Description
Examine questioned documents to assess authenticity, authorship, origin, and alterations using optical, digital, and chemical analyses. Compare handwriting, signatures, printing, typewriting, inks, and papers; preserve and document evidence; prepare reports; and testify as an expert witness.
- • Testify in court about document examination methods, findings, and conclusions.
- • Interpret examination results to determine authenticity, origin, or sequence of entries.
- • Operate and maintain document examination instruments such as comparison microscopes, VSC, ESDA, and IR/UV imaging systems.
- • Prepare reagents and materials for ink, toner, and paper analyses.
- • Collect and preserve questioned documents, maintaining chain of custody and proper storage.
- • Compare handwriting and signatures to known exemplars to assess authorship.
- • Detect and characterize alterations, additions, erasures, obliterations, and page substitutions.
- • Recover and interpret indented writing using electrostatic detection techniques.
- • Examine typewriting, printer, and photocopy output to assess process and potential source.
- • Evaluate inks, toners, and paper composition using optical and chemical methods.
- • Analyze stamps, seals, and security features for authenticity or tampering.
- • Determine the sequence of intersecting strokes, impressions, or printing when feasible.
- • Use digital imaging and enhancement to reveal faint or obliterated text and features.
- • Restore and examine charred, water-damaged, or faded documents.
- • Compare torn, cut, or perforated edges and staple or punch patterns to associate pages.
- • Keep detailed notes and prepare technical reports describing methods and conclusions.
- • Create demonstrative exhibits and communicate findings to investigators and attorneys.
- • Train new examiners or laboratory personnel in forensic document procedures.
- • Conduct technical and administrative reviews of casework for quality assurance.
- • Request and evaluate collected handwriting or printer exemplars from subjects.
- • Photograph documents and capture scaled images to document features and evidence.
- • Advise investigators on collection, packaging, and transport of document evidence.
Related specializations
Interview options
Interview options
Interviewee gender
Interviewee accent
Interview time
Related Pathways
Public Service & Safety
View
Source
Tasks & skills:
O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
Learn more
Sources & Standards:
This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
