Graphologists

* As a court-qualified handwriting expert and graphologist, I would like to respond to “Following the Script in France” (July 24). The most glaring problem with the article is that it compares apples with oranges. There are two aspects to the field of handwriting analysis: questioned document examination and graphology. While the two are related, they don’t mix. Questioned document examination is a matter of comparing handwritings to determine whether they were written by the same hand. Graphology is a study of handwriting to elicit information about personality.

The obvious bias against handwriting analysis taints the article. The statement, “Rare is the U.S. company that uses it to help decide whom to hire and fire,” is simply untrue. Many are the companies, of all shapes and sizes, using graphology to help them make hiring decisions. The key word is “help.” I know of no professional graphologist who would ask any employer to make hiring or firing decisions based solely on the handwriting analysis.

SHEILA LOWE