Characteristics of handwriting

1. Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Institute of Forensic Science And
Criminology
Bundelkhand University Jhansi (U.P.)
Presented By:
Ahsan Ali
M.Sc. Forensic science
Second Semester
Characteristics of
Handwriting

2. Characteristics of Handwriting
Experts examine 12 different categories or characteristic.These
characteristics are functions of:letter formation,line formation
and formatting.
Letter formation: shape,curve and angle of letters,
proportional size of letters,are letters written correctly (dotted
I`s and crossed t`s).
Line formation: smoothness of letters, darkness of lines on
upward and downward strokes.influenced by speed and
pressure of writing.
Formatting: spacing between letters, spacing between words
and lines,margins left by writer,etc.

3. The following are the writing characterstics in
relation to handwriting examination.
1) Line quality: are the line smooth,free
flowing,and rhythmic,or shaky,nervous,and
wavering?
2) Spacing of words and letters: examine
space between words and letter formation and
consistency in the questioned and known
documents.
3) Ratio of relative height,width,and size of
letters:are the overall height, width,and size of
the letters consistent?.

4. 4) Pen lifts and separation: check how writer Stops
to form letters and begin words.forgeries may have pen
lifts or separation in unusual places.
5) Connecting strokes: comparison of lowercase and
capital letters,and how strokes connect.
6) Begging and ending strokes: how a writer begins
and ends a word , number, or letter.
7) Unusual letter formation: letter written backward,
with a tail ,or unusual capitals.

5. 8) Shading and pen pressure: check for pressure on the
downward and upward strokes.
9) Slant: does the writing slant to the left or right,or up and
down.
10) Baseline habits: is the writing above or below the line
11) Flourishes or embellishments: are there any fancy
letters,curls,loops,circles,etc?
12) Placement of diacritics: check the crossing of t`s and
dotting of l`s,j`s,etc.

6. Refrence
Books: Questioned Documents
(Albert S.Osborn).
Books:Forensic document examination (
principal and prectice).
(Katherine M.koppenhaver,CDE)
Books: Scientific examination of
documents methods and techniques
3rd edition (David Ellen)