What types of cases require questioned document examiners?
Questioned document examiners (QDE) are typically required in cases where there are doubts or disputes regarding the authenticity, origin, or validity of a document. The types of cases that may require a QDE include:
1. Forgery cases: QDEs help in determining if a document, signature, or handwriting has been forged or altered.
2. Fraud cases: QDEs are essential in cases involving financial fraud, insurance fraud, identity theft, and other types of fraud where documents may have been manipulated or falsified to deceive victims.
3. Contract disputes: QDEs can be called upon to examine documents in cases where the validity or authenticity of a contract is disputed, such as cases involving a contested signature or alterations to the contract's original terms.
4. Wills and estate disputes: QDEs may be required to determine the authenticity of a will, verify signatures, or identify any potential alterations or forgeries in the document.
5. Criminal cases: QDEs can be used in criminal investigations to examine ransom notes, threatening letters, or other written evidence to help identify suspects or establish connections between evidence and the offender.
6. Employment disputes: QDEs can examine employment documents for evidence of forgery, fraud, or tampering, such as cases involving false claims of education or work experience.
7. Intellectual property disputes: QDEs can assess whether documents related to copyrights, patents, or trademarks have been fraudulently altered or reproduced.
8. Authentication of historical documents: QDEs may be called upon to verify the authenticity of historical documents, such as letters, manuscripts, or diaries, for collectors or researchers.
In summary, questioned document examiners play a crucial role in a wide range of cases involving disputed or questionable documents, providing valuable insights to help resolve legal disputes and criminal investigations.