1. Handwriting Analysis
Chapter 8

2. Questioned Document
Any written or printed communication whose source is in doubt
Can be written on any source with any type of material

3. Handwriting Not necessarily unique to each individual
Circumstances that impact handwriting
age
setting
health
DURING LECTURE HAVE STUDENTS COPY THE ALPHABET AND DISCUSS HOW HANDWRITING IS NOT ALWAYS UNIQUE

4. Handwriting Comparisons
Exemplars (samples) are needed
Requested exemplars
Session arranged as similar to original scenario where handwriting sample was written
Person required to write what is spoken not necessarily what is on original document
Alerts suspect that there is an issue with handwriting attempts to alter may occur

5. Nonrequested exemplars
Documents written by subject for purposes other than the questioned document
Represent true handwriting, but sometimes hard to prove in court that the suspect is the source

6. Comparison Characteristics
No two people have identical handwriting
There are natural variations to person’s signatures
No single characteristic that is unique enough to individualize handwriting
No set number of characteristics needed to identify the author of a questioned document

7. Handwriting Analysis Class characteristics Individual characteristics
Slant of writing
Individual characteristics
Unusual flourishes at ends of words or capital letters

8. Identifying Forgery Signs of forgery Differences in:
line thickness or smoothness
Connecting strokes
Pen lifts
Starts and stops
Retouching

10. Questioned Document Alterations
Erasures
Removing writing from a document through mechanical (rubbing with abrasive materials) or chemical (bleaching) means
Obliterations
Original writing is crossed out or written over
Charring

11. Indented writing Overwriting Additions
Document written on top sheet of pad of paper and leaves pressure marks on subsequent pages
Overwriting
Which of two pen strokes was made first
Additions
Writing added to original document