Front cover; Preface to the Third Edition; Contents; Chapter 1; Introduction; Scientific Method; Analytical Methods; Documents; Document Examiners; Qualifications and Training; Objects of This Book; Literature on Document Examination; Books; Journals; Research and Development; Acknowledgments; Chapter 2; Handwriting: The Variations Between Normal Writings; Introduction; Variations in Writing; Block Capital Writing; Methods of Construction; Determination of Pen Movement; Ink Lines; Striations; Proportion of Letters; Proportions of Letters within Words; Numerals; Cursive Writing.

Development of Cursive WritingInterpersonal Differences; Methods of Construction and Proportion of Individual Letters; Variations within Words; Disconnected Script; Signatures; Layout; Variations within the Writings of One Person; Use of Different Letter Forms by One Writer; Personal and Style Characteristics; The Significance of Variations between Writers; Spelling Mistakes, Text Analysis, and Other Variables; Non-Roman Scripts; Classification of Handwritings; Pattern Recognition Techniques; references; Further Reading; Chapter 3; Handwriting: Accidental and Deliberate Modification.

Accidental Variation of HandwritingWriting Instruments; Writing Position; Health of Writer; Guided Hand Signatures; Drugs and Alcohol; Impairment of Vision; Deliberate Variation of Handwriting; Disguised Writings; Difficulties of Disguising Writing; Disguised Signatures; Simulated Writings; Freehand Simulation; Slowly Made Simulations; Simulations of Poorly Made Signatures; Rapidly Made Simulations; Traced Signatures; Introduction of Features of the Copier; References; Further Reading; Chapter 4; Handwriting: The Purposes and Principles of Scientific Examination; Introduction; Amateur Experts.

Scientific MethodOther Aspects of Forensic Science; Comparison of Handwriting; Consideration of Similarities; The Possibility of Chance Match; The Possibility of Simulation; Subjectivity; Identification; Qualified Conclusions; Limited Populations; Consideration of Differences; Consistent Differences; Other Reasons for Differences; Similarities with Differences; Disguise; Simulation; Simulations or Ill Health; Traced Writings; Identification of the Writer of Simulations; Inconclusive Examinations; Complexities of Handwriting Comparisons; Inconsistent Known Writings; Complex Cases.

Multiple SuspectsReproduced Writing; Unfamiliar Scripts; Statements; Expressing Conclusions; Qualified Conclusions; Scales of Conclusions; Clarity of Expression; Quality Assurance; References; Further Reading; Chapter 5; Handwriting: The Collection of Samples; Introduction; Known Writings; Request Specimens; Like with Like; Adequate Material; Taking of Samples; Avoidance of Disguise; Samples of Writing of the Copied; Course of Business Writings; Sources; Signatures; Verification of Course of Business Writings; Request and Course of Business Writings; Further Reading; Chapter 6.