AFDE Symposium 2025
NADE/AFDE Symposium
Examining Paper Documents in a Digital World
Friday, October 3 – Sunday, October 5, 2025 in Kansas City, MO
NADE and AFDE are meeting together this year for a joint Conference/Symposium. The 2025 Symposium theme will be “Paper Documents in a Digital World.” Program details will be posted as available. The 2025 Symposium will cover a broad range of subjects of interest to Forensic Document Examiners. A panel providing “Tips for Testimony,” and poster sessions, are annual favorites.
The Conference Chairman and contact person for submission of presentation and poster session abstracts for consideration is Jacqueline Joseph.
We hope you will join us for an interesting and informative program.
Intercontinental Hotel Kansas City-Missouri
Intercontinental Hotel – Kansas City at the Plaza
401 Ward Parkway
Kansas City, MO 64112
Famous for barbecue, fountains, and the architecturally stunning historic Country Club Plaza marketplace, downtown Kansas City offers a plethora of activities. Popular destinations, Arrowhead Stadium and Kansas City Zoo, are also close to the hotel. The hotel is 30 minutes from Kansas City International Airport (MCI).
Room rates are $169.00 plus taxes per night (single or double), and include a free parking and internet. The room rates apply three days before and three days after the symposium. Here is a file on How to Book a Room. This link must be used to book the room.
PROGRAM – 2025 NADE/AFDE Symposium
Titles and abstracts are now being reviewed and will be posted as they are approved. Please contact Jacqueline Joseph with
your proposal.
Exploring Sparse Literature, Case Studies, and Best Practices in Initials Analysis
Susan Abbey, CDE, D-BFDE
With cases involving initials, what are the best procedures? What does the literature say?
The literature is surprisingly sparse in this important area. In this presentation, references from authoritative books and
journals that are available will be cited. Examples of cases where there are suspected page substitutions and other types of
cases where initials can create difficulties or questions of authenticity will be explored. Sources of initials for comparison
purposes will be suggested.
Dangers of Low Level Opinions – Probative vs. Prejudicial
Emily J. Will, CDE, D-BFDE
In a field where opinions can not be based extensively on numerical calculations, words matter. The opinion scales relied
upon by most forensic document examiners in the US have between 5 and 9 levels. The descriptions of these levels are easily
misapplied, adding to the subjectivity of opinions. To further complicate matters, civil cases typically have a “more likely than
not” threshold, which is considered to be more of less than 50% probability. What really is going to be the difference
between 51% and 49% likelihood in a handwriting examination? This issue will be explored in depth.
Microsoft Word & Bierstadt/Aptos Fonts Give Document Date Clues
Thomas Phinney, MS, MBA, Font Detective
The Microsoft Word default font change from Calibri to Aptos in 2024 is of great interest for document examiners:
obviously Aptos could not have been used before it was designed, and it is now used any time a user does not explicitly
choose a different font. But Aptos was already available as early as 2021, under the name of Bierstadt. Phinney discusses and
shows the subtle spacing differences between Aptos and Bierstadt, and the timeline of the fonts’ availability.
Less trumpeted than the Aptos switch are all the other default document formatting changes Microsoft Word made at the
end of 2024: to margins, point size and kerning. Even when Aptos is not in use, these other settings can provide
circumstantial evidence for document creation dates—especially kerning, which is rarely manually turned on by most users.
Plaza Area
Nelson Atkins Museum of Art. The personal HR Bloch collection, it’s a must!
Kemper Contemporary Museum of Art
Thomas Hart Benton Home and Studio Museum 3613 Belleview Ave. Kansas City, MO 64111
Crown Center Union Station
World War I Museum If you are a history buff and have not been to this museum, it comes highly recommended
Union Station Lots of activities, exhibits, Science City, restaurants and evidence from the 1933 Union Station Massacre
between FBI, Frank Nash, Pretty Boy Floyd and others.
Kansas City Cross Roads Art District
Boulevard Brewery You can take a brewery tour, but you have to get tickets ahead of time or you can enjoy their tasting
room as well. Go to website for additional details
Power and Light District Area/Crossroads Crossroads Building Murals Take a walking tour of the Crossroads.
Bop into Thou Mayest Coffee Shop Up Down Bar Featuring 50 arcade games from the 80s and 90s, Pac Man, Yard Jenga and
Connect Four
Power and Light District College Basketball Experience The American Jazz Museum 18th and Vine Historic District in KC
Negro Leagues Baseball Museum 1616 E 18th St, Kansas City, MO 64108
Green Lady Lounge (KC Jazz) 1809 Grand Blvd
Black Dolphin Lounge (Jazz) The Blue Room (KC Jazz) Tired of Driving? Take the Streetcar from Union Station
to City Market and the Power and Light District. It’s free to ride!
River Market Area
Bryants Barbeque (best in KC) Gates Barbeque
Michael Smith’s Extra Virgin Restaurant
Christopher Elbow Chocolatier Andre’s Chocolates and Restaurant 5018 Main St.
To the East – Jackson County
To the West – Western Wyandotte County
Casinos
Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway
Lawrence, Kansas
Sports Museum at Allen Field House Natural Original Rules of Basketball are on display Spencer Museum of Art KU Campus
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