Hobbies And Interests
Questioned Document Examiners
The first group of handwriting analysts are referred to as "questioned document examiners" or "forensic document examiners." These analysts engage in the comparison of handwriting for the purpose of determining whether a piece of writing of undetermined or questionable origin was created by someone whose known writings can be used for comparison. These analysts answer questions about origins, for instance, did Benjamin Franklin really write a particular letter attributed to him, or was a musical composition written by Johann Sebastian or Anna Magdalena Bach, whose writing styles are very similar. Handwriting styles and details of known existing documents attributed to a particular author are examined and compared.
Habituation, Complexity, Uniqueness
Three techniques used by "questioned document examiners" are comparison of handwriting styles for habituation, complexity and uniqueness. Habituation refers to habitual patterns of handwriting, which can manifest themselves in aspects of an individual's writing. Complexity considers the wide range of variation that might be discernible for each letter of the alphabet. Some writers have unique ways of writing certain letters. This leads to a third point of reference, uniqueness. With habituation and complexity analyzed, the chances of finding two individuals who write all letters exactly the same is remote. Unique individual handwriting features and details can help identify the scribe of particular documents.
Graphoanalysis
Graphoanalysis is an intriguing application of handwriting analysis. It is the study of handwriting to reveal character and personality traits. The underlying principle of this analytical method, as described by the International Graphoanalysis Society (IGAS), is that people who have certain character and personality traits also share common traits in the shapes and forms of their handwriting. Forensic-Evidence.com, an information site for forensic science, law and public policy for lawyers, forensic scientists, educators and public officials, states that some place graphoanalysis on the same level as astrology. Others, however, feel that there is validity to graphoanalysis. IGAS states that graphoanalysis is not able to distinguish such details as sex, race, religious affiliation, or sexual preference. This facilitates an unbiased analysis by the graphoanalyst.
Identifying Strokes
One method of analyzing handwriting is identifying strokes. Some of the identifiable types of strokes are backward or forward slanting; sharp and angular strokes; altered strokes, where the writer goes back and tries to improve some of the letters; arcades, where the tops of the letters are very round; determining if the baseline under the line of text is straight, very meandering or slightly meandering. Another trait considered is whether the letters are connected or disconnected.
Relating Strokes to Specific Personality Traits
The book "The ABCs of Handwriting Analysis: The Complete Guide to Techniques &Interpretations," by Claude Santoy, equates backward slanting to immaturity, egocentricity and stubbornness. Angular strokes, where sharp angles prevail, are associated with decisiveness, pragmatism and aggressiveness. Connected strokes are associated with an analytical mind, mathematical, with good visual memory while disconnected strokes are associated with intuition, some strong creative strengths and good auditory memory.