What needs to be clarified
The task is to assess the suitability of numerical entries for writer comparison, distinguishing observed features from their interpretation. The assessment must consider the suitability of each item and whether the grounds for the proposed conclusion can be checked.
Materials to prepare
- Original statement with all questioned numeral rows
- Verified naturally occurring numeral writing from a similar period
- Comparable experimental number entries with collection record
What to compare
Compare construction of matching numerals, movement sequence, connections and digit placement; check recurrence across rows and the range of normal variation in known samples. Every significant feature is linked to a specific part of the material. Similarities and differences are assessed together, considering alternative explanations and the limitations of the examination method.
Possible outcome of the analysis
A possible deliverable is a table of numeral-writing features, with verifiable examples and reasons for the assessment. Unresolved questions and additional examinations needed are stated separately, without promising an answer in advance.
Limits of the conclusions
The same number format does not establish the writer. Conclusions are confined to the examined items and stated conditions; insufficient features require an explicit finding that the relevant question cannot be resolved.