Forensic Examination of Class Characteristics in English Handwriting of the Three States: Andhra Pradesh, Punjab and Kashmir in India

Abstract

The present study analyzed the English handwriting of subjects from Andhra Pradesh, Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir to investigate whether the examination of style characteristics helps determine the nationality/ethnicity of the writer or the place where the writer learned writing. The subjects had completed secondary education in their respective regional languages along with English as a second language. Characteristic features such as letter formations, punctuation marks, spacing between letters, and margins were observed. The data were analysed using the chi- square test to determine significant class characteristics in the English handwritings. Significant class characteristics were identified; these occurrences were attributable to the influence of habitually writing in their native language, because the impact of regional language on the subjects’ English handwriting was observed in a few samples. Forensic document examiners will be able to determine class characteristic in the English handwritings of people from different states using the established procedure and possibly also determine the nationality or ethnic origin of writers.

Keywords

• forensic sciences
• handwriting statistical significance
• class characteristics
• india