Different Types of Forgery
Forgery in graphology can be said to be the act of attempting to replicate or imitate another individual’s handwriting – with a clear intention of deception. Since graphology is the analysis of handwriting that allows the expert to understand an individual’s personality, behaviour and character; graphology says that mimicking other people’s handwriting is often for deceptive purposes. There are different types of forgery in graphology and each one is different from the other.
What is Forgery?
In graphology, forgery is purposely copying certain distinct features and strokes of a person’s handwriting to create a signature or document that looks genuine. Since it is a deceptive practice, it is associated with fraudulent activities like forging legal documents, signatures on checks, contracts or other agreements. A few other types of forgery or forged documents may include – bills of exchange, bills of lading, promissory notes, order for money or goods, bonds, receipts, mortgages, bonds, discharges of mortgages, deeds, account books and some types of tickets or passes for various events or transportation etc.
Identification of Forgery
Graphology helps identify potential forgery and offers insights into the psychological characteristics of the forger. Studying the deviations from the natural handwriting style can disclose discomfort, stress, or uncertainty on the part of the person who is trying to forge the other individual’s handwriting.
Graphologists are specialists in handwriting analysis and can be asked to review papers and spot indications of fraud. They assess if the writing is in line with the claimed writer’s natural handwriting style by examining a variety of handwriting characteristics like size, slant, pressure, spacing and individual letter forms. Any irregularities or contradictions could lead to forging suspicions.
It is significant that we understand graphology offers valuable insights into handwriting patterns and potential forgery but may not always be considered for legal investigations. Additional forensic techniques may be required for conclusive evidence. In graphology, handwriting analysis is a tool that helps in the understanding and detection of potential forgery and contributes to the broader field of forensic analysis and document examination.
Let us understand a few different types of forgery:
Types of Forgery in Graphology are Classified as Below:
Simulated Forgery
In terms of signatures or handwriting, simulated forgery can be termed as an intentional act by an individual to replicate or imitate a different person’s signature or handwriting without their approval. In this type of forgery, the forger makes a conscious effort to copy the actual style and characteristics of the original handwriting of the person.
Key features of simulated forgery:
Intent to Deceive – The main motive behind this type of forgery is to deceive someone by forging their signature or a document in a way that it looks original. The deception may be forging checks, fraudulent signatures on documents, or imitating an individual’s writing to copy them.
Conscious Imitation – Unlike other forgeries, where usually the forger impersonates a signature without giving it much thought, simulated forgery involves careful and calculated effort in recreating the signature of someone. The forger studies the original handwriting or signature and consciously tries to replicate its specific features.
Detailed Copying – This kind of handwriting forgery pays great attention to the original handwriting’s details. This includes imitating the letter shapes and slants, word spacing, writing pressure and any special add-ons or traits that give the handwriting its individuality.
Skill and Practice – A considerable amount of expertise and practice are frequently needed for successful simulated forgery. In order to produce an imitation that closely matches the original, the forger may practice the imitation several times. This technique seeks to lessen the likelihood of being discovered by giving the faked signature or handwriting a more authentic appearance.
Purposeful Deception – Under simulated forgery, more complex attempts at deceit, such as forging contracts, legal papers, or signatures on financial instruments, are known to be attempted. The goal of the forger could be to perpetrate fraud, obtain unauthorized access to resources, or carry out other illegal actions.
Examining the handwriting or signature in question closely is necessary in order to identify simulated forgeries. Experts in forensics, such as graphologists and document examiners, could carefully study different components to spot deviations, anomalies, and irregularities from the supposed writer’s natural writing style. The authenticity of the handwriting can be evaluated and indications of attempted deceit can be found using methods including comparative microscopy, magnification and examination of individual letter forms.
Traced Forgery
In traced forgery, the forger tries to recreate an actual piece of handwriting or signature by tracing over the actual handwriting. The forger places a transparent sheet like a tracing paper or acetate over the original document, which has the handwriting or signature, and copies the curves, lines, and all details of the actual handwriting.
Key characteristics of traced forgery:
Exact Replication – The goal of a traced forgery is to produce an exact duplicate of the original handwriting or signature. The forger tries to replicate the exact shapes and strokes, including fine details, by precisely tracing over the original page.
Visible Overlaps Tracing often leaves signs of overlaps or irregularities. There may be places where the ink or pencil lines appear thicker or darker because the forger struggled to align the traced lines with the original exactly, resulting from numerous passes over the same portion.
Uniform Pressure – Compared to authentic handwriting, traced forgeries could have more consistent pressure throughout the strokes. This consistency results from the constant pressure that was used to trace over the original, as opposed to the pressure changes that naturally occur in the actual writing.
Lack of Spontaneity – Genuine handwriting has a natural fluidity that is absent from traced forgeries. The natural rhythm and flow that distinguish genuine writing may be absent from the forger’s work because they are replicating an already-written work.
Forensic document examiners or handwriting specialists must carefully inspect documents in order to detect traced forgeries. The handwriting in question must be closely checked for indications of tracing, such as sheets that are clear or semi-transparent, obvious overlaps and deviations from the typical spontaneous nature of authentic handwriting.
Forgery by Memory
Forgery by memory is also referred to as simulated forgery by memory. Under this type of forgery, the forger attempts to replicate an individual’s signature or handwriting without directly tracing it. Instead of having the original document in front of them, the forger relies on their memory of the individual’s writing style to create a fraudulent signature or piece of handwriting.
Key features of forgery by memory:
Not Directly Copied – Forgery by memory is the process of making a duplicate handwriting from memory without using the original document.
Subject to Errors – Errors and mistakes are possible when relying on recollection. The forger might not properly remember every detail of the original handwriting, which could result in variations from the authentic writing style.
Limited Detail – Since the forger relies on their memory to mimic a handwriting, the level of detail may be limited compared to what could be achieved through tracing or copying directly from the original document.
Skill and Familiarity – A forger’s ability to accurately replicate an individual’s handwriting and familiarity with it are typically critical factors in the success of a memory forgery. This approach might be more practical for people who have a close relationship with the original writing or are exposed to it frequently.
Proficiency in handwriting analysis is necessary for memory forgery detection. To find discrepancies, changes, or deviations from the claimed author’s natural writing style, forensic document examiners or graphologists closely compare the faked writing with known authentic samples. Evaluation of pressure, letter forms, spacing and other distinguishing characteristics may be part of the analysis.
Forgery by Impersonation or Forgery Without Model
Forgery of impersonation or forgery without a model is when a forger tries to impersonate an individual’s signature or handwriting without referring to any original handwriting. In this method, the forger relies on their imagination or a general understanding of the typical features associated with a particular style of writing.
Key characteristics of forgery by impersonation or without a model:
Lack of Specific Reference – Forgery by impersonation involves creating a fraudulent signature without access to a specific handwriting sample.
Imitating a Generic Style – The forger makes an effort to mimic a common style or traits connected to a specific type of handwriting. This may involve replicating common letter formations, slant, size and other features without relying on the actual details of a specific individual’s writing.
Potential Inconsistencies – Since forgers don’t have access to a sample to refer to, the mimicked handwriting is inconsistent and full of errors. When professionals analyse the counterfeit writing, these discrepancies might be easier to see.
Limited Accuracy – Forgery without a model may result in a less accurate reproduction of the purported author’s signature or handwriting compared to methods where a specific example is available for reference.
Graphologists or forensic document examiners should closely inspect the falsified writing and look for anomalies, deviations and inconsistencies from the typical writing style. Evaluation of a number of components, such as letter forms, spacing, slant, and other distinguishing characteristics, is generally a part of researching under this form of surgery.
Inside Ink: The Handwriting Experts
For professional examination to find fake signatures and handwriting, get in touch with Inside Ink. We specialise in identifying abnormalities, inconsistencies and deceptive activities in handwriting. You may rely on our experience to deliver precise evaluations and insightful analyses in situations involving possible forgeries.
