Sex, Lies, and Handwriting

1. Handwriting reveals personality: Your script is your "brain print"

Handwriting is really "brainwriting," and the marks you place on the paper are your "brain prints."

Neuromuscular connection. Handwriting originates in the brain, not the hand. Even if you write with your mouth or foot, your handwriting will remain largely the same. This is because handwriting is a complex neuromuscular task that reflects cognitive processes, emotions, and personality traits.

Key indicators in handwriting:

• Size: Large writing often indicates extroversion, small writing introversion
• Slant: Right slant shows emotional expressiveness, left slant emotional reservation
• Pressure: Heavy pressure can indicate high energy or tension, light pressure sensitivity
• Spacing: Wide spacing between words may suggest a need for personal space
• Letter shapes: Angular letters often indicate aggression, rounded letters gentleness

Applications. Handwriting analysis is used by law enforcement agencies like the FBI and CIA to build psychological profiles. It can reveal aspects of a person's thinking patterns, emotional state, and potential behaviors, making it a valuable tool in investigations and personality assessments.

2. The three zones of handwriting provide insights into different aspects of a person

The upper zone correlates with the head. What goes on in your head? You think. You fantasize. You imagine. You hope.

Upper zone. Represented by the tops of letters like b, d, h, and l, this zone reflects intellectual aspirations, imagination, and abstract thinking. Tall upper zones may indicate idealism or spiritual inclination, while short ones might suggest practicality or lack of imagination.

Middle zone. Encompassing letters like a, e, i, m, and n, this area represents the ego, daily routines, and social interactions. A dominant middle zone often indicates a focus on the present and strong social skills.

Lower zone. Found in letters like g, j, p, and y, this zone relates to physical and material needs, including sexuality and finances. Exaggerated lower zones might suggest strong physical drives or materialistic tendencies.

Balanced writing. Ideally, all three zones should be relatively balanced, indicating a well-rounded personality. Significant disparities between zones can point to imbalances in a person's life or personality.

3. Personal pronoun "I" reflects self-image and family dynamics

Your I reflects how you feel about yourself. For instance, if you feel that you're not up to par, your I will be teeny-weeny. If you feel on top of your game, your I, like you, will stand proud and tall.

Self-image indicator. The size and formation of the personal pronoun "I" can reveal a person's self-esteem and self-perception. A large "I" often indicates confidence or ego, while a small one might suggest insecurity or humility.

Family dynamics revealed:

• Vertical stroke: Represents the mother figure
• Horizontal stroke: Represents the father figure
• Proportions and connections between strokes: Indicate relationships with parents

Examples:

• Split "I": May indicate a "split" personality or conflicted self-image
• Ornate "I": Could suggest a desire for attention or uniqueness
• Simplified "I": Might indicate practicality or directness

Understanding the "I" formation can provide insights into a person's childhood experiences, current self-perception, and potential relationship patterns.

4. Signatures showcase public personas, often differing from private selves

Your signature shows how you want to be seen by others, how you think others see you, and how you feel about yourself and your position in the world.

Public vs. private self. A signature is a conscious representation of how one wants to be perceived, while general handwriting reflects the more private, unconscious self. Significant differences between the two can indicate a disconnect between public and private personas.

Key signature elements:

• Size: Large signatures often indicate confidence or desire for attention
• Legibility: Clear signatures suggest openness, while illegible ones may indicate secretiveness
• Embellishments: Added symbols or flourishes can reveal aspects of self-image or aspirations

Case study: Elvis Presley. His large, showy signature projected confidence and sexuality, while his private writing was small and childlike, revealing insecurity and vulnerability. This contrast illustrates how signatures can mask deeper personality traits.

5. Red flags in handwriting can signal dangerous personalities

When you see weapon-shaped letters or images embedded in a writer's signature or personal pronoun "I," watch out.

Weapon-shaped letters. Formations resembling knives, guns, or other weapons in handwriting, especially in signatures or the letter "I," can indicate aggressive tendencies or violent thoughts.

Other dangerous indicators:

• Felon's claw: A downward hook in letters like y or g, suggesting self-sabotaging tendencies
• Explosive dots: Heavy, drilled-in periods or i-dots indicating anger or obsessiveness
• Shark's teeth: Sharp, pointed letter formations suggesting emotional hunger or aggression
• Strangler strokes: Noose-like formations potentially indicating violent tendencies

Contextual interpretation. While these traits can be warning signs, they should be considered in conjunction with other handwriting characteristics and contextual information about the individual.

6. Handwriting analysis aids in criminal profiling and solving cold cases

Criminal profiling is used to narrow down an investigation to those suspects who possess certain behavioral and personality traits.

Profiling process. Handwriting analysis can reveal key personality traits, helping investigators create detailed profiles of unknown suspects. This can narrow the suspect pool and guide investigation strategies.

Key elements in criminal handwriting:

• Disguised writing: Often indicates deception or attempt to hide identity
• Spacing irregularities: Can suggest unstable mental states or careful planning
• Pressure variations: May indicate emotional instability or aggression levels

Case applications:

• JonBenét Ramsey case: Analysis of the ransom note provided insights into the killer's personality
• Jack the Ripper letters: Handwriting examination helped narrow down suspect profiles

Handwriting analysis, combined with other forensic techniques, can provide crucial leads in both active investigations and cold cases.

7. Specific traits in writing can indicate lying, anger, and mental instability

Anytime you see an abnormal gap between two words, there has been an interruption in the writer's thinking processes.

Detecting deception. Unusual gaps between words, changes in writing size or pressure, and ambiguous letter formations can indicate lying or attempts to deceive.

Anger indicators:

• Heavy pressure: Shows tension and potential for aggression
• Angular formations: Can indicate hostility or irritability
• Slashed i-dots or t-bars: Often seen in writing of those with short tempers

Signs of mental instability:

• Extreme size variations: Can indicate mood swings or bipolar tendencies
• Wavering baselines: May suggest inconsistent thought patterns or emotions
• Overly controlled writing: Can mask underlying instability or potential for "snapping"

Understanding these traits can help in personal and professional relationships, as well as in clinical or forensic settings.

8. Historical mysteries can be unraveled through handwriting analysis

From a single handwriting sample, we were able to build a detailed profile of the UNSUB.

Cold case applications. Handwriting analysis can provide new insights into historical mysteries and unsolved crimes, offering fresh perspectives on old evidence.

Case study: Jack the Ripper. Analysis of the "From Hell" letter attributed to Jack the Ripper revealed:

• Writer's likely background and education level
• Personality traits such as anger, sexual frustration, and potential mental instability
• Possible physical characteristics and habits

Limitations and considerations:

• Historical context must be considered when analyzing old documents
• Handwriting styles and norms change over time
• Comparative analysis with known samples from the era is crucial

While not definitive on its own, handwriting analysis can corroborate other evidence and help direct further investigation in historical cases.

9. Handwriting therapy can help change negative thought patterns and behaviors

By changing the way you write, you can actually send signals to your brain that will help change the way you think and feel about "stuff."

Neuroplasticity principle. The brain can form new neural connections throughout life. By consciously altering handwriting, one can potentially influence thought patterns and behaviors.

Therapeutic techniques:

• Changing slant: Shifting from a left to right slant can promote more emotional expressiveness
• Increasing size: Writing larger can boost confidence and self-esteem
• Smoothing angles: Rounding sharp angles in letters can help reduce aggressive tendencies

Practical applications:

• Journaling with conscious writing changes
• Regular practice of new letter formations
• Combining writing exercises with positive affirmations

While not a substitute for professional mental health treatment, handwriting therapy can be a complementary tool for personal growth and self-improvement.

Last updated: January 22, 2025