Age Related Variation in Feminine Handwriting among Population Groups of Delhi, India

Background: Handwriting is a uniquely human trait which progresses and evolves during lifetime and declines with age. The aim of the present paper is to assess variation in handwriting features with age among female writers of select population groups of Delhi, India (for roman script). Method: A total of 405 handwritten samples were obtained from female (n=405) writers in the age range of 14-60 years. Writers were stratified into three age groups (≤ 18 years, 19-38 years and ≥39 years) in accordance to population group. Macro- and micro-features of handwriting were extracted from the scanned handwritten samples. These features were subjected to statistical analysis in the objective driven research. Result: The mean difference among age groups for pen pressure, height of handwriting and handwriting connectivity was statistically significant (p < 0.001). Significant difference was also observed among age groups for all micro-features of handwriting selected in the present study, namely, nature of ‘i’ – dot (p < 0.001), nature of lower loop of ‘g’ (p < 0.01); nature of‘d’- stem (p < 0.01), nature of ‘m’-hump (p < 0.05) and ‘r’- shape (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The present study showed that there was a significant variation in both macro- and micro- features of handwriting with respect to age of the writer. Pen pressure, height of handwriting and handwriting connectivity were prominent macro-features that addressed age related variation in handwriting. In addition, significant variation was observed among age groups for all micro-features of handwriting selected in the present study. The present study has immense forensic significance as it can assist to analyze age of the writer on the basis of handwriting characteristics.