What Our Statements Mean

he strength of our findings depends upon a number of factors such as:

• The amount of questioned material
• The suitability of specimen material
• How distinctive the material is
• Whether or not any form of disguise has been used
  

Statements in cases involving handwriting are normally phrased in one of the following ways:

In my opinion there is conclusive evidence that (s)he was the writer. I therefore consider that the possibility of another person being responsible can be excluded.

This means that the scientist has formed a definite opinion that the questioned and specimen handwritings were written by the same person.

In my opinion there is strong but not conclusive evidence that (s)he was the writer. I therefore consider it unlikely that another person was responsible.

Here the possibility that some other person was responsible cannot be completely excluded. The reasons for this will be given in the statement. The scientist's opinion will strongly support any other evidence in this case.

In my opinion there is some limited evidence that (s)he was the writer but it cannot be ruled out that another person with a similar style of writing was responsible.

This phrase is used to indicate that the strength of the evidence is weak. On the balance of probabilities the scientist considers that the questioned and specimen handwritings were written by the same person.

The evidence is inconclusive.

The scientist is unable to offer any indication as to whether or not the questioned and specimen handwritings were written by the same person.

In my opinion there is some limited evidence that (s)he was not the writer, but the possibility that (s)he did write it cannot be ruled out.

This phrase is used to indicate that the strength of the evidence is weak. On the balance of probabilities the scientist considers that the questioned and specimen handwritings were written by different persons.

In my opinion there is strong but not conclusive evidence that (s)he was not the writer. I therefore consider it unlikely that (s)he was responsible.

Whilst the scientist cannot offer a definite opinion (s)he is strongly inclined to the view that the questioned and specimen handwritings were written by different persons.

In my opinion there is conclusive evidence that (s)he was not the writer. I therefore consider that the possibility of him(her) being responsible can be excluded.

This means that the scientist has formed a definite opinion that the questioned and specimen handwritings were written by different persons.

In some instances the scientist will ask for further specimen material. This will only be done if (s)he thinks that these additional specimens will take the case further.

In cases which do not involve handwriting similar phraseology will be used. If you are not sure exactly what is meant in any particular statement phone up and speak directly with the scientist.