Forensic document examination is not synonymous with graphology. Graphology or graphoanalysis attempts to predict character traits from handwriting examination. Some graphologists call themselves handwriting analysts or document examiners and are therefore confused with FDEs.
In U.S. v. Bourgeois, 950 F. 2d 980 (5th Cir. 1992), the court rejected the testimony of a proffered handwriting examiner, in part, because the individual’s training was completed through a correspondence school wit a strong emphasis on graphoanalysis. It also pointed out that the witness was not certified by the ABFDE.
The SWGDOC Standard for Scope of Work of Forensic Document Examiners, 2013 states, in Section 4.1, that:
Forensic document examination does not involve the employment of calligraphic or engrossing skills, nor does it involve a study of handwriting in an attempt to create a personality profile or otherwise analyze or judge the writer’s personality or character.
This point is re-iterated in ANSI/ASB Standard 011, First Edition 2022 discussing the scope of FDE or FHE claims for services offered. The standard states, in Section 4.1, that:
Forensic document examination does not involve the study of handwriting for personality assessment, creation of a personality profile, or analysis, or judgment of a writer’s personality or character.
Finally, ASTM also differentiated forensic document examination from graphology. ASTM Standard E444-98 stated:
[f]orensic document examination does not involve the employment of calligraphic or engrossing skills, nor does it involve a study of handwriting in an attempt to create a personality profile or otherwise analyze or judge the writer’s personality or character.
Under the above definitions, I am definitely not a graphologist. A forensic document examiner examines handwriting to address issues of potential authorship, not personality. Of course, forensic document examination covers a lot more things than just authorship of writing.
Further reading — see also: Competency, ABFDE certification