Handwriting analysis falls into the questioned documents section of forensic science. These documents are examined by expert questioned documents examiners or QDEs. QDEs look for forgeries and alterations and make comparisons if there is an original sample of handwriting available. Handwriting is an individual characteristic. This means that handwriting is unique for each person. Each person has their own style.
Handwriting analysts say that people could have a few writing characteristics that are the same but the likelihood of having any more than that is impossible. The similarity in handwriting would be due to the style characteristics that we were taught when we were learning handwriting in school out of a book. Thus, handwriting is as unique as a fingerprint. Handwriting analysis is looking for small differences between the writing of a sample where the writer is known and a writing sample
where the writer is unknown. Instead of beginning to look for similarities in the handwriting, a QDE begins to search for differences since it’s the differences that determine if the document is a forgery. A QDE is looking at three things: letter form, line form, and formatting. •Letter form– This includes curves, slants, the proportional size of letters (relationship between the size of short and tall letters and between the height and width of a single letter), the
slope of writing, and the use and appearance of connecting lines (links) between letters. A person may form a letter differently depending on where the letter falls in a word – beginning, middle, or end. So an analyst will try to find examples of each letter in each placement. •Line form– This includes how smooth and dark the lines are, which indicates how much pressure the writer applies while writing and the speed of the writing. •Formatting– This includes the spacing between letters, the spacing between words, the placement of words on a line, and the margins a writer leaves empty on a page. It also considers spacing between lines — in other words, do strokes from words on one line intersect with strokes in words on the line below and above it? Content, such as grammar, spelling, phrasing, and punctuation should also be looked at. A problem that arises during handwriting analysis is a simulation, which is the attempt to disguise one’s handwriting or the attempt to copy another’s. Simulation is a huge problem because it can make it much harder to make a determination about a questioned document or it can make it impossible. It can be possible to determine simulation though. The following factors are to be looked at: • Shaky lines • Dark and thick starts and finishes for words • A lot of pen lifts All of these factors are present when someone is forming letters slowly and carefully instead of naturally which is done quickly and without a second thought. Simulation is only one factor that could lead to a handwriting analysis being inaccurate. Some other factors include drugs, exhaustion, and illness. Other factors are made by human error, like comparing uppercase and lowercase letters or by not having a good exemplar (sample from the suspect). Back to Crime LibraryIn this document, forensic document examiner, Mark Songer, provides an introduction to the science of forensic handwriting analysis. He discusses the steps that a forensic document examiner follows, including analysis, comparison, and evaluation. He also provides a brief example, comparing two handwriting samples, drawing attention to some of the key differences that a handwriting analyst may utilize in his analysis. The Science of Handwriting AnalysisThe science of handwriting analysis is based on the premise that no two individuals can produce exactly the same writing and that an individual cannot exactly reproduce his own handwriting, otherwise known as variation. Variations are natural deviations that occur in a person’s handwriting. The Process Handwriting analysis involves a comprehensive comparative analysis between a questioned document and known handwriting of a suspected writer. Specific habits, characteristics, and individualities of both the questioned document and the known specimen are examined for similarities and differences.
Example The handwriting examples below are from two different writers. Structural differences (1) can be seen from the letter formations by each writer. Connecting strokes to letters (2) and slant (3) are visible and differ from each writer’s distinctive style. In addition, baseline alignment (4) is considerably unique whereas one writer consistently writes on the baseline and the other repeatedly deviates below the baseline.  In the example: 1) Structural Difference 2) Connecting Strokes 3) Slant 4) Baseline Alignment Standards The American Society for Testing and Materials, International (ASTM) publishes standards for the many methods and procedures used by Forensic Document Examiners. E30.02 is the ASTM subcommittee for questioned documents. ASTM E444-09 provides guidance on the scope of work conducted by document examiners, and E2388 specifies minimum training requirements. Featured Expert
Mark SongerForensic Document ExaminerMark Songer is a court qualified expert in Forensic Document Examinations. He provides investigations, reports, and testimony towards the resolution of matters involving disputed documents or… read more. What are the characteristics of handwriting to be considered in documents examination?Few characteristics of handwriting are Line quality, Alignment, Size, Spacing, Connecting strokes, Pen lifts, Pen pressure and Slant [2].
Which are used in comparison with a questioned document?Exemplars are known handwriting samples used for comparison with questioned documents. There are two types of exemplars, formal and informal. Formal exemplars are request writing samples.
What are three handwriting characteristics that a questioned document examiner would look at?The examiner looks for unique qualities such as letters and word spacing, letter and word slant, size and proportionality of letters, unusual formations of letters, flourishes, and other individual attributes.
What is handwriting in questioned document examination?Forensic document examination includes the expertise of handwriting identification. Handwriting includes cursive or script style writing, hand printing, signatures, numerals, and other written marks or signs.
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What handwriting characteristics can be used for comparison of questioned documents?
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