Mohammed, L. (2019) Forensic Examination of Signatures, 1st Edition. Academic Press, San Diego, CA, ISBN 9780128130292, 242 pages, $99.95
This is it, the most significant contribution to the literature of forensic document examination in nearly a decade! Forensic Examination of Signatures, 1st Edition explains the modern practice of forensic signature examination in terms of neuroscience, contemporary empirical research, and probabilistic reasoning. Yet it is a pragmatic book laying out cogent principles, theories, and observations which inform valid and reliable evaluations and conclusions about questioned signatures.
The author, Dr. Linton Mohammed, is a highly respected private forensic practitioner, lecturer, and academic. His work in the field of forensic document examination spans more than 30 years. He is the co-author of The Neuroscience of Handwriting: Applications for Forensic Document Examination (CRC Press, 2012), and has published 16 papers in peer-reviewed journals. He earned his Doctorate in Human Biosciences at La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia.
Forensic Examination of Signatures, 1st Edition consists of 13 chapters; some chapters are collaboratively written. Chapter 1 serves as the introduction to the book. Chapter 2 discusses human motor control aspects of neuroscience along with the kinematic and dynamic features of signatures. Chapter 3 looks at signature styles. Chapter 4 discusses assessment of signature complexity. Chapter 5, in collaboration with Lloyd Cunningham, explores normal (natural), disguise and simulation signature behavior. Chapter 6 covers signatures depicted on nonoriginal documents. Chapter 7, in collaboration with Lloyd Cunningham, covers the effects of various writing instruments and writing constraints. Chapter 8 looks at the effects of age, illness, and other impairments on signature production. Chapter 9 explores the validity and reliability of forensic signature examination. Chapter 10, in collaboration with Lloyd Cunningham, deals with bias and its mitigation in casework. Chapter 11, in collaboration with R. Brent Ostrum, discusses conclusions, reporting, and testimony. Chapter 12, in collaboration with William Flynn and Kathleen Annunziata Nicolaides, explores the examination of electronic signatures. Chapter 13 revisits 3 historical cases involving expert examination of disputed signatures.
Forensic Examination of Signatures, 1st Edition is meticulously and scholarly written, i.e., exceedingly well-referenced, footnoted, sourced visual materials, and indexed. Yet it is readily understandable and enjoyable to read. It is wellillustrated. Its only shortcoming is the lack of a glossary.
Forensic Examination of Signatures, 1st Edition is destined to be a classic work on the subject.