Graphology and Forensic Handwriting Examination are not equivalent terms. They are two distinct disciplines with different objectives and methodologies, so graphology cannot be equated with Forensic Handwriting Examination.
Forensic Handwriting Examination is a discipline focusing on identifying individuals based on the trace they leave behind, that is, their handwriting movement. A handwriting movement is a very complex sensory-motor skill of the hand and arm muscles.
Graphology is a method of identifying an individual's personality traits through the analysis of their handwriting.
Expert reports are carried out by forensic experts in judicial or extrajudicial proceedings. Their purpose is to provide objective expert findings, which can serve as important evidence in various types of disputes.
expert opinion
scientific statement
scientific opinion
transcript of the expert opinion, expert testimony
For the purposes of civil litigation, a private expert opinion can serve as evidence. This opinion is submitted by a party to the dispute without the court needing to order an official forensic examination.
Questioned writing is a document containing a signature or handwriting whose authenticity or authorship is in doubt.
Collected standards are documents containing signatures or handwriting needed to compare with the questioned writing to verify the authenticity of the disputed signature or identify the author of the questioned handwriting.
Style of handwriting (cursive, block, or italic)
Type of signatures
Time relation to the creation of the questioned writing
Sample size (depends on the amount of material submitted; the simpler or less complex the questioned writing, the more extensive the collected standards should be)
In practice, there may be a situation where the original of questioned writing is not available or no longer exists. In such cases, it is possible to examine a photocopy of the questioned writing. However, the conclusion of the examination is limited by the quality of the photocopy. Poor-quality photocopies of the questioned writing are typically not suitable for examination.
The client is responsible for submitting the standards for an expert opinion. However, there are occasions when the forensic handwriting expert requires an addition to collected standards such as requested writings. In such cases, the forensic handwriting expert may request specimen samples written specifically for the purpose of comparison with the questioned writing, following instructions provided by an expert in their presence. Performing these requested writings is a voluntary act.
All provided originals and photocopies of the standards are returned undamaged after the expert opinion is completed, except for any markings made with a pencil.
Examples of questions to verify the authenticity of the disputed signature or identify the author of the questioned handwriting.
Is the disputed signature executed for the name Ing. Jozef Poručiteľ on the original (copy) of the Will dated February 22, 2022, an authentic signature of Mr. Ing. Jozef Poručiteľ, born April 4, 1944?
Did Ing. Jozef Poručiteľ, born April 4, 1944, write the handwritten text on the original (copy) of the Will dated February 22, 2022?
Is the handwriting on the original (copy) of the disputed Will dated February 22, 2022, the genuine handwriting of Mr. Ing. Jozef Poručiteľ, born April 4, 1944?
Identification
(“The questioned signature is the genuine signature of person XY”, “The questioned handwriting was written by person XYXY”
Strong Probability
Probable
Indications
No Conclusion
(“It is not possible to determine whether the questioned signature is the genuine signature of person XY or not”, “It is not possible to determine whether the questioned handwriting was written by person XY or not”)
Indications Did Not
Probably Did Not
Strong Probably Did Not
Elimination
(“The questioned signature is not the genuine signature of person XY”, “The questioned handwriting was not written by person XY”)
However, even a probable conclusion represents an acceptable level of proof. In the Forensic Handwriting Examination, conclusions cannot be expressed in percentages.
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