Graphology is a science with its basis just like all the other sciences; empirical, and scientific exploration of hypothesis and experimentation. The various character traits that match up with the various graphological traits have been thouroughly tested through the traditional scientific methods.

Graphology is a science and should be best left to experts in the field. It takes years of study and training to become a qualified graphologist. However, there are simple and logical explanations that can show you; how and why graphology works, and the implications for its practical uses.

The following handwritings are samples of famous people. We have provided a mini-analysis of some of the main features of these writings. It is for the purpose of your review. In no way is this to be determined as a complete and in-depth analysis. We have chosen a variety of samples purposely selected for their unique graphology characteristics and others simply because of their fame. Please enjoy these as they are meant only for the purpose of public interest.

David Berkowitz was known more by his infamous monicker, "Son of Sam". For those unfamiliar with the Son of Sam story; he went on a murdering spree in New York City in 1976. Over the course of a year, Berkowitz killed six innocent people. He never knew these people; only that the sight of couples and lovers necking in cars would set him off. He would pull out a pistol and fire at them.

He was eventually caught, convicted, and sentenced to prison where he will remain for the rest of his life.

David wrote this sample above to his brother on a greeting card for Thanksgiving in 1988. Berkowitz was 35 years old at the time this sample was written.

There are important features of the handwriting which give the clues to the problems with David. The striking features of the sample are the extra light pressure, downhill baseline, "balloon" loops in upper zone, long but ill formed lower zone, tight left margin, and most obviously the right margin is growing wider as the letter progresses.

The widening right hand margin is the key in this sample. Here is an extreme use of space. It indicates a person who is literally "withdrawing from the future" and into the self. In psychology terms; this refers to "schizophrenia". David clearly has been suffering from this for many years; since the progression of this tendency starts with the fourth line. My guess would be somewhere around 12 years old. This is derived by the fact that it about one third of the way down the letter that this trait starts to appear. This would place it when David was reaching puberty.

David has a strong sex drive, but it is severely wrought with trauma [notice the long but malformed lower zone throughout] David shows a lot of tension, guilt, and shame in his sexual identity. Hence the explanation for being "triggered" by seeing couples making out in cars. David coud not handle watching others explore their own sexuality; while he suffered so, with his own sexual hangups.

David is rather bright intellectually; well above average. I would estimate an IQ of about 120. [the writing is simplified, there are creative and efficient connections] His intellect is not his problem, and often enough, very smart people can have severe emotional and psychological problems. However, David is unable to use his functional intelligence. Instead, he acquiesces to his many fantasies; [balloon upper loops, t-bars above the t-stem] and his strong resentments and grudges of people that treated him poorly in the past. [there are only a few lead-ins. They are all rigid, except for one. The hard and rigid lead-ins are on the word "your"]

David was also hard on himself too. He does not show a strong ego, and carries his own pesonal resentments about himself. David does not show a lot of backbone and had difficulties in standing up for himself and asserting his opinion. [notice that the stable axis in the lower case "t" {the stable axis is the t-stem} is very short in height, and there are rigid lead ins here, while the rest of the writing is simplified. The other t-stems are all looped.]

David was very vulnerable to other people and the fantasies that he lived with. These fantasies were his own private world and he shared this with no one. [the upper zone is completely lighter in pressure than the other zones of the sample] On the outside, David would appear quite normal. His motivation and drive is reserved solely for his fantasies. He would not be the type to "rock the boat". He was too frightened to upset others to their face; he did it in his fantasy world; while the resentments and grudges in his life built up to a boiling point. [on the surface, the written sample is rounded, and very flexible. t-bars are long but above the stem. There are no signs of confrontation in the sample. It is "easy going" writing.]

David was a follower and not a leader. David claimed that his violent acts were caused by voices he heard from his dog, Sam; hence the monicker that was given him. His writing indicates that this is the truth. The extraordinarily light pressure, poor stable axis, fantasy loops, widening right hand margin paint a scary picture of a poor child without much self-esteem, and without the ability to maintain any respect from others. So his alternative solution was to withdrawal into his fanatasy world.

David withdrew more and more and as he was reminded that he lived in a fantasy, or when reality showed David that his life was nothing but a fantasy; the withdrawal and fantasy would even increase [notice that the space between words in the top half to the sample is much smaller than at the bottom, and so is the line spacing]

David's handwriting sample shows a unique quality for such a troubled person; it is strong spatially. All the spatial variances are explained by David's psychosis. The sample shows good organization and spatial skills. Can you guess David's job? He was a mailman. A perfect job for such good organizational skills.

The sample does not have a PPI in it, and this would be an interesting graphology sample to have seen. However, I can make no conclusions on how he felt about his parents.

The above sample was written by Ted Bundy. Bundy was born in 1946, and his murderous spree started at the age of 27. He is responsibe for over 30 murders of young women. He was eventually caught and sentenced to the electric chair. He was executed in 1989.

Take a look at this sample above. The pressure is heavy, there are long and very rigid lead-ins, with tics {harpoons}, the spatial arrangement is very crowded. The PPI is very left slanted, while the sample is strongly right slanted; the father stroke is absent, and the posture is known as the "fetal" PPI. The left margin is sinuous, and the right margin is normal. The writing is slightly "sharp" or "icicles". I can see "angled arcades" in the script. Angled arcades are one of the nastiest signs in graphology, and Bundy displays this trait throughout. It will confirm and coroborate the other traits, as manipulative and dishonest.

The writing is slow, regular, and artificial. The lower zone is long, and the loops are overemphasized. The writing is "stenciled", and since the sample is a poor copy, I am not going to add the holes in the letters. I believe that although this could be caused by the loss of integrity in the copying machine; I doubt very much if all of these holes are caused by the copying machines; especially in consideration of all of the other aspects of this sample.

To add to these facts, the t-bars are long, high but still on the stem, and the right margin is used completely. The cumulation of these graphology traits are extremely dangerous. I shudder in fear when I see handwriting like this. Bundy makes Berkowitz look like a saint.

Ted Bundy liked being involved with people. He was constantly active and busy. He felt uncomfortble being alone and on his own. [use of space; close word and line spacing] Ted was crafty. On the outside, he was very charming; always putting on a pleasent appearence and acting congenial with all the people that he knew. He would seem to act like your best friend, but that was the scam he wanted you to believe. Ted made everything "look" so good. He would say and do things just to get your trust. If Ted made a mistake or was caught telling a lie, he would cleverly cover it up and make it look alright [stenciled writing, covered strokes, touch up letters, split connective forms] Then when the needs suited him, he would take advantage of you.[artificial writing, touched up letters, covered strokes, stenciled strokes] In truth, he was a criminal psychopath. [artificial writing, stenciled letters, slow writing, sinouos left margin {I use a special criminal chart for this, for expediency Bundy exhibits 4 of the major criminal traits in the preceding list of traits} the same chart applies to dishonesty, here we have artificial, stenciled letters, covered strokes, sinuous left margin, sinuous baseline, touched up strokes, arcaded angles]

Bundy is a cold person, who lacks true feelings [sharp, icicle writing] He is expressive emotionally [strong right hand slant] but it does not include warm feelings; only his bitterness and anger. He has a propensity to hate quickly, hold onto those grudges forever, and then to get even. [harpooned lead ins, long and rigid on every word! and motivation factors like long t-bars, heavy pressure, narrow right margin] He had no morals and didn't feel any guilt over the pain of his victims; [sinuous left margin, artificial writing, and lack of pastose] these were murders motivated by revenge. Bundy either knew these victims and they had slighted him in some manner, or more likely; these victims "represented" those that he held old grudges against. There were numerous grudges, and the level of anger and hostility that went with each grudge was enormous [every word has a harpoon, the harpoons are very long]

Unlike Berkowitz above, Bundy had plenty of backbone. He would have easily stood up to others if he felt it necessary; and eventually displaying his anger. Bundy did not need encouragement in order for action. He was highly motivated and that's what made those old grudges so dangerous. Ted was a man of action. If he set his mind to doing something; he would do it. [long t-bars, high on stem, good pressure, long and rhythmic lower zone, narrow right margin, baseline that finished uphill]

It is difficult to determine intelligence and creativity from slow and artificial handwriting; the person is putting on a "false face" and we are not privileged to see the "real Ted Bundy" so I cannot determine certain characteristics of the writing. However, people who can create an entire false personality to hide and manipulate situations and people for his personal advantage cannot be stupid. Bundy was clever, but I am uncertain how smart. He was adaptable, versatile, and had optimistic hopes for the future. Ted was confident in his ability to act and accomplish.

On a personal side, Ted was not confident as an individual. He put on that personna, but he felt that he had not done much with his life [PPI is severely left slanted in a right slanted writing] Ted was excessively selfish, and self centered. I am unaware of Bundy's age when he wrote this sample. He was an adult, [the harpoons are so long, it takes a long time of life to build up so much hate in a person] but emotionally; he was a child. This is a very immature writer. Bundy was the type who could quickly throw a temper tantrum when he didn't get his way [PPI is strongly bent into the "fetal" position]

The writing is inflexible. This is more of a design for artifiality, but it is still telling. Bundy had to get his way, no matter what. His motivations were self oriented, and since he was more a child than an adult; he would use his energy and motivation in negative ways rather than positive. He had no respect for others, and would be intrusive. All his personal and social interactions involved his needs to satisfy the child he was; consideration for others didn't exist with Bundy.

Sexually, Bundy felt guilt about his sexuality. Along with his selfish and childish demeanor, it would have been difficult for him to maintain a meaningful relationship. He was always playing a false personality, so he would have been able to date, but once she got to know him better; it would fall apart.[although the lower zone is long and rhythmic, there are tremors at the start of the lower zone stroke, artificial writing would charm women] This would give Bundy more fuel for his hate, and resentments. He would not allow the fact that he was the creation of this situation. Bundy was not responsible for his actions, instead he played the "blame" game; which is to blame everyone else. He would rationalize why it was always someone elses fault. Bundy was narrow minded, and didn't allow alternative solutions to enter the picture. [notice the narrow loops and covered strokes in the upper zone]

Bundy was not a murderer in the typical sense. He did not kill to dispose of someone. Instead, he utilized ritual killing of some form. [the hostility is severe, deep, but there are no "clubs" in the writing, and no pastosity] Bundy did not get a sensual high from these murders. Instead, these people were "surrogates" for those he held grudges against. The ritual would have included some form of "resolve" for Bundy. When this "resolve" was not enough to squelch the pain; he would kill. Bundy used his victims to satisfy the old wounds and grudges built up in his life from childhood.

Charles Manson was a convicted murderer and cult leader. In 1968, he and his followers attacked the house of Roman Polanski; killing his wife, Sharon Tate and others. He is spending the rest of his life in a California prison.

I am unaware of when this sample was written, and if this sample was written in one sitting, or at multiple different times. Also if this was written on a full and normal size paper, or on scrap paper. This may explain the unusual spatial arrangement. Still, it is clear that the writing sample is dysfunctional. The connective form is angles.

The form level is low, lines are badly jumbled, and the size changes are greatly distorted. Pressure is heavy and there is a good deal of pastosity to the writing. The baseline is a disaster and very sinuous. The rhythm is choppy, but not too bad. The lower zone is badly malformed. Here is another example of overcrowded spatial arrangement like Bundy; only more so. The two different samples depict the multiple personality disorder, or is it an attempt to disguise himself for his own advantage.

I'll start with the top sample. This is the one that appears upside down to you. Here Manson is highly intelligent with a quick and sharp mind.[simplification, and speed] However, it is mixed with a distorted perspective of reality [jumbled lines] Manson's personality is completely erratic. His moods can change at a moment's notice. Manson is unreliable and irresponsible. [baseline is sinuous and erratic]

He is selfish, and has a resentful attitude with his mother. [leftward stroke lower zone, leftward slant] This might explain his muted personal feelings about sex. Manson is hostile towards his own sexuality. Manson is capable of verbal rambling, and as the writing disintegrates into illegibility; so will Manson's conversation. The tangling lines portray Manson's confusion and psychosis. Take the sample and view it from about 4 feet away; can you see the confusion in this person? This is a portrait of Manson's brain function. Even if it were upright, you will see the same "confusion". Manson knows what is going on around him. He knows where he is physically. [middle zone is reasonably developed] However, it is the confusion in his own mind which is directly related to his psychoses.

Manson is a sensualist [pastosity] which means he relishes that which heightens the senses such as taste, touch, and smell. This would make him very susceptible to drug abuse, and other vices. Manson was excited by the blood and horror of his victims. This satisfied his sensual needs, and his sexual dysfunctionality may have also been satiated by the murders he committed. Manson would lie and attempt to cover up his work and mistakes. [touched up letters, and ink inside loops]

Manson has the ability to accomplish goals he has set out to do. He has boundless energy [heavy pressure] and desire [strong pressured t-bars, small right hand margin] Manson, however, is not a pateint man. He can be explosive, if angered.[restless rhythm, angles at the baseline] Manson is inflexible and wants things his way. Manson is the type of person that would get in your face and feel no qualms about persuading his point of view. He will get straight to the point with you. He can be intrusive, and dominate the environment.[angles, simplification, and overlycrowded use of space] Manson is very spontaneous, and very defiant. [defiant "k", spontaneous writing]

Manson combined his zest for the sensual, his imagination [high i-dots] his intellect and persuasive skills to create a cult made up of his brainwashed puppets. Although, there isn't much release from tension and stress in this sample; it is clear than when he does let loose, it is fully and completely. This would best be explained by an anology. Picture a controlled and uptight person, but every once in a blue moon; he or she will completely let go of their inhibitions and control; and even act like the party animal. Manson is like this. So much tension will build up, then his release is like the Hoover Dam exploding! [mostly contracted writing with a few strokes of extreme release]

Now, I'll analyze the other writing sample, the larger sized one. The capitals are flourished, the upper zone is rather tall, and the writing is slow. The slant is mixed, mostly upright. Lines are still jumbled, but the baseline is more stable. The writing is much rounder here, but it is dominated by covered garlands. The defiant "k" is as forceful as in the top sample. There is much more release in this writing, and there is less tension. The lower zone is better developed and less tense, but still not healthy. Is this one of Manson's split personalities or an attempt to appear that way? Frankly, I don't know the explanation for this; I would need more samples before making such a conclusive evaluation.

Here is the analysis of the second sample. Manson is not as smart or quick here, apparently! He is much more patient, and able to go with the flow better. He is not so inflexible and controlling. Manson is able to release stress through spirituality. [release strokes in high upper zone] The pressure is still strong and the personality is still powerful and forceful, but the level of pastosity is reduced. Manson doesn't have that same zest for blood, and vices. It is still prevelant, just not as overwhelming as the other sample. The spatial arrangement isn't quite as cramped as before, so he is not so disrespectful and again as controlling as the other sample. The covered garland connections depict Manson as a liar, a "false friend" and the leftward slant mixed in with the other slants tell us that he can revert to his selfish ways.

I believe that this is not split personality [this is through logical and deductive reasoning, and not as a proper diagnosis]. The change in traits although drastic, portray the same personality with large changes in his perspective. If the bottom sample was written at some time later than the top; then this would be an improvement. However, the speed of the writing is slower than the above sample. Manson is not less intelligent at all. The speed is done for the purpose of artificiality. If the graphology traits were so much different rather than the degree of the same characteristics being different, as in this case; then I could see multiple personality disorder. In this case, it looks more like Manson is trying to "fool" those who would read this. This to show that he is a changed man when in fact it is a mere act.