NCJ Number
110202
Journal
Canadian Society of Forensic Science Volume: 20 Issue: 4 Dated: (December 1987) Pages: 119-138
Date Published
1987
Length
20 pages
Annotation
This paper describes a handwriting study which involved the voluntary participation of patients who were undergoing treatment for schizophrenia in a psychiatric hospital.
Abstract
Medication was a part of treatment in all cases. The medication consisted of neuroleptic or antipsychotic drugs, sometimes in combination with antiparkinsonism and anticonvulsant drugs. It was the effects of on the individual's handwriting characteristics that was studied. As was suspected, the effects on the handwriting could not be generalized in any one drug group. Two conclusions were drawn from the examination of handwriting. First, in 80 percent of the sample handwritings taken, the individual characteristics were not affected by the drug treatments. Second, in some patients, the size and uniformity of the handwriting was affected, as the drug treatment progressed. (Publisher abstract)