Mr. Michael N Wakshull

Q9 Consulting, Inc.
P.O. Box 892965
Temecula, CA 92589-2965
Office: 951-252-4929
Fax: 951-302-1785
Introduction

Mike Wakshull is a practicing civil and criminal court-qualified forensic document examiner based in Southern California. His clients are in 27 states and five countries. He partners with legal clients to dissect evidence presented in handwritten and computer-generated questioned documents. He holds a Master of Science degree in technology management from the University of Denver, a graduate school certificate in forensic document examination from East Tennessee State University and is a certified quality engineer. Wakshull was on the adjunct faculty of the University of Redlands. He is listed on the Los Angeles County Superior Court's Panel of Expert Witnesses.

My laboratory consists of laboratory grade digital and optical microscopes, the latest technology video spectral comparator VSC80, the latest version of Photoshop and Acrobat, two electrostatic detection devices (ESDA and Vacubox), high grade digital scanners, a large research library, and more.

Communication with clients is a top priority. I use video conferencing to share work product with clients. This avoids costly travel expenses to hold a meeting. Most work is performed on the computer using advanced software such as Adobe Photoshop and NEGA to assist in performing analyses.

My education includes a graduate school certificate in forensic document examination from East Tennessee State University, a bachelor's degree in mathematics, master’s degree in technology management from the University of Denver.

As a skilled speaker, I presented at national and international conferences for National Association of Document Examiners, Association of Forensic Document Examiners, World Congress of Forensics, California District Attorneys Association, California Lawyers Association, Bar Associations, the American Society for Quality, and many others.

Cases include civil and criminal, state and federal.


Areas of Expertise
  • Document Examination
  • Handwriting

Expert Background
Q: Please list your professional accreditations, degrees, licenses, and certificates granted:
A: Bachelor's degree - State College of New York at Buffalo
Master of Science - University of Denver
Certified Quality Engineer (CQE)
Graduate school certificate Forensic Document Examination - East TN State University
Project Management Professional (PMP)
Q: Please list your affiliations or memberships in any professional and/or industry organizations:
A: National Association of Document Examiners - Chair of the 2012 conference in San Diego, CA
Scientific Association of Forensic Examiners - Vice President, conference chair
Association of Certified Fraud Examiners - Director Inland Empire Chapter
Forensic Expert Witness Association (former member) - Past President San Diego Chapter & representative to national BOD
American Society for Quality - Senior member
ASTM International (American Society for Testing and Materials)
International Graphonomics Society
Toastmasters International - Advanced Communicator Silver
National Speakers Association - former Co-dean of the Speakers Academy
Q: Please list any teaching or speaking experience you have had, including subject matter:
A: MCLE training delivered through www.attorneycredits.com, LexVid.com, ProLawCLE, MyLawCLE. Each class is 1 hour long. Each is approved by the California State Bar Association.
1. An Introduction to Forensic Handwriting Examination
2. An Introduction to Altered Documents
3. Will Bias Cost You Your Next Case?
4. How to Hire a Forensic Examiner

Wakshull, M.N.(2021, September). Know your biases: True stories from the courtroom. East Bay Lawyers Affinity Group. One-hour Zoom presentation.
Wakshull, M.N.(2021, June). Know your biases: True stories from the courtroom. Westlake Lawyers Affinity Group. One-hour Zoom presentation.
Wakshull, M. N. (2021, June). Document fraud in probate and financial elder abuse cases. Estate Planning Council South Orange County. One-hour Zoom presentation.
Wakshull, M. N. (2021, May). Know Your Biases: True Stories From the Courtroom. Beverly Hills Family lawyers Study Group. One-hour Zoom presentation.
Wakshull, M. N. (2021, April). Little Known Facts About Altered Documents. The Esquire Network. One-hour Zoom presentation.
Wakshull, M.N. (2021, March). Little Known Facts About Altered Documents. International Association of Scientists & Researchers, 3rd International eConference-2021 Document Examination. New Deli, India. Zoom presentation.
Wakshull, M.N.(2021, February). Know your biases: True stories from the courtroom. Caroline J. Martin Study Group Family Lawyers. One-hour Zoom presentation.
Wakshull, M.N. (2021, January). Little Known Methods of Document Fraud. Chicago Estates and Succession Planning Group. 40-minute Zoom presentation.
Wakshull, M.N (2020, December). From Lotto tickets to PDFs: Altered documents in legal cases. San Diego Law Library. One-hour Zoom presentation.
Wakshull, M.N (2020, December). Document fraud in probate and elder abuse cases. Pasadena Fiduciary Roundtable. One-hour Zoom presentation.
Wakshull, M.N. (2020, October). Application of ISO 9001:2015 to develop a quality management system (QMS) for forensic examiners. Scientific Association of Forensic Examiners. one-hour Zoom presentation.
Wakshull, M.N. (2020, August). Application of ISO 9001:2015 to develop a quality management system (QMS) for forensic examiners. American Society for Quality Temecula Section. one-hour Zoom presentation.
Wakshull, Michael N. (2020, August). Little Known Facts About Handwriting Identification. San Diego County Law Library. one-hour Zoom presentation.
Wakshull, M.N. (2020, August). An overview of Forensic Document Examination. United States Trustees Riverside, CA. Zoom presentation.
Wakshull, M.N. (2020, August). Will Bias Cost You Your Next Case?, Orange County Lawyers and Legal Professionals ProVisors Group, Zoom presentation.
Wakshull, M.N. (2020, June). Will Bias Cost You Your Next Case?, San Diego Defense Lawyers Association, Zoom presentation.
Wakshull, Michael N. (2020, June). Little Known Facts About Altered Documents. Riverside County Bar Association, Riverside CA one-hour Zoom presentation.
Wakshull, Michael. N. (2020, May). An overview of forensic document examination. ProVisors Glendale 1 Group, half-hour Zoom presentation.
Wakshull, Michael. N. (2020, April). Effective communication techniques for expert witnesses. Scientific Association of Forensic Examiners, 1-hour Zoom presentation.
Wakshull, Michael N. (2020, February). Little Known Facts About Altered Documents. ProVisors San Diego Lawyers Affiliate Group, San Diego, CA.
Wakshull, M.N. (2020, February). Will Bias Cost You Your Next Case?, North County Bar Association, San Diego, CA.
Wakshull, M.N. (2020, January). Will Bias Cost You Your Next Case?, San Diego County Law Library, San Diego, CA.
Wakshull, M.N. (2020, January). Will Bias Cost You Your Next Case?, North San Diego County Bar Association, Vista CA.
Wakshull, Michael N. (2019, December). Little Known Facts About Altered Documents. San Diego Law Library, San Diego, CA.
Wakshull, Michael. N. (2019, October). Document Fraud in Elder Abuse and Probate Cases. American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys. Coronado, CA.
Wakshull, Michael. N. (2019, October). Effective communication techniques for expert witnesses. Assiciation of Forensic Document Examiners, Denton, TX.
Wakshull, Michael. N. (2019, August). Authentication of Handwriting & Altered Documents. MyLawCLE. San Diego, CA.
Wakshull, Michael. N. (2019, July). How to Hire a Forensic Expert Witness, ProLaw CLE, Temecula, CA
Wakshull, M. N. (2019, July). Document Fraud in Probate Cases. ProLaw CLE, Temecula, CA
Wakshull, Michael. N. (2019, March). How to Hire a Forensic Expert Witness, San Diego County Law Library, San Diego, CA.
Wakshull, Michael N. (2019, March). Document Fraud in Elder Abuse Cases. Association of Certified Fraud Examiners Inland Empire Chapter, Ontario, CA.
Wakshull, M. N. (2019, February). Document Fraud in Probate Cases. San Bernardino County Bar Association Trust and Probate Section. San Bernardino, CA.
Greer, C. K., Wakshull, M.N. & Boesky, L, (2019, January). Inside the Spiracles Mansion Suicide/Murder Mystery. Forensic Expert Witness Association San Diego Chapter, San Diego, CA.
Wakshull, M.N. (2019, January). Will Bias Cost You Your Next Case?, ProLaw CLE, Temecula, CA.
Wakshull, M. N. (2019, January). Introduction to Examination of Altered Documents. ProLaw CLE, Temecula, CA.
Wakshull, M.N. (2019, January). Will Bias Cost You Your Next Case?, San Diego County Law Library, San Diego, CA.
Wakshull, M.N. (2018, October). Photoshop for Document Examiners. Scientific Association of Forensic Document Examiners Annual Conference day 2. Web-based presentation.
Wakshull, M.N. (2018, September). Discovery of Hidden Writing. Scientific Association of Forensic Document Examiners Annual Conference. Savanah, GA.
Wakshull, M.N. (2018, September). Discovery of Hidden Writing. Scientific Association of Forensic Document Examiners Annual Conference day 1. Web-based presentation.
Wakshull, Michael N. (2018, July). Document Fraud in Elder Abuse Cases. San Diego County Bar Association Elder Law Section, San Diego, CA.
Wakshull, Michael N. (2018,May). Bias and Forensic Examiners. National Association of Document Examiners annual conference. Jacksonville, FL.
Wakshull, Michael N. (2018, April). Fraudulet Real Estate Documents. California Lawyers Association Real Property Law Section Retreat. San Francisco, CA.
Wakshull, Michael N. (2018, March). Examination of Fraudulent Real Estate Documents. San Diego County Law Library, San Diego, CA.
Wakshull, Michael. N. (2018, January). Will Bias Cost You Your Next Case?, San Diego County Law Library, San Diego, CA.
Wakshull, Michael. N. (2018, January). How to Hire a Forensic Expert Witness, San Diego County Law Library, San Diego, CA.
Wakshull, M. N. (2017, November) An Overview of Forensic Document Examination. San Diego State University. San Diego, CA.
Wakshull, M. N. (2017, October). Examination of Electronic Documents. American Society for Quality Section 703. Temecula, CA.
Wakshull, Michael N. (2017,October). Application of NEGA Software to Forensic Document Examination. Association of Forensic Document Examiners conference, Reno, NV.
Wakshull, Michael N. (2017,October). Bias and Forensic Examiners. Association of Forensic Document Examiners conference, Reno, NV.
Wakshull, Michael N. (2017,October). Examination of Fraudulent Documents. California District Attorneys Association Fraud Conference, Orange County, CA.
Wakshull, Michael N. (2017,October). Will Bias Cost You Your Next Case? California District Attorneys Association Fraud Conference, Orange County, CA.
Ramsay, J. Kahrs, H., Wakshull, M. (2017, August). Expert Witnesses 101 & Beyond: The Effective Use of Experts. Panel discussion. Orange County Women Lawyers Association. Irvine, CA.
Wakshull, M. N. (2017, August). Examination of Electronic Documents. Scientific Association of Forensic Examiners annual conference. On-line.
Wakshull, Michael N. (2017,June). Will Courtroom Bias Cost You Your Next Case? California District Attorneys Association conference, South Lake Tahoe, CA.
Wakshull, M. N. (2017, May). Examination of Electronic Documents. National Association of Document Examiners annual conference. New Orleans, LA.
Wakshull, M. N. (2017, April). Introduction to Examination of Altered Documents. San Diego County Law Library, San Diego, CA.
Wakshull, M. N. (2017, March). The Effects of the 2009 NAS Report and the 2016 PCSAT Report on Forensic Science. California Western School of Law. The Innocence Project. San Diego, CA.
Wakshull, M. N. (2017, February). An Overview of Forensic Document Examination. Temecula Old Town Rotary Club, Temecula, CA.
Wakshull, Michael. N. (2017, January). How to Hire a Forensic Expert Witness, San Diego County Law Library, San Diego, CA.
Wakshull, Michael N. (2016, December). Authentication of Handwriting. Riverside County Public Defenders, Riverside, CA.
Wakshull, Michael N. (2016, December). Will Courtroom Bias Cost You Your Next Case? San Diego Law Library, San Diego, CA.
Wakshull, Michael N. (2016, August). Altered Documents. Inland Empire Chapter Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, San Diego, CA.
Wakshull, Michael N. (2016, August). Authentication of Handwriting. Inland Empire Chapter Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, San Diego, CA.
Wakshull, Michael N. (2016, August). Authentication of Handwriting. San Diego Law Library, San Diego, CA.
Wakshull, Michael N. (2016, July). Authentication of Handwriting. California Aliance of Paralegal Associations Inland Empire Chapter, Riverside, CA
Wakshull, Michael N. (2016, June). Will Courtroom Bias Cost You Your Next Case? California Aliance of Paralegal Associations Conference, Riverside, CA.
Wakshull, Michael N. (2016, May). Will Courtroom Bias Cost You Your Next Case? San Diego Law Library, San Diego, CA.
Wakshull, Michael N. (2016,April). Using Statistical Analysis to Assist in Writer Identification. National Association of Document Examiners Conference.
Wakshull, Michael. N. (2016, March). Will Courtroom Bias Cost You Your Next Case? La Jolla Bar Association. La Jolla, CA
Expert Witness Panel. (2016, January). The Effective Use of Experts in Litigation, Settlements Discussions and Mediation: Helping You Help Your Clients and Making You Look Good in the Process. State Bar of California, Real Property Law Section. San Diego, CA.
Wakshull, Michael. N. (2015, November). How to Hire a Forensic Expert Witness, California Alliance of Paralegal Associations conference. Shell Beach, CA.
Wakshull, M.N. (2015, November), Authentication of Handwriting. California Alliance of Paralegal Associations conference. Shell Beach, CA.
Wakshull, M.N. (2015, November), Is the Document a Fraud? Forensic Document Examination for Fraud Investigators, Southern California Fraud Investigator’s Association Conference. Palm Springs, CA.
Wakshull, M.N. (2015, October), Trends in Handwriting Analysis and Forensic Document Examination. Legal Nurse Consultants Association. San Diego, CA.
Wakshull, Michael. N. (2015, August). Will Courtroom Bias Cost You Your Next Case? Forensic Expet Witness Association Orange County Chapter.
Wakshull, Michael N. (2015,July). Using Statistical Analysis to Assist in Writer Identification. Forensic Science Error Management. National Institute of Standards and Technology. Arlington, VA.
Wakshull, Michael. N. (2015, July). Will courtroom bias cost you your next case? Los Angles Legal Secretaries Forum.
Wakshull, Michael N. (2015, June). An Overview of Forensic Document Examination. California Alliance of Paralegal Associations conference. San Jose, CA.
Wakshull, Michael N. (2015, June). Authentication of Handwriting. California Alliance of Paralegal Associations conference. San Jose, CA.
Wakshull, Michael N. (2015, June). Altered Documents And Other Topics In Forensic Document Examination. California Alliance of Paralegal Associations conference. San Jose, CA.
Wakshull, Michael N. (2015, June). You Think You Need A Document Examiner? California Alliance of Paralegal Associations conference. San Jose, CA.
Wakshull, Michael N. (2015, May). Forensic Document Examination for Investigators. California Association of Licensed Investigators.
Wakshull, M.N. (2015, May). Trends in Handwriting Analysis and Forensic Document Examination. Thompson Ruters. 90 minute webinar for West Legal Services.
Wakshull, M.N. (2015, April). Forensic Documentation For Fraud Examiners. Inland Empire Chapter Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, Ontario, CA.
Wakshull, M. N. (2015, April). Will Courtroom Bias Cost You Your Next Case? Forensic Expert Witness Association. San Diego, CA.
Wakshull, M.N. (2015, March), Trends in Handwriting Analysis and Forensic Document Examination. Riverside County Bar Association. Riverside, CA.
Wakshull, M. N. (2015, January). (January), Will Courtroom Bias Cost You Your Next Case? Association of Legal Nurse Consultants. San Diego, CA.
Wakshull, M.N. (2014). Examination Of Electronic Documents. Scientific Association of Forensic Examiners Conference. Boca Raton, FL.
Wakshull, M. N. (2013, May). An Overview of Forensic Document Examination. Riverside County Public Defenders attorneys. Riverside CA.
Wakshull, M. N. (2013, January). An Introduction to Forensice Document Examination (full-day seminar). Riverside County Public Defenders Investigators. Riverside, CA.
Wakshull, M. N. (2012, November). The Use of Control Charts to Assist With Writer Identification. American Society for Quality Quality Day Symposium. Pomona, CA.
Wakshull, M. N. (2012, October). The Effects of Motivational and Cognitive Bias in Forensic Science. Association of Forensic Document Examiners. Phoenix, AZ.
Wakshull, M. N. (2011, November). An Overview of the World Congress of Forensics. Forensic Consultants Association. San Diego, CA.
Wakshull, M. N. (2011, October). The Effects of Bias on Managers’ Decisions. American Society for Quality. Temecula, CA.
Wakshull, M. N. (2011, October). The Use of Statistical Process Control to Assist Writer Identification. World Congress of Forensics. Chongqing, China.
Wakshull, M. N. (2011, March). Introduction to Forensic Document Examination. California Association of Handwriting Analysts. Buena Park, CA.
Wakshull, M. N. (2010, May). Cognitive Bias And The Document Examiner: Or - What You Don’t Know About Your Attitudes Can Hurt Your Client. National Association of Document Examiners Annual Conference. Portland, OR.
Wakshull, M. N. (2010, January). Do Your Biases Affect Your Expert Opinion? Forensic Expert Witness Association. San Diego, CA.
Wakshull, M. N. (2009, September). Risk Management in Production and Post-Production. Project Management Institute Risk SIG Conference. Santa Clara, CA.
Wakshull, M. N. (2009, April). Determining Authorship Of Handwritten Documents Through Examination Of Microscopic Features in Writing. National Association of Document Examiners. Boca Raton, FL.
Wakshull, M. N. (2008, March). Managing Risk Using ICH Q9 And ISO 14971:2007. American Society For Quality Tri-division Conference. Alexandria, VA..
Wakshull, M. N. (2006, May). How Cognitive Biases Affect Risk and Decision Analysis in Managers. Proceedings of PMI Risk Management SIG Conference. Houston, TX.
Wakshull, M. N. (2005, April). Applying Predictability and Stability to Identify the Most Effective Project Metrics. Proceedings of PMI Pharmaceutical SIG Conference. Dallas, TX.
Wakshull, M. N. (2004, September). Review of Managing Risk In Organizations, by J. Davidson Frame. Project Management Journal.
Wakshull, M. N. (2002, October). The Use of Even Swaps to Normalize Quantitative and Qualitative Risk Rankings. Proceedings of PMI International 2002 Symposium. San Antonio, TX.
Wakshull, M. N. (2002, March). Project Risk Management: A Partnership Between Auditors and Project Managers. Proceedings of Information Systems Audit and Control Association Conference. Los Angeles, CA.
Q: Have any of your accreditations ever been investigated, suspended or removed? (if yes, explain)
A: No
Q: On how many occasions have you been retained as an expert?
A: 430+
Q: For what area(s) of expertise have you been retained as an expert?
A: Forensic document examiner.
Examination of Altered documents
Examination of handwriting and signatures
Examination of electronic documents
Q: In what percentage of your cases were you retained by the plaintiff?
A: Approximately 50%
Q: In what percentage of your cases were you retained by the defendant?
A: Approximately 50%
Q: On how many occasions have you had your deposition taken?
A: 40
Q: When was the last time you had your deposition taken?
A: October, 2021
Q: On how many occasions have you been qualified by a court to give expert testimony?
A: 55
Q: On how many occasions have you testified as an expert in court or before an arbitrator?
A: 61
Q: For how many years have you worked with the legal industry as an expert?
A: 12
Q: What services do you offer? (E.g.: consulting, testing, reports, site inspections etc.)
A: forensic document examination, document authentication, consulting, expert witness, research.
Q: What is your hourly rate to consult with an attorney?
A: Please call to discuss.
Q: What is your hourly rate to review documents?
A: Please call to discuss.
Q: What is your hourly rate to provide deposition testimony?
A: Please call to discuss.
Q: What is your hourly rate to provide testimony at trial?
A: Please call to discuss.
Q: Please list any fees other than those stated above (E.g.: travel expenses, copy fees, etc.)
A: Actual costs for travel expenses. Local auto travel is billed at regular billable rate plus mileage reimbursement rate.


References

Khodadad D. "Ko" Sharif, Esq.
(619) 233-6600
Sharif Faust Lawyers, Ltd.
110 West A Street
Suite 1100
San Diego, CA 92101

Keith Greer, Esq.
Greer and Associates
(858) 613-6677
17150 Via del Campo
Suite 100
San Diego, CA 92127

Matt Kanin, Esq.
(310) 205-2474
9100 Wilshire Blvd
Ste 850E
Beverly Hills, CA 90212


Video
Welcome to Q9 Consulting Forensic Document Examination Welcome to Q9 Consulting, Inc., https://quality9.com, your best source for forensic document examination. Mike Wakshull presents why you need to call him to discuss your case involving a questioned document. Your document may require forensic handwriting
Concepts of forensic handwriting analysis This video introduces the viewer to the basic concepts used by forensic document examiners for handwriting examination. The reason forensic document examiners do not opine to forgery is presented. This presentation was delivered at the San Diego, CA Law L
Disguised handwriting Disguised writing is a method used by some people so they can disavow having written a document. This video shows three cases of a disguised signature. Forensic document examiners are skilled at discovering disguised writing. Another term for disguised wr