Read the background sheet on the "12-Criteria For Handwriting Analysis" provided in class, before completing the activity below. Images of the 12-Criteria are at the end of this page.
Task: Analyze handwriting on a questioned document to determine the author of the document.
Background Information:
Royston Textiles called the state bureau of investigation to report a problem with one of their canceled checks. This check was made out to their consultant, Julian Harston. It had been mailed to Mr. Harston, but he reported that he never received the check. Yet, the canceled check was in Royston Textiles' bank statement. It had been endorsed. Mr. Harston feels that someone in his neighborhood took the check from his mailbox and forged his name on the back. Today you are provided with copies of a statement written by people in his neighborhood. Your job is to decide which statement most closely matches the signature on the check. This decision will help you determine if the check endorsement was forged.
Below is an image of the endorsed check and a handwriting sample from each of the 8-suspects. Hard copies will also be provided in class for viewing.
Questions:
1. Analyze the signature on the forged check provide qualitative data of the items listed below:
Line quality
Spacing
Height
Penlifts
Pen strokes: endings, beginning, fancy, etc.
Pressure
Slant
Baseline
Placement of diacritics
2. In your opinion, which suspect forged the check; according to the 12 criteria, that helped you make this determination?
3. Are you so confident of your decision that you would testify in court?
4. What other two suspect signatures were you considering? What helped you rule out these two checks?
Click on the link to ProProf Assignment you must complete for 10 points.
12 Criteria From Class Packet...
Match the 8-suspect samples with the forged signature samples on the right.