Some people go a whole lifetime without ever having to contact a Handwriting Expert. And, when they do, some of those individuals will go to the yellow pages in the telephone book to locate such a professional while others go online to check out Document Examiners and/or Handwriting Experts — since the lists and descriptions of services are numerous and most informative.

Depending upon the nature of your case will determine whether you are hiring the right person to assist you. A trained Handwriting Expert will list credentials on a resume known as a Curriculum Vitae. Also, there most likely will be a reference sheet for cases which involved that particular expert. It is a win-win for the client to have firsthand acquaintance with the expert’s background and references.

Many times some popular television show will invite a Handwriting Expert to determine whether or not an autograph is authentic. This person should have an extensive background in ink evaluation and specialized autograph study experience — along with understanding such things as the markers that will identify the pen which was used to write the autograph. In the event that the expert will be called upon to testify in a courtroom, the opposition undoubtedly will ask about the expert’s chemistry background so as to justify the conclusion regarding the ink. Check out your Handwriting Expert’s qualifications to actually prove the validity of authenticating autographs.

Then, there can be a question in a particular case about paper and its age and origination. How much experience has the Document Examiner had in recognizing antique documents — or, those made to look old? The field of paper identity is vast and often requires laboratory investigation of a paper sample which involves visual, physical, microscopic, ultraviolet and micro-chemical tests. The skilled paper specialist can report accurately on the fiber content and its origin. What experience has your Handwriting Expert had in this type of study?

Should there be a question about the typescript and/or font appearing on a document, the expert should possess undisputed knowledge regarding old typewriters and modern computer keyboards. On an International level, there are manual typewriters with an amazing combination of unusual letter forms that are used for different languages. Sometimes the conclusions are obvious. Other times the results are not so readily acceptable.

First and foremost, a qualified Handwriting Expert will deal with signatures, printing, and writing that is questionable. An ethical expert will not pretend to offer services that demand the input of a person whose profession covers other areas such as technical identification of writing tools, fingerprints, and counterfeit monies. A principled expert initially will ask you what type of case you have and if you are contacting the right person for assistance.

Make sure that your expert has court experience of note before engaging that individual with your questioned handwriting or signatures. A seasoned Document Examiner will be able to provide the right testimony to convince the judge to rule in your favor. Every Handwriting Analysis case does not go to court. Often, the convincing report of a recognized Handwriting Expert will be accepted by both sides and settled before it goes any further. That certainly can be a good happening for all concerned.

National Handwriting Week begins on January 23rd through the 29th. Everyone is invited to find a favorite piece of writing equipment and show off his writing skills. There are no rules as to participation except that you be able to express yourself with writing.

In this time of electronic mail, many people forget that writing a letter to your parents, or lover, always makes a better impression.

About 35 years ago the Writing Instrument Manufacturers Association attempted to improve their business of selling pens, pencils, and stationery by honoring the January birthday of John Hancock — the first person to sign the Declaration of Independence. The old expression, “Put your John Hancock right here” became a byword for obtaining someone’s signature on an important (or, not so important) document. His signature was clear, of good size, and legible.

Hancock’s signature as it appears on the engrossed copy of the Declaration of Independence

Nowadays, in many schools, children do not pursue continued cursive penmanship practice — preferring to use print script. However, some teachers do appreciate the student’s signing their work with their signature performed in cursive. And, other teachers with an artistic bent may introduce calligraphy training, which is the art of elegant handwriting and/or lettering, in the classroom.

In observance of this time-honored method of communication and the celebration of National Handwriting Week, Las Vegas-based Handwriting Expert Antonia Klekoda-Baker sends out a warning against the perils of handwriting fraud. According to credit and identity protection sources, about 9.9 million people in the United states are victimized by identity theft in one year. Computers can scan original signatures from everyday documents — from a greeting card to an apartment lease to a credit card receipt. Everyone, from that questionable distant relative to your familiar friendly waiter, could have access to your “John Hancock”.

Antonia Klekoda-Baker is an internationally recognized forensic document examiner who has spent countless hours in the courtroom helping the prosecution expose handwriting thieves.

Among Antonia’s clients was the lady who had to leave her home to help her ill parent in another country. Her neighbor drove her to the airport in her car with the promise that he would store the vehicle in her absence. Instead, he sold he car and forged her name to the title. Upon her return, she contacted Antonia who was able to prove the fraud in court.

In another case, a bank employee in Nigeria was unjustly arrested and put in prison for his-supposed embezzlement of funds. The guilty party had legal connections and had been able to frame the bank employee. Antonia proved the innocence of the bank employee by providing proof that he had not made the invalid entries on the documents in question.

These are only a couple of the cases which were aided by Antonia’s expertise. There are countless more.

For the layman, the best way to protect yourself against becoming a victim of handwriting theft is to:

Pay attention to what your signature looks like, and be able to readily identify it if asked.
Try to make a legible and consistent signature. Designer-type signatures can work against you in the event that you are targeted in a forgery investigation.
Use a notary on all official documents and make sure that you personally know your witnesses.
In conclusion, you might want to celebrate National Handwriting Week by writing a letter or a poem to a dear one. Or, you might want to look into how the scientific study of Handwriting Analysis helps you to understand a loved one’s personality. Too, you might want to find that old school yearbook with all those autographs from good friends of yesterday.

How about sending a beautiful fountain pen to your best friend. (Don’t forget the ink.) Wouldn’t that be special!

The first question most of my callers present to me is, “How much will it cost?”  It is as though they figure that there is a single price to cover every case.  They do not consider the amount of work the case requires.

In some cases, a Handwriting Expert can merely look at the questioned document and/or signature and have a pretty good idea as to whether or not it is genuine.  Sometimes, not often, the forgery is  evident.

Other times, a case will involve numerous signatures from numerous persons who will be suspects in the matter of a questioned signature on some document.  And, there may be a lot of similarity in all of the writing.

The Handwriting Expert will not be checking you bank account before giving you a fee for some particular case.  Instead, a seasoned practitioner  of document examination knows just about how much time the case will require and will charge accordingly.

In many cases the Handwriting Expert will request a retainer fee of approximately $395 — $1500 and will give you a list of what you will receive under the umbrella of that particular fee.  The retainer fee may entail the Handwriting Expert’s consultation with you, the examination of pertinent documents, and either a written or oral opinion — which ever will be to your advantage.

Some Handwriting Experts work on an hourly basis.  Some will give you a set fee to take the case.  An ethical Handwriting Expert does not employ a “Bait-and-Switch” tactic wherein the case is accepted for one fee and then, all of a sudden, there are additional fees for things that the Handwriting Expert says were unexpected in the handling of your case.

Nowadays, many individuals in need of Handwriting Expert services will look on the internet or consult a friend or an attorney who may be able to reference a professional Document Examiner.

Often, a Handwriting Expert’s website will give you some idea of the cost of services.  However, due to the difference in cases, a fee has to be adapted accordingly.  Some cases are less demanding than others– or more obvious.

A recognized Handwriting Expert may negotiate a fee so as to accommodate the client in a fair and respectful manner.  And, it is good to treat the Handwriting Expert in the same way in order to establish a good working relationship.

A Handwriting Expert only is useful for examining a forgery case insofar as that individual is court qualified. There is no way that a judge can make a fair decision about a forgery case solely on the merits of the plaintiff or defendant having obtained an opinion from some nice person who claims to know a lot about bogus penmanship.

A Handwriting Expert should be able to provide proof of having been court-qualified prior to accepting any money for looking at the case. The unqualified “wanna-be” handwriting examiner might reach a conclusion that is without merit, yet leaves the person who needs the right answer with the idea that it won’t be necessary to hire a qualified Handwriting Expert –even though the other side has done so. Many a time, there can be qualified Handwriting Experts on both sides of the case and their responses are not in agreement. Handwriting Experts may have backgrounds that are dissimilar, but still valid. Yet, it is possible that one of the Handwriting Experts can quote precedent and provide visual aids which will make that individual’s testimony more acceptable to the judge and/or jury. Or, each of the Handwriting Experts may be most persuasive in presenting opposite views which creates a situation whereby the judge has to decide which testimony is more believable. Possibly the judge will not accept either expert’s findings and concentrate on a different aspect of the case.

Hiring a Handwriting Expert with a good track record for court appearances is a worthy investment . The courtroom is not a fun house. Expert Witness Testimony is a serious call and only the qualified seasoned Professional should be depended upon for a courtroom appearance that will be acceptable, accurate, and convincing. I am that person.

The first thing a client will ask when there is a need for professional Document Examination is, “How much does it cost?”
 
The Document Examiner usually uses forensic guidelines to determine the fee.  However, a glance at what other Document Examiners are charging is a good idea so that the costs fall into a perimeter that doesn’t discourage the client  from calling back.
 
The day is gone when a cup of coffee and a handshake were all it took to get a Document Examiner to give an opinion on a Questioned Signature.
 
Why?
The Document Examiner becomes one with the client in the case whenever a conclusion is rendered on some suspect writing.  Should the case go to court, the Document Examiner is responsible for defending the results of the investigation and telling the judge what fees were paid by the client.
 
It is up to the judge to decide whether the investigation was legitimate, or just a favor — and, if the results and fee can be substantiated by the background of the Document Examiner and the work involved.
 
This background of the Document Examiner is the key consideration for the client.  An experienced and seasoned Professional will have a history of  schooling, dues, licensing, and continuing education over some period of time prior to hanging up a shingle — all of which came at a dear price!
 
Then, there is the regular upkeep for the Document Examiner’s office, materials, internet expenses, advertising, and taxes.  And, in order to stay in the business, a Document Examiner regularly will take on additional research which may or may not be costly.  An ethical professional will be more than willing to discuss the fees and tell you exactly what you will be receiving for services rendered.

Any case usually will require a minimum of four hours to put the report together — if the matter is not complex.   However, Some cases call for extensive lab work which can entail the use of an  ultra-  violet light,  the making of transparencies, developing pictures, and/or taking  infra-red photos.  
     
And, your Handwriting Expert may have to discuss your case with your attorney or, call in another Handwriting Expert for a conference  on some aspect in your case.  Also, time may be  spent in telephone calls and special research to locate more helpful information about your case from public records. 
   
So, if you can get a seasoned, experienced, recognized Document Examiner to start  your case for $395 and up — you have struck gold! 
And,  that may be all you have to pay depending upon the nature and extensiveness of your case.  Remember, seek quality in your expert’s   Curriculum Vitae  (resume) and do not be penny-wise and pound foolish in picking the most qualified professional to help you out.

Handwriting Analysis Expert

Poet Robert Burns once wrote, “Even the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry!” And, so can your notion that your handwriting and/or signature cannot be forged become a myth.

Many a person will say, “No one can even read my signature, let alone copy it — ha ha ha !”

Many people in this century have designed their signature to be nothing more than to a scrawl and a swirl. They even place that same signature on their driver’s license and deed to their house — not to mention a thousand and one business deals.

Their friends and associates will get so used to seeing that particular emblem of reference to a person’s name, that any similar scribbled manifestation found on some document automatically will be considered valid.

It takes an experienced Handwriting Expert to be able to determine the legitimacy of such a doodle and authenticate it so that the right heir receives the half-million dollar legacy.

But, that Handwriting Expert may even have a problem in certifying your signature! Remember the famous Lindbergh Kidnapping ransom note case where countless Handwriting Experts had differing opinions about the penmanship and the authors of same?

Do not take your signature for granted. Use the services of a notary and be sure that you sign in on the notary sheet when you bear witness to some important negotiation. Above all, stay consistent in your signature so that you establish a basic representation of your autograph.

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Antonia Klekoda Baker

Jan. 18. 2010

Identity theft is more common than ever, with computers providing a more effective and foolproof technology for swindlers to steal your signature. How can you protect yourself?

In observance of National Handwriting Day on Jan. 23, Las Vegas-based handwriting expert Antonia Klekoda-Baker is warning against the perils of handwriting fraud.

Sponsored by the Writing Instruments Manufacturers Association (WIMA), National Handwriting Day recognizes John Hancock – the first person to sign the Declaration of Independence and the lone historical figure to whom we peg the modern-day term: “Sign your John Hancock here.”

According to PrivacyGuard.com, about 9.9 million people in the United States were victimized by identity theft during 2008. Computers can scan original signatures from everyday documents — from a greeting card to an apartment lease to a credit card receipt. Everyone from that questionable distant relative to your familiar friendly waiter has access to your “John Hancock”.

Antonia Klekoda-Baker is an internationally recognized forensic document examiner who has spent countless hours in the courtroom helping the prosecution expose handwriting thieves.

Among Antonia’s clients is the lady who had to leave her home help her ill parents in another country. Her neighbor drove her to the airport in her car with the promise that he would store the vehicle in her absence. Instead , he sold her car and forged her name to the title. Upon her return, she contacted Antonia who was able to prove the fraud in court.

In another case, a bank employee in Nigeria was unjustly arrested and put in prison for his-supposed embezzlement of funds. The guilty party had legal connections and had been able to frame the bank employee. Antonia was able to prove the innocence of the bank employee by providing proof that he had not made the invalid entries in documents in question.

You do not have to be involved in international or personal business matters for handwriting thieves to target you. The best way to protect yourself against becoming a victim of handwriting theft is to:

1) Pay attention to what your signature looks like, and be able to readily identify your own signature if asked.

2) Attempt to be as legible as possible in the presentation of your signature – following in the tradition the beautiful signature that made John Hancock famous.

3) Stop changing your signature from one document to another. Keep consistency in your signature to provide a basis for a document examiner to compare questionable documents to documents that have your legitimate signature.

4) Avoid designer signatures — those signatures which are a scribble or a scrawl. Try to spell out each letter of your name without skipping letters.

5) Use a notary on all official documents related to business or legal matters, and make sure that you know who your witnesses are, and keep contact information for your witnesses on record.

National Handwriting Day was established by the Writing Instruments Manufacturers Association in 1977. Jan. 23 is the anniversary of John Hancock’s birthday.

Document examination is a legitimate science recognized internationally in legal and business circles as a means to determine handwriting fraud.