title: Bayes factor for investigative assessment of selected handwriting features.
abstract: This paper extends previous research on the use of multivariate continuous data in comparative handwriting examinations, notably for gender classification. A database has been constructed by analyzing the contour shape of loop characters of type a and d by means of Fourier analysis, which allows characters to be described in a global way by a set of variables (e.g., Fourier descriptors). Sample handwritings were collected from right- and left-handed female and male writers. The results reported in this paper provide further arguments in support of the view that investigative settings in forensic science represent an area of application for which the Bayesian approach offers a logical framework. In particular, the Bayes factor is computed for settings that focus on inference of gender and handedness of the author of an incriminated handwritten text. An emphasis is placed on comparing the efficiency for investigative purposes of characters a and d.
authors.affiliation: University of Lausanne, School of Criminal Justice, Lausanne, Switzerland. Electronic address: franco.taroni@unil.ch.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Taroni
authors.affiliation: University of Lausanne, School of Criminal Justice, Lausanne, Switzerland.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Marquis
authors.affiliation: University of Strasbourg, Research Team UMR 977 INSERM, Faculty of Dentistry, Strasbourg, France.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schmittbuhl
authors.affiliation: University of Lausanne, School of Criminal Justice, Lausanne, Switzerland.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Biedermann
authors.affiliation: University of Lausanne, School of Criminal Justice, Lausanne, Switzerland.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Thiéry
authors.affiliation: University Ca' Foscari, Department of Economics, Venice, Italy.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bozza
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D005583:Fourier Analysis; D007839:Functional Laterality; D006236:Handwriting; D006801:Humans; D016013:Likelihood Functions; D008297:Male; D012737:Sex Factors; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Bayes’ factor; Fourier descriptors; Handwriting analysis; Inference of gender; Inference of handedness; Investigation