By John Springer
Court TV
The current scare of anthrax threat when used as a biochemical weapon by both terrorists and extremist's, has investigators on the prowl for answers leading to the culprits behind the anthrax tainted letters that have filtering through our mail system.
With targets against specific people like Senator Daschule, NBC anchor Tom Brokaw and an editor at the New York Post, investigators are looking to handwriting analysis to assist in the probe of finding key answers in their investigation.
Is it possible to detect certain personality traits and characteristics of the author(s) who wrote these letters? Or, did they mask their identity by writing the letters in a particular way to divert authorities to look for answers elsewhere?
Bart Baggett, handwriting expert, may have the answers that the FBI are looking for on his Handwriting University Web site. Having observed the handwriting based on pictures of the envelopes delivered to Senator Daschule and Tom Brokaw, Baggett's observations help us see the possible mental state of an individual who has caused an insurmountable amount of terror to million of innocent people.
According to the Beggett's Web site, handwriting analysis is the scientific method of identifying personality traits through strokes and patterns that occur within everyday writing. This is often confused with document examination, which is used in forgery cases and involves strictly identifying the author and not the characteristics of the writer.
Before the FBI released the letters, Baggett released the results of his analysis based strictly on the handwriting on the envelopes.
"The writing appears to be written by the same person," says Beggett on his site. "Without the originals, we can't be 100 percent sure. The writing is slow and intentional." The writer wants to mask his identity and is deeply passionate (heavy writing) and ruled by emotion, not logic."
Shortly after, newspapers and TV news programs across the world released photos of the three letters. The voice of the author spoke vividly clear in the contents of each letter when all three when sited the date "09-11-01" at the top of the page.
In an interview with Catherine Crier on Court TV's Catherine Crier Live, Beggett spoke on the handwriting analyses of all three letters.
"When you see the letters and the content, you have no question that the same person or group wrote them. Like the characteristics of prison inmates, this person feels that if they has a need to be in control of every little detail," said Beggett. "I can't prove who wrote the letter, but I can guarantee that the person who wrote the letters is both depressed and chemically depressed."
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As of the present time, authorities have not linked any of the letters to the terrorist attacks that took place on that date.
Handwriting University was around before Bert Beggett became somewhat of a household name due to his expertise. There are several sections dedicated to educating the public about learning about what penmanship reveals about people's personalities.
Ask Sherlock is a five-minute quiz that asks you a series of questions about characteristics of certain letters written is script. All Sherlock requests is that you pay attention to and the sizes, shapes, slants and strokes of your letters in order to get the most accurate results. Submit your answers and receive an email response in moments.
Beggett makes it easy for interested parties to access a monthly newsletter, take a teleconference class or attend a live seminar. Several sections are dedicated to a glossary of terms for handwriting traits, including, 5 Hell Traits Found in Handwriting, an excerpt from Beggett's book, The Secrets to Making Love Happen.
A link to an interpretation of Osama bin Laden's handwriting by another analyst, Anna Koren, who specializes in European and Middle Eastern writings, is also on Beggett's site.
During his interview on Catherine Crier Live, Beggett said that Osama bin Laden's writing sample contains, "a signature that shows ego maniacal behavior. He is not a genius, but very capable."
Beggett added how handwriting analysis would be helpful in assisting with the anthrax letter investigations.
"This could help the FBI when looking at a profile. Whoever wrote the letters is angry and depressed," Beggett added. "They have the profile of being angry at the world."
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