Comparison of handwritings

Printer Friendly Format

Bookmark this page

Back to "Kriminalistik"

Forensi handwriting investigation

The forensische handwriting investigation examines the authenticity of handwritten documents. Questionable writings X are compared with a set of comparison writings V of a writer. The writings which can be examined are usually called X, the comparison writings usually V. The forensische handwriting investigation has a specific method:

• First a physical-technical investigation is accomplished. Here it is examined whether any traces can be determined, which refer to a falsification or a falsification of the document which can be examined.

• Subsequently, the writing-comparative investigation follows, in which the writing characteristics are raised and compared from X and V. The observable findings are registered. The evaluation of the general characteristics takes place thereby on rank scale level. The special writing characteristics are determined by definitions referring to.

• After the finding collection a finding evaluation follows. In addition hypotheses are formed. The findings are evaluated under the alternative hypotheses. The finding evaluation takes place via a defined set from evaluation rules. Conclusions are drawn and the result of the investigation is formulated as probability statement.

In the forensischen handwriting investigation there are therefore no interpretations. Only observable agreements or differences in the writing characteristics are registered.

A finding evaluation however is necessary. This should take place according to as accurate scientific a methods as possible. In addition a experience-scientific writing psychology is necessary.

The work of a handwriting expert is always connected with large responsibility. It often concerns vital questions. Into civil proceedings it can concern much money; it can be that an execution is introduced or suspended. During a signature falsification or a will falsification actual afterwards to a civil proceeding - to count on a criminal procedure. Witnesses can be condemned because of wrong statement upon oath or uneidlicher, if them e.g. to have seen to want that someone carried a signature out, which turns out then as falsification. Forensi record respecting are public. In civil proceedings the parties involved have opportunity to express itself to an appraisal. Since an appraisal is disadvantageous for the other party usually for a party favourably and, each appraisal is regarded critically. A verbal hearing of the expert can be requested. Finally the expert is responsible for his appraisal. Due to the high responsibility it is inevitable that forensische record respecting on observable findings and experience-scientific methods are based.

Writing psychology

In practice the term is equated "„writing psychology "“frequently with the term "„Graphologie "“. That criticized Teut Wallner under others also: "„Writing psychology and Graphologie are often used today as synonyms, although it itself - which concerns the scientific requirements - clearly differentiate: For the 60's the writing psychology is developed in demarcation to the Graphologie as empirically founded and controlled method of the handwriting diagnostics. "“

Angelika Seibt developed 1994 the term "„writing psychology "“from a confrontation of graphologischer and graphometrischer methods and criticized also the graphometrischen beginning. In particular the conception of a conditionless research is no longer durable in the today's science. Science presupposes theory formation. In this sense "„writing psychology is based "“on the traditional graphologischen theories; the necessity for empirical research is stressed at the same time. Graphologi theories serve the hypothesis formation for empirical research. Writing psychology is know-how shank.

Lothar Michel expressed itself 1984 for a writing psychology as basic discipline. Also Michel intended a writing psychology as know-how shank. In contrast to Wallner it concerned to Michel however not handwriting diagnostics or personality-psychological diagnostics, but the study of the developing conditions of the handwriting. Here a further aspect of the distinction of Graphologie and writing psychology becomes clearly:

• Graphologi interpretations or writing-psychological interpretations want to seize aspects of the personality of the writer from the expression of the handwriting.

• Writing psychology as basic discipline is in contrast to this more comprehensive and wants to investigate also such developing conditions of the handwriting, which do not have to do directly something with the personality of the writer like e.g. school collecting mains, illnesses, writetechnical aspects.

It is to be considered that such aspects were always already considered also in the traditional Graphologie - like e.g. in Pfannes "„text book of the Graphologie "“or in "„the Graphologi diagnostics "“of Mueller and Enskat -.

With interpretations and interpretations not only empirical, but also spirit-scientific methods are meaningful. Also this thought is to be mentioned briefly - it is however not topic of this work.

Writing psychology as basic discipline investigates the psychological, physiological, writetechnical and social developing conditions of handwritten write achievements with experience-scientific methods. The results of writing-psychological research can be used in practice within various ranges. In addition belong general psychological consultation, to consultation to the personality development, to partnership consultation, to educating consultation, to personnel consultation. Also write movement therapy as well as indication tests to the diagnostics e.g. of schoolripe or psychological difficulties are not to remain unmentioned. Likewise is to be thought of the traditional graphologischen personality pictures and writing-psychological analyses to assist in the understanding from historical personalities and historical procedures to. And finally writing-psychological research can be used also in the forensischen handwriting comparing.