A FORENSIC APPROACH TO FOCUSED LEGAL THINKING

Forensic:

  • Don Lehew, Forensic Document ExaminerBelonging to, used in, or suitable to the courts or to public discussion and debate;
  • Relating to or dealing with the application of scientific knowledge (as of medicine or linguistics) to legal problems;
  • Relating to the use of scientific knowledge or methods in solving crimes.   Source: Merriam Webster

Don Lehew and Janet Braun work with attorneys, prosecutors, businesses, organizations, and individuals to examine questioned documents and detect forgeries. They are active member of these organizations and are often asked to either train or testify on behalf of law enforcement groups: Board of American Forensic Examiners; State of Texas Attorney General; East Texas Police Academy; Texas State Bar Association

The American Board of Forensic Examiners, Inc.® (ABFE) was established in 1977. The Board’s objectives are two-fold:  to establish, maintain and enhance standards of qualification for those who practice forensic document examination, and to certify applicants who comply with ABFE requirements for this expertise. In doing so, the Board aims to safeguard the public interest by ensuring that anyone who claims to be a specialist in forensic examination does, in fact, possesses the necessary skills and qualifications.

Credentials for Don Lehew

Partial Client List

Credentials

Education

Christian College of the Southwest North Texas State University
Major: Physical Education
Minor: English

Professional Associations Current:

1. American Board of Forensic Examiners, Fellow of the Board
2. American Board of Forensic Examiners, Lifetime Member
3. Texas Police Association

Past Affiliations:

1. National Questioned Document Association
2. National Bureau of Document Examiners
3. The Institute of Graphological Science

Professional Seminars Completed

• The Institute of Graphological Science, Texas State License #3728 (Texas Education Agency) Certificate on October 10, 1987
• The-Institute of Graphological Science, Texas State License #3728 (Texas Education Agency) Completed on March 11, 1988
• Clampitt Paper Company, Inc. – Paper Knowledge. A course in how paper is made. Completed February 11, 1989. Taught by Henry Phillips and Bill Dophid
• The National Bureau of Document Examiners, Manhattan, New York. Director: Felix Klein
• The Institute of Graphological Science, Texas State License #3728 (Texas Education’Agency’) Certificate on October 29, 1989 Taught by: Dr. Mary Lynn Bryden
• The National Questioned Document Association. Certificate on September 29, 1990. Taught by Dr. Ray Walker
• Texas Crime Prevention Association, Wichita Falls, Texas
• Texas Crime Prevention Association, Midland Odessa, Texas
• American Academy of Forensic Science, February 1994 American Board of Forensic Examiners, August 1994

Apprenticeship Served

• One year as apprentice to Jay Larsen during 1983-1984. • Two years additional training time with Jay Larsen during 1985-1987.

Professional Library Includes the Following:

• Questioned Documents by Albert S. Osborn
• The Problem of Proof by Albert S. Osborn
• Scientific Examination of Questioned Documents by Ordway Hilton
• Criminalistic Survey of Arabian Handwriting by Moh’d Ali Said Alhaidawi
• Principles of Forensic Handwriting Identification and
• Testimony by Edward J. Smith
• Forensic Examination of Ink and Paper by Richard L. Brunelle
• The Dictionary of Paper by The American Paper Institute
• Forensic Document Examination Protocol-and Procedures by Shirley Prentice
• Basics for the Questioned Document Examiner by Dr. Mary Lynn Bryden
• The Questioned Document Examiner and the Justice System by Ray Walker
• Handwriting Identification by Ray Huber and A.M. Headrick

Professional Laboratory Includes the Following:

• A Florescent light table manufactured by Logan Electric Spec., Mfg. Co. • A copy machine • A photo stereo 6 Leica Zoom 8X Microscope • A quantum source double, variable intensity, halogen light with 2-20watt bulbs. • J.P. 2600 Javelin 480 line high resolution printer. • Various plastic ruler set in metrics • Various plastic see-through grid charts used in determining size, shape, spacing and proportion, height and slant of handwriting examples • Hand-held lighted magnifying glass 8X • Lighted overhead flexible magnifying lens 4X • Lighted 30X magnifying glass • Engineering compass • Protractor used in determining the slant specifics of handwriting • 35mm Canon Photographic equipment

Court Testimony

Don Lehew has reviewed over 10,000 signatures and has testified more than 500 times in court, hearings, and depositions. He has also qualified through the Federal Court level and has given testimony in the following • Texas Counties: Bexar, Dallas, Denton, Extor, Harris, Johnson, Tarrant • As well as testifying in cases located in the following states: Arizona, California, Florida, Oklahoma, Louisiana, New Mexico and Nevada