What Should You Send to a Handwriting Expert to Start a Case?

Once you’ve decided to hire a forensic handwriting expert, the first practical question is: What do you actually need to send me?

The answer is straightforward. We need evidence. The quality and quantity of what you provide directly determines how strong your case can be. Good evidence doesn’t just help us form an opinion. It helps us defend that opinion when it counts, under oath, in deposition, or in a courtroom where opposing counsel is testing every word.

Start With the Questioned Document

First, we need the document in dispute. That could be an original contract, a will, a deed, a power of attorney, a check, or a handwritten note.

Original documents are always best. They let us examine pressure patterns, ink flow, indentation, and other details that scans simply can’t show. If the original isn’t available, send the highest-resolution scan you can get. A clean PDF. A flatbed scan. Clear, well-lit phone photos can even work in a pinch, as long as they’re undistorted. The clearer the image, the more precise the analysis.

Then Send Every Writing Sample You Can Find

This is where most people hold back. They shouldn’t. If the writer is living, gather letters, cards, notes, checks, signed applications, anything that shows natural writing over time. If the writer has passed away, go through the boxes. Birthday cards. Old correspondence. Notes in the margins of books. Even grocery lists can help.

In a Miami probate dispute, the strength of a handwriting opinion often comes down to the volume of comparison material. The more authentic writing we can study, the clearer the pattern becomes.

Here’s something most people don’t know: we don’t charge more if you send more comparison samples. Our pricing is based on the number of questioned documents, not on how many authentic examples you provide. There’s no financial penalty for being thorough. In fact, the more you send, the stronger your case.

Why More Evidence Protects You in Court

A handwriting opinion is not guesswork. It’s pattern recognition grounded in forensic methodology. But when an attorney cross-examines a handwriting expert, every assumption gets tested. If the foundation is thin, the testimony becomes vulnerable.

When we have dozens of authentic samples across different time periods, stress levels, and writing conditions, we can explain natural variation with confidence. We can distinguish the differences that are normal from the signs of simulation or forgery.

That confidence doesn’t come from bravado. It comes from data.

How to Send the Materials

You have several options:

• Upload high-resolution scans to Google Drive or Dropbox
• Email clear PDF files directly to our office
• Ship originals via FedEx or courier
• Arrange an in-person document review if necessary

If you need an expert to examine something on-site in the Miami area, that can be arranged. Just be aware that travel and on-site analysis involves additional time and cost.

Whether you send a digital upload, an overnight package, or carrier pigeon, the principle is the same: the more complete the evidence, the stronger the analysis. Gather the questioned documents. Collect every genuine writing sample you can find. Send them to us. We’ll take it from there.

Bart Baggett
Forensic Document Examiner | Expert Witness | Legal Consultant
The Nation’s Leading Forensic Handwriting Expert
CEO, Handwriting Experts Inc.

floridahandwritingexperts.com

Or call us: 1-305-459-1544. Your first consultation is free.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to send original documents to start a case?

Originals are preferred because they allow for deeper forensic examination. That said, high-quality scans or clear photographs are sufficient to begin the analysis if originals are unavailable. We can always request originals later if the case requires it.

How many handwriting samples should I provide?

As many as you can locate. More comparison material allows for stronger conclusions and better defensibility in court. There is no added cost for supplying additional known samples, so don’t hold back.

Can I email or upload documents to get started?

Yes. Most cases begin with secure digital uploads of high-resolution scans. Originals can be sent later if a more detailed physical inspection is needed.

What if I only have one writing sample to compare?

One sample is a starting point, but it may limit the strength of the conclusion. A single comparison can sometimes support an opinion, but more samples from similar time periods give us a much clearer picture of the writer’s natural habits. Tell us what you have and we’ll assess it honestly.

Should I send my originals, or keep them and send copies?

If the documents are part of an active legal case, discuss this with your attorney first. In general, it’s fine to start with high-quality scans and send originals later only if needed. If you do ship originals, use a tracked service like FedEx and keep your own copies.

What if the handwriting is in another language?

Language isn’t a barrier to forensic handwriting analysis. We examine the physical characteristics of the writing itself, not its meaning. Letters, numbers, pressure, spacing, and stroke patterns are comparable across languages. If you have a document in Spanish, Portuguese, or another language, we can still analyze it.

What if the document has been damaged or partially altered?

Damaged and altered documents are actually among the most important ones to examine. Alterations often leave physical traces that a trained forensic examiner can identify. Send us what you have, in whatever condition it’s in, and we’ll tell you what the evidence shows.