Forensic Handwriting Examination

Forensic Handwriting Examination discusses the analysis of handwritten material for the purpose of verifying or determining authorship, detecting forgery and proving or disproving authenticity.

This book explores the basis for handwriting identification and the principles and theories accepted by handwriting examiners worldwide. It covers primary handwriting features such as letter form or design, as well as more complex writing components including movement, rhythm and line quality. Signature evaluation, disguise and anonymous writing are considered.

Based on a system used by the author, examination guidelines, worksheets and comparison charts are provided to facilitate the task of writing identification. The book also offers information about the business of handwriting examination, including extensive material on writing letters of opinion and presenting testimony at trial. Following the procedures and material presented herein will enhance the handwriting examiner's professional image.

Reed Hayes operates a handwriting and document examination business in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi. He has studied handwriting for nearly five decades, and has worked internationally on projects including the book and video production of The Diary of Jack the Ripper and the book Alexander Cartwright: The Life Behind the Baseball Legend. He has also examined and rendered opinions on the questioned will of Queen Liliʻuokalani, Hawaii's last reigning monarch.Mr. Hayes is a graduate of the Andrew Bradley Training Course in Forensic Document Examination (beginning and advanced) and holds certification from the National Association of Document Examiners (2001), with re-certifications in 2006, 2011, 2016, 2021 and 2026. He is a member of the American Handwriting Analysis Foundation and serves as a board member of the National Association of Document Examiners and the Scientific Association of Forensic Examiners.Mr. Hayes is the author and co-author of several books, including Between the Lines, Danger Between the Lines and Reflections of a Forensic Handwriting Expert. He currently teaches a distance course in forensic handwriting and document examination and has instructed students from around the globe.