The Knowns
K-l Handwritten notes prepared by George Hodel 10/15/98 for 'conference' with his wife, 'JH,' in preparation for his contemplated suicide. The 'conference' never took place; however, the note was found with his personal papers after his death.
K-2 'DAD,' printed signature, signed and mailed to me in 1997.
K-3 'Love To Dorero, December, 1974.'
K-4 'Love and Aloha To Father and Alice, Honolulu, 9/25/53.'
K-5 'Chinese Chicken' drawing, handwriting by George Hodel, April 1949.
K-6 Handwriting of George Hodel written in 1943, medical calendar book: 'Genius and Disease,' 'Poisons,' etc.
K-7 Handwriting of George Hodel written in 1924 on the back of a self-portrait photograph, 'portrait of a chap suddenly aware of the words of Sigmund Freud.'
K-8 Handwriting of George Hodel written in 1924 on the back of a self-portrait photograph, 'Merlin gazes at cracked mirrors.'
K-9 Enlargement of sample K-5, focusing on Father's writing of the name 'STEVEN' (1949).
The Questioned Documents (all samples are from the year 1947)
Q-l Postcard mailed to
(reverse — addressed side of Q-5).
Q-2 Postcard mailed to
Q-3 Postcard mailed to
(reverse-addressed side of Q-2).
Q-4 Postcard mailed to
Q-5 Postcard mailed to
promising to surrender on Jan. 29. Q -6 Postcard mailed to L.A. press. Q-7 Postcard mailed to
Q-8 'FUCK YOU, B.D.' written in lipstick on body of victim Jeanne French.
Q-9 Postcard addressed to
In her letter of April 6, 2000, Hannah McFarland detailed the comparisons.
RE: Handwriting Examination
Dear Mr. Hodel:
You have advised me that the printing on nine scanned computer prints is under investigation regarding authorship. You informed me that all of these printing samples hereinafter referred to as Q1 through Q9, were originally printed on paper, except for Q8 which was printed on a human body using lipstick. These printing samples were represented to me as having been authored in 1947.
Exemplars (Knowns)
For the purpose of comparison, I have examined eight printing samples on scanned computer prints, which were represented to me as being of known authorship. These exemplars are hereinafter referred to as K1 through K8. The dates of these exemplars range from 1924 to 1998.
Assignment
You have requested an evaluation of Q1 through Q8 in an attempt to determine if they had been printed by the same printer of K1 through K8.
Findings from Examination
After careful detailed study I have formed opinions regarding the printing in question. My opinion is expressed without bias or liability in so far as legal action is concerned.
The unique printing features in the following questioned printing samples are compellingly present in the known printing. I identified 4 individual characteristics that are present in the Known and Questioned samples. Individual characteristics are evident in the letters B, O, D, S, E & P. There are no unexplainable differences between the Known and Questioned samples. Therefore, it is my opinion that it is highly probable that the printer of Q8 (the printing on the body) also authored the printing of K1 through K8. Also, I think it is highly probable that the printer of Q2, Q4, Q7, and Q9 printed K1 through K8.
There is an indication that the printer of Q3 & Q6 could have authored the known printing, but the evidence falls far short of a stronger opinion. My opinion regarding authorship of Q1 and Q5 is inconclusive due to a lack of identifying characteristics in these samples.
Please contact me if you need additional information regarding my conclusions.
