DOI: https://doi.org/10.33994/kndise.2023.68.34

Т. Nikolaichuk, A. Bila, A. Zabuha, D. Us, V. Zdor

The article is devoted to the features of forensic handwriting examination of signatures made by persons of different ages under the influence of confounding factors. The classification of confounding factors and their influence on signs of handwriting and signatures of a person is considered. The peculiarities of signatures and samples of different age groups were studied, namely: transcription of the signature, degree of coordination, complexity and coherence of movements, the pace of writing, size, inclination, arrangement and acceleration of elements, degree and character of pressure and direction of the baseline of the signature. It is shown that three classes of tasks are distinguished in the forensic handwriting examination: identification (establishing the identity of the executor of the object of handwriting), diagnostic (resolving questions about the conditions of execution of the handwritten text, record or signature), classification (related to the assignment of the executor of the handwriting to certain groups, in particular by gender and age). A comparative analysis of the results of signature studies by different age groups was carried out. It is noted that the stability of signs of handwriting and signatures is relative. A person’s handwriting can undergo changes depending on various reasons, including those caused by the ageing of the body. In addition, the persistence of characteristic features is also influenced by diseases that are characteristic of the elderly and senile.

Key words: forensic handwriting expertise, expert research, signature, handwriting, elderly and senile persons, confounding factors.