Forensic Handwriting Analysis

1. Line quality2. Spacing3. Ratio (letter size)4. Pen lifts and separations5. Connecting strokes6. Beginning and ending strokes7. Unusual letter formation8. Shading or pen pressure9. Slant10. Baseline habits11. Flourishes and embellishments12. Diacritic placement (crossing i and dotting t)

Drew Silva

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Original

Forgery

Are the lines smooth or shaky?

Original

Forgery

Is the spacing size consistent?

Original

Forgery

Are the letters consistent in shape & size?

Are the pen lifts consistent?

Original

Forgery

Compare how letters are linked.

Original

Forgery

Are the strokes straight, curled, long?

Original

Forgery

Unusual letters - letters written backwards, tails

Original Forgery

Differences in shading = differences in pen pressure

Original

Forgery

Is the slant or angle of the letters

consistent?

Original

Forgery

Does the writing go below the line?

There is a tendency for the top author (original) to write

above the line while the forgery tends to be on the line.

Original

Forgery

Any fancy letters?

Original

Forgery

Is the line on the “t” in proportion? Are the “i’s” dotted left or right?

Original

Forgery

The i dot and t cross tend to the right of the letter.

The i dot is varied. The t cross is even. The form of the lettert is wider at the base.

Important:When filling out your Lab Report Form for

Handwriting Analysis, be sure to identify 3 characteristics of handwriting that led you to your conclusion in the Handwriting Analysis Lab.