New Book on Forensic Document Examination

The newest book on the subject of forensic document examination was actually written in the 1950's. Scientific Examination of Questioned Documents was originally written by the late Ordway Hilton and published in 1956. A revised version of the book by Mr. Hilton was published in 1982.

This second edition of the book was edited by Jan Seaman Kelly and Brian S. Lindblom. A number of authors, myself included, contributed chapters to the book. This work is to all intents and purposes a new book, but some of Mr. Hilton's work is still there. The book includes chapters discussing:

• Forensic document examiner training
• The Daubert decision
• Identification of handwriting and signatures
• Disguise in handwriting
• Collection of handwriting samples
• Pens and pencils
• Paper examinations
• Typography
• Typewriters
• Computer-generated documents
• Photocopiers and Fax machines
• Manipulated documents
• Printing processes
• Rubber stamps
• Indented Writing
• Altered documents
• Document Dating
• Demonstrative charts
• Expert witness testimony

You can't learn how to be a forensic document examiner from reading a book, or even several books on the subject, but this book is a valuable resource for forensic document examiners and attorneys.