Elisabeth Briggs

With over 20 years of experience as a Forensic Document Examiner and Handwriting Expert, I began my career at the Grampian Police Forensic Science Laboratory in Aberdeen. I subsequently moved to Document Evidence Ltd in Birmingham (acquired by Key Forensic Services Ltd in 2008). My career development involved close collaboration with a generation of senior experts who helped to define the field of document examination in the UK. Though the majority of these practitioners are no longer in active practice, the depth of experience, foundational methodologies and high standards they established remain central to my independent consultancy, which I founded in 2019.

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I have conducted forensic examinations in over 1,000 cases involving criminal, civil, arbitration and private matters. My clients include law firms, barristers, corporations, government agencies and private individuals. I frequently act as a Single Joint Expert (SJE) and am well-versed in participating in expert discussions to produce Joint Statements. I have also provided reports for International Arbitration and magisterial inquiries in Malta.

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I am experienced in providing expert evidence both in person and via remote link. I have appeared before numerous judicial bodies, including:

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• UK Courts:

  • Criminal, Civil and County courts, including the Royal Courts of Justice.

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• International Courts:

  • The Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague

  • DIFC Courts (Dubai)

  • Coroner’s Court in the Cayman Islands

  • Law Courts in Valletta.

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I have provided specialist training in the use and interpretation of Electrostatic Detection Apparatus (ESDA), a vital tool for detecting indented writing on paper. This includes delivering a bespoke training program in Madrid for the Guardia Civil (the Spanish National Police). Throughout my career, I have also served as a mentor and trainer to newly recruited document examiners during their postgraduate training.

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Published works:

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Barratt EM, Smith Y: Examination of an altered bar code on a vehicle tax disc. Science & Justice 2005 45(3): p135-9

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