Priority Action Report

Forensic Document Examination

Pattern/Physics

Rigo Vargas

2/23/2016
Subcommittee Leadership

Position Name Organization Term Email

Chair Rigo Vargas MS Forensic Lab 3 rvargas@mcl.ms.gov

Vice Chair Chris Saunders South Dakota

State University

2 Chrostopher.saunders

@sdstate.edu

Executive 

Secretary

Mark Lancaster Northern 

Kentucky 

University

3 markjlancaster@gmail.c

om

2
3

Position Name Organization Term Email

KAVI Liaison Mark Goff Michigan 

Department of State 

Police

3 Goffm3@michigan.gov

Quality Liaison Peter Tytell [Individual] 4 Typeter@aol.com

Legal Liaison David Parrett Forensic Document 

Examination

Services, LLC

3 Davparqde@gmail.com

Human Factor 

Liaison

Mara Merlino Kentucky State 

University

4 Mara.merlino@kysu.edu

Subcommittee Members (Liaisons)
Subcommittee Members

4

Name Organization Term Email

Carl McClary Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, 

Tobacco and Explosives

2 Carl.mcclary@atf.gov

Lisa Hanson Bureau of Criminal Apprehension 

Forensic Science Laboratory

3 Lisa.hanson@state.mn.us

Ted Burkes [Individual] 2 Ted.burkes@ic.fbi.gov

Thomas Riley [Individual] 3 Tomriley57@gmail.com

Elaine Wooton Department of Homeland Security 4 Elaine.wooton@ice.dhs.gov

Hector Maldonado Federal Bureau of Investigation 2 Hector.maldonado@ic.fbi.gov

Kesha White Florida Department of Law 

Enforcement

3 Keshawhite@fdle.state.fl.us
Subcommittee Members

5

Name Organization Term Email

Karen Nobles Forensic Document Services 3 Karennobles@cox.net

Gary Licht Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation 

Criminalistics Laboratory

4 Licht@dps.state.i.us

John Osborn Self-Placeholder 2 Jposborn@aol.com

Derek 

Hammond

United States Army Criminal 

Investigation Laboratory

2 Derek.l.hammond4.civ@mail.mil

Joseph Stephens United States Secret Service 4 Joseph.stephens@usss.dhs.gov

Brett Bishop Washington State Patrol 4 Brett.bishop@wsp.wa.gov
Discipline Description

6

Questioned Documents

The Subcommittee on Forensic Document 

Examination will focus on standards and 

guidelines related to the discipline, including:

(1) source of handwriting, (2) source of 

machine-produced documents, typewriting, or 

other impressions and marks, (3) materials and 

devices involved in the production of 

documents, (4) genuineness and alterations, (5) 

preservation and/or restoration of legibility, (6) 

documentation and reporting, and (7) training 

and competency.
Summary of Standards/Guidelines 

Priority Actions

Priority Working Title of Document

Top Standard Guide for Minimum Training Requirements for 

Forensic Document Examiners

Top Scope of Expertise in Forensic Document Examination 

Top OSAC Standard Terminology Relating to The Examination 

of Questioned Documents

Top OSAC Standard for Examination of Handwritten Items

Top OSAC Standard for Source Conclusions

7
Standards/Guidelines Development

Priority 1 Document

Document Title: Standard Guide for Minimum Training Requirements 

for Forensic Document Examiners

Scope: This guide provides minimum requirements and procedures

that should be used for the fundamental training of forensic document 

examiners

Objective/rationale:

Issues/Concerns:

Task Group Chair Contact Information: Rigo Vargas

Date of Last Task Group Meeting: N/A

8
Standards/Guidelines Development

Priority 1 Document

Key Components of Standard: Document lists all of the necessary 

topics one must become well versed in to be a forensic document 

examiner. 

Document illustrates the necessary qualifications of the principal 

trainer, the one-on-one apprentice style format, and the length of 

time necessary to complete the training. 

Other fields of expertise utilize an apprenticeship style training 

program to include, iron workers, construction workers, doctors, 

and pilots. 

9
Task Group/Subcommittee Action 

Plan

Planned Actions

OSAC Process 

Stage (e.g., 

SDO 100) 

Assignee Estimated

Completion Date

OSAC Registry

Priority 1: Document Title

10
Standards/Guidelines Development

Priority 2 Document

Document Title: Scope of Expertise in Forensic Document 

Examination 

Scope: This guide describes the responsibilities and general qualifications 

of individuals engaged in the scientific practice of forensic document 

examination. This document can provide guidance to anyone 

encountering matters involving forensic document examination.

Task Group Name: Scope of Work

Task Group Chair Name: Lisa Hanson

Task Group Chair Contact Information: Lisa.hanson@state.mn.us

Date of Last Task Group Meeting: 1/29/2016

11
Standards/Guidelines Development

Priority 2 Document

Key Components of Standard: Forensic Document Examination is a 

forensic science discipline with an ever-expanding and complicated range of 

questions that are raised concerning documents. In addition to the varied 

materials that may be considered a “document,” the methods by which 

documents are manufactured continues to develop with technology 

advancements. The skill set required to apply scientific and technical 

approaches followed by proper interpretation is substantial and includes 

expert knowledge of materials analyses, critical reasoning, written and verbal 

communication and scientific practice. A misconception is that this expertise 

is “handwriting analysis” while examination considerations are far greater.

12
Task Group/Subcommittee Action 

Plan

Planned Actions

OSAC Process 

Stage (e.g., 

SDO 100) 

Assignee Estimated

Completion Date

Submit to ASB SDO-300

Priority 2: Document Title

13
Standards/Guidelines Development

Priority 3 Document

Document Title: OSAC Standard Terminology Relating to the 

Examination of Questioned Documents

Scope: This technical report includes terminology that relates to 

the examinations performed by forensic document examiners.

Task Group Name: Terminology

Task Group Chair Name: Carl McClary

Task Group Chair Contact Information: Carl.mcclary@atf.gov

Date of Last Task Group Meeting: 1/28/2016

14
Task Group/Subcommittee Action 

Plan

Planned Actions

OSAC Process 

Stage (e.g., 

SDO 100) 

Assignee Estimated

Completion Date

Submit to ASB SDO - 300

Priority 3: Document Title

15
Standards/Guidelines Development

Priority 4 Document

Document Title: OSAC standard for Examination of Handwritten 

Items

Scope: This standard provides procedures that should be used by 

forensic document examiners (SWGDOC Standard for Scope of 

Work of Forensic Document Examiners) for examinations and 

comparisons involving handwritten items and related procedures.

Task Group Name: Handwriting

Task Group Chair Name: Gary Licht

Task Group Chair Contact Information: Licht@dps.state.i.us

Date of Last Task Group Meeting: 1/29/2016

16
Standards/Guidelines Development

Priority 4 Document

Key Components of Standard: The procedures outlined here are 

grounded in the generally accepted body of knowledge and 

experience in the field of forensic document examination. These 

procedures shall be used by a forensic document examiner in the 

analysis, comparison, and evaluation of handwritten items.

17
Task Group/Subcommittee Action 

Plan

Planned Actions

OSAC Process 

Stage (e.g., 

SDO 100) 

Assignee Estimated

Completion Date

Submit to ASB SDO-300

Priority 4: Document Title

18
Standards/Guidelines Development

Priority 5 Document

Document Title: Standard for expressing source conclusions

Scope: This document defines standard terminology and usage for 

forensic examiners expressing source conclusions:

Task Group Name: Source Conclusions

Task Group Chair Name: Austin Hicklin

Task Group Chair Contact Information: hicklin@noblis.org

Date of Last Task Group Meeting: Unknown

19
Task Group/Subcommittee Action 

Plan

Planned Actions

OSAC Process 

Stage (e.g., 

SDO 100) 

Assignee Estimated

Completion Date

Completion

Priority 5: Document Title

20
Standards/Guidelines Development

Priority 6 Document

Document Title: Standard Guide for Indentation Examinations 

Scope: This standard provides procedures that should be used by 

forensic document examiners (SWGDOC Standard for Scope of 

Work of Forensic Document Examiners) for examinations and 

comparisons involving visualization and recording of indentations. 

Task Group Name: Indentations

Task Group Chair Name: Gary Licht

Task Group Chair Contact Information: Licht@dps.state.i.us

Date of Last Task Group Meeting: N/A

21
Standards/Guidelines Development

Priority 6 Document

Key Components of Standard: When sheets of paper are in direct 

or indirect contact with one another, impressions on the top sheet 

can produce indentations on the sheet(s) below. This standard 

establishes procedures for visualizing those indentations. 

22
Task Group/Subcommittee Action 

Plan

Planned Actions

OSAC Process 

Stage (e.g., 

SDO 100) 

Assignee Estimated

Completion Date

Begin Revision Process

Priority 6: Document Title

23
Standards/Guidelines Development

Priority 7 Document

Document Title: Standard Guide for Examination of Altered 

Documents 

Scope: This standard provides procedures for examinations that 

should be used by forensic document examiners (SWGDOC 

Standard for Scope of Work of Forensic Document Examiners) 

for examinations involving altered documents. 

Task Group Name: Alterations & Obliterations

Task Group Chair Name: Lisa Hanson

Task Group Chair Contact Information: Lisa.hanson@state.mn.us

Date of Last Task Group Meeting: N/A

24
Standards/Guidelines Development

Priority 7 Document

Key Components of Standard: The procedures outlined here are 

grounded in the generally accepted body of knowledge and 

experience in the field of forensic document examination. By 

following these procedures, a forensic document examiner can 

reliably reach an opinion concerning whether a document has been 

altered. 

25
Task Group/Subcommittee Action 

Plan

Planned Actions

OSAC Process 

Stage (e.g., 

SDO 100) 

Assignee Estimated

Completion Date

Begin Revision Process

Priority 7: Document Title

26
Standards/Guidelines Development

Priority 8 Document

Document Title: Standard for Bias (TBD)

Scope: Attempt to address possible Bias and task relevant and task 

irrelevant information at the Standard level. 

Task Group Name: Bias

Task Group Chair Name: TBD (members have been chosen)

Task Group Chair Contact Information: TBD

Date of Last Task Group Meeting: N/A

27
Task Group/Subcommittee Action 

Plan

Planned Actions

OSAC Process 

Stage (e.g., 

SDO 100) 

Assignee Estimated

Completion Date

Begin Creative Process

Priority 8: Document Title

28
Summary of Standards/Guidelines 

Priority Actions

Priority Working Title of Document

Top Standard Guide for Minimum Training Requirements for 

Forensic Document Examiners

Top Scope of Expertise in Forensic Document Examination 

Top OSAC Standard Terminology Relating to The Examination 

of Questioned Documents

Top OSAC Standard for Examination of Handwritten Items

Top OSAC Standard for Source Conclusions

29
Research Gaps Identified

• 1. Handwriting

• 2. Building Databases

• 3. Validation

• 4. Education and Training

• 5. Human Factors

30
Priority Action Report

Forensic Document Examination

Pattern/Physics

Rigo Vargas

2/23/2016
32