It happens not infrequently that the desire to get a given number of words into a definite space leads to an entirely unusual and foreign style of writing, in which the accustomed characteristics are so obscured or changed that only a systematic analysis can detect them.  If there be no apparent reason for this appearance in lack of space, the cause may be the physical state of the writer or an attempt at simulation.  If a sufficient number of genuine signatures are available, it can generally be determined which of these two explanations is the right one.

Note illustrations of various kinds of handwriting in Appendix at end of this book.  Particular attention is directed to the descriptions and analysis.  They should be studied carefully.

CHAPTER II

FORGERY BY TRACING

Forgeries Perpetrated by the Aid of Tracing a Common and Dangerous Method—­Using Transparent Tracing Paper—­How the Movements are Directed—­Formal, Broken and Nervous Lines—­Retouched Lines and Shades—­Tracing Usually Presents a Close Resemblance to the Genuine—­Traced Forgeries Not Exact Duplicates of Their Originals—­The Danger of an Exact Duplication—­Forgers Usually Unable to Exactly Reproduce Tracing—­Using Pencil or Carbon-Guided Lines—­Retouching Revealed under the Microscope—­Tracing with Pen and Ink Over a Transparency—­Making a Practice and Study of Signatures—­Forgeries and Tracings Made by Skilful Imitators Most Difficult of Detection—­Free-Hand Forgery and Tracing—­A Few Important Matters to Observe in Detecting Forgery by Tracing—­Photographs a Great Aid in Detecting Tracing—­How to Compare Imitated and Traced Writing—­Furrows Traced by Pen Nibs—­Tracing Made by an Untrained Hand—­Tracing with Pen and Ink Over a Transparency—­Internal Evidence of Forgery by Tracing—­Forgeries Made by Skilful Imitators—­How to Determine Evidences of Forgery by Tracing—­Remains of Tracings—­Examining Paper in Transmitted Light—­Freely Written Tracings—­A Dangerous Method of Forgery.

Forgery by tracing is one of the most common and most dangerous methods of forgery.

There are two general methods of perpetrating forgeries, one by the aid of tracing, the other by free-hand writing.  These methods differ widely in details, according to the circumstances of each case.

Tracing can only be employed when a signature or writing is present in the exact or approximate form of the desired reproduction.  It may then be done by placing the writing to be forged upon a transparency over a strong light, and then superimposing the paper upon which the forgery is to be made.  The outline of the writing underneath will then appear sufficiently plain to enable it to be traced with pen or pencil, so as to produce a very accurate copy upon the superimposed paper.  If the outline is with a pencil, it is afterward marked over with ink.

Again, tracings are made by placing transparent tracing-paper over the writing to be copied and then tracing the lines over with a pencil.  This tracing is then penciled or blackened upon the obverse side.  When it is placed upon the paper on which the forgery is made, the lines upon the tracing are retraced with a stylus or other smooth hard point, which impresses upon the paper underneath a faint outline, which serves as a guide to the forged imitation.