Schriftgutuntersuchung

Schriftgutuntersuchung, also known as document examination or handwriting analysis, is a scientific discipline concerned with the comparison and verification of written documents, primarily handwriting and signatures. Its core objective is to determine the authenticity of a document and identify its author. This field is frequently employed in legal proceedings, insurance investigations, and historical research.

The process involves a meticulous examination of various characteristics of handwriting. Experts analyze factors such as letter formation, stroke direction, pressure, slant, spacing, and baseline alignment. They also consider the overall rhythm and flow of the writing, as well as unique idiosyncrasies that individual writers develop over time. These features are compared against known exemplars, which are samples of writing from a known source.

Schriftgutuntersuchung relies on established principles of forensic science. While no two individuals write exactly alike, the examination is not about finding identical matches but rather about identifying a sufficient number of significant similarities and a lack of significant differences. The examiner aims to ascertain whether the handwriting in question was produced by the same individual who produced the known samples, or if it was forged or written by a different person. Advanced techniques, including photographic enlargement and specialized lighting, are often used to reveal minute details not visible to the naked eye. The findings are typically presented in a detailed report, and the expert may be called upon to testify in court.