NCJ Number
141744
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 38 Issue: 2 Dated: (March 1993) Pages: 402-412
Date Published
1993
Length
11 pages
Annotation
An experiment to study simulated forgeries was conducted, using a sample of 189 participants living in Hong Kong, who were asked to simulate and trace 21 handwriting symbols.
Abstract
The symbols included single strokes, geometric figures, printed English alphabet letters, simple Chinese characters, and a plain signature, each of which contained one or two designated target characteristics. The results showed that the subjects concentrated on each symbol's eye-catching features, while often ignoring the more inconspicuous diagnostic characteristics. Structural detail and subtle features such as the writing direction of a circle were overlooked by the participants, who did not appreciate the finer and more delicate features of the writing symbols they were imitating. These findings appear to confirm previous research that has documented the mental and physical stresses that forgers experience when simulating another's signature. 11 tables, 2 figures, and 7 references