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What is Handwriting Analysis?

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Handwriting analysis — or graphology — is used in two separate applications. Some graphologists use handwriting to make predictions about personality or likelihood of certain behaviors. In other cases, it may be used in the legal system to verify that a will is not forged, or to identify handwriting samples that have come from the the same source.

Graphologists suggest that, since the process of handwriting is connected to the central nervous system, the way in which a person writes may indicate certain personality types and traits. Others dismiss this analysis for personality profiling as a pseudoscience. Still, many businesses employ graphologists to evaluate the handwriting of perspective employees. This is particularly common in Europe, but American employers use it as well as one of the tools to select the best candidate for a job. Handwriting analysis of people with writing disabilities is not considered a valuable pursuit, since there is clear dysfunction between the body and the brain’s ability to produce appropriate writing, and some critics argue that requiring it of a job applicant is tantamount to unlawful discrimination.

Handwriting analysis might be used to predict certain personality traits of the writer.
Handwriting analysis might be used to predict certain personality traits of the writer.

In the criminal justice system, forensic graphologists may examine handwriting to make statements regarding the likely personality of a subject. If it is used, both sides of a case will often employ a handwriting expert to counter the other's testimony. Forensic graphologists used to have more ability to testify in the US, but changes in laws in 2001 now allow a judge the discretion to disallow testimony when he or she feels that statements cannot be scientifically verified.

Handwriting examiners may be called upon as expert witnesses to testify in court.
Handwriting examiners may be called upon as expert witnesses to testify in court.

The legal system also relies on graphology to identify writing coming from the same source. In this way, an incriminating written piece of evidence may be compared with writing of a suspect, which might suggest his proximity or involvement in a crime. Handwriting analysis may also be used to verify the signature on a will or to show that the appropriate person may not have written legal documents.

A handwriting analysis may be done to verify that handwriting samples have come from the same source.
A handwriting analysis may be done to verify that handwriting samples have come from the same source.

There is no certification in the US for graphologists, although there are several colleges where a person can train specifically in the psychological evaluation of handwriting. None of these accredited universities are in the US, however; two are in Italy, and there is also a university where one can earn a bachelor's degree in the field in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Handwriting analysis can be useful in tracking down criminals.
Handwriting analysis can be useful in tracking down criminals.

In the US, the principal means of the learning the trade is through correspondence schools. As a result, many people suggest that handwriting analysis is not really a legitimate science, especially since there are so few universities that offer it as such.

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent LanguageHumanities contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

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Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent LanguageHumanities contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

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Discussion Comments

sunshine31

@Subway11- I think that you could learn handwriting analysis from a school that is not accredited and have a business for entertainment purposes.

I can see someone at a party having a handwriting analyst so that the handwriting analyst can offer insight on the person’s personality based on how they formed their signature.

I saw this on television and it was entertaining. I would love to see how certain strokes in your handwriting reveal aspects about your personality.

subway11

@Bhutan -I really don’t understand why there are not more schools in the United States offering courses in this area.

I can totally see people with experience in handwriting analysis work with law enforcement or for major banks. The problem is that without a stamp of approval such as an accredited program or a national organization, this field will not get the attention that it otherwise might.

I also think that since it lacks scientific methodology many people fear that the findings of the handwriting analysis might be hearsay and inadmissible in court.

Bhutan

It is true that the lack of accredited schools in the United States does limit the people pursuing the degree because no one wants to spend money learning something that employers will not value.

Something similar happened years ago in the forensic psychology field. There were very few accredited forensic psychology programs available in the United States and psychologists that wanted to specialize in this field had to purse other psychology disciplines and once they had their PhD, they could focus their research on criminal behavior.

Now there are many colleges that offer accredited programs in forensic psychology so I think that if the demand for forensic handwriting analysis increases so will the available accredited programs.

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    • Handwriting analysis might be used to predict certain personality traits of the writer.
      By: villorejo
      Handwriting analysis might be used to predict certain personality traits of the writer.
    • Handwriting examiners may be called upon as expert witnesses to testify in court.
      By: Stephen Coburn
      Handwriting examiners may be called upon as expert witnesses to testify in court.
    • A handwriting analysis may be done to verify that handwriting samples have come from the same source.
      By: Syda Productions
      A handwriting analysis may be done to verify that handwriting samples have come from the same source.
    • Handwriting analysis can be useful in tracking down criminals.
      By: Minerva Studio
      Handwriting analysis can be useful in tracking down criminals.