The Dependence between Selected Categorical Measures of Cursive Handwriting

Abstract This paper provides document examiners with quantitative information about the dependences which occur in cursive handwriting. The analyses are based on data collected in Eldridge, Nimmo-Smith, Wing and Totty [1], where samples of handwriting were taken from 61 right-handed people under controlled conditions. A measure termed the Association Index (AI) is used to describe the degree of association between different features of handwriting. The features with the highest AIs between different letters are the method of joining between letters and the formation of the top of the staff. The letters h and k tend to have higher AIs than do other letters. In particular, the closure and the direction of the top of the staff are highly associated, as well as the closure and direction of the bottom of the staff. Recommendations are made for document examiners based on the patterns of association observed.