Who We Are
Forensic Document Analysis and Training commenced business in March 2013, in response to the marked increase in identify theft and identity fraud taking place within Western Australia.
In addition to undertaking document examination casework, we offer small group training to people responsible for assessing identity and security documents. By educating you and your staff, it is hoped that fraudulent behaviour can be detected and stopped. This not only protects the individuals and businesses directly involved, but also reduces the financial burden on all Australians that are affected by increased fees and premiums, usually to meet higher insurance and loss recovery strategies.
In addition to undertaking document examination casework, we offer small group training to people responsible for assessing identity and security documents. By educating you and your staff, it is hoped that fraudulent behaviour can be detected and stopped. This not only protects the individuals and businesses directly involved, but also reduces the financial burden on all Australians that are affected by increased fees and premiums, usually to meet higher insurance and loss recovery strategies.
Justin Watts, Forensic Document Examiner
Our Lead Forensic Document Examiner (and Managing Director), Justin Watts, has twenty-four years experience in the field of forensic document examination.
Justin undertook his training at the Western Australia Police Forensic Division, working alongside some highly experienced and well respected Senior Forensic Document Examiners, from 1998 until 2005. Examinations were undertaken for specialist units such as the Major Fraud Squad, Child Abuse Unit, Arson Squad, Gold Stealing Squad and Armed Robbery Squad, as well as local detective offices and uniformed police.
While working at WA Police, Justin was first recognised as an expert witness for court on Forensic Document Examination matters. Justin has tendered evidence before the Supreme Court of Western Australia, the District Court of Western Australia, the Magistrate's Court of Western Australia and the Western Australia Court of Petty Sessions during his career.
On numerous occasions, Justin guest lectured at the University of Western Australia (UWA) to post graduate Forensic Science students, as well as presenting to police recruits at the WA Police Academy each month over several years.
Justin previously participated in validation trials conducted by the Forensic Expertise Profiling Laboratory (FEPL), through La Trobe University (Melbourne), and continues to undertake testing examinations levied by the Collaborative Testing Services (CTS Inc. - Virginia, USA) pertaining to general document examination and signature/handwriting comparisons.
Whilst a WA Police member, Justin was deployed to Bali (Indonesia) in October 2002 as a result of the terrorist bombings of the 'Sari Club' and 'Paddy's'. During his deployment, Justin undertook Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) work at the Bali Hospital and Morgue. Justin and the other twelve officers deployed were awarded the Australian Federal Police (AFP) Operations Medal (with 'ALLIANCE' clasp) for their efforts in assisting with the identification of the 202 victims.
From 2005, Justin has worked as a Forensic Document Examiner for the Australian Federal Government in Western Australia, obtaining a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment through the Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT).
Justin has had the opportunity to work internationally as a Forensic Document Examiner, setting up document examination laboratories and delivering training to police, immigration border officers and Trainee Forensic Document Examiners. His service overseas has included the Middle East (Iran, Iraq, Qatar and UAE), South East Asia (Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand and Malaysia), the sub-continent (Sri Lanka) and the South Pacific (Papua New Guinea, Timor Leste, Vanuatu, Fiji and Samoa).
As a Regular Member of the Australasian Society of Forensic Document Examiners Incorporated (ASFDE Inc) from 2009, Justin subscribes to their Code of Ethics. From 2017 until 2019, Justin was an elected ASFDE Inc. committee member.
From 2015 until 2019, Justin was a representative on the National Institute of Forensic Science (NIFS) - Australia New Zealand Police Advisory Agency (ANZPAA) Document Specialist Advisory Group (DocSAG).
As a member of the forensic community, Justin attends and participates in domestic and international symposiums, fora and meetings.
Justin undertook his training at the Western Australia Police Forensic Division, working alongside some highly experienced and well respected Senior Forensic Document Examiners, from 1998 until 2005. Examinations were undertaken for specialist units such as the Major Fraud Squad, Child Abuse Unit, Arson Squad, Gold Stealing Squad and Armed Robbery Squad, as well as local detective offices and uniformed police.
While working at WA Police, Justin was first recognised as an expert witness for court on Forensic Document Examination matters. Justin has tendered evidence before the Supreme Court of Western Australia, the District Court of Western Australia, the Magistrate's Court of Western Australia and the Western Australia Court of Petty Sessions during his career.
On numerous occasions, Justin guest lectured at the University of Western Australia (UWA) to post graduate Forensic Science students, as well as presenting to police recruits at the WA Police Academy each month over several years.
Justin previously participated in validation trials conducted by the Forensic Expertise Profiling Laboratory (FEPL), through La Trobe University (Melbourne), and continues to undertake testing examinations levied by the Collaborative Testing Services (CTS Inc. - Virginia, USA) pertaining to general document examination and signature/handwriting comparisons.
Whilst a WA Police member, Justin was deployed to Bali (Indonesia) in October 2002 as a result of the terrorist bombings of the 'Sari Club' and 'Paddy's'. During his deployment, Justin undertook Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) work at the Bali Hospital and Morgue. Justin and the other twelve officers deployed were awarded the Australian Federal Police (AFP) Operations Medal (with 'ALLIANCE' clasp) for their efforts in assisting with the identification of the 202 victims.
From 2005, Justin has worked as a Forensic Document Examiner for the Australian Federal Government in Western Australia, obtaining a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment through the Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT).
Justin has had the opportunity to work internationally as a Forensic Document Examiner, setting up document examination laboratories and delivering training to police, immigration border officers and Trainee Forensic Document Examiners. His service overseas has included the Middle East (Iran, Iraq, Qatar and UAE), South East Asia (Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand and Malaysia), the sub-continent (Sri Lanka) and the South Pacific (Papua New Guinea, Timor Leste, Vanuatu, Fiji and Samoa).
As a Regular Member of the Australasian Society of Forensic Document Examiners Incorporated (ASFDE Inc) from 2009, Justin subscribes to their Code of Ethics. From 2017 until 2019, Justin was an elected ASFDE Inc. committee member.
From 2015 until 2019, Justin was a representative on the National Institute of Forensic Science (NIFS) - Australia New Zealand Police Advisory Agency (ANZPAA) Document Specialist Advisory Group (DocSAG).
As a member of the forensic community, Justin attends and participates in domestic and international symposiums, fora and meetings.