Frequently Asked Questions
Q WHAT IS HANDWRITING IDENTIFICATION?
A In the legal sense, as it applies to civil
and criminal litigation, handwriting identification seeks to
establish the identity or non-identity of a writer. One
handwriting should exhibit significantly different writing habits
and letter designs (allographs) from another.
Q WHAT IS HANDWRITING?
A Handwriting is a neuromuscular process
that originates in the brain. Some researchers have called
it brainwriting. For litigation purposes it is important to
know whether the normal process has in any way been impeded either
through the use of medication or drugs, or through illness or
extreme old age.
Q WHAT IS A DOCUMENT?
A While we think for the most part of a
document as being written on paper, anything that contains and
conveys information constitutes a document.. Therefore,
messages inscribed on cardboard, wood or stone; graffiti on walls,
mirror writing or even body writing are all documents that can be
offered as evidence. The writing instrument used to produce
a document can be a pen, pencil, marker, chisel or spray can -- or
a typewriter.
Glossary of Terms about
Forensic Document Examination
ALLOGRAPH Letter design: From Greek: allos =
other and graph = the pattern traced on the writing surface to
represent a letter. Any style of the 26 letters of the
English alphabet and its combinations.
ALTERATION: An unauthorized operation performed on a document after it
has been validated that changes its language or legal meaning, specifically the terms
in a negotiable instrument, without knowledge or consent of the parties involved.
APEX: Also peak. The upper or lower junction of letters such as
"A" and "M", or "V" and "W".
ARCADE:
The rounded top stroke forming an "m" or "n"
in cursive writing; a writing style where this formation
predominates.
BONA FIDE: "In good faith." An
agreement made in good faith, without fraud or deceit. A "gentlemen's
agreement," usually unwritten, that is not legally enforceable.
CHARACTER: Any written or typed single
letter, number, mark or symbol.
CURSIVE: Continuous writing which connects letters
with one another. The design of the letters and how they connect
is based on a system taught in schools.
DEPOSITION: Out of court testimony of a witness
under oath that is usually
written down by a court reporter for later use in court.
ESDA: Eletrostatic Detection Apparatus -- used to
detect indented impressions left from writing on an overlying
page (also IMED).
FORENSIC: An argumentative
exercise that permits the document examiner to explain her
findings to the court in a formal manner, consecutively and
logically.
FORGERY: The alteration of an instrument
(document, writing) from its genuine state.
GRAPHEME: The smallest identifiable unit
of writing; not divisible; the abstract concept of a letter of the
alphabet (Huber & Headrick: Handwriting Identification Facts and
Fundamentals, 1999).
HARPOON: A short, sharp-angled writing impulse at
the end, or sometimes at the beginning, of a regular stroke.
It occurs involuntarily and is indicative of speed.
Sometimes also called a "tick".
HIATUS: A gap, or interruption in what should be a
continuously written line. The writing instrument is
lifted from the paper momentarily. The space can be very
noticeable or so minute that it can only be detected under a
microscope.
HOOK: It frequently ends a letter and the stroke
swings upward in a soft curve. A downward or sideways hook
is also possible.
|
Focused
Attention! Impartial observation.
Perception is the brain at work behind the eyes.
|
 |
Return
to Top | Services Available
| Qualifications
| Experience | Testimonials
MaryAnn
Czermak, Ph.D., Forensic Document Examiner
21904
Belmont Drive, Palo Cedro, CA 96073, (530) 547-3431
www.documents-examiner.com | E-mail MaryAnn
website
©2000-2008 MaryAnn Czermak, design & marketing by
Saccomano Internet Solutions
|
