Linda Morrell — Forensic Document Examiner

Current role

Forensic Document Examiner, Signature Forensic
Principal, Morrell Forensic Document Examination

Location

Wellington, New Zealand

Professional memberships

ASFDE (Member)

Specialisations

Handwriting comparison · Signature authentication · Document integrity · Ink analysis

Professional summary

Linda Morrell is a forensic document examiner with more than 25 years of specialised experience in questioned document examination, handwriting comparison, and signature authentication. She holds a Bachelor of Science (Chemistry) from Victoria University of Wellington and a Master of Science (Analytical Chemistry) from the University of Auckland, and completed the advanced course in the forensic examination of questioned documents at the Laboratory of the Government Chemist (LGC) in London. She is a Member of The Australasian Society of Forensic Document Examiners (ASFDE), the principal professional body for forensic document examiners in Australasia.

Her casework spans civil litigation, criminal defence, probate and estate disputes, familial provision claims, and fraud investigations in New Zealand and Australia. She has been accepted as an expert witness in the High Court of New Zealand and the District Court of New Zealand, and provides opinions in Australian proceedings, including by audio-visual link. Linda has provided expert opinion on hundreds of matters involving disputed handwriting, contested signatures, and document integrity.

Areas of expertise

✓ Handwriting identification & comparison
✓ Signature authentication & forgery detection
✓ Disguised writing analysis
✓ Ink comparison & dating

✓ Document alterations & erasure detection
✓ Indentation recovery (ESDA)
✓ Typewriting & printer identification
✓ Expert report preparation

Professional experience

Principal & Forensic Document Examiner 2008 – Present

Morrell Forensic Document Examination — Wellington, New Zealand

Independent forensic document examination for solicitors, government agencies, and private clients
Handwriting and signature comparison, ink and paper examination, and indentation recovery (ESDA)
Expert reports for court, prepared in accordance with applicable court rules and the expert witness code of conduct
Casework across New Zealand and Australia, including probate and estate disputes, fraud investigations, and civil and criminal matters

Forensic Document Examiner 1998 – 2008

Institute of Environmental Science and Research Ltd (ESR) — Wellington, New Zealand

Examination of questioned documents submitted by the New Zealand Police and other agencies
Handwriting and signature identification, typewriting and printer examination
Evidence presentation and court attendance

Education & professional memberships

ASFDE

Member

The Australasian Society of Forensic Document Examiners. Linda is a Member of ASFDE and maintains her standing through ongoing professional development and peer review.
Verify at asfdeinc.org →

Education & training

Science degrees · LGC London

Bachelor of Science (Chemistry), Victoria University of Wellington (1990). Master of Science (Analytical Chemistry), University of Auckland (1993). Advanced course in the forensic examination of questioned documents, Laboratory of the Government Chemist (LGC), London (1996).

Linda Morrell
Forensic Document Examiner
Morrell Forensic Document Examination, Wellington, New Zealand
ASFDE Member
lindamorrell@signatureforensic.com.au