About Ashley
Ashley Schmucker
Certified Questioned Document Examiner & Certified Forensic Document Examiner
Ashley Schmucker is a Certified Document Examiner with years of experience in forensic document and handwriting examinations. Ashley is a graduate of the Carol Martin Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science, and received her Bachelor of Science in Political Science in 2013. She completed the Forensic Document Examination Interactive Training Program in 2025. Ashley is passionate in furthering the field of Forensic Document Examination through research development; her research was published in 2025 and 2026. Ashley is an active member of the Scientific Association of Forensic Examiners (SAFE) and the International Association of Document Examiners (IADE) and received her Certification as a Certified Questioned Document Examiner with IADE in 2026. She has performed work on over 400 Questioned Document Cases since 2020. Ashley has practical experience in a wide variety of casework including: anonymous writing, graffiti cases, altered documents, high-profile cases, questioned handwriting, disputed signatures, tracing and indentated writing, and more.
Ashley is committed to bring the same professional care, with precision and detail to every case examined, whether she is working with an attorney preparing for trial, an institution reviewing a disputed document, or an individual who needs answers about a signature or handwriting sample.
400+
Cases Since 2020
2026
CQDE, CFDE Certified
Professional Credentials
Education, Training & Certification
Ashley's qualifications are built on specialized forensic training, university education, professional certification, and ongoing continuing education. Her credentials reflect a commitment to maintaining the highest standards in forensic document examination.
Highlights
Certification & Training
2026
CFDE Certification
Certified Forensic Document Examiner
Certification issued by SAFE.
2026
CQDE Certification
Certified Questioned Document Examiner
Certification issued by IADE.
2025
Interactive Training Program
Forensic Document Examination Interactive Training Program
A two-year training program covering case studies and research development in forensic document examination.
Continuing Education
2026
22nd Wroclaw Symposium
Questioned Document Examination
Hosted by the University of Wrocław and Polish Security Printing Works, Warsaw.
2025
International SAFE Conference
10 Hours of continuing education.
2024
AFDE/NADE Symposium
Milwaukee, WI
20 Hours of continuing education.
Education
2013
B.S., Political Science
Tennessee Technological University
Graduated with Dean's List honors; completed an internship under Mark Gore, former District Attorney of Overton County, TN.
2009
Gatton Academy
Carol Martin Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science
Inaugural Class — a dual-enrollment residential program at Western Kentucky University with training in computer programming and Mathematica for computational problem solving, followed by a semester at Marymount Manhattan College in New York City.
Additional Background
Research, Workshops & Community Involvement
Beyond her certifications, Ashley's development as an examiner has been shaped by published research, hands-on workshops, and early leadership experience.
Published Research
"The Neurology of Handwriting"
- 2025 — Scientific Journal of the International Association of Document Examiners, Volume 12A
- 2026 — The Examiner, a SAFE International Publication, Volume 13, Issue 2
2023 Seminars & Workshops
- History of Foster & Freeman and FDE Equipment
- Forensic Linguistics for Document Examiners
- Innocence Project
- Zarbeco Microscopes
- Detecting Document Fraud
- Photoshop Tips and Tricks
Volunteer & Leadership
Completed a research project in psychology under Department Head Dr. Kelly Madole at the Gatton Academy. Participated in mock trial conferences at both the Gatton Academy and Tennessee Tech, with the Gatton team advancing to state conferences in Lexington, KY.
Continuing Education
Committed to Ongoing Professional Development
Ashley continues her education year-round through SAFE and IADE conferences, symposiums, and monthly coursework.
22nd Wroclaw Symposium on Questioned Document Examination
University of Wrocław / Polish Security Printing Works, Warsaw — June 2026
"Rules Regarding Expert Witnesses"
SAFE January class — January 2026
SAFE Conference
10 hours of continuing education
AFDE/NADE Symposium
20 hours — Milwaukee, WI
SAFE Conference
Let's Discuss Your Case
Whether you're an attorney preparing for trial, an institution reviewing a disputed document, or an individual who needs answers about a signature or handwriting sample — Ashley is ready to help.