The influence of physical and biomechanical processes on the ink trace. Methodological foundations for the forensic analysis of signatures

Handwritten signatures play an important role in daily life. They are widely accepted and frequently used to verify the claimed identity of a person. Consequently, there is a strong need for objective and automatic signature evaluation. The dissertation at hand aims (i) to provide a scientific basis for procedures applied in the forensic analysis of signatures and (ii) to derive advanced computational methods for the machine processing of signatures written on paper documents. Special emphasis will be put on methods for inferring writer-specific behaviors from the residual ink trace. The respective micropatterns, caused by biomechanical writing and physical ink-deposition processes, provide important clues for the analysis. These inner-ink-trace characteristics ofsignatures, which are determined by the individual movements of a person, will be studied in depth, taking into account the effects of writing materials, such as the type of pen used. The studies work towards a fundamental understanding and a comprehensive multidisciplinary approach to the forensic, computer-based analysis of signatures ... Zie Summary