Spatial relationships, movement and form as discriminating factors in forensic handwriting analysis in Uganda

There are many cases of questioned documents in Uganda. According to the annual crime report by Uganda Police Force, 670 cases of questioned documents were reported in 2023 and of which handwriting cases constituted 80% of the total document cases. This study is on forensic handwriting analysis and will be based on the principle of individuality that no two people have identical handwriting characteristics. Forensic handwriting analysis is a technique that involves the examination various handwriting features to determine whether a handwriting sample is genuine or forged. Spatial relationships, movement, and form are critical factors that forensic document examiners use to differentiate between genuine and forged handwriting samples. This research thesis investigates the importance of spatial relationships, movement, and form in forensic handwriting analysis. The study analyzes various factors that are considered in forensic handwriting analysis and highlights the importance of spatial relationships, movement, and form for differentiating between genuine handwriting and forgery. The findings indicate that consistent spatial relationships in handwriting samples, consistent movement in pen pressure, speed, and direction of pen strokes, and consistent letter slant and shape are crucial factors in determining the accuracy of forensic handwriting analysis. The study underscores the need for continued research and development in forensic handwriting analysis to improve the accuracy and reliability of handwriting analysis in forensic investigations. In this study, 160 samples from the Directorate of Government Analytical Laboratory plus other samples and examined using visual analysis.. Overall, this research thesis provides valuable insights into the factors that determine the accuracy of forensic handwriting analysis and highlights the importance of spatial relationships, movement, and form in forensic handwriting analysis.By providing a thorough understanding of these discriminating, this research thesis seeks to strengthen forensic handwriting analysis' use in criminal investigations. Keywords: Handwriting, Questioned Documents, Spatial relationships, Movement,Form.