Handwriting Analysis

What clues are used to compare writing samples?

Charles Lindbergh

• First person to fly a plane _____ across the Atlantic Ocean (1927)

• Became famous and rich– Also a target

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March 1, 1932

• Bruno Hauptmann kidnapped Lindbergh’s ______________________

• Left ransom note for $50,000• Trial had 45 writing samples

– ____ ransom notes– __ auto registration forms filled out by Bruno– Ransom note samples

• Hauptman was convicted, sentenced to death and executed.

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Handwriting Styles

• What kind of documents require a signature?

___________________________________• Why is a cursive signature preferred to a

printed name on these documents?

___________________________________• Six volunteers?

Handwriting Identification

Experts look at three things:

1. Handwriting _______• How are the words ___________

2. Content _______• What do the words ___________

3. _________ Documents• Has the writing been ________ in some way

Handwriting Style

• General ______– Print each letter separately, join letters within

words– 3 s’s: ______, ______, and ______ of letters– Lines: Thick? Thin?– Personal touches

• How ‘i’ is ________• Other ideas? ________________________________

Handwriting Style Continued

• Compare Writing Samples– ___________ (grocery, to-do, etc.)– Calendars– Cards– Legal ___________– Checks– ________________; credit cards– Ideally sample has same words as evidence

Content Clues

• Word _________

• Spelling

• _________________

• Note: Expert use content clues for _______________________ too!– What letters does a writer leave out???

Altered Documents

• Changed __________ on a check?

• Forged a _____________?

• Lighting– Can reveal a ______________ where

writing has been erased (done from the back)

– Can reveal a ______________ in the paper (done from the side)