Improper reference material collection as a cause of mistake in handwriting expert opinion

Abstract

Despite the fact that the rules for obtaining reference material for handwriting expert opinion are specified in the literature and remain unchanged for years, the judicial authorities often do not use them. The experts themselves also do not attach due importance to the quality and quantity of reference material and remain contented with material diverging from the recommended one. The described case demonstrates that such an approach can lead to mistakes and the rules for collecting reference material should be observed not only in complicated cases but also in seemingly uncomplicated ones.

Keywords

• handwriting expertise
• expert opinion
• handwriting identification
• standards of comparison.