Is Handwriting Analysis Still Used by the FBI?
Absolutely. The FBI employs handwriting experts at Quantico, who are exceptionally well-trained and well-equipped. But you don’t hear much about the details of handwriting analysis in famous criminal cases, even when it is used, like in a ransom note.
The JonBenét Ramsey case was an exception that made many people aware of handwriting analysis experts because it was a local case, meaning the Colorado police handled it. At the federal level, the FBI has far more resources and equipment.
When I attended a conference in Poland, most of the people there worked for their local governments (the majority for the Polish, British, or French governments), and their jobs involved passport control. There are many ways to manufacture currency and passports, all of which fall under forensic document examination.
Does the FBI Use Handwriting Analysis in Murder Trials?
But the FBI does get involved in some kind of interstate criminal commerce and crimes that cross state lines… like a serial killer, for example.
If you have ever watched Criminal Minds, you’ll see that handwriting is frequently mentioned in the “previously on” segment at the beginning of an episode as part of the exposition of the case that’s being investigated (because the really smart profiler character with glasses is really good at doing the psychological profiling of handwriting). It is kind of unrealistic that this character could be a psychological profiler and, suddenly, an ace handwriting analyst. Most legal experts specialize in one area, especially at the FBI level.
But the point is, handwriting analysis really is used by the FBI to solve all kinds of cases and problems.
What Are Some Famous Cases in Which the FBI Used Handwriting Analysis?
A recent case in which the FBI used handwriting analysis to solve was the attempted sale of Elvis Presley’s house. There was a con artist from Florida (where fraud is rampant; I have had a higher percentage of fraud cases brought to my Miami office than at any of my other offices nationwide). The forger had created a fraudulent $6 million IOU note purportedly signed by Lisa Marie Presley, and used it to extort Riley Keough, Elvis’s granddaughter, into paying a debt that simply did not exist. And the FBI used forensic handwriting analysis to track down and prosecute the culprit.
Does the FBI Use Handwriting Analysis to Profile Criminals?
Indeed, Quantico and the crime unit do use the psychological aspect of handwriting when they’re trying to hunt down serial killers. You don’t see much use of handwriting psychology on the witness stand in federal prosecutions.
Often, the FBI prefers to use experts who focus on the physical details of the crime rather than on the suspect’s state of mind or psychology, such as a psychiatrist. In federal criminal trials, psychological expert testimony is most commonly reserved for cases where the defendant has entered an insanity plea.
Are Your Experts Qualified to Analyze the Psychological Aspects of Handwriting?
Yes! There’s not much interest or money in analyzing handwriting to determine the writer’s personality, especially compared to forensic document examination and legal cases, but psychology is a big part of handwriting expert training.
My first appearance on a big TV show was focused on serial killers and the traits in their handwriting. I’ve always been a student of how handwriting can reveal psychological traits. Psychological analysis of handwriting traits is also a huge part of my handwriting school.
However, I also have extensive forensic handwriting experience and am a certified document examiner on legal cases. So I call myself a forensic handwriting expert, but I actually have the skill set for both psychological assessment and forensic cases, which takes us into two really different fields altogether.
Can I Hire a Handwriting Expert for Court Who Is Not a Forensic Document Examiner?
If you’re going to court, you will need a handwriting expert who is a forensic document examiner.
If you’re really curious about either one, or specifically psychological analysis through handwriting, the best site I can recommend is handwritinguniversity.com. They teach you psychology through handwriting, especially personal development.
For forensic document examination, go to handwritingexperts.com. There are a lot of great experts that I’ve worked with over the years. It’s kind of a directory. If you want to learn a skill and become certified, there’s a school called the International School of Forensic Document Examination.
Which Do You Prefer: Handwriting Analysis, Psychology, or Forensic Document Examination?
After 30 years in both fields, I find them equally fascinating. I’ve not only made a living at it, but I’ve also really had a great time traveling the world, teaching people about different aspects of both. They are equally useful, depending on what you need. If you’re dealing with a legal dispute involving a questioned document, visit us at handwritingexpertusa.com. If you’re curious about the psychology of handwriting for personal development, start at handwritinguniversity.com. Either way, I’m happy to point you in the right direction
But if you’re looking to solve a crime or someone has stolen money from you, you probably need to hire a forensic document examiner. If you are curious about someone that you’re dating, or you’re curious about yourself or personal development, then you’re looking for an expert in handwriting psychology, which they sometimes call a graphologist in France and other countries.
My name is Bart Baggett. If I can help you in any way, reach out at bartbaggett.com.
Bart Baggett
The Nation’s Leading Forensic Handwriting Expert
CEO of Handwriting Experts Inc.
Forensic Document Examiner • Expert Witness • Legal Consultant
“We solve million-dollar forgery cases.”
Telephone: 1-800-980-9030
YouTube: @thehandwritingexpert
LinkedIn: bartbaggett
Facebook: bartbaggett
https://www.instagram.com/forensichandwritingexpert
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FAQ SECTION
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Q1: Does the FBI still use handwriting analysis?
A1: Yes. The FBI continues to use handwriting analysis and maintains forensic handwriting experts at Quantico who are highly skilled in forensic document examination.
Q2: What famous cases has the FBI used handwriting analysis to solve?
A2: A notable recent example is the attempted fraudulent sale of Graceland. The FBI used forensic handwriting analysis to expose a forged IOU note and prosecute the perpetrator for interstate fraud.
Q3: What is the difference between a forensic document examiner and a graphologist?
A3: A forensic document examiner analyzes handwriting for legal and criminal cases, while a graphologist—also called a handwriting psychology expert—focuses on personality assessment. They are two entirely distinct disciplines.
Q4: Can a handwriting psychology expert testify in court?
A4: For legal proceedings, you need a certified forensic document examiner, not a handwriting psychology expert. Psychological handwriting analysis is better suited to HR, counseling, and personal development contexts.
