Lynne Variano and Associates

SPECIALTIES

Comparison of signatures 

 (handwriting, hand printing, type writing 

and anonymous writing)

Detection of Alterations  

Non-destructive  Laboratory Testing

                               Litigation Support                                                                 

Forensic Document Expert, Lynne Variano, is certified by, and a Diplomate of the Board of Forensic Document Examiners (BFDE), an FSAB accredited board.  The BFDE was the first  certifying board for forensic document examiners to qualify for the FSAB accreditation in 2006.  Re-evaluation for reaccreditation is required every five years. The BFDE was reaccredited in 2011.

Board certifications are not all equal.  It is important to inquire into the credential to determine whether the expert is certified by a board that is accredited by the Forensic Specialties Accreditation Board (FSAB).  FSAB was developed through a grant from the National Institute of Justice and the American Academy of Forensic Sciences specifically to establish criteria for forensic certification programs to meet and uphold.   Boards that are able to meet the stringent criteria earn accreditation by FSAB.  See www.fsab.org    

Further, Lynne has…

1. 30 years experience

2. Received 2-years training from two trained and court qualified mentors;  She also attended a one-semester course in questioned documents offered at Grossmont College, San Diego

3. Attended over 1,500 hours  continuing education training and participated  in the programs and workshops

4. Published technical papers and research studies in professional journals and consumer awareness articles that were published in national and local media  

5. A frequent presenter at AFDE continuing education symposiums

6. Document examination proficiency testing completed annually through collaborative testing services INC, (CTS Sterling,Virginia. She also participates in proficiency testing exercises when provided by AFDE

7. Completed courses in identifying printing processes at Rochester Institute of Technology;  and fundamentals of microscopy for forensic document examiners at McCrone Research Institute, Chicago

8. When applicable, Lynne follows the recommended standards of the American Society of Testing and Materials  (ASTM) for examinations of documents and when expressing opinions resulting from handwriting examinations (www.astm.org/standards/E1658.htm)

9. She is a member and current treasurer of the Association of Forensic Document Examiners (AFDE); and former member and president of Independent Association of Document Examiners (IAQDE)