The Impact of Neurological Disorders on Handwriting: Implications for Forensic Document Examination

Abstract

Handwriting analysis is a valuable tool in forensic document examination, but the interpretation of observed findings can be complicated when individuals with neurological disorders are involved. The process of handwriting necessitates complex neuro‐muscular synchronization, which requires a much more intricate connection between the brain, muscles, and nerves than simply placing pen to paper. People with neurological illnesses, including Parkinson disease, Multiple System Atrophy, Alzheimer disease, and so on, may have trouble writing by hand. These illnesses can impair writing abilities physically and cognitively, resulting in inconsistencies or erratic handwriting that may be challenging to decipher. Because these illnesses impact a person's handwriting, it becomes challenging for document examiners to make an opinion about the handwriting of the author. A literature search was performed using PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar databases to analyze the association between neurological disorders and handwriting and their implications for handwriting analysis. This review article explores the effects of neurological disorders on handwriting. It emphasizes the importance of examining and analyzing handwriting impacted by these illnesses with care and knowledge. Document examiners, forensic professionals, and investigators must comprehend these challenges brought on by neurological illnesses. In forensic settings, specialized training, expertise, and suitable forensic handwriting examination methods (collection, analysis, interpretation, and reporting) should be adopted effectively in cases that involve people suffering from neurological disorders. This review majorly focuses on the analysis and interpretation stage of the forensic handwriting examination.