Heidi H. Harralson

East Tennessee State University | ETSU · Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology

This is a comprehensive update of Huber and Headrick's (1999) seminal work on handwriting examination. New coverage includes a review of forensic handwriting examination research, handwriting analysis training and proficiency, revised methods and procedures, an updated listing and clarification of terminology and electronic signatures, the analysis...

The examination of handwriting and signatures has a long and established history as a forensic discipline. With the advancement of technology in the use of digital tablets for signature capture, changes in handwriting examination are necessary. Other changes in handwriting, such as in increase in printed writing styles and the decrease in handwriti...

Chinese translation of: "Developments in Handwriting and Signature Identification in the Digital Age" The examination of handwriting and signatures has a long and established history as a forensic discipline. With the advancement of technology in the use of digital tablets for signature capture, changes in handwriting examination are necessary. Ot...

Little empirical research exists on differentiating handwriting distortion caused by movement disorders and their forgery. In this study, 12 participants forged signature-like models produced by a healthy writer, and two writers clinically diagnosed with essential tremor (ET) and Parkinson's disease (PD), respectively. The handwritings were recorde...

Abstract: The goals of this study are to: 1) define and describe types of steganographic messages in the form of “invisible ink” both produced and received by prison inmates; 2) aid in establishing patterns of production commonly used by inmates; and 3) provide research information that can assist prison facilities in detecting steganographic “invi...

Abstract: In this presentation, attendees will learn about writer’s cramp, how technology is influencing handwriting and causing an increase in writer’s cramp, and how writer’s cramp influences handwriting when evaluating variance and dysfluency in forensic handwriting examination cases. This research impacts the forensic science community by pres...

Paleography involves the study, decipherment, and dating of antiquated handwriting on historical documents. The interface of paleographic analytical techniques and forensic document examination (FDE) methods is beneficial especially in the investigation of questioned historical documents. The investigation of historical documents using modern FDE t...

Steganography refers to secret or hidden writing. In this study the term is used to refer to invisible ink used to write secret or hidden messages on paper media in prison facilities. In scientific literature, little has been published specifically on the study of invisible ink formulas used by inmates. The aim of this study was to conduct experime...

Dr. Bryan Found (1962-2016) made a substantial and profound impact on the application of scientific methods and theory in forensic disciplines. A review of his contributions to forensic handwriting examination over two decades is summarized including his published work on modular theory, complexity in handwriting, application of motor control theor...

Cursive handwriting can be problematic for children with learning disabilities. We tested a group of children with learning disabilities 3 times at intervals of several months during which they performed specific, simple handwriting exercises at home. The children showed improved handwriting legibility. The movements of the inking pen were recorded...

While handwriting instruction time in class rooms has been reduced, and cursive has been eliminated in some schools, research has established the importance of handwriting instruction in reading, writing, spelling, and composition in school-age children. Fluent, practiced, and over-learned handwriting skill is associated with better academic perfor...

Documents recovered from a crime scene may often be a critical form of physical evidence. Documentary evidence may include items that indicate motive and documents found at a crime scene may contain information critical to the investigation. Documents found at a crime scene may have evidentiary value based on their content. Content is both graphic...

Biodynamic signature systems are a means by which a person provides a signature in electronic format that is reproduced on the screen as a representation of their manuscript signature. These systems use software to record measurements when a person uses the device to produce a digital version of their handwritten signature. The measurements recorde...

Online electronically captured signatures are compared to offline paper and ink signatures to determine differences between the two conditions. Sixteen subjects wrote signatures on a digital tablet using three different writing implements: 1) ink ballpoint pen on paper; 2) nonink digital tablet pen; and 3) mouse. Significant differences in duration...

A comparison of prefatigue and fatigue handwriting conditions between movement disorder patients and normal controls was conducted of online recordings and offline samples. The offline analysis showed differences due to fatigue. The differences were more pronounced in certain movement-disorder patients (e.g., printing, size, tremor, or baseline) th...

In this case study, the handwriting samples of a pair of monozygotic, mirror twin adolescents were examined and compared to a questioned suicide note and journal entries. Differentiation of the twins was enabled through examination of the stroke direction which revealed that the questioned handwriting was written by the left-handed twin. A literatu...

This study represents a statistical analysis evaluating handwriting tremor and distortion caused by writing surface conditions. Over 100 subjects wrote mock signatures on a smooth surface and a variety of irregular surfaces. The subjects also simulated a genuine signature and imitated a tremulous signature. The results were evaluated using a clinic...

Parkinson's disease (PD) and essential tremor (ET) are movement disorders that frequently impair handwriting. A review of medical research on PO and ET can assist forensic document examiners in characterizing the handwriting of common health-related handwriting disorders. Medical treatments for movement disorders and the way they affect handwriting...

With the increasing use and variety of gel pens on the market, forensic document examiners may encounter problems identifying gel pens from other common pen types. This study discusses the initial findings of an investigation into the history, technology, and properties of gel pens. Microscopical (visual) and chemical methods were also evaluated as...