Donald Frangipani,
FORENSIC DOCUMENT EXAMINER

President/Director – All City Investigations & Forensic Services, Inc.

New York State Private Investigator License #24629

Appointed as Commissioner of Deeds #22690

COURT APPROVED. BOARD CERTIFIED.

Donald Frangipani

Forensic Document Examiner

7119 13th Avenue
Brooklyn, New York 11228

(718) 232-3209
donallcity@yahoo.com
www.frangipaniforensics.com

  • Court Acknowledged Expert
  • Forensic document examination
  • Handwriting identification
  • Expert witness consulting and testimony
  • Document dating
  • Type comparisons
  • Alteration detection
  • Ink Analysis
  • Detection of fabricated photocopies
    • American Board of Forensic Examiners
    • International Association for Identification
    • New York State division of the International Association for Identification
    • Connecticut State division of the International Association for Identification
    • New Jersey State division of the International Association for Identification
    • New York State Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
    • Society of Professional Investigators
    • Licensed Detectives of New York State

    FRANGIPANI FEATURED ON POPULAR TV SHOWS

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    1955-1958  United States Army – Honorable Discharge

    Last Military Assignment
    U.S. Army Forensic and Second Field
    Hospital, Germany

    Duties
    Forensic Laboratory Technician
    Colonel Michael Whelan/Captain Raymond

    Specialized Training in Questioned Documents
    Internship – Document Trainee under tutelage of

    FORENSISCHE (GFS)/Association of Freelancing
    Training involved various aspects of questioned books and existing professional papers. Research projects and completing numerous practical exercises. and identification of handwriting, hand-printed numbers,typewriting, stamp impressions, photocopies, paper, inks and writing instruments, detection of erasures, alterations, and latent fingerprint development.

    Additional Training
    United States Army Photography and Projectional School-Munich, Germany.

    1959-1961   Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons (recommended by Col. Michael Whalen – U.S. Army)

    Duties
    Pathology and Neurology technician in handwritten identification. I was engaged in a research program which consisted of handwriting studies on patients. This research was to establish the effect of handwriting prior, Further research was conducted in both the pre and postoperative stages of lobotomies, trauma and other neurological physiological effects of handwriting (e.g. shock, fear, mood)

    1963-1973  Employed as an Investigator/Security with various investigative services. Continued study in the field of questioned documents.

    1975 Licensed as a New York State Private Investigator. Founded, All City Investigations and Forensic Services, Inc.

    1977-1981 Associated with Vincent J. Scalice, retired Detective N.Y.P.D. Continued study in questioned document examination, forensic photography and latent fingerprint examination with Vincent Scalice.

    1988-1993 Studied under the tutelage of Felix Klein (Manhattan Handwriting I continue to study and research in the field of questioned documents and handwriting identification and keeping documents and handwriting identification and keeping abreast of periodicals, books and literature published by experts and agency’s authority. I have visited government and private questioned document laboratories to observe

    August, 1986.  International Association For Identification

    a) Study of mental aptitude while writing under stress
    b) Use of Video Spectral Comparator (Lt. Josey, Escambia Sheriff’s Office)
    c) Questioned Document Photography (S.A. Sanders, U.S.)
    d) Signature Workshop
    e) Counterfeit and altered credit card (Darryll Marshall, Pompano Beach P.D.)

    April 1, 1987.  Tri-State Legal Photographers

    Topics
    Indented writing, watermarks, seals, rubber stamps, bisecting lines, charred documents, chart preparation and use of transparencies and overlays.

    January, 1989.  Valencia Community College/Orlando, Florida
    Ronald M. Dick – Instructor

    Topics

    a) Introduction to the Field of Questioned Documents
    b) Conducting the examination of handwriting and hand-printing
    c) Examination of signatures
    d) Examination of typewriter material
    e) Acquisition of special material
    f) Miscellaneous document problems
    g) Legal aspects of questioned documents
    h) Handwriting systems
    i) Acquisition of exemplars

    May, 1989.  Evidence Photographers & Tri-State Legal Photography

    Seminar
    Close-up Photography of Demonstrative Evidence
    Larry Shavelson

    May, 1990.  Advanced Latent Fingerprint Techniques

    FBI SA Tim Trozzi/Felix Bigor
    Kodak Photography/Fingerprint Techniques
    Latent Fingerprint Workshop

    May 7, 1991 Polaroid School of Law Enforcement Imaging – Imaging

    June 7-10 1991.  Conference of the International Association For Identification Fallsview, NY

    a) Latent Fingerprint Workshop
    Kenneth Zerchie – Connecticut State Police
    b) Forensic Photography
    Luther Dey – Rochester Institute of Technology

    July, 1991  International Association for Identification (76th Annual Education Conference)

    Questioned Document Section Program
    a) Typewritten Examination
    Supervisory Special Agent David W. Attenburger
    (Federal Bureau of Investigation)
    b) Signature Workshop
    Deputy Sheriff Don Fandry
    (Questioned Document Examiner/Los Angeles County
    Sheriff’s Department)
    c) “The Relationship Between Disguised Handwriting and
    Years of Formal Education”

    “Fraud of a Checking Account”
    “Identification of the Altered Number”
    “Questioned Document Examination Manual for Investigators
    (Marvin Morgan Q.D. – San Antonio, Texas)

    June, 1992 International Association for Identification (77th Annual Education Conference)

    Questioned Document Section Program
    a) Document Diamonds – Sidney Goldblatt

    c) Automated Handwriting Identification – Don Fandry
    d) Document Dating by Ink Analysis – John Hargett
    e) Signature Comparison Workshop – Don Fandry
    f) Alternate Light/Digital Imaging Enhancement Photography
    g) Preparation of Court Charts

    Dec. 1992 Handwriting Identification and Obtaining Handwriting Exemplars (William Duane – Connecticut State Police)

    Oct. 1993  New Jersey Association (I.A.I.)
    Handwriting and Questioned Document examination for Law (Lt. Glenn Owens – Essex County, N.J.)

    April 19-20-21, 1994, 38th Annual Tri-State Educational (I.A.I.) Conference, Atlantic City, New Jersey

    Latent Fingerprint Techniques – Mitchell Hollars, FBI
    3M Fingerprint Visualization Systems – David Weaver
    P.C. Based Fingerprint Matching – Det. Roger Brooks, Danbury P.D.

    Sept. 1994 National Academy of Forensic Examiners, Branson, Missouri

    Disguised Writing, Longitudinal Case Study of a Heart Attack via
    Pre-Juncture Post Handwriting Specimens, Arabian Writing
    Questioned Document Examination, Pen Computing and Digital

    April 2-5, 1995 Saratoga NY 39th Annual NY State Conference

    a) Evidence Photography – Polaroid Corp.
    b) Palm Print Examination – Ron Smith
    c) Fingerprint Developing Workshop – John Olenik
    d) Behavior Profiting – Lt. J. Edward Grant

    March 24-27, 1996 Tri-State 40th Annual Educational Conference
    Use of Alternate Light Source
    SPEX Forensic Instruments

    April 30, 1996 Tri-State Legal Photographers

    a) Photography and Demonstrative Evidence
    Stephen Wheeler Esq.

    b) Photography and Demonstrative Evidence
    Larry Shavelson/Close-up photography

    c) Documentation of Imprint and Impression Evidence
    Kenneth Zerchie/Connecticut State Police

    d) Footwear Examination Workshop
    Ernest Hamm/Florida P.D.

    May 17-18 1998, 42nd Annual Tri-State Identification Conference, (I.A.I.) Albany, New York
    Technology Advance in Latent Fingerprint Technology/Dan Foro, D.C.J.S

    May 20-23, 2001 Tri-State 45th Annual Educational Conference I.A.I. Suffern, New York

    Digital Imaging; PC Pro’s – David Witzke
    Questioned Document Case Review
    Herbert McDonell/Laboratory of Forensic Science
    Examination of ink, paper and typewriter utilized to forge a
    Examination of knife cutting marks in paper reams. Professional Associations American Board of Forensic Examiners

    New York State Division of the International
    Association for Identification (Board of Directors)
    Licensed Detectives of the New York State
    I am presently engaged in a research project involving handwriting
    specimens of patients in nursing homes who suffer from Parkinson’s
    Disease, Alzheimer’s Disease, strokes and other neurological disorders.

    Assignments as an Expert
    18B Panel Assigned Counsel
    CJA Panel Federal Courts

    Nov. 15, 2005.   Guest Speaker
    New York State Identification Division of the International Association for
    Identification Conference – Williams Lake, New York
    1993 World Trade Center – Assigned as an expert in the Ramzi Yousef trial.

    Publications
    Written and published an article “The Exemplar” a journal
    published by the National Bureau of Document Examiners,
    entitled “Restoration and Decipherment of Obliterated
    Documents”, 1990.

    Television Appearances
    Nov. 6, 1995.  Fox 5 News – “Fake or Not” Autograph Examinations
    Nov. 16, 1995.  WCBS TV News with Marcia Kramer- “Alteration of Dates On Food”
    Nov. 10, 2001.  America’s Most Wanted – “ 1993 World Trade Center Attacks”
    Examination of questioned documents/handwriting related to terrorist Ramzi Yousef.

    Reference Library
    Numerous books, journals, periodicals, and articles authored by experts in the field of Questioned Documents, including Secret Service, F.B.I., Police Departments, autograph books, and various signature specimens of various sports figures and people of notoriety.

    I have testified and qualified as a Questioned Document Examiner in Federal, State and Civil Courts in New York, New Jersey and arbitration’s and Grand Juries.

    Present Employment: President/Director – ALL CITY INVESTIGATIONS & FORENSIC SERVICES, INC.

    1968
    SOCIETY OF MEDICAL JURISPRUDENCE/LENOX HILL HOSPITAL

    Writers health in detecting forgery and identifying signatures. Ordway Hilton, Speaker.
     
    August 1986
    INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR IDENTIFICATION
    • Study of mental aptitude while writing under stress
    • Use of Video Spectral Comparator (Lt. Josey, Escambia – Sheriff’s Office
    • Questioned Document Photography (S.A. Sanders, U.S.)
    • Signature Workshop
    • Counterfeit and altered credit card (Darrell Marshall, Pompano Beach Police Department)
     
    April 1, 1987
    TRI-STATE LEGAL PHOTOGRAPHERS
    (Questioned Document Photography – Peter Tytel)
     
    Topics
    • Indented writing, watermarks, seals, rubber stamps, bisecting lines, charred documents, chart preparation and use of transparencies and over-lays.
     
    January 1989
    VALENCIA COMMUNITY COLLEGE/ORLANDO, FLORIDA – RONALD M. DICK, INSTRUCTOR
     
    Topics
    • Introduction to the Field of Questioned Documents
    • Conducting the examination of handwriting and hand-painting
    • Examination of typewriter material
    • Examination of signatures
    • Acquisition of special material
    • Miscellaneous document problems
    • Legal aspects of questioned documents
    • Handwriting systems
    • Acquisition of exemplars
     
    May 1989
    EVIDENCE PHOTOGRAPHERS & TRI-STATE PHOTOGRAPHY SEMINAR
    •  Close-up Photography of Demonstrate Evidence – Larry Shavelson
     
    May 1990
    ADVANCED LATENT FINGERPRINT TECHNIQUES
    • FBI SA Tim Trozzi/Felix Bigor
    • Kodak Photography/Fingerprint Techniques
    • Latent Fingerprint Workshop
     
    May 7, 1991
    POLAROID SCHOOL OF LAW ENFORCEMENT IMAGING
    • Imaging Application
    June 7-10, 1991
    CONFERENCE OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR INDENTIFICATION 
    Fallsview, NY
    • Latent Fingerprint Workshop –  Kenneth Zerchie / Connecticut State Police
    • Forensic Photography –  Luther Dey / Rochester Institute of Technology
    July 1991
    INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR IDENTIFICATION
    (76th Annual Education Conference)
     
    Questioned Document Section Program
    • Typewritten Examination / Supervisory Special Agent David W. Attenburger (Federal Bureau of Investigation)
    • Signature Workshop /  Deputy Sheriff Don Fandry (Questioned Document Examiner/Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department
    • “The Relationship Between Disguised Handwriting and Years of Formal Education”
    • “Death of the Depressed Writer”
    • “Fraud of a Checking Account”
    • “Identification of the altered Number”
    • “Questioned Document Examination Manual for Investigators (Marvin Morgan Q.D. – San   San Antonio, Texas)
     
    June 1992
    INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR IDENTIFICATION 
    (77th Annual Education Conference)
     
    Questioned Document Section Program
    • Document Diamonds / Sidney Goldblatt
    • Tagger Graffiti / Don Fandry
    • Automated Handwriting Identification / Don Fandry
    • Document Dating by Ink Analysis / John Hargett
    • Signature comparison Workshop / Don Fandry
    • Alternate Light/Digital Imaging Enhancement Photography
    • Preparation of Court Charts
     
    December 1992
    HANDWRITING IDENTIFICATION AND OBTAINING HANDWRITING EXEMPLARS
    (William Duane / Connecticut State Police)
     
    October 1993
    NEW JERSEY ASSOCIATION (I.A.I.)
    • Handwriting and Questioned Document examination for Law Enforcement personnel (Lt. Glenn Owens / Essex County, New Jersey)
     
    April 19 – 21, 1994
    38TH ANNUAL TRI-STATE EDUCATIONAL (I.A.I.) CONFERENCE
    (Atlantic City, New Jersey)
    • Latent Fingerprint Techniques / Mitchell Hollars, FBI
    • 3M Fingerprint Visualization Systems / David Weaver
    • P.C. Based Fingerprint Matching / Det. Roger Brooks, Danbury Police Department
     
    September 1994
    NATIONAL ACADEMY OF FORENSIC EXAMINERS
    (Branson, Missouri)
    • Disguised Writing
    • Longitudinal Case Study of a Heart Attack via Pre-Juncture Post Handwriting Specimens
    • Arabian Writing Identification 
    • Report Writing
    • Light Energy for Law Enforcement
    • Questioned Document Examination
    • Pen Computing and Digital Signatures
    • Opinions: Letters of Opinion and Reasons why
     
    April 2-5, 1995
    SARATOGA NEW YORK 39th ANNUAL NEW YORK STATE CONFERENCE
    • Evidence Photography / Polaroid Corporation
    • Palm Print Examination / Ron Smith
    • Fingerprint Developing Workshop / John Olenik
    • Behavior Profiting / Lt. J. Edward Grant
     
    March 24-27, 1996
    TRI-STATE 40th ANNUAL EDUCATIONAL CONFERENCE
    • Use of Alternate Light Source
    • SPEX Forensic Instruments
     
    April 30, 1996
    TRI-STATE LEGAL PHOTOGRAPHERS
    • Photography and Demonstrative Evidence / Stephen Wheeler Esq. 
    • Photography and Demonstrative Evidence / Larry Shavelson (Close-up photography)
    • Documentation of Imprint and Impression Evidence / Kenneth Zerchie – Connecticut State Police
    • Footwear Examination Workshop / Ernest Hamm – Florida Police Department
     
    May 17-18, 1998
    42nd ANNUAL TRI-STATE IDENTIFICATION CONFERENCE (I.A.I)
    (Albany, New York)
    • Technology Advance in Latent Fingerprint Technology / Dan Foro, D.C.J.S.
    • Digital Imaging / Rondald Martino – Rochester Institute of Technology
     
    May 20-23, 2001
    TRI-STATE 45th ANNUAL EDUCATIONAL CONFERENCE (I.A.I)
    (Suffern, New York)
    • Digital Imaging; PC Pro’s / David Witzke
    • Questioned Document Case Review / Herbert McDonell – Laboratory of Forensic Science
    • Examination of forged test papers (Austin case)
    • Examination of ink, paper and typewriter utilized to forge a Last Will and Testament
    • Examination of knife cutting marks in paper reams
    American Board of Forensic Examiners
    • International Association for Identification
    • New York State division of the International Association for Identification (Board of Directors)
    • Connecticut State Division of the International Association for Identification
    • New Jersey State Division of the International Association for Identification
    • New York State Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
    • Society of Professional Investigators
    • Licensed Detectives of the New York State
     
    I am presently engaged in a research project involving handwriting specimens of patients in nursing homes who suffer from Parkinson’s Disease, Alzheimer’s Disease, strokes and other neurological disorders.

     

    As a court qualified forensics expert this is a sampling of questions asked by the court to qualify one’s credentials and testimony.

    Can your forensics examiner answer these questions to your satisfaction? 
    CROSS-EXAMINATION OF EXPERT TESTIFYING THAT SIGNATURE IS A SIMULATION OR FORGERY
     
    Now sir, when you learned your craft, what authorities did you study?
     
    Therefore, you acknowledge that Wilson Harrison,Ordway Hilton, Albert Osborn and Robert Saudak, are generally considered authorities in the field of Forensic Document Examination, isn’t that right?
     
    Mr. Expert, you have testified that you found a number of what you termed significant or fundamental differences in the questioned signature of writing. Isn’t it true that a person’s signature is never the same twice? Yes or no?
     
    Isn’t it also true that every writing situation is unique? That is, done at one unique place and time?
     
    Therefore, it is possible that unique differences which do not appear anywhere in the know writing or signature could occur, given the particular circumstances? Yes or no?
     
    Mr. Expert, I am going to ask you a series of questions which call for a “Yes” or “No” answer. Can a person’s health effect their writing?
     
    Did you know this person’s specific health at the moment this document was signed and what the specific effect is on the signature?
     
    If “yes”, what conditions was the patient suffering from and what was the specific effect on the writing? Repeat this question for every “yes” answer where they know the drug, drinking history, posture, surface, etc. to the following questions.
     
    Is it true, Mr. Expert, that drugs and medications can affect a persons writing?
     
    Did you know what drugs or medications this person was taking at the moment this document was signed, and whether or not they were prescribed or over-the-counter? If yes: What specific effect on the writing?
     
    Isn’t it true that alcohol can affect persons writing?
     
    Did you know whether or not the signatory had anything to drink at the moment this document was signed?
     
    How does alcohol affect writing?
     
    Isn’t it true that a person’s emotional or mental state can affect their writing?
     
    Did you know the signatory’s mental or emotional state at the moment the document was signed?
     
    What is the specific effect on the writing?
     
    All these factors can cause differences in the writing…. can’t they?
     
    Can a persons posture affect the way they write? That is, sitting, standing or prone?
     
    Did you know the writers posture at the moment this document was signed?
     
    How does this affect the writing?
     
    Can the surface background or what the writer was leaning on affect the writing? Such as a pillow or bed, desk blotter, car seat, table, etc.?
     
    Did you know the surface background in this case?
     
    Can you tell us how this would affect the writing?
     
    Isn’t it true that factors such as temperature or lighting in a room can affect a persons writing? Whether extreme, such as too dark, too hot or cold?
     
    Did you know of any of these?
     
    How do they affect the writing?
     
    All of these factors can also cause differences in the writing, can’t they?
     
    Other factors such as fatigue and nervousness or stress can affect the writing, can’t they? How?
     
    I see that the samples you relied on are only canceled checks.
     
    They are not proper samples, are they?
     
    Don’t people often sign checks differently than other more formal documents?
     
    Isn’t it better to have a variety of known samples in addition to some that are similar to get a better picture of the writer’s full range of variation?
     
    You didn’t do this, did you?
     
    Now isn’t it true that frequent pen stops and pen lifts are a sign of simulation?
     
    You didn’t find any of these, did you? (If “yes”, ask him to point out precisely where.)
     
    Isn’t it true that firm beginning and ending strokes are a sign of simulation?
     
    You didn’t find any of these either, did you? (Point to feathering of and strokes.)
     
    Pressure that doesn’t vary on upstrokes and down strokes is also a sign of simulation. You didn’t find any of these either, did you? (If so, where?)
     
    Is patching an indication of simulation, particularly if it is done in the opposite direction of the writing?
     
    You didn’t find this, did you? (If so, where?)
     
    What is pen stops?
     
    Are unnatural pen lifts an indication of simulation?
     
    You didn’t find any of these, did you? (If so, where?)
     
    Now is it true that tremor can be caused by any number of things before forgery? True?
     
    What are two types of tremor?
     
    Lack of fluidity is an indication of non-genuineness is it not?
     
    What are ten indications of slowness in the writing?
     
    You didn’t find this, did you? (If so where and can it be explained?)
     
    What are ten indication of speed in the writing?
     
    In evaluating whether something is a simulation or tracing, writing impulse and pen movement are important are they not?
     
    What is meant by stroke impulse? Letter impulse? Word impulse? Sentence impulse?
     
    How do these relate to evaluating a simulation or tracking?
     
    What is the difference between grip pressure, hand pressure and pen pressure?
     
    What is the difference between finger movement, hand movement and arm movement?
     
    Why are these important in a handwriting investigation?
     
    How are these above factors revealed in the handwriting?
     
    What are the two types of ataxia and the cause of them?
     
    So to summarize, you found no objective evidence of simulation, did you?
     
    Nothing is perfect, is it? This includes forgery also, doesn’t it?
     
    So in all forgeries, there should be at least one objective indication and are usually many, such as those mentioned above, shouldn’t there?
     
    In fact, your whole conclusion is based on the fact there are difference in the signature and nothing else, isn’t that right? 

     

    7/7/1978 Grand Jury – Kings County – New York
    Re: People v. Otero Case no. 1737-78
     
    4/30/1979 Supreme Court – Kings County New York.
    Judge: Luigi Marano. Case no. 1737-78.
     
    5/31/1981 Jeff Weisenfeld Attorney. Re:  Louis Sanzo. Eastern District – Judge Constantino
     
    2/5/1982  Marvin Penstein Esq. – Nassau County Court (Propaganda doc)
     
    4/20/1982  Ruth Relyea (Last Will and Testament) – Civil Court, 11 Centre Street.
     
    8/19/1983  United States District Court – Newark New Jersey. Hon. Judge Dickerson R.
    Debevoire J.U.S.D.C U.S. v. Thomas Riley. Attorney: Louis Sette, Esq.
     
    12/1983  Ed Bertel Attorney. Re: Tillis and Tillis. Superior Court, Newark. Judge Stilecki
     
    2/29/84  Mary Moriarty Attorney v Ortez Hotel Employee Union
     
    5//8/84. Queens Supreme Court. Re: John Burke. Atty: Richard Leff
     
    6/271984  Re:  Borges.  Judge Jiminez, Superior Court. San Juan Puerto Rico
     
    1/1986. National Labor Relation Court. Atty: Chuck Elmore
     
    2/27/87. Federal Bankruptcy Court – Eastern District. Re: Lloyd Schaefer
     
    2/1/1988. Supreme Court – Kings. Judge Ronald J. Aiello
    Re: People v. Daniel Maldonado. Indictment no. 5672
     
    8/7/1990. Supreme Court – Kings County. Judge: Leroy Hutner
    Attorney: Steven Murphy
    Re: Nevilla Clark
     
    1990. Superior Court – Newark, New Jersey. Judge: Hon.Strelecki. Case: Tillis v. Tillis
     
    5/21/1991. Levittown School District. Judge: Hon. Walter Donnaruma
    Re: Zimmerman, Richard
     
    10/23/1991State of New Jersey – Superior Court Law Division – Bergain County.
    Ind. no. S-1370-90
    Judge: Andrew P. Napolitano. Re: State of New Jersey v. Gerard Scher.
    Attorney: Martin Goldman
     
    2/21/1992. Supreme Court – Barry Street-Kingston, Jamaica. Re: Michael A. Lorne
     Attorney at Law
     
    5/1992. Supreme Court – Suffolk County. Judge: Newman. Re: State v. Richard Henning
     
    7/15/1992. Supreme Court – N.Y. County. Judge: Lockman. Att. S. Gelzoff.
    Re: Syrote v. Hirsch
     
    10/14/92. Federal Court – Eastern District. Postal Inspectors: Martin Biegelman
    Re: Nicholas Allocco
     
    6/1993. Supreme Court – White Plains. Judge: Harold Wood.
    Re: Nemeh v. Nemeh
     
    6/18/1993. Supreme Court – Nassau County Pt. 4. Judge Rucollo. Re: Daley
     
    3/1994. Queens Supreme Court. Attorney: Richard Leff. Re: People v. Teri Eisner
     
    11/13/1995. Supreme Court – Bronx County. Pt. 47. Judge Prire. Re: People v. Rosario
     
    12/1995. Supreme Court Part 20. Judge Kassoff. Re: Daniel King Le v. Pistilli.
    Attorney: Stanley N. Young
     
    5/20/1996. American Arbitration Association. Case no. 30055995
    Between St. Lukes Hospital and New York State Nurses Association
    Case: M. Mills
     F. Reynolds
     J. Goodwin
     
    7/8/1996. Supreme Court – Kings County
    New York City Transit Law Department, Workers Compensation Division. Gary C. Perry – Counsel v. Ronald Gordon and Gary Rosenberg
     
    4/1997. National Labor Relation Board. St. Lukes Hospital Center.
    Attorney: Lewis Archor, Human Resources
     
    9/3/1997. Supreme Court – County of Queens (Civil). Judge: Badilla. Re: Lui v. Shiek
     
    9/9/1997. Civil County – Kings County. Judge Greenstein. 15 Willoughby St. Rm. 205A
    Attorney: Jack D’Emic. Re: NYMEX v. Tsentzelias. Indictment no. 5174/96
     
    8/1998. Attorney: Krieger & Schnieder
     
    8/21/2001. Civil Court – New York City. Rm. 242. Attorney: Gary Pelusso
     
    2/6/2003. Supreme Court – New York State, Kings County. Index no. 127031/02
      Nicholas Doyle – Special Referee
    SRH Healthcare Management v. Manhattan Total Health & Medical Diagnosis
    and Dr. Thomas Giordano (defendant)
     
    5/27/2004. Civil Court – Queen County. Pto. Judge: Margaret Parisi McGowan
    Re: Rene Pina’s v. Mirsad Selimovic
     
    2/9/2007  Supreme Court N.Y. County. Judge: Hon. Lowenstein
    Attorney: Herman Tarnow. Re: Oral v. Oral
     
    4/2007 United States District Court – Southern District of N.Y. Hon. Gerard Lynch
    United States v. Peter Castellanetta & Curtis Gatz
     
     
    12/12/2007. Supreme Court – Kings County, New York. Judge H. Kramer. Civil Term – Part 13
    Index no. 33928/04. Nathan Leefer against Elsie Ward
     
    2/6/2008. Supreme Court – New York County. Judge Richter & Hon. Ref. Doyle Rm. 551
    Re: Thomas Giordano/SRH Healthcare v. Manhattan Total Health
     
    Supreme Court – Queens County
    Re: Kettly Bernard Cadet
    v.
    Shantel Gobin, Shantel Gobin
    Mohar UN Nessa
    Long Beach Mortgages
     
    5/8/2008. Surrogates Court – Kings County. Hon. Judge Margarita Torres
    Re: Edward Shepard
     
    7/8/2008. Civil Court – Kings County, Judge Edwards, Pt 58
    Re: Kindell Robinson. Index no. CV200738-06 CK-1
     
    5/6/2009. Supreme Court – Kings County
    Re: Adelman
     
    5/7/2009. Supreme Court – Kings County. Re: Zagranichny v. Edelman.
    Attorney: Yevgeny Tsyngauz.
     
    10/1/2010. Civil Court – Kings County, 141 Livingston Street (Housing). Judge: Silkowitz
    Re: Pagano v. Salini. Index no. 072952/2010
     
    2/27/2012. New York State Department of Labor/Unemployment Division;
    Riverhead, New York
      v.
     Ziatniski
    Attorney: Frank S. Scagluso
     
    6/6/2012. New York City County Civil Court. Judge: Sniederman.
    Re: Kalish v. Roxborough. Attorney: Petuso & Tougher
     
    10/29/2012. Civil Court – Richmond County. Judge: Demond. Attorney: John Dalten
    Re: Emiliano Navarro
     
    2/21/2014. Family Court – Kings County, 350 Jay Street, Brooklyn NY
    Judge: Catanzaro. Re: Martinez v. Margary
     
    Supreme Court – Kings County. Re: 1136 Realty LLC v. Union Street Realty (David Wise)
    Attorney: Michael Hiller
     
    Simon & Passon Attorneys. Re:  USA v. Theresa Buttino, Southern District
     
    U.S. Marine Corp. USMC R.S. N.Y, N.Y.  Re:  Sergeant Booth
    Ford Selez
    Supreme Court Delivers Blow
    To Autograph Authentication!
     
    High Court ruling sides with Forensic Document
    Examiners as Experts rather than practical experience.
     
        (March 23, 1999: Gumbo Tire Co. v. Carmichael) The U.S. Supreme Court by an 8-1 ruling told federal trial judges to screen out dubious testimony by self-proclaimed experts when opinions are not based in science.
        The ruling extends to all manners of individuals such as engineers, psychologists, accountants or handwriting analysts. Before they are permitted to testify to juries, stated examiners must show that their opinions are based on “scientific principals,”
    and not just a hunch based on  self-described practical experience.
        The high court has shown a skepticism toward hired self-proclaimed experts. Six years ago, the Supreme Court said that lower courts should act as “gatekeepers” and to carefully examine testimony by these applicants. Judges should look beyond advertised qualifications and examine the basis of their conclusions on facts.
     
    What does this mean to the industry?
        The decision delivers a major blow to the autograph industry. For years, dealers have served as their own authenticators relying on their stated experience to render an autograph authentic or not. Their reputation and experience have been readily accepted by collectors, auction houses and other dealers. Unfortunately, their opinions are not based on “scientific methods” and can be very subjective. They do not have a laboratory and have not apprenticed under anyone trained.  Many fabricate their credentials and are clearly not Court Qualified and/or Board Certified. Their opinions are based solely on their self proclaimed experience.

    What does this mean to the collector?
        Simple, if a dealer-authenticated autograph is disputed and taken to court it will not hold up unless the dealer used scientific forensic techniques. Without credentials and facts the dealer will not be allowed to testify because they are not considered experts by the court. You, the collector, will be left hanging. The federal courts will rely on established Court Qualified & Board Certified Forensic Document Examiners as their experts

    Donald Frangipani

    7119 13th Avenue
    Brooklyn, New York 11228

    Phone: (718) 232-3209
    E-Mail: donallcity@yahoo.com
    Web: www.frangipaniforensics.com