Chara

cteri
stics
of
Handw
ritin
g

JANICE B. ABELLA
Principles
of
Handwriti
ng

• Handwriting
comes from brain.
• No two persons can
write exactly
alike.
• No two samples
made by one
person be
exactly same.
• Every person has
a range of
natural
variation to his
• Class Characteristics of Handwriting
refer to shared features within a specific style or group of writing. These traits
include letter shapes, spacing, slant, and overall presentation, providing insights into
a particular handwriting class or style.
• Individual Characteristics of Handwriting
are unique traits that distinguish one person's writing from another. These include
specific nuances, variations in letter formations, spacing irregularities, and personal
habits, making each person's handwriting distinct.
Class characteristic:
Movement in Handwriting
5S
Size
The size of handwriting may vary
person to person or vary according to
the circumstances in which it is
written.
It can be Large, Medium And Small
Spacing
Refers to the amount of space
between letters, words and lines of
writing. T he se i n c l u de s Wi d e ,
Narrow, mixed and uniform spacing.
Speed
The amount of time it takes a writer
to execute a handwriting. Speed can
be fast, medium, slow and deliberate.
Slant/Slope
Slope is the inclination of the axes of
letters relative to the perpendicular to
the baseline of the writing. Slant can
be (vertical/Straight, Left/Backward,
Right/forward)
Skill
is the ability/expertise to do
something. The act of writing is a
skill learned through repletion until it
becomes a habit. The more an
individual practices writing, the
better the skill. Skill in handwriting
c a n b e c a t e g o r i z e d a s p o o r,
medium/normal and superior/good.
F i n g e r H a n d F o r e a r m
Movement – Movement – Movement –
The thumb, Produced T h e
the first, b y t h e movement
the second movement o f t h e
a n d or action shoulder,
s l i g h t l o f t h e h a n d a n d
y t h e whole arm with
t h i r d t h e
finger are support of
Whole-Arm Movement- Pen Position – it’s the pen’s
Action of the entire arm angle in relation to the writing
without resting. surface or the writing line.
Angle of pen can be vary from
15 degree to 90 degree. A 45
degree angle is ideal for
writing.
Line Quality – is the smoothness,
evenness, consistency, and directness
of strokes. Among the most crucial
aspects of a handwriting evaluation is
the line quality. Forgery or deliberate
modification in writing may be the
cause of poor line quality.
• Pictorial Effect – The ability to create a
visual effect in writing is a sign of the
writer ’s expertise. Handwriting can be
sloppy, artistic, strong, hesitating, labored or
nervous. Poor handwriting reveals a lack of
experience in the writing field. There are so
many examples of this among the illiterate
and semi-illiterate.
• Tremors – people who are old, unwell,
inebriated, or illiterate tend to write with
tremors. Each of these tremors has its own
pattern. The forger is likely to place
simulated tremors in ncorrect locations,
and the shape and size of tremulous curves
differ. It is possible to prove that writing is
deceptive.

• Style – it can be modified according to • Alignment – The baseline is the

personal preferences and the adoption of
forms that appeal to the individual. The
style might be rounded, angular, or a
combination of the two styles. It can be
either artistic or plain.
imaginary line or actual lines on which
writing sits. Some writers stay above the
baseline, some saty on the line and some
goes below it.

• R h y t h m – o n l y e d u c a t e d p e o p l e ’s
handwriting has rhythm. The flow of the
writing , the precise spelling and
punctuation, and the propotionate
construction of letters and figures are all
indicators of rhythm in writing. It’s the
result of years of writing and reading
experience, and it’s impossible to copy.
 Individual Characteristics of
Handwriting
Abbreviations – experienced
writers begin to simplify letters
and words that they frequently
write, whether intentionally or
u n c o n s c i o u s l y. S i g n a t u r e
simplification is an continuous
process.
Embellishments – certain writers
use embellishment to enhance the
pictorial quality of their writings,
notably signatures. They're scribbled
flourishes. These embellishments
are unique to the author.
H e s i t a t i o n – A f o r g e r y ’s
beginning and ending strokes
display tremors or a lac of
firmness, indicating hesitations.
Vertical lines and curvatures
might also show hesitations.
Pen Pressure – Pulsation or pressure in the
longer looped forms such as the “g” and “y”
is the most unusual habit. To begin with,
there is an initial application of pressure;
however, this pressure progressi vel y
decreases until is applied again on the rising
stroke.
Pen Pause – A halt or stop in the writing
motion in which the writing instrument
stays in touch with the writing surface is
referred to as Pen Pause. In the case of
forgeries, this is one of the distinctive
characteristics of line quality.
Pen Lifts – when the writer removes the
writing instrument off the paper, it causes an
interruption in the stroke which is called as
Pen Lift. The pen Lift in genuine handwriting
is quite conspicuous, while in forgery they
are often coverd by rretouching to give the
impression that the writing is continuous.
Placings – Dot placement, crossing
strokes, and punctuation mark placement
all have distinct characteristics. The habit
can be seen in a significant amount of
writing. Even in genuine texts , the
placement patterns may alter in a few rare
cases.
Retouching – in authentic handwriting,
retouching I used to complete, clarify,
or create a pictorial impression in
some letters. In fraudulent handwriting,
however, retouching is used to mimic
the shading pattern or hide pen lift or
pen pause.
Size – with the passage of time, the
relative sizes of letters and words become
nearly fixed with the writer. The length,
breadth, and size of individual letters’
curves are distinguishing characteristics. It
is possible to detect counterfeit by
comparing ratios.
Shading – occurs when the writer Slope/ Slant - refers Starting and Ending Stroke – The
applies the most pressure to their to the angle starting stroke refers to the initial
writing implement, whether on the a t w h i c h movement when writing a letter or
upstroke or down stroke. letters are character, while the ending stroke is
formed. It can
v a r y the final part of the writing process.
b e t w e e n Both are important for achieving
v e r t i c a l , legible and consistent handwriting.
i t a l i c , o r
Thank
you!