Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States

Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States
Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 348
Release: 2009-07-29
Genre: Law
ISBN: 0309142393

Scores of talented and dedicated people serve the forensic science community, performing vitally important work. However, they are often constrained by lack of adequate resources, sound policies, and national support. It is clear that change and advancements, both systematic and scientific, are needed in a number of forensic science disciplines to ensure the reliability of work, establish enforceable standards, and promote best practices with consistent application. Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States: A Path Forward provides a detailed plan for addressing these needs and suggests the creation of a new government entity, the National Institute of Forensic Science, to establish and enforce standards within the forensic science community. The benefits of improving and regulating the forensic science disciplines are clear: assisting law enforcement officials, enhancing homeland security, and reducing the risk of wrongful conviction and exoneration. Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States gives a full account of what is needed to advance the forensic science disciplines, including upgrading of systems and organizational structures, better training, widespread adoption of uniform and enforceable best practices, and mandatory certification and accreditation programs. While this book provides an essential call-to-action for congress and policy makers, it also serves as a vital tool for law enforcement agencies, criminal prosecutors and attorneys, and forensic science educators.

Guide for the Development of Forensic Document Examination Capacity

Guide for the Development of Forensic Document Examination Capacity
Author:
Publisher:
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2010
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 9789211302998

Fraudulent identity and security documents are integral prerequisites for the smuggling of migrants, trafficking in persons, terrorist mobility, to facilitate the smuggling of drugs, weapons and other goods, and to commit fraud. Fraudulent documents are the grease that eases cross-border crime of all types. They include fraudulently obtained, illegally issued, forged and counterfeit documents. Many countries in the world recognize that forensic document examination is vital to immigration and border control security and have a forensic document examination facility. Although the ability to detect and disseminate intelligence about fraudulent documents is vital to border security, there are still countries lacking this capacity. Moreover, there is a lack of awareness among relevant criminal justice practitioners of the benefits that forensic document examinations may provide to assist border control security and immigration facilities. The Guide aims to provide practical assistance for the establishment or upgrading of forensic document examination capacities in two categories of service providers: (a) immigration and border control agencies and (b) forensic science laboratories. Several levels of infrastructure development ranging from basic to advanced capacity are covered. The focus is on the staff skill and educational requirements needed to perform forensic document examinations and to provide court testimony, intelligence alerts and training.

Forensic Document Examination

Forensic Document Examination
Author: Katherine M. Koppenhaver
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 308
Release: 2007-12-06
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 1597453013

This book introduces the reader to the basic principles of handwriting and the factors that affect their development. The book discusses the basic concept of the characteristics of writing that are compared when making an identification or elimination of a writer. In addition, readers will be able to recognize the signs of forgery and disguise and to distinguish between simulation and disguise.

Scientific Examination of Questioned Documents, Revised Edition

Scientific Examination of Questioned Documents, Revised Edition
Author: Ordway Hilton
Publisher: CRC Press
Total Pages: 434
Release: 1992-09-17
Genre: Law
ISBN: 9780849395109

Disputed document inquiries encompass extensive and varied technical examinations, unique phases of investigation, and specialized legal presentations. This book serves as a guide to all aspects of a questioned document covering the broad spectrum of the work as it is practiced today. From the work of the field investigator and the examination of a document to the presentation of evidence in court, Scientific Examination of Questioned Documents provides a comprehensive approach that is ideal as a training manual for document examiners, investigators, and attorneys.

Forensic Document Examination in the 21st Century

Forensic Document Examination in the 21st Century
Author: Miriam Angel
Publisher: CRC Press
Total Pages: 360
Release: 2020-12-16
Genre: Law
ISBN: 100024542X

Forensic Document Examination in the 21st Century covers the latest technology and techniques providing a complete resource on contemporary issues and methods in forensic document examination. Forensic document examiners provide their findings as expert testimony in court. Due to rapid changes in technology, including digital documents, printing and photocopying capabilities, and more, there is a great need for this up-to-date reference. The examination of documents can include comparison of handwriting or hand-printing; detection of alterations or photocopier and computer manipulation; restoration or decipherment of erased and obliterated writing; visualization of latent impressions; the identification of printing processes; and differentiation of inks. Computer-generated documents are prevalent, and electronically-captured signatures are becoming more widespread, meaning the knowledge of advances in technology and adoption of new validated techniques and methods of document examination are crucial to the reliability of forensic opinions. Forensic Document Examination in the 21st Century includes the latest research on the subject and with contributions from leading experts on their various areas of expertise. The book will be a welcome addition to the literature and support the foundational basis for methods and procedures for use it expert testimony in court, serving as a resource for forensic document examiners, trainees, and those in the criminal and legal communities who use the services of expert document examiners and witnesses