Handwriting Analysis, 1932/1936
The Lindbergh baby kidnapping and murder was national news within only hours of the baby’s disappearance in 1932. The 20-month old’s body was found six weeks after his death, and an autopsy showed that he had died of head trauma the very night he was taken from his home. The child’s death was possibly accidental; however, he died in the course of the kidnapping.
The search for the kidnapper took significantly longer. There was relatively little evidence, but the kidnapper had left a ransom note, and the family had paid a ransom before the child’s body was discovered. In total, there were 15 ransom notes from the kidnapper to the family. The ransom note, and the paid ransom, was key to the eventual trial and conviction of Bruno Richard Hauptmann. Hauptmann was found after investigators tracked the serial numbers on the ransom payment.
Eight document examiners took the stand in the trial, testifying that Hauptmann’s handwriting matched that of all of the ransom notes, including the one left on the night of the kidnapping. The handwriting experts relied upon the shape of letters, angle of the letters, and spelling patterns present in the ransom notes, requested writings by Hauptmann, and writings attributed to him, like official documents.
Hauptmann was convicted of the kidnapping and murder of the Lindbergh baby and put to death in the electric chair in April 1936. The handwriting analysis played a key part in his conviction; however, it was not the only evidence in the case. Even today, there are questions about the validity of the conviction, with some scholars believing evidence was manufactured, and others believing that the case had ample evidence, and was clearly proven.
Today, handwriting analysis continues to play a role in criminal investigations, and the FBI maintains a Questioned Documents Unit that analyzes documents in federal criminal cases. Their investigations include handwriting analysis, as well as study of paper, ink and other forms of forensic evidence.