Forensic Handwriting Examination of Motor Disorders

Forensic document examination in handwriting and
signature cases can be complicated by writers with
motor disorder conditions such as Parkinson s
disease and essential tremor. These conditions are
more prevalent among the elderly and legal issues
arise in probate and elder abuse fraud cases where
parkinsonian patients sign their signatures
to checks, estate, title, and financial documents
that are frequently contested. Because writers with
motor disorders produce distorted, tremulous
handwriting, distinguishing between genuine
movement disorder signatures and forgeries can be
problematic for handwriting experts. To address the
problem, the author conducts original research using
innovative digital tablet technology
that allows for objective, quantifiable measurement
of dynamic handwriting factors such as duration,
velocity, pressure, and frequency spectrum
analysis of writing tremor. The results have
implications not only for handwriting experts
working with ink writing and online biometric
signatures, but also the elderly, motor disorder
patients, legal professionals, investigators, law
enforcement, and the justice system.

Autorentext
Heidi H. Harralson, MA, CDE, D-BFDE, is a board-certified
forensic document examiner and handwriting expert. Managing
partner of Spectrum Forensic International, LLC, she has
testified in civil and criminal cases. She holds a BS in the
behavioral sciences and an MA in handwriting science/forensic
document examination.

Klappentext
Forensic document examination in handwriting and signature cases can be complicated by writers with motor disorder conditions such as Parkinson's disease and essential tremor. These conditions are more prevalent among the elderly and legal issues arise in probate and elder abuse fraud cases where parkinsonian patients sign their signatures to checks, estate, title, and financial documents that are frequently contested. Because writers with motor disorders produce distorted, tremulous handwriting, distinguishing between genuine movement disorder signatures and forgeries can be problematic for handwriting experts. To address the problem, the author conducts original research using innovative digital tablet technology that allows for objective, quantifiable measurement of dynamic handwriting factors such as duration, velocity, pressure, and frequency spectrum analysis of writing tremor. The results have implications not only for handwriting experts working with ink writing and online biometric signatures, but also the elderly, motor disorder patients, legal professionals, investigators, law enforcement, and the justice system.