Class Characteristics of Mexican Hand Printing

In the forensic examination of handwriting, document examiners must be able to distinguish between class and individual characteristics. If an examiner places too much emphasis on a characteristic that is common to a certain nationality or group of people, an erroneous conclusion may be rendered. With the migration of foreign-born individuals into the United States, it is important for document examiners to be aware of the class characteristics found in foreign handwriting. One of the largest growing cultural groups in the southwestern United States is that of the Mexican people. In this study, the class characteristics of Mexican hand printing are examined. Specific letter formations, which occurred often enough to be considered as class characteristics, are identified. The letter formations, as well as the statistical data are presented in this paper.