EXCLUSIVE: Why Thomas Markle's Handwriting Could Be Key to 'Abuse Images' Probe

Six DVDs reportedly containing particularly serious abuse material have now been examined alongside handwritten letters discovered among his possessions.

A source familiar with the case told us: "The handwriting could prove to be one of the most significant and key developments in this investigation. If experts can establish that the same person wrote the personal letters and labeled the discs, it gives investigators another potential connection to examine. But identifying handwriting is only one part of a much bigger evidentiary picture.

"What's particularly interesting is that the comparison involves personal correspondence and labels on discs allegedly containing some of the most disturbing material recovered. Investigators will want to understand exactly who wrote those labels, when they were written, and what that person knew about the contents.

"Any forensic assessment about the writing on the discs will raise important questions, but it doesn't answer them all. Even if the handwriting was eventually attributed to Thomas, that would not automatically establish that he possessed the images or knew what was stored on the discs. Those are separate matters that would need to be proved."

The insider noted, "The discovery of personal information on a hard drive could provide another investigative lead. The challenge for officers is establishing how that information came to be stored there, who had access to the equipment, and whether there is any reliable evidence linking an individual to the illegal material.

"The sheer range of items being examined shows how complicated this investigation could become. Officers are dealing with computers, DVDs, phones, tapes and storage cards, and each could contain information relevant to establishing the history and ownership of the collection."

"The handwriting analysis is potentially important because it gives investigators something physical to compare with the electronic evidence. But forensic opinions have limitations, particularly when samples are written on different surfaces with different instruments.

"One of the biggest questions will be whether investigators can establish a reliable chain of custody for the devices and discs. They need to know where the material was kept, who could access it, and whether anything was moved or altered before it was handed to authorities."

"There's still a considerable distance between identifying similarities in handwriting and proving criminal wrongdoing," the source explained. "The investigation will need to examine the forensic findings alongside the digital evidence, witness accounts and Thomas's denials before any firm conclusions can be reached."

Forensic document analyst Susan Ord told a publication: "In my opinion, it is probable the handwritten letters and writing on the gold CDs are written by the same person."

The finding could provide investigators with another avenue of inquiry as they attempt to establish who owned, handled, or labeled the discs.

However, the comparison does not establish who possessed the illegal material or whether Markle Sr. knew what the DVDs contained.

Ord explained she had identified similarities between lettering on the discs and writing in documents attributed to Thomas.

She added: "There are some similarities between some of the handwriting on paper and writing on the CDs."

The analyst also acknowledged limitations in comparing handwriting produced on different materials, particularly when different writing instruments are involved.

She added: "Any differences could be due to different writing tools used, writing surfaces, or natural variation."

The handwriting assessment is significant because it offers investigators a possible connection between documents attributed to Markle Sr. and labels on the discs.

Nevertheless, similarities between handwriting samples are not equivalent to proof of criminal involvement, and the reported findings have not been tested in court.

Markle Sir. has previously denied possessing child sexual abuse images, describing the allegations against him as "sick" and "a bunch of lies."

He has also maintained that computers linked to the allegations were no longer in his possession after he left Mexico with his son in 2025.

Authorities have not announced criminal charges against Markle Sr. in connection with the reported discovery.