NCJ Number
82941
Journal
International Criminal Police Review Volume: 36 Issue: 352 Dated: (November 1981) Pages: 242-246
Date Published
1981
Length
5 pages
Annotation
The historical background of handwriting examination is traced, and current techniques for examining various types of handwritten documents are described.
Abstract
The aim of examining handwritten documents is to determine whether the writing is genuine of forged, either because the writer has imitated the handwriting of someone else or has disguised his/her own usual style. In typing to identify handwriting samples, there is no single irrefutable criterion the expert can use. Since the forger spares no effort to produce a successful imitation of forgery, it is hazardous for the examiner to limit the analysis to merely comparing strokes or letters, because relying on appearances alone is risky. Even the most skillful forger cannot entirely eliminate the automatic motor reflexes acquired in infancy and embedded in the nervous system. The letter shapes learned and usually used by the forger will be identifiable from certain features even in letters deliberately deformed. To assess these features, the expert must use an investigation technique based on the laws of writing and one which does not depend on the alphabet used. In any comparison, the examination will be based on the assessment of grouping, general characteristics, and features of form and shape. The best comparison samples are those which have been written spontaneously at the same time as the questioned document. Investigative considerations are discussed for handwriting in anonymous documents, checks, wills, and signatures. A bibliography of nine listings is provided.