Opinion ID: 1249013
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: handwriting identification

Text: In her second assignment of error, Tyma contends that the district court erred in permitting Tim to testify, over her foundational objection, that her handwriting appeared on several documents which authorities obtained from Moore and Purvis. Neb.Rev.Stat. § 27-901 (Reissue 1995) provides in pertinent part: (1) The requirement of authentication or identification as a condition precedent to admissibility is satisfied by evidence sufficient to support a finding that the matter in question is what its proponent claims. (2) By way of illustration only, and not by way of limitation, the following are examples of authentication or identification conforming with the requirements of this rule: .... (b) Nonexpert opinion as to the genuineness of handwriting, based upon familiarity not acquired for purposes of the litigation. (Emphasis supplied.) In State v. Schwartz, 239 Neb. 84, 474 N.W.2d 461 (1991), we held that the trial court did not err in permitting a motel clerk to testify that certain initials on motel register receipts were written by her coworkers. The clerk testified that her identification of the initials was based upon her familiarity with the handwriting of her coworkers gained in the course of her employment. We noted that because the clerk's familiarity with her coworkers' handwriting was not acquired for purposes of litigation, the requirements of § 27-901 were met and that the testimony was properly admitted. The record in this case clearly establishes that Tim was familiar with the handwriting of Tyma and that this familiarity was not acquired for purposes of litigation. He testified that during the years that they lived together as a married couple, he observed Tyma's handwriting on a daily basis on notes written to him, calendars, and other family documents. This testimony satisfied the foundational requirements of § 27-901, and the district court did not err in receiving the testimony over Tyma's foundational objection.