Markers of Alzheimer’s disease in handwriting

The aim of the research. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia. One of the potential tools for early detection of the onset of the disease is the handwriting analysis. It can be a warning signal for a serious medical investigation. The dynamics of handwriting changes are also a good indicator of the progression of the disease and the eff ectiveness of therapy. Methods. The authors have developed two corresponding tests. The fi rst (AD-HS) allows the assessment of handwriting markers of cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease from an available handwriting sample. The second (ADHC) is designed to assess dynamics by comparing two handwritten documents written at diff erent times. Results. The pilot study includes 16 patients who were found to be at diff erent stages of the disease by medical examination. They all provided old handwriting samples dated 10–20 years ago and new handwriting samples specifi cally written as part of the experiment. Evaluation of 36 handwriting characteristics showed that both tests were eff ective in identifying Alzheimer’s disease and its stage. The correlation between the handwriting analysis and the medical test result was 0.62. Conclusion. Further refi nement of the proposed tests and expansion of the research base will enable handwriting exercises to be incorporated into supportive therapy to slow the progression of the disease.

Predict A Person's Personality Based On The Shape of Handwriting of The Letters "i", "o", and "t" Using The Levenberg Marquardt Backpropagation Method

Abstract-The literature shows that Graphology is common and relatively useful in our life. For example, as one of the job requirements. Professional organizations hire a professional handwriting analyst called Graphologist to analyze the characteristic traits of the candidates by identified their handwriting. However, the accuracy of handwriting analysis depends on how skilled the graphologist is, two graphologists which predict the same handwriting may give us a different result of the prediction. To improve the accuracy, we develop a system that can automatically predict a person’s personality based on the shape of the handwriting of the letters "i", "o", and "t" using the Levenberg Marquardt Backpropagation method. Based on this research we got the maximum accuracy by using 2 hidden layers. We got 71,42% of accuracy for the letter “i”, 76,92% of accuracy for the letter “o”, and 60% of accuracy for letter the “t”.

On the Prospects of Using the Handwriting Analysis of a Structured Text in Law Enforcement Work

The authors examine some problematic aspects of the practical application of the developed forensic methods and methodologies in law enforcement work. They discuss the possibilities of studying handwriting not only for identification, but also diagnostic purposes, for example, to determine the significance of information in certain parts of the handwritten text for the writer. In order to prove that such possibilities exist, the authors present a brief description and examples of the experimental use of the methodology that makes it possible to determine, relatively quickly, the attitude of the person to relevant circumstances and facts by analyzing experimental samples of handwriting obtained through copying, by hand, a specially prepared structured text.

Evaluation of the Polish opinion-giving model applied by court experts specialising in examination of written documents. Tendencies for changes

The publication will present the most important problems related to the model of experts in the field of examination of written documents, which functions in Poland, with particular emphasis on the experts registered on court lists. These lists should be a reliable — and thus helpful — source for the search for and selection of the best expert in a given case. However, they do not serve this function properly. The very level of opinions drafted by experts in the field of handwriting analysis is also an extensively discussed issue. The reasons for this status quo should be perceived, inter alia, in the lack of uniform procedures for carrying out analyses and formulating conclusions in the field of handwriting documents examination, as well as in the lack of a reliable and comprehensive training system for experts in this field of knowledge.

The effect of photocopier types on line quality features of handwriting in multi-generational photocopies

The present research was aimed at finding out the relative effect of advancement in photocopier technology on the analysis of handwriting line quality features in multi-generational photocopies. Five subsequent multi-generational photocopies of 50 signature samples from different individuals which were produced by 75 black and white photocopiers were used for line quality assessments. Variations in line quality features in different photocopy generations, such as: smooth edges or ragged edges, broken or continuous stroke, fine tapering changes, and some identification details of features like pen lifts, retouching, and hesitation were carefully observed in sample photocopies, which were recorded according to the brand and model of photocopier machines, as well as their size and speed. The results of the study revealed that raggedness in line was often observed in third generation (G3) and higher generations, in samples produced by some low speed copiers (copying speed < 30 cpm) or very high speed copiers (copying speed ≤ 80 cpm). However, their line quality was still found to be good enough for handwriting analysis up to the fifth generation (G5) in photocopy samples produced by some medium speed copiers (copying speed 30 to 50 cpm). It was, however, observed that, usually, continuity of line and smoothness of line were appreciably lost in G3 and higher generations in photocopies which were produced by portable desktop printers. Exceptionally, certain artifacts that are usually found in some higher generation copies were conspicuously absent in all photocopy generations (G1–G5) which were produced by some advanced third generation photocopiers. Hopefully, the information obtained from the study will be found useful to document examiners when examining certain cases involving multi-generations of photocopier reproductions.

Chosen problems in forensic examining of signatures placed on paintings

In the context of current forensic knowledge and practice, using the handwriting analysis method to examine a painter’s signature does not give rise to any objections. It allows such an examination to be more transparent. The article presents a certain specificity which characterizes painter signatures. Such distinctions reveal themselves at various stages of analysis: examining the location of the questioned signature; qualifying examination of the questioned signature; determining the scope of handwriting features considered under the examination; determining the range of variability in handwriting characteristics in the comparative material; determining the degree of variability in the same characteristics in the questioned signature. The article also raises the issue of experts’ competencies, particularly significant in examining painting signatures.