By Cathy Miller

Getting to know you – through handwriting – a form of self-expression and a gateway to the human psyche! Since no two people write exactly alike, their writing develops unique markers over time. The minutest detail in a flowery script may belie a fiery temperament or a lazy streak. Very intriguing!

According to Debbie Berk, a veteran handwriting analyst from Washington, “Regardless of age, gender, race, or religion, handwriting presents a full personality profile.” Handwriting analysis, Berk said, “is a projective technique, like a Rorschach test. It’s not really predictive, it’s more descriptive.” It is among the most non-discriminatory of any personality assessment methods.

A certified handwriting analyst such as Berk is a trained professional with an education from a recognized school and certification from either the American Association of Handwriting Analysts (AAHA) or the American Handwriting Analysis Foundation (AHAF).

Analyst or Expert?

Handwriting experts perform forensic handwriting analysis as a part of forensic science. They use scientific tools and methods to compare several samples of writing, to determine, for example, whether the signature on a document is a forgery or authentic.

Handwriting analysts interpret the physical characteristics and patterns in a handwriting sample to evaluate personality traits. It’s an “observational” science.

This type of personality assessment is used in many scenarios – pre-employment screening, business recruitment, corporate training, career guidance, and compatibility evaluation. It complements traditional hiring tools such as background checks, practical demonstration, or record of work skills.

Originally from Long Island, Berk landed in Florham Park in Morris County when she accepted a job in personnel (human resources). She explained, “My main interest in personnel was hiring and training. When you’re hiring people, it helps to know their strengths and weaknesses – every business needs good sales people, skilled managers, and trustworthy employees.”

Enter Handwriting Analysis.

She’d never considered handwriting analysis. Berk explained, “My boss knew a bit about handwriting analysis and suggested, ‘If you’re interested in it, why not take a class?’ So I signed up for one course in 1983 and was hooked within a month. I earned my certifications by 1996.”

For those interested in a deeper dive, Berk acknowledged, “There are a number of good books available. I have quite a few and have donated many to the NJ Chapter of American Handwriting Analysis Foundation (a non-profit educational organization), where I served as a chairperson for over ten years.”

Writing is writing, whether it’s from an envelope, a notebook, or even a bulletin board. A client once sent Berk a page from a big flip chart. “We can even analyze graffiti,” she noted.

What stands out in stylized graffiti? Berk replied, “That’s hard to explain. There are five basics of handwriting analysis that apply to every sample: size (big or small), spacing (tight or loose), speed (how fast it appears to be written), slant (left, right, or straight up and down), and pressure (light or heavy).”

Handwriting is not stagnant. “A person’s handwriting continues to evolve over time, especially if there’s been a significant emotional experience in their lives,” Berk said. “It could be different things for different people – loss of a child, parent, partner, anything like that.”

Regarding reports to her clients, Berk commented, “I can say, for example, a person fits the profile of a thief, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re going to steal, just that they fit the profile of someone who would.” The handwriting analyst does not set a course of action; that’s the purview of the client.

Living in the digital age, writing has largely been displaced by keyboarding. Berk pointed out, “All the more reason that a signature is significant!”

A Warren County resident for about 20 years, Berk said, “First I moved to Allamuchy, then to Alpha, and finally to Washington. Handwriting was my full-time business for 25 years. I taught classes and guest lectured as well. After all this time, I’m still excited at how accurate handwriting analysis can be.”

Several articles about Berk have appeared in newspapers, magazines, trade publications and online discussions, with a couple mentions in a book or two on the subject of handwriting analysis.

Success Stories.

Berk recalled an experience with “The Morristown Daily Record” (now “The Daily Record”). “They invited people to submit writing samples for analysis. I’d respond to them and they could counter. Thirty people participated and I selected five or six that struck me as most interesting. I didn’t know any of them. The interviewer couldn’t believe there were no rebuttals after my analyses. ‘This is really me,’ they all agreed.”

The jewelry industry frequently used handwriting analysis since the risk of theft was so high. Berk recounted, “One client experienced several losses. I requested handwriting from everyone with access to the jewelry. One guy fit the profile of someone who would steal. That’s the key, you have to say ‘fits the profile.’ I said the last person who wrote like this was a convicted felon. The jeweler quickly installed a hidden security camera, the culprit was caught and brought to court.”

Berk described another jewelry store opening a new location. She said, “They needed to hire several people in a hurry. One applicant’s writing sample had very uneven, wavy margins. I told the client he doesn’t know if he’s coming or going. They said he’s coming – he wore a suit, he presented himself well. They hired the guy but he never showed up for his orientation. He was gone!”

Berk reflected on the days of job listings in the classified ads. “I received typed resumes along with signed cover letters. In one case, I contacted four people from about 50 who applied for a purchasing manager position. They came in to fill out application forms, which I also received. During an interview with one applicant, I noticed the signature on the application was different from the cover letter. He explained, his secretary (his wife) signed the letter. I thought to myself, ‘How do I tell this man I want to hire his wife?’ He didn’t get the job, nor did his wife.”

Berk found herself on a team-building cruise with about 200 people. She said, “At the time, I wasn’t aware they were all in marketing. I watched the first person write and said, ‘You belong in accounting.’ He was the only accountant onboard! Instantly, there was a waiting line for me.”

Excluding parties and expos, Berk estimates she’s analyzed over 10,000 handwritings. “Of all the analyses I’ve done, I can count on one hand the people I thought were really, truly balanced,” She laughed. “It’s hard to do a report on someone who’s so balanced – nothing stands out as unusual.”

She’s been told that only a very few people can do what she does with handwriting. Her record of success speaks volumes. Berk said philosophically, “Like with any art, you can get the gestalt of the whole, or you can break it down into small chunks or traits.”

Once labeled a pseudoscience, handwriting analysis continues to gain acceptance as a useful screening tool in many situations.

And when she’s not examining handwriting?

Berk spends quality time with her three year old Shih Tzu named Corrie. She considers herself an artistic person – tie-dying, painting (assorted media), collage, Cray-Pas and chalk. She likes to cook and garden and enjoys Qigong. She’s fluent in French and Spanish.

Photos by Cathy Miller