Implementation of quality assurance system to enhance reliability in Chinese handwriting examination

In regard to the tightened standard on the acceptance of forensic evidence at courts, in particular the evidence-based opinion, the forensic community worldwide is striving to improve test reliability through the implementation of quality assurance system. Handwriting examination including Chinese handwriting is a typical traditional forensic discipline that has often been subjected to judicial challenges in courts. In this paper, we present the work practice and the quality control procedure for Chinese handwriting examination in accordance with ISO/IEC 17025, an international standard on general requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories. The examination work constitutes various phases of identification of the characteristic writing features, comparison and evaluation of the significant similarities and differences, interpretation of findings and formation of opinions. With the support of a fit-for-the-purpose quality system complying with the ISO standard, document examiners in this laboratory are obliged to address the criteria as stated in the pre-set quality assurance plan and undertake scrupulous efforts in delivering the scientific work at all stages throughout their examinations. By doing so, personal bias and other subjective factors that cause detrimental influence to the formation of expert opinions would be kept to a minimum.