Ransom Note Analysis

Case Background A 10-year old was abducted from a wealthy, private school. A 10-year old was abducted from a wealthy, private school. The parents were mailed a ransom note demanding money in exchange for their child. The parents were mailed a ransom note demanding money in exchange for their child. There were six suspects – all of whom happened to take a Government class at a local community college. There were six suspects – all of whom happened to take a Government class at a local community college. Handwriting samples were obtained from copies of a recent exam students turned in. Handwriting samples were obtained from copies of a recent exam students turned in.

Your Job Act as the expert handwriting witness requested to testify that at least one of the suspect’s handwriting samples matches the handwriting samples found in the ransom note. Act as the expert handwriting witness requested to testify that at least one of the suspect’s handwriting samples matches the handwriting samples found in the ransom note. Present the findings in a written report to the jury. Present the findings in a written report to the jury.

Handwriting Expert Job Specifics Examine the ransom note & perform 12-trait analysis in detail - Must use different colors to highlight each of the different traits in the document. - Must use measurements when necessary. Examine the ransom note & perform 12-trait analysis in detail - Must use different colors to highlight each of the different traits in the document. - Must use measurements when necessary. Analyze 4 writing samples using the 12-trait analysis chart following the guidelines above. - Visually eliminate 2 suspects & fill out a justification form Analyze 4 writing samples using the 12-trait analysis chart following the guidelines above. - Visually eliminate 2 suspects & fill out a justification form Prepare written testimony for the jury explaining your findings (more info to come tomorrow…) Prepare written testimony for the jury explaining your findings (more info to come tomorrow…)

Testimony to Jury Remember that most jury members are not familiar with handwriting analysis – so you must break the information down so they can understand your analysis! Remember that most jury members are not familiar with handwriting analysis – so you must break the information down so they can understand your analysis! I. Introduction (Purpose & the main characteristics you used to analyze the handwriting). I. Introduction (Purpose & the main characteristics you used to analyze the handwriting). II. Body Paragraphs (Describe the trait, explain how the ransom note matched or didn’t match the trait being described.) – 1 paragraph for matching exemplar & 1 paragraph explaining why the other exemplars are not matches. II. Body Paragraphs (Describe the trait, explain how the ransom note matched or didn’t match the trait being described.) – 1 paragraph for matching exemplar & 1 paragraph explaining why the other exemplars are not matches. III. Conclusion (Summarize findings, is the data reliable, would it be enough to convict someone, is this important?) III. Conclusion (Summarize findings, is the data reliable, would it be enough to convict someone, is this important?)