Training Course in Questioned Handwriting & Document Examination

The Training Course in Questioned Handwriting and Document Examination teaches the fundamentals of forensic handwriting and document work. It is designed to equip participants with the knowledge necessary to launch a career in questioned document examination.

The training consists of 26 lessons which guide students from the basics of handwriting examination all the way through writing reports and appearing in court to render testimony. Each lesson is followed by an exam and numerous practical exercises are provided to demonstrate application of the principles involved. Actual case material is utilized and, in many instances, original documentation is provided for the student’s examination. Students are required to work several actual cases and pass an extensive final exam in order to qualify for the Certificate of Training.

Lessons Include

• Examination of signatures and initials
• Anonymous writing
• Disguised writing
• History of handwriting
• Handwriting measurements
• Complex writing features
• Evaluation of printing and numerals
• Handwriting variables
• Comparison standards
• Typewriting and fonts
• Writing instruments
• Altered documents
• Examining non-original documents
• Determining sequence of document entries
• Degrees of opinion
• Report writing
• How to appear as a witness
• The business of document examination…and more

Course Contents & Material

• 26 lessons & exams
• Supplemental material from actual adjudicated cases
• CD containing all lesson material and exams in PDF and Microsoft Word format
• Measuring devices
• Additional course material (worksheets, report templates, etc.) available for download

Students study at their own pace, with a suggested completion time of 12-18 months. Exams and practical exercises are returned for correction via email. The extensive final exam consists of a written theoretical test as well as a practical section that is an actual questioned handwriting case to be examined and compared in detail. Participants are awarded a Certificate of Training upon successfully completing the work with an average overall score of at least 80%.

Throughout the training Reed will be available for discussion of any of the material, either by email or phone.

Note: This course does not meet guidelines recommended by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) for the training of forensic document examiners (ASTM E-2388) or the requirements for application to the Board of Forensic Document Examiners, as it does not include a two-year apprenticeship program.

Tuition

Tuition for the Training Course in Questioned Handwriting and Document Examination is $2,000 with a $150 discount if you opt to make full payment up-front. Payment plans include 1) Up-front payment of $500 followed by 12 equal installments of $125 or 2) Up-front payment of $200 and 12 installments of $150. All payments are handled by PayPal, using either a PayPal account or credit/debit card. If you are ready to start the application process please click the button below.

Testimonials

“As a practicing document examiner I continuously take part in different training programs to stay up to date with new research and technology as they become available. Reed’s Training Course in Questioned Handwriting and Document Examination is extremely well organized and packed full of quality information for both the novice and the seasoned expert. Reed is truly invested in your success and offers both email and telephone support throughout the training program. Reed’s integrity is unmatched and his 15 plus years of professional experience provides the student with an additional bonus that you can’t put a price tag on. Of all the courses on the market today, Reed’s is by far the best for the price. If you are interested in a career in forensic handwriting or document examination I highly recommend this course over any other. I guarantee you will be happy with the results.”  • Roy Fenoff, Fort Collins, Colorado

“I thoroughly recommend Reed Hayes’ Training Course in Questioned Handwriting and Document Examination for anyone interested in a career in questioned document work, as the course notes are professionally presented. The training would suit anyone with some knowledge of the subject of handwriting, or no knowledge at all, as the lessons are in an easy to understand, logical order and all handwriting features are included. I did not feel at all isolated working through a correspondence course as Mr. Hayes was always available to answer any questions and I found him to be helpful and patient throughout. As the course has been well planned, I found no difficulty in reading the notes on separate lessons and then completing the assignments for each one. At no time was there any pressure to submit completed work, and I was able to manage and organise my own time realistically as I found each homework manageable. Finishing the course and being awarded the Certificate of Training has given me the necessary skills to practice examining questioned documents with confidence.”  • Margaret Webb, Berkshire, UK

“I write to commend you for your excellent QDE Course.  Your course certainly does have the necessary parts; it is presented professionally, and is truly a pleasure to use both in the groundwork study and challenging supplemental materials.  The care with which you put the course together is obvious in every lesson and supplement. However, what motivates me to write is my admiration and appreciation for how you teach. There are many who know a great deal about questioned document examination, but the challenge for the teacher and true value to a QDE student is whether the teacher can effectively impart the knowledge he has. Most students need a teacher who is not only knowledgeable, and you most assuredly are, but one who also knows how to impart the information, including the transfer of subtle nuanced information from so many years of hands on experience.  In my opinion, your teaching capability is outstanding in both ways. Thank you for the effective, experienced, rich way you teach. It is invaluable.”  • Helen M. Larsen, Attorney, Alexandria, Virginia

“For me, the areas of learning in your course were superb. The material was very well organized and each lesson flowed easily into the next. The tests after the lessons were well designed. And, just as importantly, your prompt reply to my questions via e-mail carried a lot of weight. After all, remember I am taking a course on line and hope to have a good instructor who takes a serious interest in what he/she is teaching. I would have no problem referring potential students for your course.”   • M. W., Tulsa, Oklahoma