Handwriting Analysis

Students act as forensic handwriting analysts by comparing a note from a crime scene to suspect handwriting samples. They examine features such as form, line quality, spacing, and grammar to determine the most likely match.

1. Prepare copies of a crime scene note and handwriting samples from three suspects.
2. Provide each student with a case book and pencil for recording observations.
3. Have students study the crime scene handwriting closely, looking for unique traits such as slant, angles, loops, and spacing.
4. Give students the suspect handwriting samples, all of which contain the same phrase as the graffiti.
5. Instruct them to compare features including line thickness, writing pressure, word arrangement, and grammar/spelling consistency.
6. Have students record their reasoning for which suspect’s writing most closely matches the note.

Crime Scene Detectives: Handwriting Analysis - Chatty Zebra Curriculum:

📄 Handwriting Analysis - Science World: https://www.scienceworld.ca/resource/handwriting-analysis-crime-fighters-station-3/

• Create a disguised handwriting sample from one suspect and see if students can still identify consistent features.
• Use different writing instruments (pen, pencil, marker) and have students compare how tools affect line quality.
• Ask students to write the same phrase with their non-dominant hand and compare the disguised version to their usual handwriting.

• No special safety equipment is needed, but students should handle scissors or other cutting tools carefully if trimming samples.

• Which handwriting characteristics are most reliable when comparing samples? (Form, slant, spacing, and line quality tend to remain consistent.)
• Can handwriting be perfectly disguised? (It can be altered, but unique traits often still appear.)
• What clues besides handwriting could link graffiti to a suspect? (Ink type, spelling/grammar habits, writing instrument, or paper.)
• Why should multiple characteristics be considered rather than just one? (A single trait may be coincidental, but several together make a stronger case.)