Psychological Assessment and Handwriting Analysis to Determine Personality Traits of a Convicted Criminal - A Case Study

Forensic scientists perform their work only for criminal justice system. They struggle with the knowledge that the work they do is not ordinary science, but a science used by a complex system that assesses guilt or innocence. There is also value in revealing how diverse methods of science are conducted in the real world with real consequences. The present case study describes how the personality traits of a convicted criminal can be revealed with fusion of Forensic Psychological Assessment and scientific examination of handwriting. Forensic psychology is the branch of psychology concerned with the production and application of psychological knowledge and principles within the legal process. Forensic Psychological Assessment (FPA) is an important application of psychology, which is used as assistance in criminal investigation to find facts related to crime. FPA is also conducted to provide insight into and predict criminal behaviour with an aim of preventing future criminality. Moreover, Forensic examination of handwriting also plays very important role in identifying different behavioural factors of criminals by analyzing their graphic signs; as every crime shows mental, emotional or aggressive personality traits which results in violent behaviour to commit heinous crime. Communication through written symbols is a unique human endeavour. When we write, we actually leave our brain prints behind the paper. Therefore our handwriting is also called our brain writing. These brain prints reveal who we are and how we think, feel and behave. They are an x - ray of our mind. They remain uniquely our own forever like the fingerprints. Forensic investigators used handwriting technology in fusion with psychological assessment to determine personality traits, social status, cognitive development, environment and psychological health of the culprit in the case.