GRAPHOLOGY AND EARLY DETECTION OF CRIMINALITY: A STUDY AMONG YOUTHS IN HAIL, SAUDI ARABIA

Abstract

Youths have been the engines for any societal development. Similarly, crime remained an integral part of every human society. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a growing economy that needs the contribution of youths to ensure a propelled developed nation in the 21st century despite the youths’ involvement in various crimes. That’s why it became necessary to study youths’ criminality due to their importance in the realisation of the developmental goals of the country. Graphology science is used in detecting people’s characters and behaviours through their handwriting. As an exploratory study, the current research aimed at detecting early deviant characteristics among youths. Being detainees at the House Social Observation in Hail City (HSO) for offences committed at different periods, a total of fifteen (15) respondents were selected as the sample size. The data collection techniques consist of in-depth interviews and handwriting observations, as each respondent provided a sample of handwriting for further analyses. Graphology tools were used to aid in detecting the individual character of each respondent. It was discovered that the majority of the respondents came from less privileged families. Also, a number of personality hell (negative) traits were discovered. These hell traits include the traits of aggressiveness, nervousness, stubbornness, issues with the opposite sex, and lying. These hell traits are responsible for influencing deviant behaviour (criminality). Hence, deviant behaviours such as sodomy, arson, disobedience to parents, fighting, stabbing, kidnapping, blackmailing, and drug dealings were all detected therein. It is recommended that concerned authorities should provide economic empowerment to less privileged and vulnerable families. Youths (especially teenagers) should undergo entrepreneurial and or vocational training. Basic education should be developed, and training school social workers and psychologists. Therefore, all stakeholders comprising concerned authorities and other communities should unite to achieve the common goal. Hence, the socio-economic lives of the citizenry will change for the better and which, in turn, yield fruitful results not only for the youths’ life in Hail but for the entire society of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as a nation.