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An innovative computer-based handwriting analysis technique helps NOVA dig deeper into the kidnapping of Charles Lindbergh’s baby. But while the results might sway investigators in a certain direction, they certainly aren’t definitive.

Handwriting analysis technology helps scientists figure out who killed Lindbergh's baby.

Scripting the Truth

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	An innovative computer-based handwriting analysis technique helps NOVA dig deeper into the kidnapping of Charles Lindbergh's baby. But while the results might sway investigators in a certain direction, they certainly aren't definitive.
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Handwriting analysis technology is helping scientists figure out who killed Lindbergh's baby.

<div class="rich-text">Handwriting analysis technology is helping scientists figure out who killed Lindbergh's baby.</div>

Tech & Engineering

<div class="rich-text"><h3>
 Who Killed Lindbergh's Baby
</h3>

 PBS Airdate: January 30, 2013



 SARGUR SRIHARI (University of Buffalo):
 
 A computer can do a lot more than a document examiner can do.



 NARRATOR:
 
 Srihari's pattern-recognition software can isolate words and letters from multiple documents and compare them by precisely measuring their slope, height, width and contour.



 SARGUR SRIHARI:
 
 And we are to do that for every letter of the English alphabet.



 NARRATOR:
 
 Srihari analyzed Hauptmann's writing first, taking the Begg letters and comparing them to six of the ransom notes.



 SARGUR SRIHARI:
 
 The results of comparison of the ransom notes and Hauptmann writing are shown here at the individual letter-pair level and, as well as, individual character level.



 NARRATOR:
 
 Each comparison gets a score. Positive values indicate a higher probability the writing is from the same person; negative values, a lower probability.



 SARGUR SRIHARI:
 
 For instance, the letter, the letter pair AM or A-M has a fairly high negative score, indicating that they don't seem to be written by the same individual. There are some positives, as well. So, what matters is the sum total of all of these things. And that total turns out to be negative, indicating that it is unlikely that Hauptmann wrote the ransom notes.



 NARRATOR:
 
 If Srihari is correct, then Hauptmann did have a co-conspirator who wrote the notes. And could it be John Knoll?
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