Professional Qualifications
President, Forensic Document Examiner
Dr. Shabnam Preet Kaur
M.Sc., Ph.D. (Forensic Science), CQDE
Formal Education and Designation
Master’s Degree in Forensic Science (2010–2012)
Department of Forensic Science, Punjabi University Patiala, India
Two-year full-time program completed in 2012.
Coursework and practical training in: Questioned Document Examination, Forensic Chemistry & Toxicology, Quality Management, Research Methodology, Physical Analysis & Instrumentation, Computer Forensics, Criminology & Law, Ballistics, Physical Anthropology (including Fingerprints).
Ph.D. in Forensic Science with Specialization in Questioned Documents (2012–2018)
Department of Forensic Science, Punjabi University Patiala, India
Research Topic: Forensic Studies on Computer Manipulated Documents using Image Processing Techniques
Developed MATLAB-based software for detection of digital document alterations.
Utilized Adobe Photoshop, CorelDRAW, Picasa, and Paint for computer-generated document examination.
Conducted practical research, surveys, and international presentations.
Published research in peer-reviewed journals.
Canadian Equivalency: Ph.D. (Forensic Science), evaluated by World Education Services, Toronto, ON.
Certified Forensic Document Examiner (CQDE) (2021–2026)
Awarded by International Association of Forensic Document Examiners, USA, after written and practical examinations.
Annual proficiency testing required to maintain certification.
Professional Experience
Scientist ‘B’ (Documents) (2019–2021)
Central Forensic Science Laboratory, Shimla, India
Examined forged checks, wills, passports, currency notes, tax forms, medical records, and official documents.
Determined interpolation, over-writing, chronological sequence, and reconstruction of altered or damaged documents.
Conducted ink, paper, and writing implement analyses.
Trained police personnel and judicial officers.
Forensic Document Examiner (2021–2022)
Docufraud Canada, Toronto, ON, Canada
Independently examined questioned document cases.
Provided professional opinions and detailed reports.
Principal Forensic Document Examiner (2022–Present)
FORENSIC QD SERVICES Inc., Mississauga, ON, Canada
Examined over 500 questioned document cases (10,000+ exhibits) across Canada.
Cases involved banks, law firms, government agencies, and multinational corporations.
Multilingual expertise: English, Hindi, Punjabi.
Provided services internationally including USA, China, Trinidad & Tobago, and Dubai.
Professional Expertise
Forensic Examination of Documents
Examination and Comparison of Handwriting, Signatures, Initials, and Hand-printing
Decipherment of Altered, Erased, Faded, Indented, and Obliterated Matter
Determination of Chronological Sequence of Writings/Impressions
Ink and Paper Examination
Examination of Photocopies, Computer Printouts, Typed Matter, and Other Machine-Generated Documents
Examination of Digitally Manipulated Documents
Examination of Rubber Stamp Impressions, Paintings, and Embossed Seals
Forensic Training
Full-time training in Questioned Documents and Fingerprints, Punjabi University Patiala & State Forensic Science Laboratory, Mohali, India (2011–2012).
Practical training included handwriting comparison, examination of traced and simulated forgeries, indented impressions, alterations, obliterations, and machine-generated documents.
Conducted casework under senior court-qualified experts at Central Forensic Science Laboratory (2019–2021).
Proficient with Video Spectral Comparator (VSC 8000), comparison microscope, stereomicroscope, SEM, and ESDA.
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Professional Memberships & Certifications
Canadian Society of Forensic Science, Canada – Associate (2022), Regular (2023–present), Questioned Documents Section
The Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences, UK – Professional Member (2022–present), Questioned Documents Section
International Association of Document Examiners, USA – Certified Member (2022–2026), Questioned Documents Section
American Academy of Forensic Sciences, USA – Former Student Affiliate (2017), Questioned Document Section
Guest Lectures and Teaching Experience
Guest Speaker, Trent University, Canada (2022) – Forensic Science Society, Professionals Night
Guest Speaker, University of Toronto, Canada (2022) – Analysis of Questioned Documents using Microscopic Techniques
Guest Lecturer, Concordia University of Edmonton, Canada (2017) – Digital Forensics
Advisory Member, Humber College, ON, Canada (2022) – Forensic Identification Faculty
Non-Full Time Professor (2023–2024) – FID 5504 Handwriting and Document Examination, Humber College, Lakeshore Campus
Guest Lecturer, Punjabi University Patiala, India (2015–2017) – Computer Forensics and Questioned Documents
Delivered training sessions at Central Forensic Science Laboratory (2019–2020) on Questioned Document Examination
Scholarship
UGC-BSR Research Fellowship during Ph.D. (2013–2018)
Research Publications and Presentations
Singla A. K. & Kaur S. P., “Determining the chronological sequence of intersecting ballpoint pen strokes using oblique infrared illumination,” Canadian Society of Forensic Science Journal, 2026.
Lecture: Forensic Document Examination and Report Preparation, Punjabi University Patiala, India, Feb 7, 2026.
Kaur S., "Digital Signatures vs. Traditional Pen-and-Paper Signatures: Forensic Challenges" International Association for Identifications, Identification News 55 (4) (2025) 13-14.
Presentation: “Detecting Computer Alterations,” 2024 IADE Tenth Annual Interactive Seminar & Workshop Webinar, USA.
Kaur S., “Preserving Penmanship: The importance of teaching handwriting in schools over Digital Signatures,” International Association of Document Examiners Newsletter, 2(9), 2024.
Kaur S., “Modernization of signatures: Collateral for safety and security,” The Lawyer’s Daily, Dec 13, 2022.
Kaur S., “Why expert handwriting analysis still matters,” The Lawyer’s Daily, Sep 26, 2022.
Kaur S., “How advanced tech increases the demand for forensic document examination,” The Lawyer’s Daily, Jul 29, 2022.
Saini K. et al., “Establishing sequence of inkjet printer, laser printed, and writing ink strokes using SEM,” Arab Journal of Forensic Sciences & Forensic Medicine, 1(10), 2019, 1367–1372.
Saini K. & Kaur S., “Examination of Digitally Manipulated Documents using MATLAB 7.10.0 and Adobe Photoshop 7.0 Software,” Problems of Forensic Sciences, 111, 2018, 31–44.
Saini K. & Kaur S., “Forensic Color Differentiation of Ink Strokes using Image Processing Techniques,” Malaysian Journal of Forensic Sciences, 8(1), 2018, 24–28.
Paper: “A Forensic Examination of Simulations of Illegible Signatures,” 69th Annual Scientific Meeting, AAFS, New Orleans, USA, Feb 13–18, 2017.
Paper: “Forensic Analysis of Hard Copies of Digitally Manipulated Documents,” 21st Triennial Meeting of IAFS, Toronto, Canada, Aug 21–25, 2017.
Saini K. & Kaur S., “Forensic Examination of Computer-manipulated Documents using Image Processing Techniques,” Egyptian Journal of Forensic Sciences, 6(3), 2016, 317–322.
Paper: 17th Wroclaw Symposium of Questioned Document Examination, University of Wroclaw, Poland, 2016.
Poster: “Forensic Color Differentiation on Ink Strokes by Image Processing Techniques,” National Conference on Forensic Science, Punjabi University Patiala, 2016.
Poster: “Forensic Analysis of Inkjet Printed Documents from Printing Characteristics,” International Conference on Questioned Document Examination, Punjabi University Patiala, 2015.
Poster: “Forensic Examination of the Computer-manipulated Document by Image Processing Techniques,” International Symposium on Emerging Paradigms in Forensic Science, Punjabi University Patiala, 2013.
Continuing Education
Sept 08–10, 2025 – IADE Eleventh Annual Interactive Seminar & Workshop Webinar, USA (Zoom)
June 12, 2025 – Canadian Society of Forensic Science Conference, Toronto, Canada
Sept 09–11, 2024 – IADE Tenth Annual Interactive Seminar & Workshop Webinar, USA (Zoom)
July 27, 2023 – Case Study Lecture by Tay Eue Kam (May), IADE, USA (Zoom)
June 14, 2023 – Forensic Science in Canada: An Evolving Community Conference, Tech University, Oshawa, Canada
Mar 17, 2022 – Anonymous Note Examination Lecture, IADE, USA (Zoom)
Nov 25–29, 2019 – Document Examination Workshop, LNJN National Institute of Criminology & Forensic Science, New Delhi, India
Aug 21–25, 2017 – 21st Triennial Meeting of IAFO, University of Toronto, Canada, 15.5 credit hours
Feb 13–18, 2017 – 69th Annual Scientific Meeting, AAFS, New Orleans, USA
June 15–17, 2016 – 17th Symposium on Questioned Document Examination, Wroclaw, Poland
Jan 2016 – Cyber Threat Detection & Safety, Punjabi University Patiala, India
Oct 19–23, 2015 – International Fingerprint Research Group Meeting, Punjabi University Patiala, India
Jan 10–12, 2015 – Questioned Document Examination Forensic International Conference, Punjabi University Patiala, India
Nov 17–18, 2014 – Importance & Role of Forensic Science in Crime Detection Workshop, DST, New Delhi
June–July 2014 – Certification in 2D Animation (Adobe Photoshop & CorelDRAW), H.K Computers, Patiala, India
Jan 19–20, 2014 – 3rd Annual Scientific Conference of Indo-Pacific Academy of Forensic Odontology, Punjabi University Patiala, India
Mar 7–9, 2013 – Emerging Paradigms in Forensic Science, International Symposium, Punjabi University Patiala, India
Mar 15–16, 2012 – National Symposium on Education & Research in Forensic Science, Punjabi University Patiala, India
Work Experience
Full-Time Forensic Document Examiner since 2019.
Please contact us for a complete CV of Dr. Shabnam Preet Kaur.






