Disputed Handwriting: An Exhaustive, Valuable, and Comprehensive Work upon One of the Most Important Subjects of to-Day. with Illustrations and Expositions for the Detection and Study of Forgery by Handwriting of All Kinds

A comprehensive examination of the science of handwriting analysis and forgery detection written in the early 20th century. This pioneering work addresses critical techniques for identifying forged signatures and presents methods and considerations vital for bank officials and business professionals dealing with the genuineness of signatures, a matter that significantly impacts financial transactions. The opening of the text introduces the significance of confirming genuine signatures, outlining how comparisons between disputed and authentic writings reveal points of similarity or difference. It highlights the complexities of forgery, emphasizing that even seemingly perfect imitations can be detected by trained examiners, and discusses the various conditions that affect how genuine signatures appear. Lavay illustrates the importance of systematic analysis in identifying forgeries, drawing attention to the psychological and physical nuances that can betray fraudulent efforts in handwriting. The initial chapters lay down the groundwork for a deeper exploration of forgery tactics and the fine distinctions in writing styles that experts leverage in their evaluations.