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Addressing Fragmentation in the Forensic Document Examination Community: Applying the NAS Report's Call for Standardization to the Current State of the Field

ABSTRACT The National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) released their report, Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States: A Path Forward in 2009. The NAS Committee evaluated the forensic science community at large, and reviewed specific forensic science sub-specialties and identified issues within these disciplines that needed to be addressed. One important finding was that fragmentation existed throughout the forensic sciences. More specifically, it found that the forensic science disciplines exhibit wide variability in certification, educational programs, training, and standards. The NAS Committee recommended that the field of Forensic Document Examination should develop education and training standards for forensic document examiners (FDEs) that include an academic focus. However, for all the document examiners to have an opportunity to participate in the process, the education and training standards must be outlined in a way that does not exclude or make it impossible for some people to meet the minimum education and training requirements. The purpose of this study was to analyze the content of forensic document examiners' CVs or résumés, in order to understand their background and experience, which is the first step towards developing education and training standards for FDEs. By identifying its members, assessing their training and education, and evaluating how they are using their skills, the FDE community could build upon areas of strength while also establishing guidelines aimed at rectifying its weaknesses in a fair and effective manner.