I was a little skeptical of this lecture at first because handwriting can be analyzed for forensic purposes
to determine if a document is authentic or forged and the identification of the author using the same
characteristics Graphologists look at: the spacing of the characters and words, the shape of the
characters, and the pressure of the handwriting, among others. In 1993, the CIA approved the release
of a report published by an agent investigating the validity of Graphology. The agent (E.A. Rundquist)
did not see the validity behind graphology. It has been lumped into the likes of astrology and
phrenology, and, “may be an art, but certainly is not a science,” (Sundquist, 1993). I agree with this
statement. While I do think the analysis of handwriting can be useful in identifying some characteristics
of the author such as the speed at which the individual wrote via the pressure of the writing instrument
on the paper, the sex of the author, and the change in the handwriting over time, I do not think it can
accurately predict the character if an individual. I also think it is interesting that after so many credible
sources have shown disapproval of the practice, many businesses, and countries, actively use
graphology in the hiring process of personnel, especially in European countries. Sundquist mentioned
in his report that in a group of twelve European intelligence officers, most favored graphology. An
opinion that is consistent with the statistic that France uses graphology in 80% of its personnel
decisions.
to determine if a document is authentic or forged and the identification of the author using the same
characteristics Graphologists look at: the spacing of the characters and words, the shape of the
characters, and the pressure of the handwriting, among others. In 1993, the CIA approved the release
of a report published by an agent investigating the validity of Graphology. The agent (E.A. Rundquist)
did not see the validity behind graphology. It has been lumped into the likes of astrology and
phrenology, and, “may be an art, but certainly is not a science,” (Sundquist, 1993). I agree with this
statement. While I do think the analysis of handwriting can be useful in identifying some characteristics
of the author such as the speed at which the individual wrote via the pressure of the writing instrument
on the paper, the sex of the author, and the change in the handwriting over time, I do not think it can
accurately predict the character if an individual. I also think it is interesting that after so many credible
sources have shown disapproval of the practice, many businesses, and countries, actively use
graphology in the hiring process of personnel, especially in European countries. Sundquist mentioned
in his report that in a group of twelve European intelligence officers, most favored graphology. An
opinion that is consistent with the statistic that France uses graphology in 80% of its personnel
decisions.
The Assessment of Graphology. (2011, August 4). Retrieved from https://www.cia.gov/library/center-for-the-study-of-intelligence/kent-csi/vol3no3/html/v03i3a04p_0001.htm#top
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