Questions on Profiling Part Two (2)
Anthony J. Iantosca, BCFE
IAFEI
Published by Anthony Iantosca, BCFE
For the International Academy of Forensic Examiners and Investigators.
Question on Profiling
Part Two (2)
These questions are on Handwriting Analysis based on American Trait Theory. It is one of the four diagnostic tools I use in Profiling a personality.
As I continue with visible traits found in a sample of handwriting that will give you some insight on the personalities possible behavior is inconsistent slant patterns called "Moodiness." This is where the slant pattern is not consistent, you will see the handwriting going from left to right, straight up, back to left to right the handwriting is all over the map.
Moodiness is an instability trait, the personality has been subjected to a stress, trauma that has yet to be identified. Moody personalities emotions change very quickly. They can be happy one minute, angry the next, sad, happy etc. You never know what side of the bed they are getting up on or what side of the bed they are on in the here and now. This is not to be confused with the Bi-Polar personality type. The difference is with a Bi-Polar their moods will remain consistent for a longer period of time. They can fluctuate form a manic episode to a depressive episode but it will last over an extended period of time, weeks or months. Not so with a moody personality type, their moods can and will change very quickly.
They can be very unstable when triggered, in heavy pressure they can be very volatile and dangerous, because of their intense emotions.
The problem with moody personalities you do not know what will set them off. You are always walking on egg shells with them. All of us can have a day or two when we are out of sorts and can be in a sour mood. The handwriting will reflect that but it will not be overly pronounced and will return back to their normal handwriting pattern when the issue is over. When it consistent you must be careful how you talk to this person, how you act with this person. Be very careful of your tone.
When you see moodiness in the handwriting of children that is a sign that something is very wrong.
Children when are first learning to write and print their letter formations and their handwriting will be sloppy and ill-formed as they learn this new task, that is not a concern. As they learn, concentrate and become comfortable with this new task the handwriting is usually large, well rounded and the slant pattern is usually straight up in the twelve o'clock position. It will remain consistent in this handwriting style for an extended period of time. If moodiness is detected at this stage something is wrong.
It is very important to talk to the child and find out what is troubling the child. He/she is being subjected to a stress/trauma that needs to be identified and identified quickly.
Also pay very close attention to a change in his/her moods and normal behavior patterns, a change in their body language (nonverbal expressions and tells.) If there is a change in nonverbal expressions combined with a moody unstable script we have a serious issue that needs to be identified. Remember a change in behavior is a change in their reality. As responsible adults we need to find out why there is a change and what is causing it.
Last but not least is what is called "Threadlike" this writing style is very visible both in the body of the document and the signature. The handwriting and the letter stroke formations are not legible and is not readable it looks like scribble. When a person writes in "Threadlike" it is a subconscious need to be evasive. He or she does not want you to know who and what they are. So they write in a manner that cannot be read. Not as a contradiction people who sign their name many times during the day will write in this manner but their signature only. The reason is they believe it will be harder for someone to forge their signature on a document or a prescription pad. This is not the case, it is much easier to forge a signature when written in this manner. Why? There is no letter stroke formations to analyze and identify with know samples of their handwriting.
Be on the lookout when the body of the document and the signature are written in "Threadlike." The personality does not want you to know who and what they are. If it is only found in the signature that is not a major concern they are hiding who and what they are socially. If the handwriting is in both the body of the document and the signature I would be very cautious moving forward with this personality, personally and professionally.
