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.