A Forensic Document Examiner in San Diego Aids the Legal Process

Just as the forensic scientists you see portrayed on the television help the authorities confirm the identity of a killer, a forensic document examiner in San Diego helps confirm the authenticity of a document. You’d be surprised how many legal matters require the expertise of a forensic scientist who specializes in documentation. Here are just a few ways he or she helps.

Document Examination

Paper retains oils and substances, and a document examiner might be tasked with inspecting a piece of paper for forensic evidence, such as fingerprints, ink smudges, handwriting impressions, and other information. For example, if someone is trying to pass off a photocopied document as an original, the document examiner will study the piece of paper to detect evidence that it is a duplicate rather than the original piece of paper.

Handwriting Verification

A forensic document examiner in San Diego must also be a handwriting expert. This helps in cases of forgery, probate trials, and even suicide notes where someone suspects homicide instead. One of the most difficult times for anyone is losing a loved one, and unfortunately, the worst in people comes out after the death of an estate head. Should a family become embroiled in probate case over the estate, the forensic document examiner can attest to the validity of all documentation in question.

In some cases, only the will needs to be verified. In other cases, the family might dispute the value of collectibles left to one family member versus money left to another. During the trial, if money begins to disappear from the trust, the authenticator can also confirm whether checks or withdrawal paperwork has been forged. It might seem as if this is something that nighttime dramas are made of, but more people try to cheat a will than you might think.

Identity Theft

Forged signatures are also at the bottom of identity theft in many cases. Should someone have their checking account emptied by an ex-spouse, other person of whom they know, or an unknown criminal, as with the family trust, proof that the withdrawal paperwork was forged will help that person get their money back or, at the very least, see the criminal prosecuted for his or her crime. This is also important in cases where you need to identify the author of something, such as an anonymous threatening note.

These are some of the ways law enforcement and the courts rely on a forensic document examiner in San Diego. This is the science of criminal activity on paper.