Kota Kinabalu: A handwriting expert told the inquest into the death of Zara Qairina Mahathir that copying another person's handwriting would be difficult due to differences in factors such as pen pressure, writing speed and skill level.
Forensic document examiner and handwriting expert Dr Linthini Gannetion said she would not describe such an act as impossible, but rather difficult because handwriting contains several individual characteristics and is a conscious rather than subconscious act.
Responding to questions from counsel Joan Goh, Dr Linthini agreed that reproducing another person's handwriting over large quantities of text or across numerous pages would be difficult.
The inquest's 74th witness also said no two individuals could produce handwriting that is exactly alike, adding that handwriting samples obtained from nine of Zara's dorm mates showed significant differences when analysed in detail despite appearing similar at first glance.
She further explained that forensic document examiners use the ACE-V method — analysis, comparison, evaluation and verification — to determine the authorship of handwriting by identifying repetitive characteristics and subconscious writing habits before making comparisons with questioned material.
