Each person develops numerous individual characteristics which are consistent and repeated from one specimen of writing to another. The combination of these characteristics unique to an individual permits two specimens of writing to be identified as the product of one person. The investigator must obtain known samples that can be compared successfully with the questioned writing. These exemplars must not only represent the normal writing habits of the writer but also must contain a sufficient quantity of the same letter combinations, words, and names as the writing in question. In most cases, it is advisable to obtain requested or dictated known exemplars. It is also important to duplicate the conditions under which the writing in question was produced -- the same kind of writing implement and the same format should be reproduced. Figures, photographs, and a footnote are provided.