Resume

Solving Your Handwriting Related Problems as a Handwriting Analyst, Handwriting Expert, and Forgery Expert

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Eye for the Obvious
Nanette M. Barto, CQDE
13653 Fair Oaks Blvd.
Citrus Heights, CA 95610
(916) 225-3016 Office
(916) 910-9657 Fax
eyefortheobvious@yahoo.com  
www.handwritingdocumentexamination.com  

I am, Nanette M. Barto, a Certified Questioned Document Examiner that is qualified as an expert in the court of law.  Beginning my career in 2007, I have examined over 969 document examination cases involving over 3000 questioned documents which required testimony in more than 70 cases.  I trained with the International School of Forensic Document Examination and have apprenticed under a court-qualified Forensic Document Examiner.

Forensic Examination Provided For:

Disputed documents or signatures including, but not limited to: wills, checks, contracts, deeds, account ledgers, medical records, and autograph authentication.  Investigation and analysis including: questioned signatures, suspect documents, forgeries, identity theft, anonymous letters, alterations, obliterations, erasures, typewritten documents such as anonymous emails, blogs, texts, social media or printed memoranda, altered medical records, graffiti, handwritten numbers, profile authorship, and computerized or handwritten documents.

Education:

• Graphology Course with Val Weil – 2022 – Current
• American River College: Associate in Arts – Psychology, Graduation Date May 2012
• American River College: Associate in Arts – Legal Assisting, Graduation Date May 2011
• International School of Forensic Document Examination: Forensic Document Examination and Handwriting Identification Graduation Date July 2009
• Chamberlain Real Estate Licensing Course – 2005

Specific Areas of Training:

Handwriting Identification and Discrimination, Signature Comparison, Techniques for Distinguishing Forged Signatures, Disguised Handwriting, Altered Numbers, Anonymous Writing, Typewritten Communications, Author Profiling, Laboratory Procedures, Forensic Microscopy and Forensic Photography, Identifying Printing Methods, Papers and Watermarks, Factors that Affect Writing, Demonstrative Evidence Training, Demonstrative Evidence in the High-Tech World, Forgery Detection Techniques, Detection of Forged Checks, Document Image Enhancement, Graphic Basis for Handwriting Comparison, Ethics in Business and the Legal System, Mock Courtroom Trails

• 2-year on-the-job apprenticeship under court qualified document examiners with the International School of Forensic Document Examination, July 2007 – July 2009.

Apprenticeship Included:

Gathering documents, setting up case files, scanning and photographing documents, assisting with on-site examinations, interacting as client liaison with attorneys and clients, accounting and billing, peer reviews, preparing court exhibits, requesting and witnessed client hand written samples. I re-examined 60 cases consisting of 657 documents that were examined and compared during this time period.

Furthermore, I began taking active individual cases that were mentored and/or peer reviewed by a current document examiner within the school. During this timeframe as an apprentice, I completed approximately 100 cases in my own name under peer review aside from the 60 cases in the school curriculum.

Competency Testing:

• Collaborative Testing Services, Inc. – 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017
• International Association of Document Examiners – 2019, 2021, 2022

Certification Testing:

• Certified with International Association of Document Examiners - 2021

Continuing Education:

• SAFE – Scientific Association of Forensic Examiners: 2016 SAFE Annual Conference – July 29^th, 2016:
• Larry Miller - OSAC Human Factors Committee and Photography for FDEs
• Doug Carner - The Expert Witness- Ethics, Preparation, and Challenges
• John C. Edwards, Esq. - Managing High Conflict Personalities
• Dave Zweig - Examination of Ink and Photocopies using the microscope
• Joe Barabe - Application of Microscopes for FDEs
• Ann Mahony - Electronic Signatures - The future is upon us
• SAFE- Scientific Association of Forensic Examiners: 2016 SAFE Annual Conference - August 26, 2016:
• Thomas Spahn - Privilege and Confidentiality
• Josh King - Ways to become Comfortable with On-line feedback.
• Carole Chawski - Application of Science to Forensic Document Examination
• Jim Sevel- Computer Forensics Applied to Document Examiners
• Erik Laykin - e-discovery
• Tahnee Dewhurst - Expert vs. Lay Opinion
• SAFE – Scientific Association of Forensic Examiners: 2017 SAFE Annual Conference – August 4, 2017:
• Anne Smith – Innovative, Easy Software and Time-Saving Techniques for Forensic Document Examinations
• Sharon Nakich – Forensic Science Standards and OSAC – A Recent History
• George Reis – Image Authentication of Digital Photographs and Scanned Images
• Mike Wakshull – Examination of Electronic Documents for Document Examiners
• Carolyne Bird – The Modular Forensic Handwriting Method
• SAFE _ Scientific Association of Forensic Examiners: 2017 SAFE Annual Conference – August 25, 2017.
• Amy Oppenheimer, JD – Effects of Courtroom Bias
• Andrew Kaplan, JD – Techniques to help your attorney prepare the expert for testimony to establish credibility
• Doug Carner – Solving the Emelia Earhart Mystery
• Scott Greene – ESI and its application to forensic experts
• Shelia Lowe – Why Do We Need Our Own Standards
• SAFE _ Scientific Association of Forensic Examiners: 2018 SAFE Annual Conference – October 19, 2018.
• Jim Bradford and Doug Cobb – The Hidden Secrets Within Paper – The paper converting process and what identifying process markings (forensic clues) that happen during that process.
• Kristin Baldwin – Social Media for Expert Witnesses
• Sean Poinst, Esq. and Harold Justman, Esq. – How to Keep Your Expert In and Their Expert Out.
• International Association of Document Examiners (IADE): 2019 Forensic Conference Jamaica September 12, 2019:
• Robert Farr – Points of Truth
• Brigadier General Becky Halstead – Steadfast Leadership
• Patricia Siegel – The Psychological Influence on Handwriting
• Bob Baier – Close a Case a learning Experience
• Katherine Koppenhaver – Handling Questions in Cross Examination when challenged for not belonging to specific organizations
• Kathy Carlson – Poster Session – hands on examinations
• IADE: 2019 Forensic Conference Jamaica September, 13, 2019:
• Warren Williams – Experts and Oversight Bodies Nexus
• David Witzke – A Digital Overlook at Questioned Documents
• Sharon Hampton – Defining and Finding False Knowns within a Document Examination
• Beth Chrisman – Cognitive Bias and Document Examiners
• Panel Discussion – Beth, Cathy and Kathie
• IADE: 2019 Forensic Conference Jamaica September 14, 2019:
• Diana Mears – Simplified and Complex Signatures
• Justice David Batts – The Forensic Scientific and Judicial Expectation
• Caroline P. Hay QC Attorney at Law – The Handwriting Expert – the Prosecutor’s Perspective
• Neco Pagon and Kalisia Miller – Moot Court
• American Society of Industrial Security International: Sacramento, CA Chapter
• Hickey- Psycho-Behavioral Analysis of Mentally ill and Mentally Disordered Offenders in Cases of Workplace Mass Violence. January 2017
• FBI – Financial Fraud and Organized Crime. June 2018
• Sacramento Sheriff’s Department – Identity Theft. November 2018
• Better Business Bureau: Sacramento, CA
• Scott Alvord, MBA-MCA, BSCS – Locking the Cookie Jar, Data Breach and Identity Protection. December 2018
• Katherine Koppenhaver – Online weekly classes in basic forensic document examination techniques and training – 2019 to present
• IADE: Online quarterly classes, online monthly classes – 2019 to present
• S. Department of Homeland Security, Office of Intelligence and Analysis – Virtual Corporate Security Engagement Series August 31, 2020
• IADE: Online International Conference September 21, 22, and 23, 2020:
• Beverly East, MGA, CDE, CAM, DPGA, - Rebuttal to Rhetoric
• Janae Long – Federal Rules of Civil Procedure-Rule 26: How it Affects Our Reports
• Roxanne Brand – Disguised Writing – A Case Study
• Heidi Harralson – Elderly Handwriting & Motor Disorders
• Spiwe L. Jefferson, Esq. – 5 Things Experts Should Know
• Sharon Rose Hampton, CQDE – Looking Past the Obvious – A Case Study
• Bryan Sydnor – InfraRed & Ultraviolet Lighting & Mi-Scope
• Doug Kiesewetter – A Successful Organization and Business
• Penn Law – Criminal Justice Reform and Forensics: The Importance of Evidence October 1, 2020: Virtual Event
• Juan Rodriguez and C.K. Hull & Associates – Basic Forensic Photography Course May 21, 2021
• IADE: Online International Conference September 13, 14, and 15, 2021:
• Kathie Koppenhaver – Principles of Handwriting Identification
• Beverly East MGA, CAM, CFDE – Illegible Signatures and the Relevance of Movement
• Darrin Hayes, PhD – A Guide to Authenticating Digital Documents
• Sharon R. Hampton – Identifying False Knowns Hidden in Plain Sight
• Doug Carner – Authenticating Signatures in PDF Documents
• Max M. Houck – Forensic Mindset
• Erich Speckin – Beyond Handwriting: What Can We Agree Upon, Electrostatic Detection Apparatus and Ink Testing
• Beth Chrisman, CQDE: Report Writing
• Brenda Anderson: Instructional Graphics for Document Examiners
• Brett Goldstein: Ink Testing with Infrared and Flourescent Photography
• Bruce D. Burk: How to Qualify an Expert Witness
• Ron Smith’s and Associates, Inc.: Essential Ridgeology Concepts – Friction Ridge Identification of Latent Fingerprints October 18-22, 2021
• IADE: Online International Conference October 10, 11, and 12, 2022:
• Sharon R. Hampton: Opinions about Document Examiner Sealed
• Eileen Page: Case Study
• Tomlinson Rauscher: Digital Signatures
• Teresa Brooks: Demonstrative Evidence using Word Doc
• Kathie Koppenhaver: How Many Exemplars Are Enough
• Jonathan W. Hak, Q.C.: Expert Witness Do’s and Don’t
• Brianne Breedlove – Fingerprint Specialist: ASB and OSAC Guidelines; Fingerprint Lifts from Documents
• Nanette M. Barto, CQDE: Ridgeology Fundamentals and Case Study

Published Works:

• Longitudinal Research Study – Kim Galey Hosley – 24 years of an individual’s handwriting and the changes that occur through maturity.
• Longitudinal Research Study – Patricia Prewitt Moore – 27 years of an individual’s handwriting and the changes that occur through maturity.
• Authentication – Examination and Identification of a letter written by William R. Davie from 1787. Discusses the case that sets the Judicial Review Precedence.
• Fraud & Forgery – Presentation given 5-1-19 to BBB accredited members.
• Alzheimer’s a.k.a. Dementia & Handwriting – Presentation given 5-16-19 to IADE society for forensic document examiners.
• Ridgeology – Fundamental of Fingerprint Identification and Individuality – Presentation given to IADE society for forensic professionals, annual conference 10-12-2022.
• Handwriting and Capacity: Fraud Deterrence – Presentation given to C.K. Hull & Associates, Forensic Training Provider for Law Enforcement 6-15-2023.

Further Qualifications:

I am currently a Mobile Notary Public and Signing Agent that closes home loans from 2004-Present, and I have been witnessing signatures since 2004. This has provided me with a reference base for how a person signs in all conditions including but not limited to: Illness and Disease; Blindness; Signature by Mark; hospital room signings of Wills, Testaments, Advanced Healthcare Directives, and Power of Attorney documents; and, Death Bed signatures. I was licensed from 2005 – 2009 in Real Estate procuring mortgages giving me firsthand knowledge of deeds, contracts, and loan documents as well as fingerprinting and fingerprint identification of notary journal entries.

Laboratory Equipment:

Ms. Barto’s laboratory is equipped to handle forensic handwriting analysis. Her laboratory consists of equipment used for examination, such as:  Handheld digital microscopes with ranges of 4X – 10X, 3.7X – 54X, 60X – 250X, Miscope Megapixel 2/ 5X – 124X with extended view and colored light filter wheel; HP x576dw high resolution flatbed scanner/copier/fax; light table; numerous magnifying apparatuses; Nikon COOLPIX 35mm digital camera; protractor and metric measuring devices; uv, black, and infrared lights; and supporting computer programs; and, Electrostatic Detection Apparatus for indentions in paper from handwriting.

Library:

Library consists of numerous forensic document examination titles, other handwriting reference materials, legal assisting publications, psychology publications that assist in assessing neurological diseases or illnesses, and behavior profiling.

Guest Speaker:

• 2022 – AAHA – Authentication and Case Study – Quarterly Continuing Education
• 2022 – IADE – Ridgeology Fundamentals and Case Study – Annual Forensic Conference
• 2021 – C. K. Hull & Associates, LLC – Northern California Forensic Study Group – Forgery, Fraud and Anonymous Communications Techniques
• 2020 – C. K. Hull & Associates, LLC – Handwriting Identification
• 2019 – Better Business Bureau (BBB) – Forgery & Fraud
• 2019 – International Association of Document Examiners (IADE) – Alzheimer’s a.k.a. Dementia & Handwriting
• 2018 – Rotary Club of Laguna Sunrise – Forgery Methods
• 2017 – Scientific Association of Forensic Examiners (SAFE) – Manipulated Handwriting and the Client that Doesn’t Want You to Figure it Out.
• 2011 – ITT Tech – Criminal Justice program – Forensics Class
• 2013 – 2014 Girls Scouts – Crime Scene Investigation Badge – Promoting interest in young girls in the trades of forensic sciences.
• 2011 and 2014 – ASIS International – Security Professionals Organization – Keep professionals in the field of security and safety up-to-date on latest techniques through informative speakers in specific areas of awareness.

Associations:

• 2022 – American Association of Handwriting Analysts
• 2021 – Co-Chair Membership Committee IADE
• 2019 to Present – Member of International Association of Document Examiners (IADE)
• 2017 – ASIS International – American Society of Industrial Security – Security and Protection
• 2016-2018 – Scientific Association of Forensic Examiners – SAFE
• 2014 – Better Business Bureau – Accredited by BBB Standards
• 2012-present – The Bar Association of San Francisco, Northern California, Register of Experts and Consultants – Directory Listing 

Listed as an Expert Witness for: Sacramento County – Placer County – Fresno County – Plumas County, California, Public Defenders Office. Referred by: Public Defender, David Bonilla, Franz Criego, and Trisha Pal.

Depositions:

9-26-14 – Crabtree Schmidt, Modesto, CA – Re: The Estate of Lonnie Ashlock

9-24-15 – Botz Cody Law, Santa Rosa, CA – Re: The Estate of Jaqueline Pieri

12-16-16 – Law Office of David W. Tate, Sacramento, CA – Re: Jack Rissetto v. Rebekah Carlson = Estate of Horace H. Elder, Jr. and Lena A. Elder Revocable Trust

2-7-18 – Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith LLP, San Francisco, CA – Re: Amiri v. Groff

6-12-18 – Law Office of Jon Lieberg, Temecula, CA – Re: Carlson v. Utley

11-28-18 – Office of Eye for the Obvious, Citrus Heights, CA – Re: Beeler v. ATS Construction etal; - Video Deposition for Kentucky Court Case – Settled the following day.

2-7-19 – Office of Dutra and Oates, Gold Rush, CA – Re: Givens v. Banner Bank

4-4-19 – Aiken and Welch Court Reporters, Oakland, CA – Emmerson v. Zion

10-16-19 – Belden Blaine Raytis, LLP, Bakersfield, CA – Powell v. Sturgeon

1-17-20 – Carol Nygard & Associates, Inc., Sacramento, CA – Bhatti v. Gill

7-2-21 – Downey Brand Attorneys, LLP., Sacramento, CA – Qayyum v. Arshad

12-6-23 – Law Office of Katherine R. Moore., Citrus Heights, CA – Li v. Lu, et. al.

1-11-24 – Goodwin Brown Gross & Lovelace LLP, Citrus Heights, CA – The Estate of Feaster

5-14-24 – Brereton, Mohammed, & Terrazas LLP, Citrus Heights, CA – The Estate of Leo A. Amadei

7-8-24 – Low McKinley & Salenko, LLP, Sacramento, CA - Miller v. NCFMC, Dolmo

10-23-24 – Michael S. Warda, Turlock, CA – Estate of James Paioni

Court Testimony:

Scientific Association for Forensic Examiners Standards as published by NiST

Guide for Expressing and Reporting Opinions for Handwriting Examination

Terminology:

Recommended Terminology – Document Examiners are encouraged to use the following terms when writing an opinion.

Identification (the strongest opinion of identity) – In this case, based on the evidence at hand, identification is made within a reasonable degree of professional certainty. Other than natural variation, which is expected, no unexplainable characteristics are observed. The known writing compares favorably to the questioned writing. The writing contains substantial similarities, no significant dissimilarities, and there are no limitations associated with quantity or quality of writing or documentation.

Strong Probability Did Write – There are substantial significant similarities in the range of writing and no significant dissimilarities. However, there may be limitations imposed, such as insufficient comparison characters and/or insufficient quantity of exemplars.

Probably Did Write – There are few significant similarities in the range of writing and no significant dissimilarities. There are limitations associated with the examination that preclude a stronger opinion. These limitations may include a lack of appropriate comparison material.

Inconclusive – The range of writing may contain similarities and/or dissimilarities, but they are insufficient to make a determination of authenticity. Additionally, limitations may be placed on the examination due to quality and/or quantity of comparison materials, or other constraints.

Probably Did Not Write – There are significant dissimilarities in the range of writing and no significant similarities. However, there may be limitations imposed, such as insufficient comparison characters and/or insufficient quantity of writing exemplars.

Strong Probability Did Not Write – There are substantial significant dissimilarities in the range of writing and no significant similarities. However, there may be limitations imposed, such as insufficient comparison characters and/or insufficient quantity of writing exemplars.

Eliminations (the strongest opinion of rejection) – Based on the evidence at hand, the examiner is absolutely certain that the writer of the known writing is not the writer of the questioned writing. The writing contains substantial dissimilarities, no significant similarities, and there are no limitations associated with quantity or quality of writing.

In Daubert, the U.S. Supreme Court made it clear that, “it would be unreasonable to conclude that the subject of scientific testimony must be known to a certainty; arguably there are no certainties in science. Science represents a process for proposing and refining theoretical explanations about the world that are subject to further testing and refinement. It is sufficient if the testimony can be supported by appropriate validation, I. EE., Good grounds based on what is known.”

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