Handwriting examination is a classical area of forensic science, used to identify the writer of documents, signatures and handwritten entries. The field rests on the assumption that human handwriting is individual in character, develops through ontogenesis and is expressed in a set of specific graphic features. Analysing these features and comparing the questioned material with reference material is the essence of forensic handwriting identification (Goc, Łuszczuk, Łuszczuk, & Tomaszewski, 2016).
Forensic practice primarily uses the graphic comparative method, which has formed the basis of handwriting examination in Europe for many decades. It consists of analysing individual graphic handwriting characteristics and comparing them across the documents examined (Fajer, 1981).
The individual nature of handwriting as the basis for identification
One of the fundamental assumptions of forensic document examination is that handwriting is individual. As Edmond Locard notes, handwriting features are linked to the writer’s anatomical and physiological characteristics, as well as established motor habits (Locard, 1959).
Accordingly, handwriting analysis includes:
- proportions and size of graphic characters,
- handwriting slant angle,
- spatial relationships between handwriting elements,
- the nature of the writing line and the dynamics of hand movement.
These characteristics form a set of graphic properties specific to a particular person and enable identification of the writer (Moszczyński, 2011).
The use of computer technology in handwriting examination
Modern handwriting examination increasingly uses computer techniques. As Goc, Łuszczuk and Tomaszewski note, computer tools can increase examination objectivity and broaden the range of handwriting features analysed.
Computer programs enable, among other things:
- taking precise measurements of graphometric parameters,
- analysis of handwriting line structure,
- statistical comparison of handwriting characteristics,
- visualising analysis results as charts and diagrams.
Computer-assisted methods also enable the development of new examination techniques known as computer graphometry and computer scangraphy (Łuszczuk & Łuszczuk, 2010).
GRAPHLOG—specialist software for handwriting examination
One of the tools used in forensic handwriting analysis is the specialist computer program GRAPHLOG—software for forensic handwriting examination .
This system was developed at the Prof. Jan Sehn Institute of Forensic Research in Kraków in cooperation with CYBID. Its main purpose is to support the expert in measuring and analysing graphometric handwriting features (Dziedzic, Fabiańska, Kunicki, & Zadora, 2008).
GRAPHLOG enables, in particular:
- automatically taking large numbers of graphic measurements,
- statistical analysis of handwriting characteristics,
- comparison of graphic parameters of different handwriting samples,
- visualisation of expert examination results.
Using such software can significantly increase examination precision and reduce the influence of the expert's subjective assessment on the analysis result (Leśniak, 2012).
Computer graphometry in handwriting identification
Computer graphometry develops the traditional measurement methods used in handwriting examination. It is based on analysing geometric handwriting parameters such as line length, character proportions and spatial relationships between writing elements (Łuszczuk & Łuszczuk, 2010).
Graphometric methods enable:
- numerical description of handwriting features,
- statistical comparison of handwriting samples,
- increasing the objectivity of the expert opinion.
As Locard observes, measurement methods are particularly important in forensic examinations because ‘to know is to measure’ (Locard, 1959).
The significance of computerisation in handwriting examination
The development of computer tools in forensic document examination helps increase the reliability of handwriting opinions and extend experts’ analytical capabilities. Computer programs enable analysis of handwriting parameters that were previously difficult to capture using traditional examination methods.
As Goc and co-authors emphasise, computer methods enable analysis of both geometric handwriting characteristics and motor characteristics reflecting the writer's individual habits. This increases the objectivity of examinations and the evidential value of handwriting opinions (Goc, Łuszczuk, Łuszczuk, & Tomaszewski, 2016).
References (APA 6)
Dziedzic, T., Fabiańska, E., Kunicki, M., & Zadora, G. (2008). Graphlog – komputerowy system wspomagający badanie cech pisma ręcznego [Graphlog—a computer system supporting examination of handwriting characteristics]. In: Z. Kegel (ed.), Wpływ badań eksperymentalnych na wartość dowodową ekspertyzy dokumentów. Materiały XII Wrocławskiego Sympozjum Badań Pisma, Wrocław 7–9 czerwca 2006 [The impact of experimental studies on the evidential value of document examination. Proceedings of the 12th Wrocław Symposium on Handwriting Examination, Wrocław, 7–9 June 2006] (pp. 77–89). Wrocław: University of Wrocław, Faculty of Law, Administration and Economics, Department of Criminalistics.
Fajer, L. (1981). The evolution of handwriting identification examination methods (summary of academic achievements). Katowice: University of Silesia, Faculty of Law and Administration.
Goc, M., Łuszczuk, A., Łuszczuk, K., & Tomaszewski, T. (2012). Wykorzystanie grafometrii komputerowej w badaniach identyfikacyjnych pisma ręcznego i podpisów – komunikat z realizacji projektu rozwojowego [Use of computer graphometry in handwriting and signature identification examinations—a report on a development project]. In: Z. Kegel & R. Cieśla (eds.), Znaczenie aktualnych metod badań dokumentów w dowodzeniu sądowym. Materiały XIV Wrocławskiego Sympozjum Badań Pisma (pp. 94–104). Wrocław.
Goc, M. (2016). Współczesny model ekspertyzy pismoznawczej. Wykorzystanie nowych metod i technik badawczych. Warsaw–Szczecin.
Leśniak, M. (2012). The evidential value of a handwriting opinion. Pińczów: B.S. Training.
Locard, E. (1959). Les faux en écriture et leur expertise. Paris: Payot.
Łuszczuk, A., & Łuszczuk, K. (2010). Grafometria komputerowa [Computer graphometry]. In: E. Gruza, M. Goc, & T. Tomaszewski (eds.), Co nowego w kryminalistyce – przegląd zagadnień z zakresu zwalczania przestępczości [What's new in forensic science—a review of crime-fighting issues] (pp. 217–226). Warsaw: Polish Forensic Association.
Moszczyński, J. (2011). Subiektywizm w badaniach kryminalistycznych. Przyczyny i zakres stosowania subiektywnych ocen w wybranych metodach identyfikacji człowieka [Subjectivity in forensic examinations: causes and extent of subjective assessments in selected methods of human identification]. Olsztyn.