AFDE Symposium 2026
AFDE/NADE Symposium
Handwriting and Document Forensics: From Digits to Digital
Friday, October 2 (8:00am) – Sunday October 4, (5:30 pm) 2026 in Bloomington, MN
AFDE and NADE are meeting together again for a joint Symposium/Conference. The 2026 Symposium theme will be “Handwriting: From Digits to Digital.” Program details will be posted as available. The 2026 highlight will be a half day hands-on workshop lead by Carina Fernandez, FDE from Portugal, who will present a new methodology developed in Europe covering the Examination of Digitally Captured Signatures.
The Conference Chairman and a contact for submission of presentation and poster session abstracts for consideration is Robin Williams (rwilliams@armarisk.com). Please also copy our webmaster (ewill@Qdewill.com).
We hope you will join us for a great educational and interactive experience!
Embassy Suites Hotel – Bloomington, MN
7901 34th Ave South Bloomington, MN 55425 Ph: 952-854-1000
Just moments from the Mall of America and Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport, Embassy Suites by Hilton Bloomington Minneapolis offers spacious two-room suites and exceptional amenities for every traveler. Guests enjoy a free made-to-order breakfast, evening reception, and access to our modern fitness center and indoor pool. The hotel’s convenient location provides easy access to area favorites like Great Wolf Lodge, Nickelodeon Universe, the Minnesota Zoo, Fort Snelling, and downtown St. Paul.
Room rates are $162.00 plus taxes per night (single or double), and include a free parking and internet. Book online before 9/10/26 for the group rate. Free shuttle to and from the airport! The room rates apply three days before and three days after the symposium based on availabilty and when booked before 9/10/26 . The booking link is on the Registration Form.
PROGRAM – 2026 AFDE/NADE Symposium – 8:30 am Friday, October 2 – 5:30 pm Sunday, October 4
Workshop on the Examination of Digitally Captured Signatures
Thomas Dziedzic, PhD and Carina Fernandes, PhD
Abstract: The use of digitally captured signatures (DCSs) has become commonplace, as they provide a more convenient, faster, and cost-effective alternative to conventional pen and paper signatures in modern times. The rise in popularity of digitally captured signatures has a direct impact on the casework of Forensic Document Examiners (FDEs) and emphasizes the need for additional tools and training on this subject. The aim of this workshop is to provide FDEs with key concepts regarding DCSs, and the additional features that may be analyzed compared to conventional pen and pen signatures. In addition, participants will receive hands-on training in the use of specialized analysis software for the examination of DCSs and its basic functionalities, including the use of different types of visualization graphs, and statistical data processing. Furthermore, they will have the opportunity to conduct practical exercises using this software. For this purpose, participants will be required to bring their own computers and install the analysis software in advance, using the links that will be provided
From Briefs to Pen Strokes: Generative AI’s Transformation of Litigation and Forensic Document Examination
Damien Riehl, Lawyer · Technologist · Musician
Abstract: GPT-4 passed the bar exam and beat 90% of human test-takers; today’s frontier models score 99%. And multimodal models (e.g., Gemini, GPT) now ingest handwriting samples and compare questioned signatures against exemplars. This presentation, led by litigator, coder, and AI builder Damien Riehl, splits across two fronts. First, litigation: how Generative AI is rewriting pleading drafting, evidence synthesis, and judicial workflows — with live demonstrations and an honest accounting of hallucination, bias, and confidentiality risks. Second, forensic document examination: how Gemini and peer models can analyze signature exemplars, augmenting examiners’ eyes across handwriting attribution, ink analysis, and document authentication — and a path toward AI-assisted examination. You won’t want to miss this fast-paced and information-filled discussion of where the law is going.
Meeting the ASB standard for taking contemporaneous notes
M. Patricia Fisher, D-BFDE
Abstract: Document examiners need to know if they are taking contemporaneous notes as required by the ANSI/ASB Standard 070, First Edition 2022, “Standard for Examination of Handwritten Items.” This presentation will present an effective and time-saving way of taking these notes. The template that will be presented will cover all the “shalls” in the handwritten standard. Standards that include the word “shall” are requirements. Attendees will be presented with a template to use and a template that they can modify as needed. The presentation will be an outgrowth of a presentation by Mark Goff during the document examination session of this years’ American Academy of Forensic Sciences meeting in New Orleans. Mark Goff is a ABFDE certified board document examiner and document examiner at the Michigan State Police Department. He has given the presenter permission to use his format that the presenter has modified for her case work.-
ANSI/ASB Standards and Their Effect on the Forensic Document Examiner
Kurt Kuhn, Forensic Document Examiner
Abstract: Since the integration of the forensic document examination to oversight by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, a significant number of standards have been proposed and approved/published by ANSI/ASB. Are you aware of them and how they may effect you on a daily basis? The majority of forensic document examination casework is covered under Standard 070 – The Standard for the Examination of Handwritten Items. This standard will be discussed and the opportunity will be made available for discussion. If properly utilized, this standard may allow you use it to your advantage in the deposition or courtroom setting.
Testing the Test Questions
Abstract: Test questioned for accredited certification testing must be pilot tested. New test
questions are tried out on a small, but representative group of individuals and the results are
analyzed to check that the questions are valid (measure what they should measure), reliable
(consistent), fair (unbiased) and neither too difficult or too easy. The BFDE (Board of Forensic Document
Examiners) will be pilot testing new questions. This is an opportunity for the attendees to test their own knowledge,
and also to offer feedback on the proposed questions. The test will be conducted anonymously. Overall
results will be available via an identification code, although specific answers to each question will not be
provided due to the security requirements of certification testing.
Becoming a More Effective Rebuttal Witness, Part 5: Navigating the Conflict
Jacqueline A. Joseph, D-BFDE
Abstract: Being a rebuttal witness is one component of expert witnessing. Becoming a more effective rebuttal witness is a career skill that is developed through experience, training and knowledge.
In the judicial system, a rebuttal is a collaborative effort between the expert and the retaining attorney to challenge and test the reliability of the opinion and/or testimony of the opposing expert. Being a more effective rebuttal witness involves providing a compass for use in navigating the conflict to expose errors and omissions. The aim is to dismantle the conflict in a way that serves the fact finder, the truth and justice for all.
This presentation introduces “shadowboxing” which is a technique to stress-test an opposing examiner’s report in advance of testimony. Additionally, using the story of a recent arbitration case, this presentation will also share practical strategies for communicating effectively in arbitration proceedings, including how it differs from courtroom testimony and how these differences influence rebuttal preparation and presentation.
Cognitive and Motor Disorder Impairment in Handwriting
Dr. Heidi H. Harralson, CDE, Dipl.
Abstract: Health-related conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, essential tremor, and others disturb the human motor control system. These motor system impairments affect the fine line quality features in handwriting. These disturbances can cause multiple effects including slow movement as a byproduct of bradykinesia, rigidity and micrographia often associated with Parkinson’s disease, and varying degrees of tremor especially pronounced in essential tremor. Some health conditions associated with cognitive impairment, such as Alzheimer’s disease, influence other handwriting parameters such as spatial orientation, coordination, pen control, alignment, uniformity, spelling, and other factors. Cognitive impairment as manifested in handwriting has a unique set of graphic features that may distinguish it from other motor-related disturbances. Both cognitive and motor-related impairments can co-exist and can be influenced by medications which also affects handwriting traces. This presentation reviews research on cognitive impairment as it is related to handwriting focusing on forensic handwriting and signature identification and use of a rating scale for assessment of cognitive impairment. Relevant case studies are presented to illustrate practical application including health-related impairment and electronic signatures.