Analysis of Handwriting 12 Characteristics

Line Quality  Smooth, free-flowing, & rhythmic  Look for shaky, nervous, or wavering

Spacing between letters and words  The amount of space between letters within words  The amount of space between words

Height, Width, & Size of Letters  The amount of space given to each letter is usually consistent (height, width, & size)

Pen Lifts & Separation  Where a person lifts their pen while writing is usually consistent.  Forgers often lift their pen in unusual places.

Connecting Strokes  Capital letters to lower case letters  Strokes between letters in a word  Strokes between words

Beginning & Ending Strokes  How does the write start a letter, word, or number?  Straight vs curled  Long vs short  Upwards vs a downstroke

Unusual Letters Formations  Letters written backwards  Letters with a tail  Unusual Capital letters

Shading or Pen Pressure  Are the lines thin and light or does the person push hard on the pen, creating thick, heavy lines?

Slant  Lefty slant  Righty slant  Straight up and down  Different for certain letters?

Baseline Habits  Do you write on the line? Above it? Go below it?  Without lines, do you trail up or down when you write?

Flourishes or Embellishments  Fancy letters  Curls, Loops, Circles, or Underlines?

Placement of Diacritics  The way you cross your “t”  The way you dot your “i” or “j”