Non‐Original and Digitally Captured Handwriting: Considerations for Forensic Handwriting Examinations

Non‐original handwriting and signatures are commonly encountered in the forensic environment. Non‐original handwriting could be the product of a reproduction, or originally executed writing that has been digitally recorded or captured. Forensic handwriting examiners (FHEs) are required to take into consideration several limiting factors when expressing opinions regarding apparent similarities and/or dissimilarities when examining non‐original samples of writing. Handwriting that has been digitally captured has a unique set of limitations but could also have additional, useful features such as dynamic measurements that, under certain conditions, can contribute to the comparison. This article is an overview of the rationale for the special treatment and thought afforded to non‐original and digitally captured writing during a handwriting or signature examination and comparison process and is intended to guide the thought process and considerations required by FHEs when encountering this type of material.