Handwriting analysis

In these days of digital traffic, emails and internet, you could be forgiven for thinking that handwriting analysis is no longer important. In fact, the contrary is true. We are regularly asked to investigate the source of anonymous letters or find out who is behind a job application, unwanted mail or (erotic) advertising material. But also to determine the authenticity of documents and signatures and even identify the creative spirit behind certain graffiti on walls, doors and windows.
 
Just to explain: handwriting analysis is an investigative method that analyses the similarities between different handwritten or manually produced letters and characters. It should not be confused with graphological analysis, which focuses on analysing people’s handwriting to deduce their character.
 
Handwriting analysis is performed by a specialist who compares the ‘contested materials’ with authentic materials. The focus is therefore on showing whether there are similarities/deviations in the way letters and characters are written. The more similarities, the greater the likelihood that the handwriting was produced by the supposed creator. These comparisons also take account of the nature, quality and quantity of the materials, as well as the direction of the handwriting. All of this means that this type of investigation is socially and legally valid. In practice, therefore, the results of a handwriting report are generally accepted as evidence.