From a young age, I found myself immersed in the fascinating world of forensic handwriting analysis. Growing up in the industry, I had an interest at 9 years old when my Uncle Charlie (not really my biological uncle) started showing me a few things. However, my first lesson started a couple of years later. In other words, I started to learn age-appropriate concepts starting on my 11th birthday, setting the stage for an incredible journey of knowledge and expertise. My mentor, the late Charles Stahl, was not only a close friend of my father’s from WWII but later became a handwriting expert in California.
Fondly known as Uncle Charlie, he became my mentor, introducing me to the intriguing fields of personality graphology and questioned document examination, with the help of his colleagues, John J. “Jack” Harris, and Frank Hicks.
In this blog post, I’ll take you through my journey, my passion for deciphering the criminal mind and trauma victims, and my specialization in forensic graphology.
The Early Years
In 1975, my journey began with Uncle Charlie as my mentor. Charlie had established what he called the “San Francisco School of Handwriting Studies” at his home outside of the area in the early 1960s. Just ask Dr. Erika (below), because she was there and knows all about it. This study group, active through the 1980s, became a beacon for enthusiasts and professionals, fostering a community of individuals dedicated to learning the “science of handwriting” (his words). The skills and insights I gained from Charlie were enriched by his own experiences with others mentioned in this post. Charlie’s vast knowledge and infectious passion for handwriting analysis ignited my curiosity and fascination. With his guidance, I started delving into the principles of personality graphology, which unveiled the unique connection between an individual’s personality traits and their handwriting strokes. It was truly intriguing to see how handwriting could be a window into a person’s innermost thoughts and feelings.
Questioned Document Examination
During my tutelage with Uncle Charlie, I also gained exposure to questioned document examination using his connections with Jack and Frank (above). This branch of forensic handwriting analysis involves the examination of documents to determine their authenticity, uncovering the author of anonymous notes, and detecting potential fraud or alterations. While it was an essential aspect of the industry, I found myself drawn more towards the intricate details of personality graphology.
The Mentorship and the Passing
For almost a decade, Uncle Charlie mentored me closely, sharing his wisdom, experiences, and techniques. He was not just an instructor but a pillar of support and inspiration. However, tragedy struck when he lost his health battle. His passing left a void in my life, but his teachings and legacy continued to shape my path in forensic handwriting analysis. Nevertheless, I was lonely but not alone because Dr. Erika Karohs and Kimon Iannetta then became my mentors.
Fine-Tuning My Focus
Over the years, my expertise in the field grew, and I retained my passion for deciphering the personalities behind the pen, particularly in the context of the criminal mind and trauma victims. Forensic graphology allowed me to analyze handwriting patterns, providing valuable insights into the writer’s emotions, mental state, and possible behavioral traits. Because I had a very traumatic childhood, it helped me better understand my perpetrators.
Courtroom Testimony and Teaching
My proficiency in this dual field led me to testify as an expert witness in multiple court cases across various states for the documents in question. It was both a challenging and rewarding experience. Additionally, as a natural educator, I enjoyed teaching entry-level questioned document classes to law enforcement agencies in different states and countries. Empowering others with the knowledge to detect potential fraud and forgeries brought a sense of accomplishment. As a result, many detective students have become court-qualified as well.
Collaboration with Karen Weinberg
Throughout my career, I had the privilege of working with my dear friend and colleague, Karen Weinberg. A seasoned expert in questioned document examination, Karen’s insights complemented my expertise. She was also the president of Certified Handwriting Analysts International (CHAI) which I was a member of for many years. Together, Karen and I are and have been a formidable team as we worked together on complex cases. Her position as the only court-qualified questioned document expert in the state of New Mexico brings an added layer of credibility to our collaboration.
Criticism
While my journey into the handwriting industry may be unconventional and subject to criticism, I consider myself truly blessed to have a career that has been consistently fulfilling and enriching.
From my formative days under the guidance of Uncle Charlie et al to my experiences as an expert witness in court and an educator and consultant to law enforcement personnel, every step has been a valuable learning experience. I owe a debt of gratitude to the wisdom imparted by Uncle Charlie et al, and the continued mentorships, as they have each played a significant role in shaping me into the professional I am today. If you are not familiar with this field, you may not know any of these poeple. Feel free to Google them and contact them to ask about Charlie or myself. While Frank and Jack may not know me personally, they did know Charlie and just like I heard of them through Charlie’s lips, they likely heard of me as well. Albeit my name was different back then.
Finally, since I mentioned CHAI, I want to emphasize that despite receiving invitations to join more prominent handwriting analysis and questioned document membership organizations such as AAHF and AAHA over the years, I have declined. The primary reason for this decision is because my experience with CHAI had set a high standard. At CHAI, we were inclusive, welcoming individuals of varying knowledge and skill levels, freely sharing samples and insights, and fostering a sense of community akin to a family. In contrast, indirect experiences with AAHF and AAHA were quite different.
I have insights on this matter based on indirect personal experiences and knowledge. This comes from my interactions with experts who were once members of the group but eventually left. Their reasons for leaving are similar to the reasons why I decided never to join in the first place. The key issue was the unprofessional behavior exhibited within these organizations, characterized by derogatory comments and defamation of other experts. I’ve heard that one main individual, identified by the initials S.L. but there are others, were particularly notorious for engaging in such behavior.
Given my preference for professionalism and a respectful and inclusive environment, I have chosen not to join a professional organization that lacks these qualities and operates more like an mean girl club reminiscent of an eighth-grade clique. That, my friends, is ethics.
In conclusion, today marks a momentous occasion as I celebrate my 30th anniversary as a handwriting entrepreneur. This incredible journey has been filled with passion, dedication, and continuous growth. I am deeply grateful for the opportunities to make a positive impact on countless lives through my expertise in this unique field. As I reflect on the past years, I am inspired to continue my pursuit of excellence and to contribute further to the handwriting analysis industry. Here’s to many more years of success and fulfillment in this fascinating and rewarding profession. Thank you for being a part of this remarkable milestone.
Before I close, I wanted to share this picture from the Library of Congress showing one of the books my Uncle Charlie (Charles Stahl) wrote on handwriting analysis. He and Julia wrote several more. Here is the link… http://t.ly/vCu-B
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