Handwriting Analysis Techniques

Questions and Answers

Explain why handwriting can have both class and individual characteristics.

Because at first, all our handwriting is very similar but later in life we develop unique qualities that make it individual.

What refers to the spacing between words and letters and how consistent it is?

Spacing of words and letters.

How does the writer begin their words/letters?

Beginning and ending strokes.

Is the writing above or below the lines?

Baseline habits. Signup and view all the answers

Are the letters loopy or fancy?

Flourishes or embellishment. Signup and view all the answers

Are the lines smooth or shaky?

Line quality. Signup and view all the answers

Are the sizes (width and height) of the letters/words consistent between questioned and exemplar documents?

Ratio of relative size. Signup and view all the answers

How are the i's dotted and t's crossed?

Placement of diacritics. Signup and view all the answers

Is the pressure consistent throughout the writing?

Shading or pen pressure. Signup and view all the answers

Are any letters written backwards?

Unusual letter formation. Signup and view all the answers

Is there evidence of the writer stopping or lifting their pen or pencil?

Pen lifts and separation. Signup and view all the answers

How are the upper and lower case letters connected to one another?

Connecting strokes. Signup and view all the answers

What is the most common type of forgery?

A signature. Signup and view all the answers

What is blind forgery?

Forger uses their own handwriting and doesn't even try to copy the original. Signup and view all the answers

What is simulated forgery?

Forger practices signatures so much that they can avoid many of the hesitations and pen lifts. Signup and view all the answers

What is traced forgery?

Forger traces a genuine signature into a document with a light box or presses hard against it. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the two different ways to view handwriting that has been erased.

Oblique light (strong light), UV light to see ink that is erased, and infrared radiation to pick up on the carbon from pencil. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the two different ways to view handwriting that has been left by an impression.

Electrostatic detection and video spectral comparison. Signup and view all the answers

What is a third way that you can read impressions left on paper and how does it work?

Chromatography, which is used to see if there are different pens or inks used. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Handwriting Characteristics

Handwriting exhibits both class and individual characteristics; initial similarities evolve into unique qualities through personal development.
Consistency in spacing between words and letters is crucial for analysis.
Beginning and ending strokes of letters provide insight into a writer's style.

Line Habits and Quality

Writers may have baseline habits that indicate whether their writing is above or below the lines.
Flourishes or embellishments in the letters can signify a particular style, whether loopy or fancy.
Line quality, characterized by smoothness or shakiness, is an important factor in handwriting analysis.

Size and Consistency

Analysis includes checking the relative size (width and height) of letters or words between questioned and exemplar documents.
Diacritics, such as how the 'i's are dotted and 't's are crossed, contribute to the writing's uniqueness.
Consistency of pen pressure throughout the writing is assessed through shading.

Unusual Letter Formation and Techniques

Any backward letter formations are considered unusual and may indicate forgery attempts.
Evidence of pen lifts or separation during writing can suggest alterations or forgery.
The connection of upper and lower case letters through connecting strokes reveals the writer's flow.

Forgery Types

The most prevalent type of forgery involves creating a false signature.
Blind forgery occurs when the forger uses their own handwriting and does not attempt to mimic the original.
Simulated forgery involves intense practice of a specific signature to minimize natural hesitations and lifts.
Traced forgery is when a forger outlines a genuine signature onto another document using methods like a light box.

Erased Handwriting Detection

Handwriting that has been erased can be analyzed using oblique light for ink visibility or UV light to detect remnants.
Infrared radiation can identify carbon from pencil marks that have been erased.

Impression Analysis Techniques

Impressions left on paper can be viewed using an electrostatic detection machine, which collects dust from impressions.
Video spectral comparison is another method used to examine impressions.
Chromatography allows for the differentiation of ink or pen types used in the writing.

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Description

Explore the various characteristics of handwriting that distinguish individual styles from class traits. Learn how aspects such as spacing, line quality, and letter size contribute to handwriting analysis and identification. This quiz covers key techniques in assessing handwriting consistency and uniqueness.