While it is a fact that the microscope and a knowledge of its uses is of the greatest importance in ascertaining the character of the signatures, when the question of their being forged or genuine is the object of the examination, it does not follow that because a person is learned in the use of the microscope in other fields of research that he is therefore qualified to become an expert in handwriting.  A peculiar education made practically applicable by experience in this latter field of study is absolutely necessary to determine with accuracy what the microscope reveals, and its importance to give value to any conclusions reached by its use.  The connection of effect with cause, and the determination of the latter as a matter of individualism cannot be accomplished merely from what is seen under the microscope.  The examiner must by experience and education be fitted to ascertain from personal characteristics manifested in the writing of a signature necessitated their appearance as a matter of individuality.

From one of the best-known European experts on handwriting and who has figured conspicuously in important cases some interesting facts relative to this subject recently were learned.  To the question, “What is the primary requisite for a conscientious opinion on the genuineness of any submitted handwriting?” this expert unhesitatingly replied, “An utter and entire absence of either feeling or prejudice.  In other words, one should be perfectly dispassionate when engaged in such a work and use a first-class compound microscope.”

To make his analysis the expert uses a microscope of great power, and by a strict and close attention to the subject-matter he can determine the exact means or methods employed in making the individual letters and the formation of the words and also the several inks that were used.  Handwriting as defined by this expert is a mechanical operation pure and simple.  Its general excellence or the reverse is largely dependent on the education which the hand has received.  When a man sits down to write he mechanically reproduces on paper what is in his mind, and this may be said to be his natural handwriting.  Should he stop to think even for a moment, not of what he is transferring to the paper but of the writing itself, he instantly ceases to write his natural hand, the transcription becoming only a copy or drawing from memory.

In the opinion of the expert, emphatically expressed, a person never writes twice exactly alike.  This is stated to be the point around which all his subsequent developments revolve when examining a manuscript.  Let several examples of the natural handwriting of an individual be compared.  It is true that there will be a general similarity, but, as has been asserted, when placed in juxtaposition or subjected to a careful comparison under a microscope no two words or letters will be found to be alike.  Thus it is not the similarity between two pieces of writing that would arouse suspicion with some experts, but rather the natural dissimilarity.  Based on this point such experts occupy a distinct position by themselves, since other experts take what is called the positive side.  With the first-named class, however, handwriting is a science of negatives.  A good microscope will always be found a good detective in determining the genuineness of handwriting.