By: Anna Giorgi
Learn how to become a forensic handwriting expert
Are you searching for a career where you can help ensure that justice is served? Do you enjoy detail-oriented and meticulous work? If you want to be involved in the dynamic field of forensic science without the need to handle blood and bodily fluids, a career as a forensic handwriting expert may be right for you.
A forensic handwriting expert applies scientific principles to analyze handwriting samples. They also compare handwriting samples to determine whether two samples came from the same source. In doing this, their work involves meticulous analysis of handwriting features such as letter formation, line quality, letter alignment, writing and spacing.
In this article
Should I become a forensic handwriting expert?
You should consider becoming a forensic handwriting expert if you enjoy the challenge of solving a mystery. Working in this role also presents the possibility of addressing a new challenge with every case, giving you the chance to expand your skills and expertise by applying them in different ways.
“Mainly, someone becomes interested in this field because they’re looking for a career in some form of forensics, but they don’t want to be a police officer or deal with the messy aspects of forensics like blood. This is a pretty clean position,” says Larry S. Miller, PhD, Professor and Chair of the Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology at East Tennessee State University and Chair of the Education Committee of the National Association of Document Examiners (NADE).
“Someone becomes interested in this field because they’re looking for a career in some form of forensics, but they don’t want to be a police officer or deal with the messy aspects of forensics like blood.“
While the work can be intriguing, forensic handwriting experts use their expertise to impact people’s lives. When they report on the authenticity of a person’s handwriting in a court case, forensic handwriting experts are tasked with establishing the authenticity of a questioned signature or confirming the writer’s identity. Depending on the circumstances, their conclusion can impact the verdict of cases involving crimes such as forgeries, fraud, bomb threats or murders.
“There’s a certain sense of satisfaction in finding the truth. When you’re able to solve a mystery about an anonymous letter or somebody cheating someone else out of something, that can be satisfying. Sometimes, there is also satisfaction in doing pro bono work for people who can’t afford to pay an expert but simply need answers,” says Ruth E. Holmes, CDE, a professional handwriting and document examiner.
While electronic banking and e-documents have helped reduce the use of “wet” or penned signatures, the demand for forensic handwriting experts seems secure. “Unfortunately, I think there is always going to be plenty of work because I don’t see everything becoming legal all at once. Integrity is not a requirement for success, so at the highest levels, you can find people forging signatures,” says Holmes. “Greed is out there. Plenty of people try to steal and do whatever they can at the sacrifice of others.”
How do I become a forensic handwriting expert?
If you think becoming a forensic handwriting expert is the right career for you, follow these steps get started:
Consider your career path.
A forensic handwriting expert applies scientific tests or techniques to compare handwriting samples in the process of solving a crime. They look for idiosyncrasies in a handwriting sample that distinguish one person’s handwriting from another. Some forensic handwriting experts also work as forensic document examiners who analyze entire documents for authenticity and integrity to identify issues such as alterations or originality.
“Some people just specialize in handwriting and if there’s any question about the document itself, then they refer that case to a forensic document examiner,” says Miller. “A forensic document examiner analyzes handwriting, paper and ink analysis and machine-produced documents. They also validate certain documents like titles, passports and things of that nature. It’s all types of questioned documents,” says Miller.
Forensic handwriting experts can also take their skills outside the field of forensics to pursue a broader range of cases in private practice where they authenticate handwriting samples unrelated to crime investigations. However, forensic handwriting analysis should not be confused with graphology, a type of handwriting analysis separate from forensic science. Instead, graphology involves the study and analysis of handwriting to assess the author’s traits or personality.
Complete a bachelor’s degree in forensic science or related field.
A bachelor’s degree in forensic science or a natural science such as chemistry or biology can help you gain the foundational skills you will need to work in this field. While you may be able to enter the field without a college education, an undergraduate degree is typically the minimum educational requirement for forensic handwriting experts who work in local, state and federal government agencies ranging from local courts to the FBI. It is also commonly required in the private sector and for some types of professional certification.
“Most certifying boards require that you have a baccalaureate degree. It doesn’t have to be in any specific field, but generally, it’s in criminal justice, forensics or one of the natural sciences like chemistry. However, I’ve also seen people that have degrees in other areas such as library science,” says Miller.
There are many degree programs in forensic science. The Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission (FEPAC) administers a formal accreditation program for undergraduate and graduate programs in forensic science. These programs have passed a rigorous review and met the standards for quality forensic science education.
A college education can provide foundational knowledge along with the research and critical thinking skills you need to succeed in this profession. It can also help you qualify for some professional certifications and add to your credentials when you are considered as a potential expert witness.
As a student in an undergraduate forensic science program, your coursework may include the following types of courses:
• Forensic microscopy
• Instrumentation in forensic chemistry laboratory
• Forensic evidence, law and criminal procedures
• Professional practices in forensic science
• Professional practices and expert testimony
• Research technique
• Scientific writing
Get an apprenticeship or on-the-job training.
While a college degree can be a stepping stone in this career, there are no college programs or online training programs that can provide all the skills necessary to become a forensic handwriting expert. Depending on your undergraduate curriculum and your career goals, you may benefit from post-graduate training certificate programs that review the basics of handwriting principles and document examination.
However, getting the skills you need to work as a forensic handwriting expert typically requires significant in-person training with an experienced handwriting expert and access to a broad range of cases. “To be certified by most of the certifying boards, you must have two years of an apprenticeship or internship training before you can become certified,” says Miller.
One way to meet this requirement is to pursue positions that offer on-the-job training. “It can be a challenge to get the right training since there are no formal programs for an internship. There are a few private examiners that offer training, but trying to link up with them to do your two-year internship might be challenging for someone who is not employed by a crime lab,” says Miller. “So, you might be able to land a local, state or federal crime laboratory and intern with them and they’ll train you to do that for a two-year period.”
Training under an experienced professional can help you learn the detailed processes involved in forensic handwriting analysis. “You should be able to measure, to observe and go through the possibility that you’re going to be looking for tremor, hesitation, blobs, slow letters as opposed to fast letters and things like that. There’s a whole meaning to what you’re going to learn when you begin to study handwriting,” says Holmes.
Begin your career as a forensic handwriting expert.
You’ll be ready to start your career as a forensic handwriting expert after you secure a related apprenticeship or on-the-job training. There is no requirement to pass a national examination or earn state licensure to work in this profession.
A professional apprenticeship can offer valuable training and exposure to a wide range of cases and challenges. This type of work environment can help you earn professional experience and qualify for professional certifications that can help you get the jobs you desire. “Most people do a two-year internship and then start working,” says Miller.
Consider joining a professional organization to expand your network and learn more about ways to use your expertise and grow your career. “Look at professional associations like NADE [National Association of Document Examiners] that you can join as an associate member. That way, you’re making contact with people who are working in the field, and they can help you find the training you need to become certified,” says Miller.
How much do forensic handwriting experts earn?
Salary data for forensic handwriting experts is not reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). However, the BLS category of forensic science technicians includes salary data for professionals who work as specialists in many areas, including handwriting.
Forensic Science Technicians
10%$45,560
25%$53,310
50%$67,440Median
75%$88,710
90%$110,710
Median Hourly Wage$32
Job growth12.8%
Total Employment19,450
| State | Median Salary | Bottom 10% | Top 10% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $59,560 | $38,910 | $82,620 |
| Arizona | $60,620 | $45,590 | $109,850 |
| Arkansas | $46,210 | $39,680 | $62,370 |
| California | $96,850 | $61,380 | $137,020 |
| Colorado | $77,800 | $59,400 | $103,660 |
| Connecticut | $84,920 | $40,450 | $105,530 |
| Florida | $61,070 | $39,890 | $90,570 |
| Georgia | $58,500 | $39,060 | $83,600 |
| Idaho | $60,470 | $41,000 | $112,390 |
| Illinois | $117,590 | $57,590 | $147,370 |
| Indiana | $65,770 | $40,750 | $90,130 |
| Iowa | $63,650 | $34,240 | $97,220 |
| Kansas | $75,150 | $49,620 | $99,720 |
| Kentucky | $58,230 | $46,980 | $70,670 |
| Louisiana | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Maine | $68,710 | $44,470 | $74,320 |
| Maryland | $78,220 | $58,440 | $110,760 |
| Massachusetts | $75,210 | $60,560 | $105,010 |
| Michigan | $69,040 | $36,500 | $198,320 |
| Minnesota | $68,790 | $50,530 | $101,150 |
| Mississippi | $54,720 | $36,950 | $82,890 |
| Missouri | $64,700 | $45,360 | $87,420 |
| Montana | $78,610 | $38,470 | $97,670 |
| Nebraska | $63,390 | $45,140 | $80,080 |
| Nevada | $76,540 | $52,350 | $127,890 |
| New Jersey | $54,230 | $40,650 | $81,190 |
| New Mexico | $61,890 | $44,490 | $96,410 |
| New York | $78,170 | $60,680 | $101,370 |
| North Carolina | $50,460 | $42,720 | $77,720 |
| North Dakota | $74,470 | $54,410 | $95,680 |
| Ohio | $73,310 | $50,720 | $118,100 |
| Oklahoma | $64,990 | $43,990 | $95,690 |
| Oregon | $78,100 | $53,090 | $129,220 |
| Pennsylvania | $57,820 | $40,260 | $84,410 |
| South Carolina | $49,960 | $37,490 | $69,510 |
| South Dakota | $49,280 | $24,960 | $80,050 |
| Tennessee | $70,500 | $45,830 | $127,040 |
| Texas | $55,830 | $40,290 | $79,900 |
| Utah | $64,430 | $45,960 | $88,940 |
| Vermont | $67,750 | $54,680 | $91,540 |
| Virginia | $62,860 | $46,900 | $107,210 |
| Washington | $77,650 | $58,090 | $103,650 |
| West Virginia | $59,930 | $38,190 | $80,550 |
| Wisconsin | $61,920 | $50,210 | $95,470 |
| Wyoming | $60,670 | $45,870 | $88,510 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 2024 median salary; projected job growth through 2034. Actual salaries vary depending on location, level of education, years of experience, work environment, and other factors. Salaries may differ even more for those who are self-employed or work part time.
How does a forensic handwriting expert salary compare to similar occupations?
Factors that impact salary
Forensic handwriting experts employed by local, state and federal government organizations can work in positions where salaries vary based on their expertise and levels of administrative responsibilities. An undergraduate degree in forensic science, criminology or a related field can help you compete in these areas. Having an advanced degree may give you an advantage when seeking higher level jobs. Earning the broader skills necessary to qualify as a forensic document examiner may increase your salary and professional opportunities.
Many forensic handwriting experts work in the private sector as owners of their own consulting firms or as employees of larger private groups. Depending on your experience and expertise, you may be able to increase your salary based on the quantity and type of projects you pursue. Since state licensure is not required, your potential client base is not limited to your local area.
Optional post-graduate certificates or other credentials can help you achieve specialty knowledge relative to your skills as a forensic handwriting expert. Earning professional certifications prove that you’ve met established educational, experience and examination criteria to demonstrate your knowledge in the specialty area of forensic handwriting analysis.
Depending on your interests and professional goals, you may benefit from one of the following professional certifications:
- Certified Forensic Document Examiner (CFDE) from the Scientific Association of Forensic Examiners
- Certified Document Examiner (CDE) from the National Association of Document Examiners
- ABFDE Board Certification from the American Board of Forensic Document Examiners (ABFDE)
- AAHA Accredited Certified Member from the American Association of Handwriting Analysts (AAHA)
Where are forensic handwriting experts most in demand?
The U.S. job outlook for the broad category of forensic science technicians is positive. According to the BLS, there is a projected growth rate of 12.8% for forensic science technicians through 2034. This is more than three times the average projected growth rate for all U.S. occupations during that time.
Opportunities for all types of forensic science technicians are set to increase in response to major industry growth. Industry analysts report that factors such as rising crime rates and an increasing emphasis on forensic evidence in criminal cases have contributed to its growth. Here are the top 10 metro areas with the highest number of forensic science technicians:
States with the highest level of employment of forensic handwriting experts (forensic science technicians):
What being a forensic handwriting expert is all about
A forensic handwriting expert compares questioned handwriting samples with known writing samples to determine whether the questioned sample was written by the same person. They analyze subtle variations in letter and word spacing, letter slant and size, letter formation and embellishments. This job can involve working with handwriting on samples that include prenuptial agreements, tax returns, checks, historical documents, diaries and letters. Remaining unbiased and committed to professional ethics is a key requirement for forensic handwriting experts.
You may find this position rewarding if you enjoy solving mysteries. “When you find something that has been fraudulently prepared, you get a rush. You get the satisfaction that the process works,” says Miller.
However, getting the training you need may be a challenge. “Obstacles in the profession can involve people who become quite territorial because they don’t want the competition. Ideally, you can find someone who is open to the idea that you can reach out and learn something, like an apprenticeship. It’s always helpful if you have someone who is in the field who can lead the way so you can learn what needs to be done,” says Holmes.
What you’ll do
The specific job duties that you perform can vary based on your employer and the type of handwriting sample being analyzed and the reason for the analysis. Your work may involve the following tasks:
What does this job look like from the practitioner’s perspective?
You’ll never know what to expect when you’re working as a forensic handwriting expert. While the job can involve long hours, it can be rewarding for someone with scientific curiosity and determination. “It is a multi-faceted profession in terms of there being a scientific requirement, a communication requirement, a legal requirement and a technical proficiency requirement so it becomes a balance, but there’s great reward in finding the truth,” says Holmes.
What’s day-to-day like?
The day-to-day routine of a forensic handwriting expert can vary based on the type of case they’re handling and where they are in the analysis process. As a professional handwriting and document examiner, Holmes has testified in a murder-for-hire case, confirmed a celebrity suicide note and helped find the identity of a soldier who wrote a first-hand account of D-Day on a dollar bill. However, determining the authenticity of signatures on documents such as deeds, wills and threat letters can involve their own flavor of intrigue and complexity.
A forensic handwriting expert may be involved in any of the following tasks on a typical day:
What does this job look like from a client’s perspective?
Clients seek the services of a forensic handwriting expert for a variety of reasons, some of which have potentially life-changing consequences. In crime labs, the “clients” include detectives and lawyers looking for authentication of a signature or written document to prove their side of a criminal case. In civil or private cases, a client may be concerned with determining if a will or prenuptial agreement was altered or forged. From a client’s perspective, an unbiased professional handwriting analysis may be needed to:
The skills (and competencies) you’ll need
A forensic handwriting expert needs a combination of personal and technical skills to succeed in this profession. These competencies include:
- Knowledge of principles of handwriting analysis:
- A forensic handwriting expert must be trained in the science and standards of handwriting analysis so they can provide reliable and expert professional services.
- Science-based perspective:
- A forensic handwriting expert should have an interest in using scientific processes and equipment such as microscopes, magnifiers and different kinds of light to measure and scrutinize handwriting samples.
- Attention to detail:
- A forensic handwriting expert must exert extreme attention to detail in scrutinizing the features of a handwriting sample.
- Time management skills:
- The opinion of a forensic handwriting expert may be required within a certain timeframe or deadline to align with corresponding court cases and other investigations.
- Critical thinking skills:
- A forensic handwriting expert uses logic and reasoning to determine the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to questions of authorship and authenticity.
- Public speaking skills:
- A forensic handwriting expert needs strong public speaking skills when providing testimony as an expert witness in a court case.
- Communication skills:
- When presenting or writing their report, a forensic handwriting expert must be able to help a wide range of audiences understand their professional perspective and how they reached their conclusion.
- Ethical perspective:
- Forensic handwriting experts adhere to a strict code of ethics to ensure that their analysis is objective and unbiased.
The tools and technology you’ll likely use
A forensic handwriting expert uses many different tools to scrutinize and compare handwriting and signature samples. There are many ways to evaluate handwriting. “There is the old-fashioned way of looking at signatures and enlarging them to compare them against other signatures, but you can also use sophisticated technologies,” says Holmes.
Depending on the case, a forensic handwriting expert might use the following tools and technology:
Where you’ll work
As a forensic handwriting expert, you can pursue positions with several types of employers. Factors such as your interests and location may impact your opportunities.
Forensic handwriting experts can work under a few different job titles either as handwriting analysts or document examiners who specialize in handwriting analysis. These titles can include:
A forensic handwriting expert can also work as a handwriting expert witness providing expert testimony in court cases. They are most likely involved in cases involving fraud, forgery and disputed documents.
Work environments
Forensic handwriting experts can work in a variety of fields. The field of forensics involves roles that have some link to the criminal justice system, but the career path of a handwriting expert can also involve private employment. “A lot of work is in the civil area where you’re looking at questioned wills, deeds, threat letters and things of that nature. So, there’s more opportunities in the civil area than the criminal area,” says Miller.
You may find opportunities as a forensic handwriting expert in the following types of environments:
How to make yourself stand out as a candidate for a forensic handwriting expert job
Standing out as a candidate for a forensic handwriting expert job by having a solid education in forensic science or a pure science such as chemistry. Starting at the local level of law enforcement may offer more opportunities than the federal levels, where you’ll have more competition and often need more experience to stand out. Working as an apprentice under an experienced forensic handwriting expert can help you gain the experience and expertise you need to earn professional certifications and gain credibility to pursue your goals.he role happens on the job. Some agencies may only accept applicants with a few years of experience, while others have internal training programs for novices.
Professional organizations to join along the way
Membership in a local or national professional organization can help you connect with professionals at all levels in your field. This type of access can be ideal for finding mentors and experienced professionals willing to provide apprenticeship opportunities. As a member, you can also learn about different roles and new laboratory techniques in handwriting analysis. While benefits vary, most organizations provide continuing education, career/employment resources and other programs to support career success. Many groups welcome student members.
Scientific Association of Forensic Examiners: SAFE is dedicated to providing the highest quality education and training resources to forensic document examiners at all levels. Members must meet continuing education requirements to maintain membership.
American Academy of Forensic Science (AAFS): This multidisciplinary, professional membership organization provides leadership to advance science and its application to the legal system. Members include document examiners, digital evidence experts pathologists, attorneys and people involved in many other aspects of forensic science.
National Association of Document Examiners (NADE): NADE members include private forensic handwriting or document examiners who provide handwriting analysis and other related services. NADE promotes continuing education and professional ethics. It also publishes The Journal of the National Association of Document Examiners.
American Association of Handwriting Analysts (AAHA): AAHA is an international organization of professionals and students dedicated to the advancement of research, education and public understanding of graphology.
American Handwriting Analysis Foundation (AHAF): AHAF brings awareness to the benefits of handwriting analysis while also promoting education, instruction, mentorship and fellowship in the profession.
Frequently asked questions
Is a state license necessary to work as a forensic handwriting expert?
No, you do not need a state license to work as a forensic handwriting expert. However, other credentials, such as a bachelor’s degree and professional certifications, may be preferred or required by employers.
With increasing use of electronic documents, is there still a demand for forensic handwriting experts?
Yes, forensic handwriting experts are still in demand in many areas of forensic science and other legal matters related to questioned documents such as identify theft. Forensic handwriting experts are needed to determine the authenticity of signatures, detect forgeries and help solve mysteries that involve the authorship of documents.
What types of signatures does a forensic handwriting expert authenticate?
A forensic handwriting expert can authenticate signatures or handwriting on documents such as wills, testamentary trusts, passports and codicils (supplement or other change to a will), all of which require a “wet signature” made with a pen or other writing instrument on the original document. Forensic handwriting experts also work to solve clues from the past when handwriting was the only option for writing and authorizing documents.