Analysis of Handwriting

1. Analysis of Handwriting 12 Characteristics

2. Line Quality • Smooth, free-flowing, & rhythmic • Look for shaky, nervous, or wavering

3. Spacing between letters and words • The amount of space between letters within words • The amount of space between words

4. Height, Width, & Size of Letters • The amount of space given to each letter is usually consistent (height, width, & size)

5. Pen Lifts & Separation • Where a person lifts their pen while writing is usually consistent. • Forgers often lift their pen in unusual places.

6. Connecting Strokes • Capital letters to lower case letters • Strokes between letters in a word • Strokes between words

7. Beginning & Ending Strokes • How does the write start a letter, word, or number? • Straight vs curled • Long vs short • Upwards vs a downstroke

8. Unusual Letters Formations • Letters written backwards • Letters with a tail • Unusual Capital letters

9. Shading or Pen Pressure • Are the lines thin and light or does the person push hard on the pen, creating thick, heavy lines?

10. Slant • Lefty slant • Righty slant • Straight up and down • Different for certain letters?

11. Baseline Habits • Do you write on the line? Above it? Go below it? • Without lines, do you trail up or down when you write?

12. Flourishes or Embellishments • Fancy letters • Curls, Loops, Circles, or Underlines?

13. Placement of Diacritics • The way you cross your “t” • The way you dot your “i” or “j”