Handwriting Analysis

 Handwriting is unique to each individuals 

• True
• False

When police obtain a writing sample from the suspect, the sample is called a(n):

• Sample
• Exemplar
• Screening
• Graphology

Questioned documents include:

• petitions and lottery tickets
• rare books
• contracts and passports
• all of the above

Which of the following statements is not true? 

• An individual's handwriting may show variation as a result of mood or emotional state
• The handwriting of an individual is unaffected by advancing years.
• The handwriting of an individual shows natural variation.
• The influence of alcohol or drugs may cause variation in an individual's handwriting.

A ransom note left at a crime scene was found to have similar characteristics to a suspect.  

• The suspect can be convicted on this evidence alone
• The note can be considered a match in the eyes of the court
• The results of the comparison can be discussed in court by a certified document analysis expert
• the paper and pen used must be located before the evidence is admissible

Because handwriting is difficult to disguise and forge, handwriting analysis is a good tool for including or excluding persons when determining a match between known material, and a questioned document. 

• true
• false

Line form includes the smoothness of letters and the darkness of the lines on the upward, compared to the downward stroke. 

• true
• false

Formatting includes the spacing between letters, the spacing between words and lines, the placement of words on a line, and the margins a writer leaves empty on a page. 

• true
• false

Evidence handwriting may be compared to pre-existing exemplars of someone’s handwriting or requested exemplars of their writing.

• True
• False

The writing characteristics of a person may be altered by whether

• a significant amount of time has passed between writing of exemplar and the questioned document.
• the posture or stance of the author varies between writings
• paper is ruled or unruled.
• all of the above