Handwriting : Definition, Principles, important terms

Definition:

Handwriting is a skill that is learned over time and involves a sophisticated interplay of sensory and motor processes, often described as a intricate neuromuscular activity. [1]

Handwriting is a form of communication involving visual signs or marks accepted by individuals or groups within a community. It encompasses the expression of ideas, messages, and information through written characters. Handwriting reflects personal characteristics, influenced by factors such as writing habits, emotions, topic, time constraints, and cultural background. It evolves gradually and has unique traits specific to each individual. Just as spoken language has distinctive traits, so does written language, which serves as a personal detail of a person's identity. Handwriting's evolution began with engravings, paintings, and symbols, eventually developing into a coordinated and legible form of expression used for intercommunication. [2]

Principles of Handwriting: 

Handwriting identification relies on well-established scientific principles, outlined as follows: [2]

1. Each individual's handwriting is unique and personal to them, especially as they mature.

2. It is not possible for someone to replicate exactly what they have written before. Natural variations exist within the writing of the same person.

3. Building upon the previous point, it is a certainty that no two signatures from the same person can be exactly identical.

4. If two signatures appear identical, it's a clear indicator that one of them is likely forged.

5. As people age, their handwriting gradually changes. Though often subtle, these changes occur over time and might not be readily noticeable.

6. It's improbable for two different individuals to write in an identical style.

7. A writer's skill and ability are limited unless they put in dedicated effort and practice.

8. Switching between different styles of writing is challenging; one's normal writing style is not easily altered.

9. Attempts to disguise handwriting are always superficial and result in lower-quality writing.

10. Most disguise attempts are relatively simple in nature.

Important Terms:

Impersonification: 

"Impersonification" (both countable and uncountable, with a plural form "impersonifications") is an old-fashioned term that has two meanings. Firstly, it refers to the act of impersonating, which means pretending to be someone else. Secondly, it's used in an older sense to describe personification, which is giving something non-human human-like qualities or characteristics, essentially representing it as if it were a person." [3]

Disguise:

In forensic handwriting analysis, "disguise" refers to purposefully changing one's writing style to hide their identity or mislead investigators. This can involve altering handwriting features like size, slant, and spacing. Experts compare the questioned document with known samples to detect such disguises and determine if the handwriting has been intentionally changed.

Master Pattern:

The master pattern of handwriting shows us the word to word differences in the handwriting and can help us to distinguish one handwriting from other. The master pattern is drawn very carefully and all the initial, middle and terminal letters are studied in the master pattern. [4]

The "master pattern" in handwriting analysis refers to a carefully crafted reference of someone's handwriting. It highlights the specific variations in how each word is written. By closely studying the master pattern, experts can differentiate between different handwriting styles. This involves meticulously examining the beginning, middle, and end letters of words. This process helps forensic analysts compare questioned documents with the established master pattern to identify similarities or differences, aiding in determining the authorship or authenticity of the handwriting. 

Natural Variation:

Natural variation refers to the inherent differences that naturally occur in a person's handwriting. These variations are a reliable sign of genuine writing and are consistently present in documents. This is because a forger cannot avoid displaying their unique natural variation, nor can they accurately replicate the natural variation of the genuine writer. [4]

Hiatus:

Hiatus refers to a pause, break, gap, interruption, or lifting of the pen within a written line.

"Hiatus" refers to a pause or interruption in the flow of handwriting strokes. It's a noticeable break or gap between letters, words, or strokes within a word. Hiatuses can result from various factors such as hesitations, changes in writing pressure, pen lifts, or intentional attempts to alter the handwriting.

Analyzing hiatuses can provide insights into the writing process and potentially help differentiate between natural variations and deliberate alterations. Forensic document examiners examine the presence, frequency, and nature of hiatuses to understand the rhythm and patterns in the handwriting, which can contribute to assessments of authenticity, consistency, and authorship in questioned documents.

References:

1. Huber, R. A., & Headrick, A. M. Handwriting Identification: Facts and Fundamentals. CRC Publishers.

2. Epg Pathshala, Basics Of Handwriting Identification

3. Wikitionary : The Free Dictionary

4. Epg Pathshala, Comparison of Handwriting Samples