except that the initials had been publicized. Due to the possibility of a copycat, the common initials are not significant in this comparison.
Exhibit 47
The printing on Q7 was most likely printed by the same person who printed Q8 and the known printing samples. The letter 'P' in 'Express' from Q7 has long horizontal strokes that start and end to the left of the body of the letter.
The letter 'D' in 'BD' on Q8 has the same long horizontal strokes. This unusual 'D' (that is similar to the 'P') is also present in Kl & K2, which were shown in the previous illustrations.
Of secondary significance in identifying the author of Q7, are the two 'S's' at the end of 'Express.' The middle portion of the two 'S's' is straight and thus forms a soft angle at each end of the straight line. This is also seen in the samples of the letter 'S' in Kl, K5, K6 (below), Q2, (shown previously) and Q9 (which will be shown next). I formed the opinion that the printing sample referred to as Q9 was most likely printed by the same person who printed Q8, Q7, Q2, and the Known printing samples.
The 'O' in 'Los Angeles' in Q9 slants to the left which matches the 'O' on Q8, Q2, and the Known printing as well (shown in previous illustrations).
The 'S's' in Q9 tend to be straight in the middle portion of the letter, forming angles (some of them soft) at one or both ends of the straight stroke. This is similar to the 's's' seen in Q7 as well as Q2 and the Known printing samples (shown in previous illustrations). The final stroke of the letter 's' is extra long in Q9 & Q7, making for a stronger identification between these two printing samples.
The 'E' in 'Express' in Q9 has unusual horizontal strokes. The top horizontal stroke is far to the left, the middle horizontal stroke is slightly to the left of the downstroke. The same pattern is reflected on the right side of the 'E' as well. This unusual pattern in the 'E' on Q9 is also seen in 'Express' in Q7. Because Q7 has been linked (by different handwriting indications) to Q8 and the Known printing, the connections ('S's' and 'E' in 'Express') between K7 and K9 provide an indirect, yet significant additional link between Q9 and the Known printing.
The overall appearance of the printing in Q2, Q7 and Q9 looks disguised. Handwriting that is natural (undisguised) usually has a smooth, spontaneous flow, which reflects the unconscious nature of normal handwriting. The printing in Q2, Q7 and Q9 is slowly drawn because the writer is carefully thinking of how to make each letter. Other additional attempts at disguise are evident in Q2 by the poor sentence construction and misspelling of the word 'Hearld.' The wavy baseline may also be an attempt at disguise in these Questioned samples.
The presence of the individual identifying characteristics shown in these samples in spite of the author's attempt at disguise, vividly illustrates the unconscious nature of handwriting and printing.
Another interesting feature about this case is the presence of the individual characteristics evident over a long period of time. A person's handwriting can change over time. But this writer, the suspect, in this case retained his identifying traits over a period of fifty years.
Exhibit 49
Questioned Document Samples Q1-Q9
After independently verifying that the handwriting in both murders did originate from my father, I asked Ms. McFarland to evaluate the character and personality of the writer.
As before, she was provided no background or personal information of any kind relating to the author of the samples.
H
ANDWRITING
C
HARACTER
A
NALYSIS FOR
S
TEVE
H
ODEL
A
PRIL 25, 2000
The printing samples I examined, dated from 1924 to 1998, indicate that this printer is highly intelligent. With lightning speed, this printer zeros in on the essentials of a matter. Digesting new information comes easily for him. New information does not need to be explained in detail to this printer, since he does well and prefers to figure things out on his own. He excels at problem solving and derives considerable satisfaction from using his mind. His mind is so fast and agile that he readily anticipates several moves ahead. He is a shrewd strategist. This printer is
