Title: Certified Forensic Document Examiner and Owner
Company: Western Forensic Document Examiner
Location: Montrose, Colorado, United States
Kathy S. Carlson, CFDE, CQDE, certified forensic document examiner and owner at Western Forensic Document Examiner, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Executives for dedication, achievements, and leadership in forensic science.
Harboring a passion for forensics and an inherent interest in maintaining justice, Ms. Carlson was drawn to her present field after being exposed to the forensic elements of handwriting analysis during a conversation with her stepdaughter. She subsequently completed coursework in the fundamentals of document examination at The International School of Forensic Document Examiners before obtaining her certification as a forensic document examiner from the International Association of Document Examiners in 2011. Since 2009, she has excelled as the owner and a court-qualified forensic document examiner with Western Forensic Document Examiner, positions in which she has utilized her expertise in the scientific examination of documents in such legal contexts as criminal investigations, court proceedings, contract loans, deeds of trust, and paper and ink examinations. As a testament to her stellar work with Western Forensic Document Examiner, Ms. Carlson was celebrated with an Award from the International Association of Document Examiners in 2017.
Prior to her tenure with Western Forensic Document Examiner, Ms. Carlson found success as the owner of The DynoStore, a retail store and activity center for children, between 2005 and 2008. She previously garnered a wealth of experience in the field of aircraft systems and accessories from 1991 to 2003, during which time she earned a diploma in aircraft electronics from Colorado Aero Tech in 1992. Driven by her desire to succeed on her own terms, she has garnered immense satisfaction from her work in forensics, as she has been able to impart her wealth of knowledge to others in critical situations. Ms. Carlson has further provided her expertise to those in need through Pro Bono work via Western Forensic Document Examiner, a librarian with the Scientific Association of Forensic Examiners, a volunteer with Cedar Creek Church, and an independent online teacher in forensic examination.
Ms. Carlson is incredibly grateful for the mentorship of Kathie Koppenhaver, a prolific handwriting expert and forensic document examiner in her own right. Among her proudest professional moments, she is incredibly proud of her appointment as the president of the International Association of Document Examiners, which she has held since 2021. Additionally affiliated with the International Association of Document Examiners as the chair of continued education since 2015 and a diplomate since 2022, she aims to remain active as the president for several years to come before de-escalating her involvement so she may respectably conclude her tenure in the field. Likewise, Ms. Carlson hopes to shift her attention to exclusively teaching courses on the fundamentals of forensic document examination in the near future.
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