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J. Brandi

Director & Lead Examiner — Signature & Handwriting Forensics Pty Ltd
Forensic Document Examiner | Independent AFP Consultant | Expert Witness

24+ years of forensic practice
Current role
Director & Lead Examiner, Signature Forensic
Legal entity
Signature & Handwriting Forensics Pty Ltd
Location
5 Victoria Parade, Manly NSW 2095, Australia
Professional memberships
ASFDE (official member) · ANZFSS · AFP Consultant Panel
Contact
enquire@signatureforensic.com.au
ABN
22 057 746 406 — Active on ABN Lookup

Professional summary

J. Brandi is a forensic document examiner with over 24 years of continuous practice in questioned document examination, handwriting and signature analysis, and forensic reporting. She serves as an independent consultant to the Australian Federal Police and is regularly accepted as an expert witness in Australian courts including the Supreme Court of NSW, the District Court, the Local Court, and the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia.

As Director of Signature & Handwriting Forensics Pty Ltd (trading as Signature Forensic), she leads a specialised forensic practice based in Manly, Sydney, providing court-admissible document examination services to legal practitioners, law enforcement, government agencies, and corporate clients nationally.

Areas of expertise

  • ✓ Forensic document examination
  • ✓ Handwriting identification & comparison
  • ✓ Signature authentication & forgery detection
  • ✓ Disguised writing analysis
  • ✓ Ink and substrate analysis
  • ✓ Document alterations & erasure detection
  • ✓ Indentation recovery (ESDA)
  • ✓ Typewriting & printer analysis
  • ✓ Age estimation of ink and documents
  • ✓ Expert witness testimony & court reporting

Professional experience

Director & Lead Examiner 2018 – Present
Signature & Handwriting Forensics Pty Ltd (trading as Signature Forensic) — Manly NSW
  • Direct and manage a specialist forensic document examination practice serving legal, law enforcement, and corporate clients nationally
  • Conduct independent forensic examinations of questioned documents including handwriting, signatures, ink, paper, and electronic documents
  • Prepare detailed court-admissible expert reports in compliance with the Uniform Civil Procedure Rules and Evidence Act 1995 (NSW)
  • Provide expert witness testimony in criminal and civil proceedings across multiple Australian jurisdictions
  • Serve as an independent consultant to the Australian Federal Police on complex forensic document matters
Senior Forensic Document Examiner 2008 – 2018
Forensic Document Services Pty Ltd — Sydney NSW
  • Led forensic document examination caseload including signature disputes, will contests, fraud investigations, and documentary evidence analysis
  • Developed and maintained laboratory protocols for ink analysis, substrate examination, and indentation recovery
  • Trained and mentored junior examiners in forensic methodology, report writing, and court preparation
  • Expanded client base to include government agencies, major law firms, and corporate legal departments
Forensic Document Examiner 2002 – 2008
Independent practice — Sydney NSW
  • Established independent forensic document examination practice providing expert services to law firms and government agencies
  • Built specialist expertise in handwriting comparison, signature authentication, and forensic document analysis
  • Developed rigorous case management and evidence handling protocols that remain the foundation of current practice
  • First accepted as an expert witness in the Local Court of New South Wales in 2004
Associate Examiner (Training) 2000 – 2002
Forensic Science Training Program — Sydney NSW
  • Completed structured training program in forensic document examination under senior examiners
  • Developed foundational skills in questioned document analysis, microscopy, ink comparison, and forensic photography
  • Participated in inter-laboratory proficiency testing programs
  • Studied forensic methodology, evidence law, and expert witness procedure

Training & qualifications

Forensic Document Examination — Structured Training Program 2000 – 2002
Comprehensive structured training in forensic document examination under qualified senior examiners, covering: handwriting identification principles, signature examination methodology, ink and paper analysis, indentation recovery, typewriting and printer identification, forensic photography and imaging, evidence handling and chain of custody, report writing, and expert witness procedure.
Continuing Professional Development 2002 – Present
  • Ongoing CPD through ASFDE conferences and symposia
  • Regular participation in inter-laboratory proficiency testing programs
  • Advanced training in digital forensic imaging and electronic document analysis
  • Annual updates in evidence law, expert witness obligations, and court procedure
  • Training in trauma-informed practice for vulnerable witnesses (2020)

Court acceptance & expert witness history

J. Brandi has been qualified and accepted as an expert in forensic document examination in the following jurisdictions:

NSW Courts

  • ✓ Supreme Court of New South Wales
  • ✓ District Court of New South Wales
  • ✓ Local Court of New South Wales
  • ✓ Land & Environment Court of NSW

Federal Courts

  • ✓ Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia
  • ✓ Federal Court of Australia

Law Enforcement

  • ✓ Australian Federal Police — Independent Consultant
  • ✓ NSW Police Force — Engaging expert

Case citations and references available on request. J. Brandi's evidence has been accepted without challenge to her qualification as an expert in forensic document examination across all listed jurisdictions.

Professional memberships

ASFDE
Official Member

The Australasian Society of Forensic Document Examiners is the principal professional body for forensic document examiners in Australia and New Zealand. Membership requires demonstrated competency, adherence to a code of ethics, and ongoing professional development.
Verify at asfdeinc.org →

ANZFSS
Professional Member

The Australia and New Zealand Forensic Science Society is the multidisciplinary professional body for forensic scientists in the region. Membership supports best-practice forensic science and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Verify at anzfss.org →

Declaration

I, J. Brandi, confirm that the information contained in this curriculum vitae is true and correct to the best of my knowledge. I acknowledge my obligations as an expert witness under the Uniform Civil Procedure Rules and the Evidence Act 1995 (NSW), including the paramount duty to the court and the duty to impartially assist the court in matters within my area of expertise.

J. Brandi
Director & Lead Examiner
Signature & Handwriting Forensics Pty Ltd
Date: