Handwriting Analysis

Biometric Signature Pads:

- "Learns" to recognize how a person signs - Evaluates speed, pressure, and rhythm of the signature - Recognizes forgeries by the detection of even slight differences

Shortcomings in Analysis

- Are the base documents real or fake? - Did mood, age, fatigue impact the handwriting? - Did experts miss any details?

Evidence in the Courtroom

- Expert explains how comparisons were made - Cross-examination by defense attorney may follow

Check forgery can include:

- ordering someone else's checks from a deposit slip -altering a check -intercepting someone's check, altering, and cashing it -creating a check from scratch Approximately $27 million in illegitimate checks are cashed each DAY!!

Two writings came from one person if:

-Their similarities are unique -No unexplainable difference(s) are found

what was the lindbergh case about

1930s—handwriting analysis played a role

when did the US Court of Appeals determined that handwriting analysis qualifies as a form of expert testimony

1999

Line quality

Do the letters flow or are they erratic and shaky?

Two writings: to analyze

Examine the questionable document for detectable traits and record them Obtain a known sample of the suspect's writing (an exemplar) Compare and draw conclusions about the authorship of the questionable document

Three major handwriting categories:

Letter form which includes the shape, curve, angle or slant, proportional size, and appearance of connecting lines between letters Line form which includes the smoothness of letters and the darkness of the lines on the upward, compared to the downwards stroke Formatting which includes the spacing between letters, the spacing between words and lines, the placement of words on a line, and the margin's a writer leaves empty on page

How is forgery prevented:

Print checks on chemically sensitive paper Large font size requires more ink and makes alterations more difficult Use high resolution borders that are difficult to copy Multiple color patterns Embed fibers that glow under different light Use chemical wash detection systems that change color when a check is altered

How are documents analyzed

Question document is analyzed and recorded as well as the exemplars (standard) The standard should be collected without the suspect knowledge ( written statement of what happen) The characteristics of the questioned item are compared with the known standard Experts determine which characteristics are valuable for drawing conclusion about the authenticity and authorship of the questioned document

paper currency

Regular printer paper contains starch. Paper currency contains rag fiber instead of starch.

What computerized hand writing database used and maintained by the Secret Service

The Forensics Information System for Handwriting (FISH)

Forensic science and graphology

The study of graphology is not necessary accepted as part of forensics science, but it can be used as a possible indicator of the writer's personality type

Handwriting depends on:

Writing instrument used (pen, pencil, crayon) Our mood Age Being in a hurry

Connecting letters

are capitals and lower-case letters connected and continuous?

Forgeries

are document made, adapted, or falsified with the intention of deceiving someone.

Counterfeit-determining pens

are inexpensive special pens and markers containing the element iodine When the pen come in contact with a counterfeit bill, the paper marked with the pen changes to a bluish-black color This occurs from a chemical reaction between iodine and the starch found in regular printing paper Pen manufactures claim the counterfeit-detecting pen is 98% effective

Letters complete

are letters completely formed? Or, is a part of the letter missing?

Spacing

are letters equally spaced or crowded? -Margins -Space between capital and lowercase letters -Space between capital letters -Space between words

Fancy curls or loops

are there fancy curls?

Cursive and printed letters

are there printed letters, cursive letters, or both?

Forged documents include:

checks employment records legal agreements licenses wills

Computerized Analysis

compares handwriting samples objectively -compares with samples stored in databases

Placement of the crosses on t' and dots an i's

correct or misplaced? Are t's crossed in the middle, toward top, or toward the bottom? Are i's dotted towards the bottom, towards the right, left, or centered?

Fraudulence

forgery for material ($) gain

Graphologist

is a person who studies the personality of the writer based on handwriting samples They are not the same as a document expert

Pen pressure

is pressure equal when applied to upward and downwards stroke?

Size consistency

is the ratio of height to with consistent? Height of overall writing Height of short to tall letters

Line habit

is the text on the line, above the line, or below the line?

Continuous

is the writing continuous or does the writer lift the pen?

Slant

left, right, or variable

How are initial comparisons of documents made?

naked eye, a handheld lens, or a microscope