71. Hans Busse - Graphology and Forensic Handwriting Analysis

Leipzig 1898

Under the title "Graphologie und gerichtliche HandschriftenUntersuchungen" Hans Busse has published a little book (by Paul List, Leipzig) which, through its reference to the Dreyfus affair, is capable of arousing current interest and, through its clear discussion of the nature and significance of graphology, of arousing deeper interest. The time has passed when one could simply shrug one's shoulders about the justification of this branch of knowledge. Two important psychologists, Benedict and Ribot, have recently declared that the character of the personality is expressed in the writing. Scientific, experiential research into the connection between these traits and the character of the personality will yield insights that are as attractive as they are useful. Graphology must become an important chapter in psychology. The individual character of a person must be expressed in his writing to a much greater extent than in his facial features. For facial features can only remain flexible within the limits set by nature in order to adapt themselves to the changes of human nature. Writing is not subject to such limits. A crisis in the development of a personality will always bring about a change in his writing. The freer and more autocratic a person is, the more powerfully he will know how to express his character in writing. Unfree natures will remain subject to certain written forms that they have been taught. An average person will always be recognized by the fact that his writing is not individual, but that of his writing teacher. Writing, like style, is the character of a person.