Questioned Document Examiner/Supervisor Series

California State Personnel Board Specification

Series established March 14, 1979

Scope

This series specification describes three classes used within the Division of Law Enforcement of the Department of Justice to conduct examinations of questioned documents; to make identifications of documents; to assist local law enforcement in dealing with questioned documents evidence; to testify in court as a questioned document expert; to coordinate and supervise these activities; and to do other related work.

Definition of Series

Questioned Document Examiners have knowledge of the technical phases of examining handwriting, typewriting, and other types of questioned documents within law enforcement agencies. Questioned Document Examiners I and II perform a variety of duties involving the analysis, evaluation, comparison, examination, and identification of handwriting and mechanical impressions, and appear in court to testify as an expert witness to explain and illustrate the methods used in the examination and identification of questioned document cases. Incumbents also prepare photographs, charts, and other material for demonstration of evidence in court when necessary; consult with prosecutors on various methods of presenting evidence; and prepare reports. The Questioned Document Supervisor is an expert in questioned document examination. The incumbent assigns, directs, and supervises a group of Questioned Document Examiners I and II.

Factors Affecting Position Allocation

Allocations to classes in this series are limited to the Questioned Documents Section of the Division of Law Enforcement of the Department of Justice. Allocation factors include the complexity, scope, and difficulty of questioned document work; the independence of action; the degree of supervision exercised or received; and consequence of error.

Definition of Levels

Questioned Document Examiner I

This is the entry and first working level in the series. Incumbents perform the routine, less difficult analyses, evaluations, comparisons, examinations, and identifications of handwriting and mechanical impressions; appear in court to testify as an expert witness on the less difficult cases to explain and illustrate the methods used in the examination and identification of questioned document cases.

Questioned Document Examiner II

This is the full journey level in the series. Incumbents perform the more difficult analyses, evaluations, comparisons, examinations, and identifications of handwriting, mechanical impressions, and other document-related problems; appear in court to testify as an expert witness to explain and illustrate the methods used in the examination and identification of questioned document cases.

Questioned Document Supervisor

This is the working supervisory level in the series. The incumbent assigns, directs, and supervises the work of a group of Questioned Document Examiners I and II involved in analyses, evaluations, comparisons, examinations, and identifications of handwriting and mechanical impressions, and the preparation and presentation of materials for demonstration of evidence in court. Typical duties include directing all statewide activities of the Questioned Documents Section of the Division of Law Enforcement of the Department of Justice; representing the Department of Justice to local law enforcement agencies as an expert in the field of questioned document examination; consulting with prosecutors on various methods of presenting evidence; and performing the most difficult examinations of sensitive questioned documents often requiring court testimony.

Minimum Qualifications

Questioned Document Examiner I

Either I

Education: Equivalent to completion of three years of college (90 semester units), with a declared major in criminal justice, criminalistics, computer science, or one of the physical or biological sciences.

Or II

Experience: Two years of experience in law enforcement or investigation work, including or supplemented by the equivalent of at least one year of technical work involving the examination of questioned documents, the preparation of documentary exhibits, and expert witness testimony in various courts on matters relative to documentary evidence.

Questioned Document Examiner II

Either I

Two years of experience in the California state service performing the duties of a Questioned Document Examiner I, Range B.

Or II

Experience: Four years of experience in law enforcement or investigation work, including or supplemented by the equivalent of at least two years of technical work involving the examination of questioned documents, the preparation of documentary exhibits, and expert witness testimony in various courts on matters relative to documentary evidence. (Experience in the California state service applied toward this requirement must include at least two years performing the duties of a class with substantially the same level of responsibility as a Questioned Document Examiner I, Range B.) and

Education: Equivalent to graduation from college with a Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice, Criminalistics, Computer Science, or one of the physical or biological sciences, with a minimum of nine semester units in criminal justice. (Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for four years of the required education on a year-for-year basis.)

Questioned Document Supervisor

Either I

One year of experience in the California state service performing the duties of a Questioned Document Examiner II.

Or II

Experience: Five years of experience in law enforcement or investigation work, including or supplemented by the equivalent of a least two years of technical work in the examination of questioned documents, the preparation of documentary exhibits, and expert witness testimony in various courts on matters relative to documentary evidence. (Experience in the California state service applied toward this requirement must include at least one year performing the duties of a class with substantially the same level of responsibility as a Questioned Document Examiner II.) and

Education: Equivalent to graduation from college with a Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice, Criminalistics, Computer Science, or one of the physical or biological sciences, with a minimum of nine semester units in criminal justice. (Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for four years of the required education on a year-for-year basis.)

Knowledge and Abilities

Questioned Document Examiner I

Knowledge of: Questioned document examination; styles of handwriting commonly employed and the principal physiological, psychological, and mechanical characteristics of handwriting; rules of evidence applicable to handwriting identification; basic criminal laboratory techniques.

Ability to: Communicate effectively at a level required for successful job performance; detect, recognize, and identify common error, inconsistent speed, departures of normal handwriting, and awkward peculiarities of letter formations in individual writings and mechanical impressions; use microscopic and photographic instruments and equipment; construct the more routine court exhibits and demonstration charts; express facts and prepare written and oral reports; develop and maintain friendly and cooperative relations with law enforcement officers and others; think clearly and logically; analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action.

Questioned Document Examiner II

Knowledge of: All of the above, and principles and techniques of examining and evaluating writing characteristics of ordinary writing instruments; rules of evidence applicable to cases involving handwriting identification.

Ability to: All of the above, and construct court exhibits and demonstration charts; analyze, evaluate, and index information contained in reports of crimes, and correlate bits of information received from other sources.

Questioned Document Supervisor

Knowledge of: All of the above, and the principles of supervision and personnel management; a manager's/supervisor's responsibility for promoting equal opportunity in hiring and employee development and promotion, and for maintaining a work environment that is free of discrimination and harassment.

Ability to: All of the above, and assign, direct, and supervise the work of a group of subordinates; effectively promote equal opportunity in employment and maintain a work environment that is free of discrimination and harassment.

Special Personal Characteristic

All Levels:

Keenness of observation.

Class History