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Characters Reveal Character

NCJ Number
220646
Journal
Law Enforcement Technology Volume: 34 Issue: 10 Dated: October 2007 Pages: 174,176,180
Author(s)
Jeannine Heinecke
Date Published
October 2007
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This article describes the features and uses of an examination that reveals the character of the respondent through the characteristics of his/her handwriting.
Abstract
The examination, which was developed by Written Inc., of Temecula, CA, is based on the principle that the lines, loops, placement, and pressure characteristic of written words reveals personal characteristics such as aggressiveness, anger, indifference, moodiness, disorganization, and deceit. The examination, called the Candidate Insight Report (CIR), can be used for both pre- and postemployment purposes in obtaining a profile of a person's characteristics in order to determine his/her suitability for an occupation or position within an occupation. The CIR requests that respondents copy two short paragraphs of supplied text with a ball point pen, which is done on a flat surface. The supplied text is designed to produce the maximum amount of information and accuracy regarding a person's handwriting features. Once completed by the respondent, the copied paragraphs are faxed to Written, Inc. A handwriting analyst uses a computer program to increase the accuracy and speed of the handwriting analysis. The analysis is then supplied to the client. The report includes a summary of positive, caution, negative, and warning traits. Following a "trait summary," "insight statements" compose the body of the report. Concise statements describe each key component of the respondent's personality. These include both positive and negative statements about the respondent's personality characteristics. Other uses of the CIR are for employee self-evaluation and for narrowing suspects based on traits that may fit crime characteristics.