Forensics: Handwriting analysis

Each person has a unique way of writing. Handwriting analysis is a process that relies on knowledge of the unique characteristics of letter formation and the physiological processes behind writing — the ways in which a person's fine motor skills can affect their handwriting and leave clues to the writer's identity.

Used in tactics: Incrimination

Mitigations

NameDescription
Biometric concealment

You can conceal your handwriting by writing on digital devices instead of by hand. When writing graffiti, use only capital letters and make the lettering as generic as possible.

Used in repressive operations

NameDescription
Repression of the first Jane's Revenge arson

A comparison between the cursive graffiti left at the crime scene and the same style of graffiti painted a few months later during a demonstration helped identify the comrade who was later arrested[1].

2019-2020 case against Mónica and Francesco

The sticker of the parcel bomb sent to the police station remained intact despite the explosion of the package; the address information written on the sticker was compared to Francesco's handwriting and positively matched[2].

Scripta Manent

Handwriting samples of some of the accused comrades (including notes seized during raids and letters written from prison) were compared to handwritten addresses on unexploded parcel bombs in an attempt to link the comrades to the attacks[3].