SOUTH AFRICA POLICE SERVICE HOSTS 4th FORENSIC SERVICE CONFERENCE
21/03/2017
The 4th FORENSIC SERVICE CONFERENCE: BACK TO BASICS organzied by the South Africa Police Service was completed with success.
During the conference, mr. Nikolaos Kalantzis, senior examiner and manager of our laboratory, was an invited speaker and delivered three presentations and a workshops. The titles & abstracts are as follows:
Title: Assisted vs Guided Handwriting (30’)
Abstract: A problematic type of handwriting that can appear in QDE casework is assisted and/or guided handwriting. Such handwriting diverges from normal handwriting as it includes by default the presence of a second person in the process of writing. The type and extent of said interference is what separates each genre from a Document Examiners approach, but this distinction is crucial from a law point of view, when motive and will are discussed. In this presentation, the currently available literature will be discussed, a new study with unexpected results will be introduced and a case study will be presented.
Title: EVERYDAY CASEWORK PROBLEMS (60’)
Abstract: Even though within the boundaries of Forensic Handwriting & Document examination, everyday casework can challenge the way of application of our methodology but also the perception of the trained practitioner. In this lecture several real cases are discussed, commenting on difficult features or situations that could evade the examiner’s attention.
Title: CORRELATION OF ENVELOPE & LETTERS VIA ESDA EXAMINATION (60’)
Abstract: In routine casework, it is very common to examine both an envelope and its contents. In cases of secret last wills and anonymous letters (poison letters or ransom letters) useful information can be located on the envelop itself and not on the letter included inside, and therefore the link between the letters and the envelopes needs to be established. This studies focuses on possible traces and indentations from the envelope to the contents and vice versa, produced by the pressure of the mailing procedure, and traced by examination with Electrostatic Detection Devices.
WORKSHOP – Title: PHOTOCOPIES: WE CAN WORK WITH THEM, AROUND THEM BUT ALSO BE CAUTIOUS OF THEM (120’)
Abstract: This workshop focuses on common mistakes made by trained examiners when examining photocopies. Some cases will be handed to participants to work on. Slides shows will be shown within the lecture & interaction will be sought after. Through this workshop participants will be exposed to misleading cases and will discuss methods to full proof their results against them, will handle cases that can lead to conclusive results even without original documents, and will discuss the importance of conclusion stipulation in reports when handling cases without originals.
During the conferecence several important presentations were given from old friends and collegues like the ENFHEX chairman and secretary Jonathan Morris, Dr. Reinoud Stoel from NFI and Marco van der Hammen Colonel of the South Africa Police Service. THe audience was amazing and involved throught the conference, offering vital feedback with the presenters.
The official statement of the conference can be found here:
http://www.gov.za/speeches/saps-hosts-4th-forensic-service-conference-1-mar-2017-0000
