ink and moved over the paper, guided by the lines of the genuine
signature beneath, which show through the superimposed paper, and by
means of which the form of the signature is transferred to the paper,
which is exteriorly placed.

While the process of tracing produces very nearly the proper form of
the matter thus copied, and if well done by the forger the copy will
in general appearance and to a certain extent resemble in outline the
signature thus traced, there are usually apparent in all reproduced
signatures thus made, peculiarities and ear marks indicating the
manner in which they were produced and by which they can be identified
as such.

One of the most prominent features of reproduced signatures is the
general sameness of the writing as appearing in the uniform width of
the lines, and the omission of the usual shading emphasis. The cause
of this appearance is the absence of habitual pen pressure, and the
necessitated slow movement of the pen held closely in contact with the
paper and by which a uniform and steady flow of ink is deposited
thereon; thus making what should be the heavier and lighter lines of
one width and density as to shading. This method of tracing and
reproducing signatures is that usually resorted to by novices but is
seldom employed by expert forgers.

Another condition appearing in all traced signatures is the absence of
all evidence of pen pressure when examined as a transparency; this
deficiency occurring as consequent upon the manner of moving the pen
over the paper. While signatures thus made may resemble the one from
which they are copied, the only likeness they have is that of
pictorial resemblance and it will be found to be destitute of all the