Forensic Handwriting Identification: Fundamental Concepts and Principles

• NCJ Number: 188370
• Author(s): Ron N. Morris
• Date Published: 2000
• Length: 251 pages
• Sale Source: Academic Press, Inc
• Publication Format: Book (Hardbound)
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This book teaches the law enforcement and legal communities the major principles and concepts involved in handwriting and hand printing analysis. Professionals learn about interpreting an examiner’s report, the significance of various handwriting opinions, and the influencing factors that must be considered.

Abstract

Handwriting and hand printing analysis is applied to many types of investigation: fraud, homicide, suicide, drug trafficking/clandestine labs, sexual offenses, threats and extortion, blackmail, arson, bombings and theft. The book reviews the basic concepts that affect a person’s writing. It is designed for the investigator who must rely on handwriting comparison to assist in investigations. It assists in understanding the basic principles behind the movement of the writer’s hand and how the dynamics of the act of writing influence the resultant pattern left on the paper by the writer. The book shows how to properly evaluate the patterns, qualities, and features of writing and how to attach significance for identification purposes. Investigators learn about obtaining handwriting specimens and evidence. Model specimen handwriting forms are provided ensuring evidence is identified, collected, understood and passed to the examiner properly. Topics in the book cover: (1) the physiology of writing; (2) handwriting systems; (3) class characteristics; (4) individuality and individual characteristics; (5) features of writing; (6) qualities of writing; (7) line quality; (8) relative speed of writing; (9) ratios and relative relationships; (10) beginning, connecting, and ending strokes; (11) writing instruments and their influence; (12) some general observations about handwriting identification; (13) the process of comparison; (14) abnormal/disguised writing; (15) obtaining handwriting samples; (16) who do I send this case to; (17) submitting a questioned document case to the laboratory; and (18) what does the examiner’s report say? Author and subject index