I hear it all the time: “I’ve got an easy case. Can you just take a quick look and tell me what you think? It’ll only take a minute.”

My answer is always the same: no.

Here’s why. A proper handwriting examination is not a glance. It is a thorough, methodical process that requires time, experience, and professional judgment. Half of my income as a forensic document examiner comes from conducting those examinations, and I’m not in the business of giving away half my work for free on the chance that someone might hire me afterward.

If an expert is willing to give you an opinion in a minute, that’s your first red flag. After 40 years in this field, I can tell you: nobody, not even the best examiner in the world, can reliably determine in a minute whether a document is authentic or forged. Anyone who tells you otherwise is not someone you want testifying on your behalf in court.

A proper examination takes time. That time is what you’re paying for. And it’s worth every penny.

Curt Baggett
 The Nation’s #1 Forensic Document Examiner
Over 2,000 cases handled across all 50 states
972-644-0285
972-814-2695
https://expertdocumentexaminer.com

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a handwriting expert just take a quick look for free?

No. A proper handwriting examination is not a glance. It is a thorough, methodical process that requires time, experience, and professional judgment, and no reputable examiner gives it away.

Why won’t an expert give a free opinion?

Half of a forensic document examiner’s income comes from conducting examinations. Giving away that work for free, on the chance someone might hire the expert afterward, is not how the business works.

Is a one-minute expert opinion trustworthy?

No. Nobody, not even the best examiner in the world, can reliably determine in a minute whether a document is authentic or forged. An expert willing to give an instant opinion is a red flag.

What are you actually paying for in an examination?

You are paying for the time, experience, and professional judgment a proper examination requires. That time is what produces an opinion worth defending in court, and it is worth every penny.