Polygraph and Handwriting Analysis
Sergey Aleskovskiy
Eurasian Association of Polygraphologists, Almaty, Kazakhstan
DOI: 10.61246/ihs2/sa167187
In Chernov, Y., & Nauer, M. A. (Eds.). (2023). Handwriting Research: Forensics & Legal. P. 167-187.
Abstract
Considering two methods of studying personality – polygraph and psychological analysis of handwriting, it is possible to note much in common. Thus, they are united by common roots: human physiology, higher nervous activity, differential psychology, etc. Both methods allow for analyzing the subconscious processes of human psychology. Both methods are not recognized by courts in most countries as evidence but are actively used in investigations. The use of polygraphs and psycho-scientific analysis is part of the so-called non-traditional forensic methods. However, although these methods are not widely supported by the academic community, practitioners successfully use them. That is often more important than formal validation procedures, which are both difficult to organize and difficult to achieve objectivity and reliability. They always remain controversial.
It should be reiterated that today there are many applications of psychological analysis with the involvement of handwriting and polygraphs. In first place in terms of demand is undoubtedly forensic and human resource management in all its aspects. A person is a universe, inexhaustible in its diversity. Handwriting is one of the brightest manifestations of personality. It contains a lot of information about the author of a handwritten document. Handwriting experts, criminalists, and psychologists are progressively learning the secrets of handwriting, systematically acquiring new knowledge. In the nearest future psychological and handwriting analysis will again gain even more importance. However, even today, experts should take advantage of the results that have been accumulated over many decades of empirical and experimental research.