MORE LEADS
These resources provide a starting point for your investigation
into document testing and related fields. For additional readings
and research, visit your local library.
Online
Online
Exhibit of Literary Forgery, Univ. of Delaware
Document
Examination Index, Iowa Criminalistics Laboratory
Evidence
Examinations of Questioned Documents, The FBI
In Print
Forensic Examination of Ink and Paper, Richard Brunelle and Robert Reed; Charles C. Thomas Publisher, 1984.
Practice to Deceive: The Amazing Stories of Literary Forgery's Most Notorious Practitioners, Joseph Rosenblum; Oak Knoll Press, 2000. ISBN 158456010X
Pen, Ink & Evidence: A Study of Writing and Writing Materials for the Penman, Collector, and Document Detective, Joe Nickell; Oak Knoll Press, 2000.
Detecting Forgery: Forensic Investigation of Documents, Joe Nickell. Univ. Press of Kentucky, 1996.
Examining Examiners
If you need to get a document authenticated, choose someone qualified for the job. There are three different classes of document examiners:
- Government (generally forensics specialists; some accept private cases)
- Private examiners
- Graphologists (handwriting specialists)
A private examiner would be the preferred choice for most historical investigations.
However, authentication of historical documents is a narrow field. If you can't find a full-time specialist, try to locate an examiner with a good deal of experience in this field.
Ask for credentials and educational background. There are no 4-year academic programs for examiners. Completely avoid anyone who got their training through a correspondence course.
Find out whether they are certified. Like accountants, some examiners earn certification through additional training, but many do not.
Look for an examiner who is also an active member of at least one major QDE professional organization. These links will help you find some candidates for the job. If you need more options, look in the phonebook and online.
