Graphologists vs. Forensic document examiners

Generally, two categories of individuals are located during inquiries for questioned document examiners. These are Graphologists and Forensic Document Examiners. Although a forensic document examiner is not to be confused with a graphologist, and vice versa.

In the strict sense, graphologists claim to be capable of interpreting the character or personality of the writer by supposed traits left behind in the written line. They do not, by definition, compare handwriting to determine authorship or genuineness of the document.

Graphology is the study and analysis of handwriting especially in relation to human psychology. The activity dates back many centuries, having originally (as far as we can tell) been taken from Southern India to China and from there to Greece, circa 2,000 BC. Aristotle claimed that he could define a person’s soul from studying his handwriting. The Roman historian Suetonius claimed that Emperor Augustus did not separate his words which led him to conclude that the Emperor did not pay attention to detail in forming a picture of the whole situation. In 1870 French monk named Jean Hippolyte Michon coined the phrase "Graphology" (from the Greek: "Graph" meaning, 'To write' or 'I write', and "Logos" meaning 'doctrine' or 'theory'), believed the brain, and not the hand, controlled handwriting. He broke handwriting down into a series of strokes, assigning a personality trait to each stroke.

Those who specialize in graphology, the practice of handwriting analysis, believe your penmanship harbours more than the power of self-expression; they believe it bears the unique imprint of your personality. Handwriting reveals hundreds of elements of the person's "personality and character" which includes glimpses into the subconscious mind, intellect, energy, fears, motivations, imagination, integrity, aptitudes, etc.

For instance, pressure indicates the capacity for vigorous activities. The slant indicates the writer's emotional response to external forces. Most of us write average size, indicating an average ability to concentrate. We have to force ourselves to concentrate on minor details, especially for long periods of time.

Handwriting analysis or study does neither foretell the future, nor does it reveal the past. It can only help you to gain an understanding and insight into the personality of other people, especially those close to you by providing a map to somebody's inner self, level of satisfaction with the present situation, and future level of achievement. Some graphologists claim that a self-study and subsequent change of one's handwriting could control alcoholism, reduce depression and loneliness, turn failure (both social and business) into success, and cause many other miracles.

Questioned document examination is a branch of the forensic sciences. A document examiner is often asked to determine if a questioned item originated from the same source as the known item(s), then present their opinion on the matter in court as an expert witness. Other common tasks include determining what has happened to a document, determining when a document was produced, etc. Document examination is employed in law enforcement investigations and prosecutions and in civil litigation.

The one common thing between graphology and document examination is that both involve handwriting. Training in document examination does not include graphology principles, and graphology has no relevance to the practice of document examination.

The Graphology/Forensic Document Examination association can be thought of as similar or analogous to that of the Astrology/Astronomy or Alchemy/Chemistry relationships.