Skip to main content

Forensic Handwriting Identification

Fundamental Concepts and Principles

Handwriting and hand-printing analysis is applied to many types of investigation: fraud, homicide, suicide, drug trafficking and clandestine labs, sexual offences, threats and… Read more

Description

Handwriting and hand-printing analysis is applied to many types of investigation: fraud, homicide, suicide, drug trafficking and clandestine labs, sexual offences, threats and extortion, brlackmail, arson, bombings, and theft.This text covers the major principles involved in handwriting and hand-printing analysis. Lawyers and investigators will learn about interpreting an examiner's report; the significance of various handwriting opinions; and the influencing factors which must be considered. Naturally, students of document examination can gain much from such a practical, yet rigorously scientific, treatment of the subject.

Key features

* Shows investigators how to obtain handwriting specimens and evidence
* Provides model specimen handwriting forms
* Covers best practices for properly identifying, collecting, understanding,and examining evidence

Readership

Students and professionals in the law enforcement, forensic science and legal communities

Table of contents

Foreword
Acknowledgements
About the Author
About the Contributing Author
Introduction
Guide to Use

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-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

18. What Does the Examiner's Report Say?
Author Index
Subject Index

Product details

About the author

RM

Ron N. Morris

Ron Morris is President of Morris & Associates, Inc. Certified by the United States Secret Service Forensic Science Division and the American Board of Forensic Document Examiners; he has worked as an examiner of questioned documents for the Metropolitan Police Department, based in Washington D.C., the United States Secret Service and the U.S. Treasury Department.
Affiliations and expertise
U.S. Secret Service, Springfield, Virginia, USA