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Authenticity is Everything
Signature Authentication/Forgery defrauder
Greetings. My name is Kelly Wilkins. I am a forensic document examiner/handwriting analyst/expert and an avid collector of autographs, myself. But, I go to horror movie conventions to meet my "heroes", and it dawned on me. Now that I am certified, why not use this for my benefit. I have met with managers and the actors themselves as well as other avid collectors and have started to add signature authentication to my services. Now, this is why I am contacting you. Since this is a subject very near and dear to my heart both professionally and personally, I am reaching out to other autograph collectors of the world letting you know that you can contact me if you have a questioned signature or signatures you need authenticated.My office number is 281-417-8801 and my email address is kelly@houstondocumentexaminer.com I would love to talk to someone who runs this website/magazine and setup a 'deal'.
Anyway, this past year at my favorite horror movie convention, Texas Frightmare Weekend, I was in line for Angus Scrimm (The Tallman from Phantasm), and I caught something that will forever make me think this is something I am meant to be doing. While in line, someone was trying to sell Kim Henkel's autograph. Well, knowing that Kim Henkel doesn't go to conventions, like to be around large groups of people, and rarely signs anything, I asked to take a look at it. Being a Forensic Document Examiner, I looked with great scrutiny. Things didn't add up, so, I asked my office to fax me a copy of the signed dvd cover I have of the 1974 Texas Chainsaw Massacre. I didn't let the offender know what I was up to, but when I got the txt message that I received a new fax, I compared. First off the bat, the size, the slant, and furthermore, the name was clearly spelled out. I then pulled out my card, told the gentleman that he was busted. The cops that were there came after the man started making a scene. I gave the cops my ID, my card, and told them what I did for a living, and that the gentleman was selling forged signatures. The offender was adamant that he was selling rare pieces. The police searched his bag and found a receipt with his name signed. I compared the signature and matched the handwriting on the forged content to his own and his wife's signatures. They were arrested on the spot. In his bag, he had 114 forged signatures he was selling off.
Anyway, I hate to hear that people do this. I am glad that I can do my part to help end this. I know good people spend a great sum of money, and if I can do my part to make sure they're getting what they paid for, then, I am doing my part in the world.
Thanks
Kelly Wilkins, FDE
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Comment by Pablo Abilez on June 19, 2011 at 9:51pm
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Forgers are real losers! Why bother going through all that trouble just to rip people off for a few hundred or thousand bucks! If they (the forgers) all got REAL jobs, they would make more money! Anyway, great job Kelly! Have you seen Pawn Stars on the History Channel? They've used real examiners on the show to spot out the real signatures and the fakes!
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Comment by Kelly Wilkins on June 19, 2011 at 9:57pm
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Thanks Pablo.
Yes, I've seen Pawn Stars, and I am not going to say anything negative, but, I can and will tell you this. The episodes I've seen with "examiners" on them were not certified, nor practicing fde/qde.
That being said though, I have only seen the show less than 10 times. AND, these people you're referring to are on TV. I am not. So take that as you will :)
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Goes to show that reality tv shows aren't really about reality! The examiners must be actors. And the guys on the show still have a job to do running a pawn shop whether the camera is on or not.
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I didn't say all of them, due to the fact that I only seen one examiner on there that I am referring too. But, I know that there is another examiner that in fact, is extremely qualified. So, don't let what I said desuade you in watching it. And you're right, they have the job!
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Oh, I almost forgot. Long Beach, California is having a comic and horror con Halloween weekend (Saturday, October 29th and Sunday, October 30th, 2011. Halloween falls on a monday this year, unfortunately)! I'm a comic and Sci-Fi fan; not a horror fan. But since you are interested in horror movies, I thought you would like to know about the con. If can make the trip, I'm sure you'll enjoy it. Go to www.longbeachcomiccon.com for more info. I know I'll be there!
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Thanks! I will look into this. I go to http://www.texasfrightmareweekend.com and http://www.horrorhoundweekend.com and http://www.comicpalooza.com yearly. I am always looking for new cons!!
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Comment by CJCollector on June 20, 2011 at 5:44am
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Hi Kelly, with all due respect, of course, are you a member of the "ABFDE (American Board Of Document Examiners)?" I didn't see your name in the "ABFDE" database. Just curious. Thank you.
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No, I am not, nor will I be. If I do decide to join one of the "groups", I will join NADE. But, that's neither here nor there since membership in a group or society is not mandatory nor regulated. Sure, in the courts you gain favor, but its not a prerequisite like they try and sell you on.
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Thank you for your reply, Kelly.
I will not speak for anyone else, of course, but as a hobbyist (collector of sports cards and autographs) I will always be skeptical of "Forensic Document Examiners (FDE's)" that partake in the certifying of sports autographs, vintage autographs, etc.
I am sure you can understand my skepticism based on our experiences with those who call themselves "Forensic Investigators" and "Document Examiners."
I would be irresponsible if I wasn't skeptical. But at the same time I wish you good luck and hopefully you can put the acronym "FDE" in a better light. It would be a refreshing change of pace.
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Why though? I was reading this group's postings, and well, I find that mentality rather absurd. We are people who are actually quite trained in detecting forgeries... We deal with forgery on civil, state, and federal cases all day long. I have been apprenticing for 2 years before I was certified, and have quite the lab. I have a profound interest in autographs, but my personal interest is that I am a collector myself. Now, if I was here for any other reason, sure, I can understand slightly... maybe.
I do not know your experiences. Also, I honestly am not here to prove them right or wrong. I am just here to offer advice, help, and if someone hires me to authenticate, so be it.
That being said, I think that a laymen or collector would be better off with a professionally trained opinion that has been scrutinized with all the lab equipment allotted, allowed, and registered for Questioned Document Examination. I hope I can shed a better light, but unfortunately, I think I may be too late in the game. What I will do, on the other hand, is shed a light on my name that if I sign off on something, that's because it has passed every sense of the word "testing" without altering/destroying the document itself.
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