Objectives BAOG Code of Ethics PREAMBLE SFDG 01 01 The object of the Code of Graphology is to define, in summary form, the rights and duties of the Graduate Member of The British Academy of Graphology (BAOG) who has already signed the Statement of Ethics of the Student Members of BAOG. SFDG 16 02 The Code contains 22 articles and is effective from 1 September 1991. SFDG 14 03 Each new Graduate Member will receive a copy of the Code and will sign an undertaking to adhere to it, which will be kept in a Register in the archives of BAOG. GRAPHOLOGY   SFDG 02 04 Graphology, a human science and a technique of observation and interpretation, enables the personality to be studied through the examination of handwriting.   05 Working exclusively on handwritten documents where authenticity is not disputed, the Graphologist studies the personality, inclinations and behaviour of the writer, carrying out this work of analysis and synthesis in response to a request of a professional or private nature. The graphologist must refuse to work on photocopied or faxed documents.   06 The Graphologist is to be distinguished from the Handwriting Expert. The latter is entrusted with the identification of the authorship of documents by means of the comparison of handwritings. ETHICS OF THE GRADUATE MEMBER OF BAOG   07 The work undertaken by the Graphologist relates to human dignity. Such work demands respect for moral and professional values. The Graduate Member must maintain and develop his/her professional competence, safeguarding at all times his/her independence, probity and sense of humanity.   08 The Graduate Member must be objective and work within the limits of his/ her knowledge and experience.   09 In every professional analysis, the Graduate Member must maintain tact and discretion. In work involving the selection of personnel, he/she must avoid touching upon those aspects of the writer's personality which do not have a direct bearing upon the aptitudes necessary to carry out such functions as the employer has defined. His/her language must always be clear, prudent and unambiguous. He/she must be completely impartial in his/her professional undertakings, and not be swayed by personal prejudices in respect of sex, race, politics, social class or religion. SFDG 08 and BAOG 10 The Graduate Member must not be influenced by flattery, bribery or threat and should refuse to carry out an analysis or make an interpretative statement 'merely to oblige'. SFDG 09 11 The Graduate Member must not use the documents which he/she holds in a manner harmful to anyone, or in such a way as to acquire personal advantage.' GGCF 10 12 The Graduate Member must not make a medical diagnosis. BAOG 13 Graphology is a diagnostic science and the Graduate Member must not indulge in prediction or divination in any circumstances including the Media. The Graduate Member must remember at all times that he/she is the custodian of the integrity of Graphology as a validated science. SFDG 05 and BAOG 14 The Graduate Member must not become associated with the psychic, occult or divination, nor must he/she allow the title of Member of BAOG to appear or be quoted in any work, book, newspaper, journal, periodical or document or in any film, television or radio programme which is related to the above activities. GGCF 11 15 If the Graduate Member is called upon to take the place of a colleague, he/she must use his/her best endeavours to complete all necessary work, and must cease from such work upon his/her colleague's return and furnish him/her with any information he/she might require. Furthermore, he/she must not retain any professional connection with his/her colleague's client. GGCF 11 16 The Graduate Member who passes his/her clients over to another Graphologist, other than on an agreed temporary basis must, having done so, refrain utterly from any further (professional) contact with his/her former clients. BAOG 17 The Graduate Member must show respect and consideration at all times to his/her colleagues in their professional work and capacity. SFDG 10 18 The Graduate Member is bound by professional secrecy, which must be maintained both verbally and in the transmission of documents. The analyses sent to the possessors of documents must not bear any device which identifies the writer by name. SFDG 11 19 The Graduate Member must only communicate or publish texts, or analyses thereof, with the agreement of the interested party or the possessor of the document.ity. SFDG 12 20 The utmost discretion is demanded of teachers and conference lecturers of Graphology, who display documents for an educational purpose. They must take precautionary measures to avoid indiscretions, reminding their pupils of this requirement. Nothing can absolve the Graduate Member from his/her duty of discretion, save in duly defined cases of legal obligation. SFDG 13 21 The Graduate Member may undertake the analysis of a document which is legitimately in his/her possession. The possessor is solely responsible for any consequences which might arise from the use of the analysis by himself/herself or by third parties. SANCTIONS   SFDG 15 and BAOG 22 The Board of Governors of BAOG is the disciplinary body in respect of the Code.