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- Title
SHOULD EXPERIENCED DOCUMENT EXAMINERS WRITE INCONCLUSIVE REPORTS?
- Authors
Schmitz, Philip J.
- Abstract
The article presents the author's personal analysis of whether experienced document examiners should write inconclusive reports. To me, the ideal report concerning results of a handwriting examination, is a firm statement expressed in terminology that fits the case, which states that the questioned writing was written by a certain individual or it was not written by a certain individual. It would not seem to be necessary to write a lengthy epistle about all the procedures involved in the examination, although some mention of them might be appropriate. The important thing is that the conclusion, or opinion, or reasoned judgment is definite. But can we always arrive at a definite conclusion after completing a document examination? The results of an examination in which a definite conclusion cannot be reached might include a statement of the reason why it was not possible to make a definite determination or form a definite opinion. It would seem almost mandatory that this type report should be somewhat longer than the report in which a definite conclusion has been reached because the indefinite report would include a reason or reasons why it was not possible to make a definite judgment on the matter at issue. The purpose of this paper is not to tell anyone how he or she should write a report setting forth examination, but rather to emphasize the necessity of being truthful and sincere when stating results of a document examination and of using dear expressions which are readily understood by a nontechnical mind. These points should not be overlooked when the results of the examination are not conclusive.
- Subjects
REPORTERS &; reporting; EXAMINERS (Administrative procedure); LEGAL judgments; LAW reporting; TRIAL transcripts
- Publication
Journal of Criminal Law, Criminology & Police Science, 1968, Vol 59, Issue 3, p444
- ISSN
0022-0205
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.2307/1141787