Home » News
Category Archives: News
Top 10 Forensic Cities for New Forensic Document Examiners
If you watch to TV crime shows and you might think only Washington DC, Las Vegas, Miami, and New York have fraud and criminal behavior. Nope, every city with a courthouse will eventually encounter a need for an expert witnesses to take the stand and testify about forgeries, documents, alterations, ink testing, and signature forgeries.
But, the question is “Do I live in a city where you can earn $150,000 a year or more in this career?”
The first question you have to ask is how many people live within a 3 hour drive of your home? That number will give you an idea of how many lawsuits are filed or pending… that might need your help.
The second question you need to ask is “ Is there a shortage of forensic handwriting experts in my area?”
If the answer is “Yes”, then you are looking at a possible career change with lots of upside potential and minimum advertising after you are trained.
If you say “No”, then you will have to work a bit harder to outsmart your veteran competition who already have deep ties with local attorneys and big insurance companies who rely on these veterans to testify for them.
In the past year, I have spoken to dozens of educated, smart, serious people who want to take up this profession and finally quit their job which they are exhausted from.
If you are going to invest $25,000- $70,000 in an education or buying a new business, it makes sense for you to understand the business landscape and choose the city with the most amount of lawsuits and the least amount of competition.
If you think you are going to get rich opening a Snow Cone Stand in Alaska, you are not thinking clearly.
We understand. The whole point of distance learning
school is to train you in the skills to build a second career.
In fact, if you are in certain cities around the USA, or some other
countries, being a certified forensic document examiner is like
being the only water fountain in the desert…
… the business will come to you.
Over the past five years, every new case was worth about
$1000 / in revenue to our graduates and associates.
Now, this is an average. It seems obvious, but I’ll restate it. The people who live and work in the locations with the most lawsuits… earn the most money.
Likewise, the cities like New York and Los Angeles seem to allow for higher pricing in both case totals and hourly rates. So, the bigger the city, the more money is available to flow your way. So yes. LA and NY are profitable, but they are highly competitive with wealthy advertisers already there. Can you afford to play in the big leagues?
$1000 a case can add up quickly if you are in a city with very little competition.
In certain cities, there are 4 or more people fighting for enough business for examiner… don’t go to those cites and start a new business. Dallas Texas and Kansas City are two examples of too many examiners and too much competition.
Which city and state are you in?
Is there any competition?
Here is how you find out.
Go to Google.com and search for “forensic document examiner YOUR CITY” and
see how many competitors you have in your state.
For example search “forensic document examiner
Salt Lake City” and do your research.
And, you can normally ignore the “sponsored listings” and look for actual “organic listings” that have address and local phone number.
In fact, you might be in a city which has a serious shortage of trained forensic document examiners.
That means every day, lawyers and people in your home town are sending their cases
to experts in other cities (often 2000 miles away) because there is no one local to help them.
So, if you not really reading between the lines, here is the point…
If you are serious about changing careers, getting trained as Forensic
Handwriting Expert could be your best defense.
In my recent search, the following areas have the most
shortage and we are open to helping you open offices in the key cities
San Fransisco
Miami
Philadelphia
Cleveland
Chicago
Detroit
Minneapolis
Pittsburgh
San Diego
Charleston
New Orleans
Austin, TX
Houston, TX
Where do you live?
Now, as with any distance-learning program, your own results will
vary on your own diligence, personality, and talent.
However, if you take a tour of our school, we will explain how we can both educate you and help you open up an office in your city and help you become successful.
In fact, with the School of Forensic Document Examination’s marketing
and apprenticeship program, you can have customers calling you, and start earning revenue within the first year of school.
It is all explained here, in this online video, if you have not watched it recently.
Plus, you can call our office to actually discuss which geographical
markets are “totally open” and which cities already have lots of
competition. We only take students in certain cities, so are in one of those cities?
So, are you interested?
This is the week to submit your application for the upcoming semester.
You can download, fill-out, and submit your application without spending a dime.
Then, once accepted, you can make the final decision to invest in your education.
How Much is a Forensic Document Examiner’s Salary?
Average Forensic Document Examiner Salary
What is the average salary for a forensic document examiner? See this chart.
If you are curious about what a full-time handwriting expert / forensic document examiner’s salary is, this chart will help you. Based on our 15 years of research at the International School of Forensics, we have compiled a list of typical salaries and incomes based on region, state, country. Based on the average forensic document examiner’s salary.
If you’ve been searching for, “forensic document examiner salary” then you are probably curious about getting trained in this unique and high-paying career.
- How you can train to become a forensic document examiner.
- What exactly can you expect when you start your career.
Well, according to the U.S Bureau of Labour Statistics, the Median Salary for all forensic science technicians in the year 2018 was $58,230. However, this is a larger number that does not properly reflect the fact that forensic document examiners are specially trained individuals who often earn $150,000 – $300,000 per year in private practice. As always, government positions pay less than the private sector.
Forensic document examiner and their average salary and income.
Who specifically earns $150,000 / year or more in document examination ?
A forensic document examiner uses specific knowledge and training to consult and testify in court to the truth and authenticity of a document. This includes forgeries, altered documents, signatures, and handwriting items such as wills, contracts, and agreements. Therefore, will need to be a certified forensic document examiner and have a solid business plan in place to succeed.
We, at forensicdocexamschool.com, the International School of Forensic Document Examination have trained students who have gone on to earn a stable and good living a year on a government salary position and many students who have earned in excess of $150,000 in private practice. Rest assured that if you are thinking of a career in forensic sciences, then this is the best place to get trained to earn the right salary and revenue if you are willing to be self-employed and use paid advertising to find new clients.
Our faculty members and research staff have always do our best to keep in touch with our graduates and working professionals to establish the average , “forensic document examiner salary”.
Court Appearance Fee: $1000-$2000 United states average.
Deposition Fees $300- $500 per hour for depositions
The average hourly rate in the United States $200 / hour – $650 / hour.
New York, NY, USA $190,00 / year
Los Angeles, CA USA . $180,000/ year
Dallas, TX USA $170,000/ year
London $180,00/ year (Pounds)
Mumbai India $40,000 /year (Paid in Rupees)
Istanbul, Turkey $50,000/ year
Denver, Co $100,000 / year
Chicago, IL, USA $180,000 / year
6 Keys to Being An Effective Expert Witness
TAKING THE WITNESS STAND
6 Keys to Being An Effective Expert Witness
THE FUNDAMENTAL STEP – 1 PROFESSIONAL PRESENCE
A Day In The Life Of A Forensic Document Examiner
Hi, this is Bart Baggett. I’m driving back from San Bernardino as I write this. Actually, I’m dictating this.
Today I went to San Bernardino to testify in a probate case where there was a handwritten will of an 80-year old woman, but in my opinion, was forged. I didn’t get to give that opinion because the opposing attorney had some very clever moves up her sleeve. Now, by clever moves I don’t mean that she was able to get me disqualified or make me look silly on the stand. She was able to not let me on the stand. After sitting for an hour while she offered a settlement to my client, she then finally asked the judge to continue the case for another month. The judge said, “Well why should I give you a continuance when the expert witness is sitting right here? It cost $1,000 to bring him back.” She responded to the judge, “Well, you let him have a continuance last month. You owe me a continuance.” And I’ll be darned if the judge didn’t grant her a continuance, send her expert witness away, and thus I was not allowed to testify today.
The back story is that the handwritten will was one of the worst forged wills I’ve ever seen. In fact, I discovered today that the writer of the forged will was in the courtroom. Her ex-husband looked at the will and said, “I recognize my ex-wife’s handwriting. She wrote the will…not the dead lady.” Now that, combined with my testimony, would have been quite strong if, of course, I was able to take the stand.
The one reason my client might decide to settle without calling me back is that he is not an attorney. He could not afford an attorney, and since it’s a civil case the state doesn’t give him one. So out of his own pocket he’s paid my company over $1,800 so far to prove the will is forged…which it is…and he risked the prejudice of the court ruling against him because he may not know the protocol to get an expert witness accepted, get evidence into admission, or even function normally in a trial. If you are an aspiring expert witness, realize that if your client is a pro se attorney, you are risking your credentials unless you are very experienced on the witness stand. I actually watched a seasoned, veteran expert witness get slaughtered because the pro se attorney was unable to ask basic questions such as, “What do you do?” … “Tell me how your training occurred.”… And “Why do you consider yourself an expert?” He was unable to articulate those questions and thus the expert was severely discredited because the pro se attorney was so inarticulate.
One of the things that you also need to be wary of with any testimony–especially expert witness testimony with a pro se attorney– is the Federal Rules of Evidence. You might want to familiarize yourself with the Federal Rules of Evidence 702 through 705 which talk about the admissibility of evidence that the expert witness relies on. In general, they give wide discretion on the judge allowing evidence into the court if the expert witness relies on that evidence. The problem is: If the evidence is “inadmissible” in another area, such as ‘the gun was found in the apartment but the search warrant wasn’t properly executed, so the gun is inadmissible’, but the opinion of an expert relies on the gun, the judge still may have that expert testify as to his opinion, but he may choose not to allow him to talk about the gun, because the jury would be tainted. So there’s a lot of room in the world of evidence for that.
In the case of expert witness, if you relied on the document to bring into the courtroom, you may have to produce that document a week ahead of the trial. Then, if you fail to produce that document on time for the opposing attorney to inspect, the judge may decide not to let you talk or render an opinion on it. Now, this is not common, but it has happened to me. When I went to court three weeks ago, the exhibits that I prepared were not allowed into evidence because the opposing attorney said he didn’t get them the night before. That’s silly, since that’s usually when I make my exhibits…the night before. But once in a while at trials, the exhibits aren’t allowed because the attorney didn’t follow the proper protocol. So as an expert witness you’ve got to be very wary of these things going wrong, and if you have a pro se client you have to do extra-careful mentoring to make sure he has the right questions.
In this case we actually sent our pro se client an e-mail, listing questions for him to ask: What is your name? What is your career? What do you do? How did you get trained? What are your credentials? Have you been on TV? This list of questions was in sequence for him so that he wouldn’t get up there and get tongue-tied. Unfortunately, he never got to ask those questions because the continuance was granted. So if he calls me back on the witness stand in a month, he would have to pay another $1,000.
To make the long story a little bit longer, or at least to wrap up this trial, the nice man who spent money because the caregiver of his sister decided to fake a will, will probably end up getting what is rightfully his. He’ll get the house, and he’ll get the car, and he’ll get other material items. The attorney showed up today with a settlement agreement which essentially admitted that they are willing to exclude the will. They didn’t admit to forging it, but they agreed to excluding it. Of course, the estate would go back to the will on file which was properly prepared and executed at an attorney’s office in 2004. Of course, that is fair, but in negotiations the caregiver, or the woman living with the decedent, wants the two dogs, the dishwasher, the couch, a lamp and all her clothes. Really, all her clothes and the two dogs!!! That is what they are negotiating and settling in the judge’s chambers at the courthouse as I speak.
So in conclusion, the life of this expert document examiner is very interesting. Sometimes it’s sad to see a woman that handwrites a will and signs a dead woman’s name to not get prosecuted for perjuryor forgery, and walks away with the two dogs…. but so is life.
“I totally recommend the International School of FDE to anyone who wants a new career in the field of forensic document examination.”
— Topanga Bird
Today in Court – Diary of a Document Examiner’s Court Testimony
Hi, this is Beth Chrisman, professional forensic document examiner. This article is about the testimony part of our career.
If you’re interested in a new career, this short series of newsletters and blogs that I call Diary of a Forensic Document Examiner will help you decide if this field is right for you.
Like most working professionals, I often get inquiries from individuals that want to see if this is a career they could succeed in. While I take very few apprentices these days, I still enjoy teaching and sharing this science. ,
These simple diary emails will help you understand the ‘day in the life’ of an examiner.
Overview and Video Tour:
http://internationalschool.us/
Testimony FORENSIC DOCUMENT EXAMINER DIARY ENTRY #43
I’m submitting this diary today via my iPhone record function as I drive home on the 101 in Los Angeles eating my Haagen Dazs Vanilla Chocolate Almond ice cream that I treated myself to because I just finished testifying in court… and I deserve a treat.
Court today was absolutely an amazing experience for me, as I was able to help someone who had been wronged… and make a difference.
Most cases do not fall into the category of the case I just testified in. Mainly, most cases which get to court have more exemplars to compare the purportedly “forged document” against.
In this case, I actually had six questioned documents and just one sample of the suspected forger and one sample of the victim of the forgery. Naturally, weeks ago, I determined there was indeed a forgery and now I am asked to identify the forger… with just one “smoking gun” of a handwriting sample.
After much lab time, my official opinion was that the person did not sign her own name on the Questioned six documents… a forgery did happen. Furthermore, the suspect they identified probably forged her signature on the six documents in question. This is rare when we identify the forger; in most cases, the criminal goes undetected. The handwriting, in this case, had many profound indicators pointing to this one guy.
So, I was driving to court this morning, a little nervous. According to the attorney who hired me, today’s court appearance is “just a prove-up hearing, it’s going to be really simple”.
I’ve learned that any time anyone tells you it’s going to be really simple… it ends up not being very simple. But in this case, the attorney was telling the truth, it was actually that simple.
I showed up and sat in the back row of the courtroom. I waited for the attorney to make opening remarks, talk to the judge, and iron out some details. The defendant actually didn’t even show up… but the hearing went forward anyway.
When it was my turn, I took the witness stand and stated my name, my occupation and the usual “swear in” procedure. Then, I answered some basic questions in regards to the documents analyzed and told the judge my official opinion.
The judge asked a few clarifying questions about how I got to my opinions and why I use ASTM guidelines when rendering an “official opinion”. Since I teach at the International School, those questions were easy to answer… as I have probably answered them for students a hundred times over the past few years. There is a protocol for everything we do and we follow a “system”… so explaining a system is quite easy, even to a judge sitting 2 feet above you in a black robe.
I have to tell you, I think I was on the stand maybe 25-30 minutes… at the very max. It was very easy. I guess what they say about being well prepared is true. Even though this was not my first time testifying in a court of law, I still was a bit nervous as I took the stand.
I felt good about my testimony, and I really felt a sense of “justice” identifying the person who forged this poor woman’s name on six contracts.
Before I left the building, I discovered something that really made me feel good. It isn’t often that testimony document examiners get confirmation that their opinion is 100% correct before we leave the courthouse. At most, we hear the judge agrees with us.
What I discovered is that the plaintiff had hired a private investigator and caught the guy “on tape” admitting he did indeed forge the documents. I was right, and there was an audio testimony to back me up. Whoo Whee! It’s good to be right and help right a wrong.
So today was a pretty amazing experience, Every time I go to court I learn that my role is just a small piece of a huge, giant legal puzzle that the attorney is putting together. It feels really good to know that I did my part to help the attorney make his case… and find justice for his client.
Not everyone is cut out to analyze forged documents or testify in court. Twenty years ago, I wouldn’t have guessed it would be me sitting on that witness stand earning over $1500 for my 30-minute testimony… but I did the training and now I’m that person.
If you’re interested in being a document examiner and you think that you have a good eye for detail and enjoy getting to the bottom of something, then look into this as a career for you.
If you’re interested, reach out to the people who helped me get started: The Faculty of the International School of Forensic Document Examination. They have an entire video series about all the aspects of this field and you can speak to their admissions team about if this a good career for you.
https://internationalschool.com
Beth Chrisman http://handwritingexpertcalifornia.com
As I said, I’m going to write more stories over the next few weeks…small clips from the life of an examiner.
The International School is the world where you can get trained and the only school where you will get help in launching a career as a certified document examiner with an apprenticeship that allows you to earn real income while you train.
It’s a unique opportunity, but it’s not for everybody. So please take time, watch the videos, explore the online website and call us with any questions before the next class starts.
Overview and Video Tour:
“First class people and first-class training. Bart and Beth were always there to support me and guide me to launch my document exam business. I deeply appreciate their unyielding support to me and my new career. I highly recommend their training.”
Paul Lockyer, Australia
D.C. Appeals Court Upholds Use of Handwriting Analysis as Legal Evidence
D.C. Appeals Court Upholds Use of Handwriting Evidence
Handwriting analysis will continue to be admissible as scientific evidence in local courts, the District of Columbia Court of Appeals ruled in an opinion (PDF) published this morning.
A handwritten note discovered at the crime scene played a major role in the trial of Robert Pettus, who was convicted of first-degree murder in 2008. On appeal, Pettus argued that a 2009 report by the National Research Council of the National Academies cast new and serious doubts on the reliability of the forensic sciences, including handwriting analysis.
Senior Judge Michael Farrell, writing for the three-judge panel, acknowledged that Pettus and the D.C. Public Defender Service, which argued the case as an amicus party, made “a spirited attack” on the acceptance of pattern-matching analysis.
However, the court found that the report failed to detail specific problems with handwriting analysis – as opposed to the forensic sciences as a whole – and that the methodology behind handwriting analysis is “well-established and accepted in the forensic science community generally.”
Pettus’ attorney, solo practitioner Thomas Heslep, said this morning that he was still reviewing the opinion, but expected that he would petition for a rehearing before the whole court. A representative for the Public Defender Service did not immediately return a request for comment, and U.S. attorney office spokesman William Miller declined to comment.
Handwriting Expert Ethics & Responsibility
Handwriting Expert Ethics & Responsibility for Forensic Document Examiners
Special Contribution by the Faculty of the International School of Forensics
Ethics is the basic principle of Right Action, the Standard of Character (good moral character that is).
A forensic document examiner is expected at all times to be: a non-advocate, non-bias, non-spurious, non-prejudice, impartial, skillful, informed, reputable, truthful, reliable, dedicated, publicized, thick-skinned, dynamic, qualified, an author, studious, competent, with integrity and wisdom, and of course ethical.
Operating in a judicial system that is dependent upon advocacy and a world full of wars and rumors of wars (that’s Biblical, huh), how do we reconcile the conflicts which confront us at our every move, every case, every relationship and the ever changing moral and ethical challenges? Especially now that we have taken on a new role as an expert, we are expected, even more, required, to be better. During the course of our expert QDE career, we will, indeed be in conflict with many of these ethical questions. Who defines or demands such requirements of you and your ethics? (more…)
Changes to Rule 26 Bring Praise – Albeit Faint
On Dec. 1, 2010, a major change took effect in the federal rule governing expert witness reports, giving draft reports the protection of the work-product doctrine and exempting them from mandatory disclosure. At the time, attorneys and experts hailed the change as a long-overdue step that would reduce both the cost and contentiousness of litigation.
Now, having had six months to live with the new rule, the assessment of many attorneys and experts remains favorable but somewhat muted. While there is general agreement that the change was for the better and has simplified the process to a degree, most attorneys and experts report that the actual impact on their practices has been negligible. (more…)
Facebook, Zuckerberg open fire on Ceglia: Emails forged by ‘professional con artist’
Facebook and CEO Mark Zuckerberg took the gloves off in its defense against Paul Ceglia, a man that argues he owns half of the company over a 2003 contract.
The filing aims to expedite a discovery process that includes producing the original emails Zuckerberg allegedly signed, native digital copies of those documents and Ceglia’s computers. Facebook and Zuckerberg say in their filing that Ceglia is conducting fraud.
Related: Facebook: Ceglia claims ‘brazen and outrageous fraud’; Read the response Paul Ceglia vs. Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg: Here’s the complaint and it’s a good read
Zuckerberg also denied he signed any contract from Ceglia and sent emails. “The evidence Defendants have gathered to date corroborates Zuckerberg’s sworn statements and confirms that Ceglia’s documents are forgeries,” said Zuckerberg and Facebook in a filing.
Among the key excerpts:
How to Always Get Paid to Be An Expert Witness
HOW TO GET PAID FOR EXPERT SERVICES
When I started teaching and training individuals about how to become handwriting experts and document examiner experts I quickly realized that one could learn everything about analyzing, comparing, evaluating, peer reviewing, and testifying and still be a failure in the business of being an expert witness.
The most important issue after the education, training and experience is to get paid often and sufficiently enough to stay in business so you can help people who need you. Any expert who has been around long enough to have enjoyed some success has encountered the same old story over and over: “I will pay you later” or whatever the excuse may be. Remember, excuses satisfy only those who give them. Excuses do not pay our Google, Yellow Pages, postcard and advertising bills or feed our families.
I have even had clients ask me to front the plane fare and other expenses. Can you believe I did it — at least twice?? Wow. I sure have learned from my mistakes. You can now learn from mine two.
Often times the result of the case, whether a court case or a case of which employee gets fired for writing racial slurs on the bathroom wall, rests on our professional expert opinion testimony. It should be obvious to anyone with good common sense and adequate vision that experts can help win or lose a case. As a result of my expertise, I once helped a client get off death row. He has written me many letters of appreciation with much gratitude and I know he knows how important an expert can be to a cause or a case.
My attitude is strengthened every day about how valuable an asset an expert can be. In fact, I believe experts should get paid up front before their examination and always before any court testimony. This subject is a passion for my beautiful friend, Expert Rosalie Hamilton, who consults and coaches experts worldwide. In a recent letter from Expert Communication, Rosalie said “I feel that for experts, whose education and experience are significant enough to qualify them to assist the courts of our land in understanding the issues before them, to have to beg, cajole, renegotiate (bargain), institute collection procedures and even sue for their compensation is unseemly.”
You cannot survive in this business if you refuse to take a stand up front and demand payment before you begin your examination.
Early in my career, my staff and family watched me struggle for years with futile attempts to get paid after the job was complete. Accounts receivable. Now, we run our business by a specific set of policies which work well – like gravity – the same result every time.
Our new policy is that we do not examine a document unless we been paid for an examination, in full- up front. As a result of this new policywe now have little or no collection problem. The only exception to this policy is working with the State or City who have policies which pay 30-90 days. Of course, there are exceptions with less risk than normal but this course of action should only be followed after you acquire the experience and wisdom to discern good guys from the bad.
As an example, I just finished a case with one of the largest transportation companies in the state of Texas. The chief counsel called me and asked me to join him in a meeting with outside counsel (an attorney from one of the largest law firms in Dallas) concerning a forged document. The chief counsel discussed my fees during our initial phone call and then asked me to just bill him. After two meetings in their office, an examination of the questioned document and a notarized opinion letter, I simply billed them for my travel time, meeting time, mileage, and for the examination and subsequent opinion letter. My fee was paid within a week. Sometimes we do business on a handshake. But, it could back fire.
For me, the most important part about the collection process in this case was that I obtained an agreement up front that they would pay for my services. After that, they trusted me and I trusted them. We both were satisfied with the outcome and we completed our business feeling good about our professional relationship.
Remember, wise and experienced experts like Rosalie Hamilton agree, and I concur, Do Not provide an opinion, written or verbal, until you have been paid for your opinion. Let me give you one more example of how you must behave when forced with an emergency temptation to perform before you get paid: emulate my good friend from Oklahoma, Expert Brenda Petty, who never fails to follow her own policies. Brenda is one of the best experts in the South. Brenda met her client and attorney at the courthouse just in time for trail but Brenda had not been paid. Brenda’s client did not present Brenda with the payment before trial as agreed, so Brenda simply said, “I am out of here” and left the courthouse. Brenda’s client caught up with her just as she opened her car door, and paid her on the spot. Brenda testified – after she was paid.
Many experts require a client sign a contract before beginning work. I find this slows down the process and I have found no agreement or contract that fits every situation. Therefore, I seldom use a written agreement, but I do get a verbal agreement on price and method of payment before I issue a written report. We simply say, “We do not release the results of our examination until we receive payment. How would you like to pay?”
A written agreement is essential if you utilize a credit card to accept payment. Get a signature or the credit card company will always side with the card holder.
Remember, when people call or contact you they expect to pay and are aware that when they place an order, it is time to pay and/or make arrangements to do so. If you have trouble asking for payment for your services, please go to a McDonald’s and buy something. Watch how the high school kids ask for payment: no hesitation, no fear of rejection, no embarrassment, no debate, no offer to collect after you finish eating or drinking. It is a simple statement – “The amount of your order is $12.94. Is that cash or credit, please?”
Habits are the best of friends or the worst of enemies.
So establish your good habits up front and you will be a success.