The Law, Science, and Handwriting Identifi cation
Heidi H. Harralson · Routledge eBooks · 2013
Forensic handwriting and document examiners have taken an increased responsibility for meeting the challenges in the scientific acceptance of handwriting. Starting with the challenges presented by a recent government report’s challenge to forensic science, an overview of how handwriting identification has successfully met its scientific and legal challenges is presented through looking at accreditation, proficiency testing, scientific validity and reliability research, standardization of terminology and methodology, and advances in computerized handwriting analysis. The important work that has been accomplished over the past several years has propelled the field toward scientific acceptance. Arguments from a government report were used to challenge forensic handwriting examination in the District of Columbia Court of Appeals case Pettus v. United States , but were successfully denied as the court found that handwriting identification meets the requirements for scientific admissibility.