pointed toward elimination of a person as the writer of a questioned document. The 31st exemplar changed the opinion toward identifying the writer. This is because the missing evidence was supplied in the 31st exemplar which was written differently than the other 30.

In another case the questioned document was a change of beneficiary form. As a forensic handwriting examiner, my task was to determine whether the handwriting and signature were written by the decedent. After obtaining exemplars of the decedent, the signature overtly appeared similar to his signature. Signatures written within weeks of the date of the signature on the questioned document showed the decedent could barely complete his name. He had suffered a massive stroke three weeks before the date the questioned document was written and signed. As a forensic handwriting expert, I opined the decedent was neither capable of either signing his name nor writing the signature. In this case, obtaining exemplars within weeks of the questioned document were important.

There are many sources of exemplars

There are many sources of documents which are useful for comparison with the questioned document. Authorities have compiled lists that contain more than 100 possible sources of examples of a person’s handwriting. As people need to sign new items, the list will grow. Q9 Consulting provides a list to its clients.

Some items on the list are:

• • • • Bank checks

• • • • Bank deposit slips

• • • • Bill of sale

• • • • Car rental agreements

• • • • Contracts

• • • • Deeds

• • • • Employment applications

• • • • Records of attendance at events

• • • • • Tax returns

    As with the questioned document, provide the original example documents to the handwriting examiner or document examiner. When the original document is not available, provide the best quality copy for the document examination.