FHDI – Kathryn Thorndycraft Pope
NEWSLETTER
SEE THE FHDI WEBSITE ON FFEW HOMEPAGE Autumn 2023 www.forensichandwriting.co.uk CATRIONA MACDONALD BSC (HONS), MSC FORENSIC DOCUMENT EXAMINER Masters graduate who has been involved in the field for over 7 years. After graduating I completed a 2 year traineeship with Forensic Handwriting and Document Investigation (FHDI) and have worked there ever since. This traineeship involved mentoring and working on cases alongside Kathryn Thorndycraft-Pope, a fully certified Document Examiner who has been active in the field for over 33 years. I have built experience in all aspects of Document Examination and have also gained experience in using scientific equipment and methods such as the Electro Static Detection Apparatus (ESDA), Video Spectral Comparator (VSC), Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) and MiScope in the examination of document
In a recent interview Kathryn let us in on the secret to her continued success…..giving us a unique glimpse into the fascinating world of Handwriting & Document Investigation. “I have been in this field of work for almost 34 years, initially with the Police and for the last 25 as an Independent Forensic Document Examiner. Typically, I receive enquiries by telephone, direct in the mail or more commonly these days by email, requesting me to examine many different types of ‘Questioned’ documents including Wills, Mortgage Contracts, Guarantees, Leases, Anonymous Letters, Driving Licences and Prescriptions . Occasionally the casework arrives before I have received any notification that it is coming, or have been asked if I am available to undertake the work! I must stress it is so important to have this confidential material sent by at least Recorded Delivery and to contact me in advance to make sure that I will be there to receive it. In the identification of handwriting its imperative for me to have sight of the original document whenever possible. I can look at photocopies but this will limit my examination and reduce my ‘Probability of Authorship’. I also require an adequate supply of ‘Formal Samples’ and ‘Known’ writings for comparison purposes. Armed with these, I can then undertake the comparison and forensic examination and produce a Forensic Science Report and, if appropriate, an Illustration describing my findings all ready for Court or Industrial Tribunal.
www.forensichandwriting.co.uk Phone: 01569 764 508
kt@fhdi.co.uk