What is an exemplar?
An exemplar is a handwriting sample that is known to be genuine. Exemplars are compared with questioned material in order to determine the authenticity or spuriousness of what is questioned. The authenticity of the exemplar must be verifiable. Genuineness of the exemplars can be proven by the admission of the person who wrote it, by witnesses who saw the person writing or who heard the person acknowledge his handwriting, or by acceptance of the documents in the normal course of business. An exemplar is also called a standard.