Coming across a so-called analysis of Oscar Pistorius’s handwriting on the worldwide web, concerned me greatly as I believe the ethics which any graphologist worth his or her salt holds dear, has been compromised.
Firstly, analysing such a brief note written several years ago cannot do justice to a professional analysis, nor provide an accurate portrait of the writer’s personality and character. Drawing conclusions on 5 or 6 lines of writing is a dangerous practice.
Secondly, the element of confidentiality required during an analysis has been significantly jeopardized. Would a psychologist who has conducted assessments publish that information on the www and without the person’s permission? Has the so-called handwriting analyst who has analysed the brief note had any thought for the person whose writing she has analysed without his permission and published for all and sundry to drool over?