Forensic document examination in handwriting and
signature cases can be complicated by writers with
motor disorder conditions such as Parkinson s
disease and essential tremor. These conditions are
more prevalent among the elderly and legal issues
arise in probate and elder abuse fraud cases where
parkinsonian patients sign their signatures
to checks, estate, title, and financial documents
that are frequently contested. Because writers with
motor disorders produce distorted, tremulous
handwriting, distinguishing between genuine
movement disorder signatures and forgeries can be
problematic for handwriting experts. To address the
problem, the author conducts original research using
innovative digital tablet technology
that allows for objective, quantifiable measurement
of dynamic handwriting factors such as duration,
velocity, pressure, and frequency spectrum
analysis of writing tremor. The results have
implications not only for handwriting experts
working with ink writing and online biometric
signatures, but also the elderly, motor disorder
patients, legal professionals, investigators, law
enforcement, and the justice system.
signature cases can be complicated by writers with
motor disorder conditions such as Parkinson s
disease and essential tremor. These conditions are
more prevalent among the elderly and legal issues
arise in probate and elder abuse fraud cases where
parkinsonian patients sign their signatures
to checks, estate, title, and financial documents
that are frequently contested. Because writers with
motor disorders produce distorted, tremulous
handwriting, distinguishing between genuine
movement disorder signatures and forgeries can be
problematic for handwriting experts. To address the
problem, the author conducts original research using
innovative digital tablet technology
that allows for objective, quantifiable measurement
of dynamic handwriting factors such as duration,
velocity, pressure, and frequency spectrum
analysis of writing tremor. The results have
implications not only for handwriting experts
working with ink writing and online biometric
signatures, but also the elderly, motor disorder
patients, legal professionals, investigators, law
enforcement, and the justice system.