Helpful Information
Authenticate Medical Records
In order to authenticate medical records, a forensic examiner has to determine if notations have been added to an existing chart, if new pages recently have been added to the file or if the entire chart has been backdated or rewritten.
A number of analyses are conducted to determine the extent and nature of any alteration or additions, including:
- Intersection analysis of overlapping writing
- Examination of incidental markings
- Inter-comparison of signatures, initials or handwriting
- Inspection of all dates
- Inter-comparison of the paper stock or pre-printed forms
- Analysis of legibility and the care taken to write the notes
- Analysis of spacing and formatting characteristics, as well as layout of text
- Indentation and sequencing analysis of words, lines or entire pages
Additional Links
American Board of Forensic Document Examiners
http://www.abfde.org
American Society of Questioned Document Examiners
http://www.asqde.org
American Academy of Forensic Sciences
http://www.aafs.org
http://www.asqde.org
