Evidence evaluation and reporting for forensic handwriting examinations

Abstract

Evaluation and reporting are two stages of a forensic examination process. Although evaluation procedures and reporting scales remain diverse across forensic science disciplines, movements are currently being made toward standardization of practices within an evaluative (or logical) framework. This overview considers evaluation and reporting in the context of forensic handwriting examination, and specifically, how opinions are formed regarding handwriting authorship and/or process. A guide is given to assist forensic handwriting examiners when expressing conclusions or opinions based upon a formal evaluation of the evidence. Touched upon is the way examiners may arrive at their assessment of the strength and weight of the evidence with respect to the propositions that are of interest. Conclusion scales are discussed, and we also consider how examination findings and results are expressed in reports. Minimum requirements and suggested inclusions for reports, whether verbal or written, are included. This article is categorized under: Forensic Chemistry and Trace Evidence > Presentation and Evaluation of Forensic Science Output