OK, since I've got this under my skin now, here's some info. Several years ago, the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (THE important group in the USA for forensic scientists) organized a sub-group to determine which certifying bodies actually used proper criteria, etc.. for certifying people as experts. Yes, there are BS groups out there that will certify people without proper credentials and testing. Here's the list of acceptable boards -
http://www.thefsab.org/accredited.html
Note that the National Association of Document Examiners is not on the list. That's the only group listed by the 2 experts used in this case. Notice that there are 2 sections within the IAI (International Association of Identification) that are relevant to this - one on art and one on photography. There's also a board of questioned document examiners. On this list of links from AAFS -
http://aafs.org/forensic-links - there are 3 different QDE groups, but not the National Association of Document Examiners. No mention is made on either CV of the number of proficiency tests passed by either individual. One even lists a couple of one day seminars by Thermo Scientific on their CV. I've attended those. Lots of those. They are one day advertisements for Thermo Scientific products. While they can be instructional, they are not classes.
Thomas Knowles is not an expert in forensics and criminalistics - he is a manager. Not to toot my own horn, but I am an expert. I have analyzed over 2500 cases - by actually being at the bench and examining the evidence myself. I have testified in court over 100 times - presenting my educational background and experience each time. I was a member of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences for several years and was a diplomate of the American Board of Criminalists. For the ABC, one must take and pass an exam that isn't particularly easy - many do not pass it the first time; I did.
Sorry for rant!!! My blood boils a bit when I see people making conclusions based on opinions rather than on facts. Without seeing the actual evidence on the handwriting, I cannot say if that was done properly, but that's the only piece of this report that might have been done right. And I say "might." I am not a QDE, so I cannot reexamine that evidence, but I can provide names of people truly certified to do so.
If the people involved in this case wanted to have a conclusion that would be respected in the scientific and art communities, there are many other people who actually are above reproach who they could have hired to do the analysis. Since they didn't, there will always be questions as to the shooter of these plates.