Normal Course-of-Business Records versus Manufactured Records

In the case of handwritten business records, the Forensic Document Examiner (FDE) compares a disputed or questioned record with “normal course-of-business” records. A comprehensive examination of the factors observed in the record is considered. The totality of what is found, and often what is not found, may permit a definite conclusion with respect to whether or not the business record was prepared in the “normal course-of-business,” or manufactured in a manner not consistent with “normal course-of-business” practices. The data collected as part of this study supports the literature on examining business records by the recognition of specific factors when examining business records using a comprehensive checklist.