Scientifically Analyzing Handwriting

[T'ai Chi]

What do people think on this topic? No, I am not talking about someone looking at your writing and saying 'You will have good luck!' or anything like that.

Does anyone think it is possible to have a hard science of analyzing handwriting? Would that science be mostly statistical, or ... ?

 

[Brown]

Do you refer to forensic handwriting analysis (e.g., to determine whether a signature is genuine)?

 

[baggie]

If you were referring to graphology, the Alex cartoon in todays Telegraph was spot on

human recources manager " All Job candidates initial letter of application must be handwritten - the handwriting sample is then kept on file for analysis which can show up evidence of a person with tendency towards dishonesty and untrustworthiness"

"Goodness me Shelley, so don't really believe in all that graphology mumbo jumbo do you?"

"Oh no, ....................but look the handwriting is the same as on these taxi receipts and restaurant bills. He obviously got hold of a load of blank ones"

click on Alex box from http://www.telegraph.co.uk (may have to check previous days one)

 

[T'ai Chi]

Do you refer to forensic handwriting analysis (e.g., to determine whether a signature is genuine)?

Yes. I mean, I know that there is a forensic science of determining authorship, but is it a "hard" science?

 

[rockoon]

 

[T'ai Chi]

LOL

 

[Yahweh]

Yes. I mean, I know that there is a forensic science of determining authorship, but is it a "hard" science?

While its true that handwriting is unique to the author, thats about as far as the science goes.

Some people have spoiled the perfectly acceptable forensics applications of Handwriting Analysis by suggesting you can determine a person's personality through various traits in their signature. This kind of "Handwriting Analysis" is the pen and paper cousin of Palm reading. To say you can determine personality from handwriting is about as scientifically legitimate as phrenology.

Doctor: It appears you've signed your name in blood with a sharp knife, you drew a decaptitated stickman under your name, and it appears you then *looks down at the signature for a second* licked the excess blood dripping off the paper, you appear to be a bit of a sociopath.

Patient: Bullcrap, you dont know nothing.