Effect of stroke-induced memory impairment on handwriting–A forensic case study

Handwriting is an acquired neuromuscular skill that relies on motor memory and brain function, which make it vulnerable to impairments caused by physical or mental conditions. This paper presents a forensic case study comparing pre- and post-stroke Devnagari writing samples of a post-neurosurgery me...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Forensic Science International: Synergy
Main Authors: Mohinder Singh, Romika Chopra, Ajay Sharma, Vishal Sharma
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-06-01
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589871X25000117
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Summary:Handwriting is an acquired neuromuscular skill that relies on motor memory and brain function, which make it vulnerable to impairments caused by physical or mental conditions. This paper presents a forensic case study comparing pre- and post-stroke Devnagari writing samples of a post-neurosurgery memory-impaired patient. The study aimed to assess the feasibility, reliability, and limitations of handwriting identification, in such cases. Results revealed that there are significant differences between pre- and post-stroke handwritings, indicating distinct master pattern and potentially different writers. In the absence of medical history, a false negative opinion could have been generated in this case. This study highlights the need for contemporaneous specimens, careful evaluation, and integration of medical history in forensic document examination. It is, certainly, a grey area, emphasizing the need for further research.
ISSN:2589-871X