Report 750809
A reasonable quantity of questioned handwriting is required
in order to offer a firm opinion that it could not have been
produced by another person.
Errors in identification will
empirical
attempts to identify an
attempts
occur from
layman's
unknown handwriting by
to look at the overall
to consider movements
comparison, because it is normal
design and structure primarily, then
which the examiner considers unusual. A person imitating
another person's handwriting will also see these and so will
imitate them.
Errors occurring after expert examination
would normally be in the area of misinterpretation of the
facts, using insufficient time to collect facts, through
inexperience or lack of skill. It is not practical to use a
set quantity of factors and each individual examination has
to be considered as a separate entity.
The formation of accurate opinions is a matter of skill and
experience, acquired over a period of time and impossible
to teach.
Examination of Inspector Maclennan's Handwriting
1 approached these documents as I approach all others,
with the premise that every piece of handwriting handed to
me is a forgery. I was supplied with the Beat Equipment
Register, an alleged suicide note, one handwritten and
signed letter and a signature on another document, both said to be the handwriting of Inspector John Maclennan. requested the original of a letter from Inspector Maclennan
I