Illusions of Tracing

• NCJ Number: 81507
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 27 Issue: 1 Dated: (January 1982) Pages: 186-195
• Author(s): T W Vastrick
• Date Published: 1982
• Length: 6 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: This article was presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Society of Questioned Document Examiners in Houston, Texas, August, 1981.

Annotation

Numerous explainable phenomena occur in handwriting that give the product the illusion of being a tracing. This paper exposes various illusions of tracing.

Abstract

It describes specific case studies that include diffusion of ink components viewed under infrared luminescence, 'sister' lines, rough writing surfaces, writing machines, and plastic lamination. Also discussed is a common principle that exposes illusions. (Author abstract)