Established in 1969, the Independent Association of Questioned Document Examiners, Inc. is a not for profit, independent, organization of professionals dedicated to the promotion of justice through discovery of proof of facts related to forensic document examination and identification.

A. To maintain the ethical, educational and scientific standards of this profession.

B. To pursue scientific research, development and adaptation of scientific instruments and procedures for the advancement of skills and knowledge in forensic document examination and identification.

C. To continue comprehensive studies as a basis for advancement of scientific skills.

D. To create confidence in the profession of forensic document examination through professional competency, integrity, good moral character and strict ethical standards; and to promote through lectures, papers and other appropriate means, a better understanding of forensic document examination by the public, the bar and the judiciary.

Association membership is available to interested persons of professional competency and good moral character. There are three levels of membership with testing at each level. Associate members have completed the first level of testing. Regular members have completed the second level of testing and Board Certified Members have completed the third level of testing in addition to having been peer reviewed by a three member panel. Re-certification takes place every five years with a review of the member's work product.

Annual meetings are held each year in the fall at a time and place approved by membership vote. The annual meeting includes a professional workshop which addresses various forensic document examination subjects.

According to the American Society for Testing and Materials  (ASTM)

ASTM American Society for Testing & Materials
100 Bar Harbor Drive
PO Box C700
West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959

the job description of a forensic document examiner includes the following services:

1. To establish genuineness or expose forgery, or to reveal alteration, additions or deletions.

2. To identify persons through documents or parts of documents, as by showing the authorship of handwriting, hand printing, or the source of typewriting or other impression, marks, or evidence of any type, and

3. To write reports or give testimony, when needed, to aid the users of its services in fixing liability or culpability for any fraud that makes use of documents.

Typical problems in the field are identification of handwriting, hand printing, ink, paper, writing instruments and establishment of the date, source, history, sequence of preparation, alterations or additions to, and the relationships of documents. Other problems are the decipherment and sometimes restoration of obscure, deleted, or damaged parts of documents. Procedures often include study of the information carried by a document for discovery of evidence of spuriousness, identification of persons, or to show significant relationships.

Microscopes and other optical aids, photographic cameras, and a wide variety of photographic material adaptable for use with a variety of lighting methods including infrared and ultraviolet, are used in the examination procedures.

The results of studies are usually incorporated into written reports for use by administrative and executive officers, boards, commissions, lawyers, and individuals. These reports are often the subject of testimony under oath in civil and criminal trials which require demonstration, by use of visual aids, or reasons for conclusions reached or determinations made and require further explanation under cross -examination.

The next annual educational seminar will be held August 25 - 31, 2008 in Montreal, Canada. 
 Inquiries about attendance should be directed to the seminar chairman, Jean Berrie-Perrino at jjberrie@comcast.net
 Inquiries or questions about the organization should be directed to Avis Odenbaugh, President, at aoden@aol.com

Should you require the services of a forensic document examiner in your area, please send an email to our Web coordinator:
 Carolyn Myers at handwriting@gcnet.com