Forensic Graphology

Forensic graphology covers many areas of investigation such as signature authentication, verifying handwriting on documents legal and non-legal, comparisons of a suspect’s handwriting. Just like fingerprints, handwriting is unique to each individual. Once we have learned to write as a child, the way we write becomes an unconscious act and completely embedded in our subconscious and it is difficult to disguise. A forger is unlikely to be aware of the nuances of a person’s handwriting just by eyeballing the writing. A forensic graphologist uses a number of tools and pieces of equipment to detect forgeries and obliterations and these are dealt with throughout the course. Although this is a recognised and called upon scientific technique Forensic Graphology cannot tell a person's age or sex from the handwriting. What it can do however is give indications as to the person's state of mind at the time of producing a particular document, be it a blackmail letter, a poison pen letter or a suicide note.

A Graphologist looks for insights into some of the following:

• Mood

• Motivation

• Integrity

• Intelligence

• Emotional Stability