Handwriting Analysis What clues are used to compare writing samples?

Charles Lindbergh First person to fly a plane _____ across the Atlantic Ocean (1927) Became famous and rich –Also a target

March 1, 1932 Bruno Hauptmann kidnapped Lindbergh’s ______________________ Left ransom note for $50,000 Trial had 45 writing samples –____ ransom notes –__ auto registration forms filled out by Bruno –Ransom note samples Hauptman was convicted, sentenced to death and executed.

Handwriting Styles What kind of documents require a signature? ___________________________________ Why is a cursive signature preferred to a printed name on these documents? ___________________________________ Six volunteers?

Handwriting Identification Experts look at three things: 1.Handwriting _______ How are the words ___________ 2.Content _______ What do the words ___________ 3._________ Documents Has the writing been ________ in some way

Handwriting Style General ______ –Print each letter separately, join letters within words –3 s’s: ______, ______, and ______ of letters –Lines: Thick? Thin? –Personal touches How ‘i’ is ________ Other ideas? ________________________________

Handwriting Style Continued Compare Writing Samples –___________ (grocery, to-do, etc.) –Calendars –Cards –Legal ___________ –Checks –________________; credit cards –Ideally sample has same words as evidence

Content Clues Word _________ Spelling _________________ Note: Expert use content clues for _______________________ too! –What letters does a writer leave out???

Altered Documents Changed __________ on a check? Forged a _____________? Lighting –Can reveal a ______________ where writing has been erased (done from the back) –Can reveal a ______________ in the paper (done from the side)