Unnatural Handwriting Behaviors

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ABSTRACTThere are many factors that a forensic handwriting examiner (FHE) must consider during an examination of handwriting or signatures. One common and critical consideration is whether the examined material, including both questioned and known writing, is the product of a disguise or simulation process, or is naturally written. This Overview provides information important for the FHE to know regarding common methods of simulation (including tracing and freehand) and disguise, and the corresponding features that may be observed in the written trace. Equally important for the FHE to understand are the limitations and uncertainties associated with interpreting indictors of unnatural writing behaviors. This is because certain circumstances, such as unusual writing surfaces or conditions, may result in similar features to those expected due to unnatural writing processes. Appreciating the complexities associated with the examination and interpretation of writing displaying evidence of an unnatural writing process will assist FHEs in appropriately assessing the evidence.