A text edited by several people: what to tell the authorship expert

21 October 2026 · 2 min read

Joint editing changes the examination task. A text may combine the author's original wording, an editor's revisions, another person's quotation and a standard template. Before comparing texts, it is important to understand precisely which passages are disputed and which changes are documented.

Separate the creation of a text from its subsequent editing

Describe who prepared the draft, to whom it was sent and how the final version emerged. If this is unknown, say so. An assumption about an editor must not be turned into an established circumstance. Version history, emails with attachments and comments help identify the sequence of changes.

Preserve versions separately

It is best to submit the initial file, the version after approval and the published text separately. Do not combine them into a single document with corrected errors: that would make it difficult to distinguish original characteristics from later editing. It is useful to attach an explanation of the source, date obtained and known changes to each file.

Select comparable samples

The genre, recipient, subject and circumstances in which the comparison texts were prepared matter for the analysis. An edited business letter and personal correspondence may differ for reasons unrelated to authorship. The suitability of samples is therefore discussed before the feasibility of a comparative examination.

What to prepare

Disputed passages with their surrounding text preserved.
Drafts and final versions without corrections to their content.
Information about the use of templates, quotations and editorial assistance.
Independently written texts by the author being examined, with a clear origin.
Questions to be resolved, without a predetermined answer.

What to bear in mind

Editing alone neither establishes nor rules out authorship. The length of the text and extent of intervention may limit the certainty of the finding. A single shared expression does not automatically support a finding of common authorship.

Outcome of preliminary preparation

At the preliminary stage, it is possible to determine which versions and samples are suitable, which questions fall within authorship examination and what further information is needed.

To discuss your task, provide the relevant materials and a brief description of the circumstances through the website's current enquiry channel.

Discuss the task → · All materials →

Send the texts and samples for a preliminary assessment

Attach the disputed text, comparison samples, correspondence, publications, questions from the court, another expert's report or a brief description of the situation. After reviewing them, we can determine the type of work, timeframe and cost.

forensic authorship examination;

pre-trial specialist opinion;

combined linguistic and authorship examination;

review of another expert's report.