Authenticating bats

[aljurgela]

Hey everybody....

I posted a question somewhere, but seem to have forgotten where and cannot find any responses, so I figured that I would post here and perhaps someone can lead me in the right direction.

I have never really been a bat collector, but there are some bats that I may potentially be interested in, but I am trying to understand the "authentication" process that PSA/DNA (Malta/Tauble) use (or anyone else, for that matter).

How reliable is this "process"?

Of particular interest would be how they know the standard lengths / weights for a player. If it is side-written, is that the typical gold standard? How are factory records used to make certain that there are matches... where does photography come in?

I want to feel comfortable, but I have a heavy bias for not being sure.... and there is one bat that I am potentially interested in that has the name of one player, but it being billed as a gamer for another player (due to side writing).

Any help is appreciated to get some good references would be appreciated.