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

A Graphologist will examine an individual's handwriting for signs of some or all of the above and there may be other factors that interest them as well, depending on the reasoning behind their involvement in a particular investigation. During the course of an investigation a Graphologist will be called upon to offer advice as to how the individual was feeling at the time of writing their document and how they wrote the document