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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

Tags: analysis, document, examination, forensic, forgery, handwriting

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Comment by CJCollector on June 20, 2011 at 7:37am: Mr. Wilkins, that is exactly what I wanted to hear. Thank you.

Comment by Mike P on June 20, 2011 at 12:04pm: Good for you for your ambition to improve the memorabilia/autograph community. It's been sad to witness so many specialists have their names tossed in the dirt (ie. Burzyck who apparently never even looked at piece of autographed memorabilia) and to have seen so many of them rubber stamp COA's onto blatant forgeries. I thank you for your initiative and give you hope for the best. -Mike.

Comment by Kelly Wilkins on June 20, 2011 at 12:18pm: Thank you very much, Mike!
As I stated before, I am a collector myself. Even though my interest is in horror, its all related.

Comment by CJCollector on June 20, 2011 at 12:24pm: It was Chris Morales, Forensic Investigator, who "authenticated" that signed baseball containing the names of thirteen US Presidents. I wonder if Mr. Morales went through the same type of thorough examination as described by Mr. Wilkins?

I emailed a number of FDE's (some from the ABFDE) about examining that signed baseball of thirteen Presidents and every one of them explained it would be a very time-consuming process to examine a signed baseball like the one I have shown here.

I wonder how long it took Mr. Morales to examine that baseball for Coach's Corner Auctions?

Comment by Kelly Wilkins on June 20, 2011 at 12:42pm: CRAP! I meant to edit, not delete that post! Sorry! I'll retype.

Chris, what a lot of collectors and other people don't realize, when it comes to REAL signature authentication, there is usually a lack of exemplars to compare too. And without at least 15 exemplars, you cannot create a range of Natural Variation. Since handwriting is heavily influenced by mood and writing conditions, you need to be able to compare to several exemplars.
Unfortunately, I do not know who this Mr. Morales is. Unfortunately, there are a lot of amateurs and charlatans in the field, and because of this, Handwriting Analysis will NEVER be a respected field of science. There are no licensing standards. So groups like the ABFDE and others (there are about 20 or so) are formed. Although, it's not required to join them, it is in an analysts favor to do so. But, the problem with these groups are that they are very fickle and old fashioned. They were formed int the 50s-60s or so, and they are still in that mindset. They fail to use technology as the tool it is, and grow. SO, there are a lot of legit analysts that are independent, so these groups shun them. Make them and everyone else think that because the analyst isn't in their club/frat/whatever, they're untrained and crap. This is not true. At least not in my case or a lot that I know.
But, because of the lack of licensing standards (state/federal), this allows anyone off the street to claim to be a FDE/QDE. It's a double edge sword. I cannot attest for Mr. Morales' training, but I can attest for mine and the standards used in court to testify and defraud forgery.

Comment by CJCollector on June 20, 2011 at 1:01pm: By the way, I can say with full confidence, that the signatures on that baseball alone, dismiss it as being authentic in my opinion.

Mr. Wilkins, you may not know Mr. Morales, but we do.

Comment by roger epperson on June 20, 2011 at 4:23pm: Kelly,

Lack of exemplars is not an excuse for authentication. If you don't or can't find enough to make a conclusion then you should reveal that and walk away. That is not true of many of the so called FDE that have popped up over the past few years to defend many of the companies selling forgeries. I look forward to talking to you in person and discussing this problem in the industry and hopefully you will be a shining light on the now frowned upon FDE's in this business. Google some of the names mentioned on this site and let's talk about them.

Comment by CJCollector on June 20, 2011 at 4:28pm: I totally agree with Roger. It is my opinion that many so-called "Forensic" people abuse that title to not only lure business but to give "blanket authentication" to total garbage.

People who don't know autographs always equate the word "forensics" with shows like "CSI" and believe anyone with the word "Forensics" in their resume' is someone they can trust.

Comment by CJCollector on June 20, 2011 at 4:30pm: I have no problem with someone using the word "Forensics" in their resume' to acquire business as long as they are really qualified to do so and not abusing that title.