The New York herald., 1922-03-19
DR.. LOcard Discovers Way
to Measure Letters, Foil
ing Poison Pens.
INTERRUPTIONS COUNTED
Science Vindicated in Case Of
Tulle Epistles and Brazil
ian Scandals.

Special Gable TO THE NEW York HERALD.
Copyright, 1929, by THE NEW YORK HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau.
Paris. March IS.
"A new science of measurement OF
letters which leaves not the slightest
margin for error. Tn fact, 1t is quite
unnecessary to worry about errors" "
That is the opinion of leading French
judges and handwriting experts fol-
lowing a close study Of the method in
vented by DR.. Locard of Lyons, which
is expected to make rare such incidents
as poison pen letters and anonymous
threats OF trouble.
DR.. Locards Identification of Mile.
Angelo Lavalas as the author of the
unsigned and slanderous epistles
which influenced the death of two res
idents OF Tulle, it will be recalled, set
the city in a turmoil. There were
many doubts expressed, but the doc
tor did not hesitate to show the prin-
ciples upon which he worked. His
Judgment was given new confirmation
this week when the woman attempted
suicide.
Angles and Interruptions.
The basis Of DR. Locard's system is
twofold. First, the measurement of the
angular incNnations second. the com
rtut 20 f,,ta ie 1a
number of times the pen la lifted from
the paper during the phrases, this lat
ter being the feature hitherto over
looked by calligraphic Investigations.
but which Dr. Locard insists is a pecu-
liarly obstinate trait, even trained pro-
fessional forgers being unable to over
come the tendency to hesitate whenever
the pen assumes certain positions in
relation to the. .paner,
This iasssdp6n apEles has been
recoEalsed as vafuA0fe Abefore but DR.
Locard has developed this phase greatly
by taking not only the line through the
longitudinal axis of each letter and then
reading the angle this line forms with
the base of the letter, but ne also re-
peats the measurement of the angle
along the shorter axis, thereby doubling
the points of identification.
Unlike most American and English
experts, Dr. Locard believes that the
form of letters is most unreliable. as it
is easy for a criminal to change from
round perpendicular characters to a
fine slant But even under such con-
ditions there will be unconscious re-
versions to the normal handwriting.
with pause or an almost imperceptible
systematic pressure by the pen where
the letters join or take new direction.
Brazil Seeks His Aid.
DR.. Locard's system is being sought
eagerly by police departments all over
the world. Since his connection with the
Brazilian and the Tulle poison pen cases
nearly every Government in the West
ern continents and in Europe has asked
for an official explanation Of the method
These demands have made necessary
the publication of a pamphlet, which nc
doubt will become q text book for ambi
tious police officials and judges
According to DR.. Locard. the Brazilian
letters in question were written by Ar
thur Bernardes, a candidate for the Pres
idency of Brazil, and appeared in Ric
de Janeiro just at the time when Ber-
nardes's campaign was at Its height
They bore his signature and heaped in
suits upon the Brazilian army and OF
ficers. Bernardes. however. insisted they
were the work of an unknown poison
Pen" adept, who placed them at the dis
posal of his political enemies.
Brazilian newspapers, as well as
army officers, were greatly angered, but
the Jury of honor selected TO fix the re-
sponsibility was unable to agree and
reached no verdict II was decided e
submit the bundle Of papers 20 Euro
pean expert, and DR.. Locard was chosen