In Mrs. Johnson’s science classroom, an awful crime has taken place: someone has broken her cookie jar! In an effort to solve the mystery of “whodunit,” Mrs. Johnson has decided to involve her students.
“We’re not detectives,” began Ashley, shaking her ponytail doubtfully. “How can we solve the mystery?”
“Well, this IS a science class,” said Mrs. Johnson. “We know how to do experiments. Investigating a crime is usually done by a team of technicians who’ve been trained in forensic science. Forensic science uses scientific tools and skills and experiments to solve crimerelated puzzles.”
“You know, just like they do on TV,” interjected Jack. “It’s just like CSI!”
“You’re right, Jack. Forensic science is very popular right now, in television, books, and in movies. But it’s not entirely new! Some people think forensic science is new, but scientists have been using special techniques to solve crimes for hundreds of years.”
“In our last class, we examined the scene of the crime and took statements from our suspects, but we weren’t able to determine who broke the cookie jar,” said Mark to his classmates. “What else can we do?”
“Well, there was a note!” exclaimed Ashley. “That must be a clue!”
Mrs. Johnson motioned for her students to take their seats. She crossed her arms in front of her and thought for a moment. “Ashley suggested that the note might be a clue, a kind of evidence. But evidence of what?”
George, a normally quiet boy, spoke up. “ell, the note is evidence if it helps us figure out the truth.”
“What do you think the note can tell us, George?” asked Mrs. Johnson. “Yeah,” said Mark. “It’s not like the criminal signed it!”
“If the paper was a special paper, too, like a certain colour paper or graph paper, we might be able to connect it to a particular person.”
“But this paper’s not special,” offered Jack glumly. “The note’s just on regular school paper, the same kind we all use.”
“Well, maybe there’s something in the handwriting,” said George. “We don’t all write alike, so maybe we can figure out who the author is.”
“Good, good thinking,” nodded Mrs. Johnson. “You’re on the right track. I’ve got two experiments for us today. First—as George suggested we’ll tackle handwriting analysis. Then, we’ll use a special process called ink chromatography to see if we can match the ink on the paper to a particular pen.”
Jack rubbed his hands together. “We’re hot on the criminal’s trail, Mrs. J!” Mrs. Johnson laughed. “Let’s get started.”
The way we learn to write in school stays with us for a very long time. We learn to hold the pen in a particular way, to shape the letters in a certain fashion and how to space words and lines. These are all things used in analyzing
a document. Forensic handwriting specialists study suspicious documents for the printing or writing style, the paper and the ink.
The study of handwriting in forensic science involves comparing written documents
such as ransom notes or forged contracts
with “known” handwriting samples, or already existing samples of a suspect’s handwriting. Investigators look closely at many characteristics when they are examining handwriting, such as:
such as ransom notes or forged contracts
with “known” handwriting samples, or already existing samples of a suspect’s handwriting. Investigators look closely at many characteristics when they are examining handwriting, such as:
Form is the shape of the letters and their slant, how the letters are connected and the use of curves.
Line quality is the thickness of the line caused by the type of writing tool used and the amount of pressure used while writing.
Arrangement is how the letters and words are placed on the page. This includes spacing and how things are lined up.
Content includes the spelling, phrasing, punctuation, and grammar of the document.
In 1922, a few scraps of paper helped capture the Yule Bomb Killer. On December 27th, Clementine Chapman opened a package
that she thought was a late Christmas gift. It exploded. The packaging was pieced back together and from just a few words recovered from the address label, the police were able to trace the bomber.
that she thought was a late Christmas gift. It exploded. The packaging was pieced back together and from just a few words recovered from the address label, the police were able to trace the bomber.
The misspelling of words, in an area of Wisconsin with a high illiteracy rate, pointed to someone who did not speak English well. The community was small and only one person had been feuding with Chapman over land boundaries. This gave this person a motive for the crime, and made him a suspect. A handwriting sample, as well as ink and bomb-making materials, were found in the suspect’s home. They led to the arrest of John Magnuson, who had been born in Sweden.
“Expert” witnesses are not the only witnesses who can testify about the genuineness of handwriting. People who are familiar with
a person’s handwriting can also testify if the handwriting really belongs to someone. Their opinions are considered by the court along with the opinions of the experts. For example, if throughout her life a daughter received many letters from her mother, she would be an excellent witness to determine if a letter was written by her mother’s hand.
a person’s handwriting can also testify if the handwriting really belongs to someone. Their opinions are considered by the court along with the opinions of the experts. For example, if throughout her life a daughter received many letters from her mother, she would be an excellent witness to determine if a letter was written by her mother’s hand.
At first, comparisons are done with the naked eye or with a hand-held lens. For further investigation, special lighting can help to reveal small details about how a document was changed or created. Angled lights can show indents on the paper that might suggest a signature was traced. Backlighting shows eraser use and makes correction fluids look dark.
Forensic handwriting specialists can match a suspect’s sample or “known” handwriting with a note left at the crime scene.
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