The pathology of handwriting as a result of drug abuse. A case study

• Author: V. G. Bancila
• Position: Police Academy 'Alexandru Ioan Cuza', Bucharest, Romania
• Pages: 1-6

AGORA International Journal of Juridical Sciences, www.juridicaljournal.univagora.ro

ISSN 1843-570X, E-ISSN 2067-7677

No. 1 (2014), pp. 1-6

1

THE PATHOLOGY OF HANDWRITING AS A RESULT OF DRUG

ABUSE. A CASE STUDY

V. G. Bncil

Violeta-Gabriela Bncil

Police Academy “Alexandru Ioan Cuza”, Bucharest, Romania

*Correspondence: Violeta-Gabriela Bncil, Police Academy “Alexandru Ioan Cuza”, 1-3

Aleea Privighetorilor St., District 1, 014031 Bucharest, Romania

E-Mail: gabriela_bnc@yahoo.com

Abstract

The case study highlights the importance of observing the damaged handwriting which

occurs in drug abuse. Handwriting of a drug consumer presents certain characteristics which

are useful to be known and analyzed by certain specialists (forensic experts, psychiatrists)

involved in research in both Criminal and Medical field. Handwriting analysis can become a

valuable medical diagnosis tool for monitoring the progress made by drug addicts receiving

medication; the conclusions reveal the characteristics of damaged handwriting due to drug

abuse, after analyzing several signatures of a 24 year old subject.

Keywords: pathology, drugs, handwriting, signature, marijuana.

Introduction

Handwriting, this "fine seismograph", tends to be sensitive to external agents. Drugs

and hallucinogens of all kinds, as well as alcoh ol, leave their mark on the neuromuscular

system.

Although their effects may vary, the re are certainties about a couple of issues.

Factors which can create changes in the individual’s handwriting are: the handwriting’s

degree of development, changes caused by writing with the "hand driven ", alcohol,

poisoning, drug abuse, drugs, toxic substances, stress; alteration of handwriting as a result of

physical agents such as age, fatigue, decrease or loss of vision, amputation of fingers or

hand1.

Heroin, cocaine (and their varieties) addicts, same as alcoholics, feel better initially

after taking the drug, as the neuromuscular acuity and their performance is improved; The

opposite state is abstinence or withdrawal. Studies have shown that under the influence of

drugs like LSD -25 and BOL - 148 the handwriting and signature suff er changes similar to

those altered due to alcohol consumption.

Frequent cases occur on handwritten wills or document signatures, shortly before or

after the ingestion of an overdose that eventually killed the victim. Checks and receipts are

sometimes signed under the influence of drugs, but after recovering to normal, the person it

was no longer to remember all that they have signed.

The Use of handwriting analysis studies on drug behavior

Studying the handwriting of drug users is useful for highlighting both health state after

ingesting hallucinogenic substances and also the patient’s progress over the treatment

1 Nicoleta-Elena Buzatu, “Drugs Consumption - a Handwriting Modifier”, International Journal of Criminal

Investigation vol. 2, Issue 4/2012, p. 274.