direction opposite to his normal hand. While the result of this
change is to alter the apparent style and general appearance of the
writing, the alteration does not extend to certain tricks and
characteristics which are plainly obvious in the genuine letters and
are repeated in the anonymous letter _A_.

The writing in the genuine letters contains fourteen very
distinctive peculiarities, or tricks of hand, which I find repeated
in the anonymous letter _A_.

(Here describe them, as for example.)

1. The figure 4 in the dates is always made like the print form of
that figure.

2. The small _e_ is always of the Greek form.

3. The small _t_ is always crossed by a bar thick at the beginning,
tapering to a point, with its longest part behind the shank of
the _t_ [and so on].

The various points of resemblance are set out in detail, a separate
paragraph for each, and each paragraph numbered.

It is extremely important that a report should be fully descriptive and
written in plain, non-technical language, easily understood by the jury,
who will have to decide whether the resemblance has been made out.

Too many handwriting experts spoil the effect of their evidence by
employing technical language and presuming on the part of the jury an
acquaintance with the methods of comparing handwritings.

Do not be satisfied by saying that certain letters resemble each other.
Show by an enlarged diagram how and where, indicating the parts to which
attention is called by arrows. Place the single letters to be compared
in parallel columns, headed with the alphabetical letter distinguishing
the document in which the particular letter occurs. Use foolscap paper,
and write on one side of the paper only.

The usual method of dealing with the handwriting expert in the
witness-box is shown in the following extract from a report of an actual
case.

Mr. D. B---- was called by counsel for the prosecution and duly sworn.

Q.--You have had considerable experience in examining handwriting.

A.--Over twenty years.

Q.--Look at these documents. (Hands documents to witness.) Have you seen
and examined these?

A.--I have.

Q.--Have you formed any opinion upon them?

A.--I have, and have prepared a report.

In some cases the expert is allowed to read his report in full. In
others he is requested to give a verbal report, but if the point be
insisted upon