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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Main Authors: Mohinder Singh, Romika Chopra, Ajay Sharma, Vishal Sharma
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-06-01
Series:Forensic Science International: Synergy
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589871X25000117
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author Mohinder Singh
Romika Chopra
Ajay Sharma
Vishal Sharma
author_facet Mohinder Singh
Romika Chopra
Ajay Sharma
Vishal Sharma
author_sort Mohinder Singh
collection DOAJ
description 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.
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spelling doaj-art-e3d07e0d368e4ee2a476cbfd41d412452025-08-20T02:50:55ZengElsevierForensic Science International: Synergy2589-871X2025-06-011010058210.1016/j.fsisyn.2025.100582Effect of stroke-induced memory impairment on handwriting–A forensic case studyMohinder Singh0Romika Chopra1Ajay Sharma2Vishal Sharma3Former GEQD, Central Forensic Science Laboratory, Forensic Science Services, Hyderabad, Telangana, 500013, IndiaInstitute of Forensic Science and Criminology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, 160014, IndiaState Forensic Science Laboratory, Government of Rajasthan, Rajasthan, Jaipur, 302016, IndiaInstitute of Forensic Science and Criminology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, 160014, India; Corresponding author.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.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589871X25000117HandwritingForensic document examiner (FDE)Memory impairmentBrain strokePost-stroke writing
spellingShingle Mohinder Singh
Romika Chopra
Ajay Sharma
Vishal Sharma
Effect of stroke-induced memory impairment on handwriting–A forensic case study
Forensic Science International: Synergy
Handwriting
Forensic document examiner (FDE)
Memory impairment
Brain stroke
Post-stroke writing
title Effect of stroke-induced memory impairment on handwriting–A forensic case study
title_full Effect of stroke-induced memory impairment on handwriting–A forensic case study
title_fullStr Effect of stroke-induced memory impairment on handwriting–A forensic case study
title_full_unstemmed Effect of stroke-induced memory impairment on handwriting–A forensic case study
title_short Effect of stroke-induced memory impairment on handwriting–A forensic case study
title_sort effect of stroke induced memory impairment on handwriting a forensic case study
topic Handwriting
Forensic document examiner (FDE)
Memory impairment
Brain stroke
Post-stroke writing
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589871X25000117
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