The Expert Working Group for Human Factors in Handwriting Examination convened in June 2015, the second in a series of expert groups examining human factors in forensic science. The working group was charged with conducting a scientific assessment of the effects of human factors on forensic handwriting examination with the goal of recommending strategies and approaches to improve its practice and reduce the likelihood of errors. They met eight times over two and a half years and heard presentations from experts in the areas of human factors; the weight of evidence in law, statistics, and forensic science; decisionmaking and formulation of propositions; probabilities and likelihood ratios; and other relevant topics. The report is aimed at policy makers in federal, state, and local government, along with trained forensic document examiners (FDEs) in private and public practice. Additionally, this report and its recommendations can be applied to international organizations. Chapter 1 details a process map, which the working group developed to better understand how human factors impact forensic document examination. They annotated the process for conducting an examination and reporting the results. The process map describes the current steps FDEs follow to reach a conclusion regarding a handwriting comparison or to determine that the evidence is insufficient to reach a conclusion. Chapter 2 highlights how human factors can affect each component of the examination process and introduces the concept of bias in forensic analysis. Chapter 2 also discusses the currently available, automated technologies to aid the FDE. Chapter 3 addresses the tools and procedures FDEs should employ in writing a report about a questioned document and how can that report be most effectively communicated to the courts. Chapter 4 outlines the requirements of an effective quality assurance/quality control program, including consideration of requirements for companies with only one or a few practitioners. Chapter 5 assesses the status of education, training, and certification. It also includes recommendations to most effectively use these tools to ensure the high quality and continued excellence of FDEs and to minimize the impact of human error on the examination process. Chapter 6 focuses on the qualities that constitute an effective management system and how managers can most effectively recognize and mitigate the negative impact of human factors. Chapter 7 summarizes the recommendations made throughout the report.
Forensic Handwriting Examination and Human Factors: The Report of the Expert Working Group for Human Factors in Handwriting Examination
NCJ Number
311379
Date Published
February 2020
Length
246 pages
Abstract
Date Published: February 1, 2020