Forensic Handwriting Examiners Research Articles

Explainable Offline Automatic Signature Verifier to Support Forensic Handwriting Examiners

Explainable Offline Automatic Signature Verifier to Support Forensic Handwriting Examiners

Specifics of the Application of Cybernetic Methods in Forensic Handwriting Examination

This article discusses the possibilities of applying cybernetic methods in the production of forensic handwriting examinations at the present stage. The authors describe the history, current state and development trends of this direction of mathematical modeling. Analyzes the practical experience of Western and African criminologists in this area of special knowledge application. The peculiarities of the application of methods that are most widely used in Eastern, Western Europe and Africa are described: GLOBALGRAF, CEDAR-FOX, Cybid Graphlog, FLASH ID, WANDA. The key functions and algorithms of the mentioned computer complexes and programs, certain advantages and disadvantages in relation to the traditional qualitative-descriptive method of identification forensic handwriting examination are disclosed. On the basis of the results formed the conclusion about the auxiliary value of cybernetic methods (techniques) and the need for their use in addition to the existing methodological tools through the application of a comprehensive methodology. This format will allow handwriting experts to determine some additional features of handwriting, to automate part of the stages and stages of expert examination, will contribute to its comprehensiveness and objectivization, as well as increase the scientific validity and reliability of the conclusions obtained.

Analysis Of Methods For Determining The Gender Of Performers Of Manuscripts

The scientific article analyzes the methods of determining the gender of performers of handwritten texts, which are used in expert work in today’s conditions. Based on the research of legal acts, scientific positions of leading scientists on this issue, an attempt was made to provide proposals for the latest developments in conducting the specified non-identifying research. Features of preparation of materials for classification of manuscripts into female and male are highlighted. On the basis of a thorough study of the conclusions of court experts, the typical signs of handwriting, which were most often used to determine the gender of the performer, were indicated. Attention is drawn to the factors that influence the change in handwriting, including psychological factors. The need to develop research methods for texts of different scope and degree of elaboration is emphasized. The need to update the outdated methods of determining the sex of the performer in order to eliminate mistakes and errors in expert research has been proven. At the same time, it is emphasized that the existing methods developed on the basis of experimental studies of the Russian alphabet, which did not take into account the development of subsystems of Ukrainian spelling (graphics, orthography, punctuation), historical changes, etc., cannot be objective and be used when conducting forensic handwriting examinations. The conducted scientific research is accompanied by statistical data obtained in the process of surveying law enforcement officers and analyzing expert opinions, as well as examples from expert practice.

THE ROLE OF FORENSIC HANDWRITING EXAMINATION DURING THE INVESTIGATION OF CRIMES IN THE FIELD OF ECONOMICS

Problematic aspects of forensic handwriting examinations within the framework of criminal proceedings during the investigation of crimes in the economic sphere of the state are considered as well as the methods of selection of comparative samples of a handwriting signature of a person that affect the quality of selected samples and the results of handwriting studies of signatures of persons who deliberately changed their personal signatures by simplifying their constructive complexity and reducing the volume of graphic material when signing official documents. The effectiveness and validity of the results of the handwriting study of signatures of persons who intentionally and consciously change their personal signatures by simplifying their constructive complexity and reducing the volume of graphic material when signing official documents depends on the application by the initiator of the examination of the necessary techniques for sampling, from which it is necessary to take experimental samples. signatures. The legal framework is currently not ideal and allows fraudsters to use certain mechanisms of state institutions for their own enrichment or non-payment of taxes or other means provided for by the legislation of Ukraine, by forging or distorting documents. Within the framework of the already established theoretical and methodological foundations of forensic handwriting, the creative nature of expert knowledge and the features of expert thinking are revealed. Key words: examination, the standard of signature, authorial forgery, tactics, acceptance, method.

MODELING OF PRESSURE IN WRITING AND THE POSSIBILITY OF EVALUATING THE PRESSURE CHARACTERISTICS OF HANDWRITING

The article considers a physical-and-mechanical model of the writing process using a writing device with a ball element. The purpose of developing this model is to develop the theory of pressure in judicial handwriting, as well as to evaluate the pressure characteristics of handwriting, which are manifested primarily in the width and depth of handwritten strokes. At the same time, it is concluded that it is necessary to study handwriting objects from the perspective of their three-dimensionality, since it is the pressing characteristics of handwriting in this three-dimensionality that manifest themselves and allow for the further development of three-dimensional models of the writing process and the use of appropriate tools (technologies) to increase the reliability and objectivity of expert conclusions in the production of forensic handwriting examinations. The development of a physical-and-mechanical model reflecting the writing process is a very urgent task in judicial handwriting, since writing devices with a ball element (ballpoint pens, gel pens, roller pens) are currently used in writing much more often than others. The author offers a new definition of the concept of "pressure when writing", which takes into account both the physics of the writing process and its result according to the theory of trace formation adopted in traceology. He also demonstrated examples of calculating the pressure parameters manifested in the relief of handwritten strokes, outlined new approaches to the analysis and evaluation of the pressure characteristics of handwriting.

A study on factors that affect error rates in handwriting examinations of Korean characters by forensic document examiners and non-experts

Forensic handwriting examinations are often considered important in trials, and especially those related to property issues. There is also increasing demand by courts for the quantification of handwriting examination results. Notably, in forensic science, error rates in forensic handwriting examinations should be carefully quantified in order to ensure their reliability as evidence. The present study examined error rates in forensic handwriting examinations conducted by both forensic document examiners (FDEs) and non-experts. To this end, four FDEs affiliated with forensic science institutes and a group of 20 laypersons were asked to perform a forensic handwriting examination of Korean characters in various forms (long text, short text, and signature samples) in blind test settings; i.e., specific information about the test was not given. The test was composed of 180 questions. The results showed that the incorrect answers are much higher in the non-expert group than the expert group though; however, the percentage of “inconclusive opinion” answers was higher in the expert group. It was also found that, in the expert group, error rates could be lowered by allowing a joint examination (or a peer review) to be performed. Meanwhile, the expert group showed relatively high error rates when dealing with handwriting samples simulated or disguised, rather than those that contained a small number of characters, such as signature samples. In the non-expert group, financial reward did not contribute to increasing the correct answers (%) of handwriting examination but rather encouraged examiners not to choose “inconclusive opinion” answers. This result indicates that a financial reward may unintentionally affect the examination results. The major findings of the present study are of significance in that this study is the first attempt to specifically examine error rates in forensic handwriting examinations of Korean characters conducted by both expert and non-expert groups. This study also demonstrated that the exchange of opinions among FDEs affected the resultant error rates and overall examination results. It was also found that financial reward may affect handwriting examination results as well.

Bayesian evaluation of dynamic signatures in operational conditions

Forensic handwriting examiners (FHE) activities are focused on comparative analysis of handwritten objects such as signatures. Their role is to provide and evaluate evidence for and against the authenticity of a questioned signature. In recent years, cases involving handwritten signatures captured on electronic devices have become more commonplace. These so-called ‘dynamic signatures’ (also known as ‘digitally captured signatures’) are much different from paper-based signatures. Not only does the medium of recording differ, but also the type, volume of data and features are different from the pattern-based evidence that makes up paper-based signatures. Recent developments in forensic science – including signature examination – have led to the adoption of evaluative probabilistic methodologies in many disciplines [see, e.g. ENFSI 1915 Guidelines]. In the current paper, a probabilistic model to evaluate signature evidence in the form of multivariate data, as proposed and described in Wacom Europe GmbH (2019), is adopted. Topics like data sparsity, joint evaluation of multiple features and feature selection are investigated. Performed experimental studies showed an accuracy rate above 90% even when a limited number (5) of reference signatures was available. The performances of a multivariate approach are compared with those characterizing a so-called multiplicative approach where variables (features) are taken as independent and the Bayes’ factor (BF) is obtained as the product of univariate BFs associated to each selected feature. The simplicity of this latter approach is, however, accompanied by severe issues about the reliability of results. The use of a multivariate approach is therefore highly recommended. Finally, the evidential values in correspondence of alternative feature sets are compared. Results suggest that discriminative features are writer-related and necessitate a case-specific selection.

ПОДОЛАННЯ ПРОТИДІЇ ПІД ЧАС ПРОВЕДЕННЯ СУДОВОЇ ПОЧЕРКОЗНАВЧОЇ ЕКСПЕРТИЗИ: СИСТЕМИ ТАКТИЧНИХ ПРИЙОМІВ

Мета статті – аналіз теоретичних питань і розроблення практичних рекомендацій із тактики відібрання експериментальних зразків почерку та підписів в умовах протидії перевірюваних осіб під час проведення судових почеркознавчих експертиз. Методологія. Методологічну основу становлять загальні закони та категорії теорії пізнання, зокрема положення матеріалістичної діалектики про пізнання соціальних процесів і явищ, пов’язаних із досліджуваними проблемами. У процесі розгляду теми також застосовувалися історико-правовий метод, яким проаналізовано генезу розроблення тактико-технологічних засад проведення слідчих дій, теоретичні напрацювання криміналістичних аспектів протидії при проведенні судових почеркознавчих експертиз; системно-структурним і порівняльним встановлено сутність тактики проведення судових почеркознавчих експертиз, з’ясовано прийоми подолання протидії перевірюваних осіб проведенню почеркознавчої експертизи, а також групування їх в системи, запропоновано рекомендації щодо їх застосування; соціологічний метод (анкетування) застосовано для опитування слідчих та експертів за спеціально розробленою анкетою; статистичним методом (групування відомостей, аналіз кількісних показників) узагальнено дані за результатами аналізу висновків експертів, протоколів відібрання зразків почерку та підписів; експериментальним проведено експерименти з відтворення чужих підписів різними категоріями осіб. Наукова новизна зумовлена започаткуванням заснованого на результатах проведеного авторами експерименту тактичного прийому подолання протидії перевірюваної особи в разі повідомлення неправдивої інформації про незнання цією особою транскрипції підпису конкретної людини, що полягає в наданні особі досліджуваного підпису для короткочасного візуального його огляду. Висновки. У результаті дослідження, зокрема, з’ясовано, що залежно від слідчої ситуації, яка склалася, системи тактичних прийомів відібрання зразків спрямовані: на встановлення обставин та умов виконання рукопису; одержання зразків почерку перевірюваної особи в ситуації можливої її відмови; спілкування з такою особою і вплив на неї у процесі відібрання зразків; подолання протидії перевірюваної особи. При цьому тактичні прийоми подолання протидії перевірюваної особи передбачають: за відмови від надання експериментальних зразків почерку та підписів – використання прийомів психологічного впливу та логічного переконання; у разі спотворення перевірюваним свого почерку – прискорення темпу написання та збільшення тривалості відібрання зразків; якщо повідомлено неправдиву інформацію про незнання перевірюваним транскрипції підпису конкретної людини – надання досліджуваного підпису для короткочасного візуального його огляду.

Features of digitally captured signatures vs. pen and paper signatures: Similar or completely different?

The question of whether digitally captured signatures and conventional signatures executed with a pen on paper differ in their characteristics is of practical relevance for forensic handwriting examiners. Due to gaps in the current literature, the present research is dedicated to this issue. Eighty persons signed in three conditions: a) with a stylus on a pad, b) with an inking pen on a sticky note attached to a signature pad allowing to obtain a digital and an analogue version on paper of one and the same writing simultaneously, and c) with a pen on paper. The first step was to investigate to what extent the character shape and number of pen lifts differ between the digital and analogue representation of one and the same signature. This revealed minor differences which are due to technical characteristics of the devices used. The observed distortions are of minor practical relevance according to ratings by eight participating forensic handwriting examiners. Subsequently, signature characteristics were compared between the three different writing conditions in a casework-oriented way. Statistical multi-level models indicate significant differences between the three signature types, but minor effect sizes in most of the examined characteristics. From the point of view of the participating handwriting examiners, these factors do not fundamentally restrict the comparability between digitally captured and conventional signatures in practice. However, caution should be exercised when generalising the results, as several factors, such as the usage of different signature pads as well as signatures made with the finger instead of a stylus, could result in more important differences compared to pen and paper signatures.

Forensic Handwriting Investigation Using Digital Photographic Copies of Documents

The study is a part of the research of the Russian Federal Centre of Forensic Science of the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation. It is the initial stage in the development of methodological recommendations for conducting forensic handwriting examinations of images of handwritten objects in digital photocopies of documents. The author has analyzed the current procedural legislation and judicial practice on the use of digital photocopies of documents in proof, as well as the modern expert practice of handwriting studies concerning the images of handwriting realizations presented in such copies. The analysis has shown that these forensic handwriting studies are being quite actively conducted in both judicial and extrajudicial examinations; however, they acquire the procedural status of evidence in the case. Though, the object remains outside the scope of expert methodological support and a comprehensive systematic review in the theoretical aspect. The author considers this practice unacceptable.The article reviews a complex of issues related to determining the properties and attributes of images – handwriting objects presented in photocopies of documents, their qualitative characteristics, and other factors essential for conducting forensic handwriting examinations and formulating relevant conclusions.

Актуальные проблемы современной практики проведения судебно-почерковедческой экспертизы и пути их преодоления

Актуальные проблемы современной практики проведения судебно-почерковедческой экспертизы и пути их преодоления

ТАКТИЧНИЙ АРСЕНАЛ СЛІДЧОГО: СИСТЕМИ ТАКТИЧНИХ ПРИЙОМІВ ОДЕРЖАННЯ ЕКСПЕРИМЕНТАЛЬНИХ ЗРАЗКІВ ПОЧЕРКУ ТА ПІДПИСІВ

У статті досліджено норми діючого законодаства з питань тактики відібрання експериментальних зразків почерку та підписів в умовах протидії, при проведенні судово-почеркознавчих експертиз. Здійснена розробка системи тактичних прийомів та криміналістичних рекомендаций з подолання й попередження протидії осіб, що перевіряються, яка забезпечувала б, швидкість та результативність вирішення завдань досудового слідства та судового процесу при проведенні судово-почеркознавчих експертиз
 Ключові слова: судово-почеркознавча експертиза, зразки почерку й підписів, відібрання проведенню почеркознавчої експертизи, системи тактичних прийомів зразків, протидія.

Ways of Concealment for Iatrogenic Crimes, Traces of Their Commission and Forensic Methods of Their Identification

The article discusses specific features of the ways of concealing iatrogenic crimes and traces indicating them. Concealment of information, destruction of crime traces, falsification of medical records, staging and mixed methods of concealment form a system of ways to cover up such crimes. It is noted that there is a direct correlation between the methods of concealment of iatrogenic crimes and the severity of the consequences for the patient. The greater the harm done to the victim, the more sophisticated the concealment methods are used to evade criminal liability. The need is recognized to create specific research methodologies for the destroyed traces and ways and tools of destruction of physical sources of information as well as the methodologies for forensic handwriting and technical examination of the falsified medical documents, forensic computer analysis of the altered digital data related to the event under investigation.The evidence of the ways of the iatrogenic crimes’ and their traces’ cover-up are used when initiating leads and planning the investigation, choosing the techniques of interrogation, search, examination and some other investigatory actions. The solution and effective investigation of iatrogenic crimes require knowledge of the existing ways of concealing them, as well as of the methods of their detection and exposure.

The development of a program for characterizing forensic handwriting examiners’ expertise–signature examination pilot study

Criticisms levelled at forensic handwriting examina tion expertise have focused on the clear lack of validation evidence offered to substantiate the claims of its practitioners. In general, expertise can be thought of as a skill that is more developed in the specialist than in the lay person. This paper out lines the shift in the process for delineating, and in time articulating, the nature of the expertise claimed within the Australian and New Zealand government and police document examination communities. A pilot study is presented where we com pared the opinions regarding the authorship of one hundred and fifty questioned signatures between seven government trained document examiners and eight lay persons. It was found that the government trained document examiners were statistically better at accurately determining the authorship of questioned signatures than were the lay group. Purchase Article - $10

On the Form and Content of a Forensic Handwriting Expert’s Opinion

The content of a forensic handwriting expert’s opinion has been holding attention of both research scientists and practicing experts for many decades now since it is not only an essential evidence in court often being crucial to deciding on a case but also a document bringing together procedural and scientific methodological elements. Forensic handwriting examination is much in demand for court, it is also profoundly and comprehensively developed, supported by detailed methodological recommendations on drafting and processing of an expert’s opinion. However, the analysis of experts’ opinions from state forensic institutions as well as from non-state brought to light several shortcomings which do not enhance their evidentiary status. This applies in particular to performing the forensic examination by non-state experts who tend to lack competence. At the same time the number of forensic handwriting examinations assigned by court to the non-state forensic institutions prevails significantly.The most common mistakes made by the handwriting experts when drafting opinions are reviewed in the article, some ways to resolve them are proposed. The need to provide methodological recommendations for forensic handwriting experts incorporating current requirements to the experts’ opinions is acknowledged.

Typical Mistakes in Forensic Handwriting Analysis of Copies of Handwritten Entries

The growing volume of forensic handwriting examinations of handwritten requisites copies entails the need to determine the range of the most typical mistakes made by experts in examination of these objects. The article gives examples of the most common mistakes in expert reports, the origin of some is analyzed. The system of internal and external forms of peer review of the ENFSI (The European Network of Forensic Science Institutes) experts’ conclusions is reviewed. To avoid most of mistakes described in the article the author proposes to follow relevant methodological references, to pay close attention to the quality of the examined object, to adhere strictly to all intermediate stages of examination. Also, to use internal and external peer review of conclusions as a form of control more effectively. The information contained in the article can be of practical interest when both reviewing conclusions in state expert institutions and preparing a value judgement regarding an expert/specialist conclusion.

Assessment of the mood states on healthy adults’ handwriting through forensic handwriting examination vs graphology-A review

A person's daily life is permeated by various mood states and handwriting is a necessary habitual skill. The analysis of handwriting has two branches: forensic handwriting examination (FHE) and graphology, which are commonly mixed up by the public. The objective of this review was to assess the effects of mood states on healthy adults’ handwriting through FHE and graphology. A literature search was conducted in the following electronic databases: Google Scholar; PubMed; IEEE Xplore; SpringerLink; SAGE Journals; and Wiley Online Library. Publications were then selected in a 2-stage process. The key search terms included: “handwriting AND mood AND adult AND (forensic OR graphology)”. The literature search yielded 20 publications, but only 8 available full-text articles were identified. Five articles were examined through FHE while the remaining were of graphology. Two FHE articles supported the effect of physical stress (fatigue) while two other articles supported the effect of different emotional stressors. Three graphology articles supported the effect of various emotional stress while no article was found for physical stress (fatigue). This review allowed for a clearer view on the differentiation between FHE and graphology. More research (with large samples) concerning the effect of other mood states on adult handwriting, is needed.

Assessment of signature handwriting evidence via score-based likelihood ratio based on comparative measurement of relevant dynamic features

This paper extends on previous research on the extraction and statistical analysis on relevant dynamic features (width, grayscale and radian combined with writing sequence information) in forensic handwriting examinations. In this paper, a larger signature database was gathered, including genuine signatures, freehand imitation signatures, random forgeries and tracing imitation signatures, which are often encountered in casework. After applying Principle Component Analysis (PCA) of the variables describing the proximity between specimens, a two-dimensional kernel density estimation was used to describe the variability of within-genuine comparisons and genuine–forgery comparisons. We show that the overlap between the within-genuine comparisons and the genuine–forgery comparisons depends on the imitated writer and on the forger as well. Then, in order to simulate casework conditions, cases were simulated by random sampling based on the collected signature dataset. Three-dimensional normal density estimation was used to estimate the numerator and denominator probability distribution used to compute a likelihood ratio (LR). The comparisons between the performance of the systems in SigComp2011 (based on static features) and the method presented in this paper (based on relevant dynamic features) showed that relevant dynamic features are better than static features in terms of accuracy, false acceptance rate, false rejection rate and calibration of likelihood ratios.

Critical Issues Affecting the Reliability and Admissibility of Handwriting Identification Opinion Evidence How They Have Been Addressed (or Not) Since the 2009 NAS Report, and How They Should Be Addressed Going Forward: A Document Examiner Tells All

This article endeavors to improve awareness and enhance the legal and judicial responses to critically flawed evidence from handwriting experts by providing lawyers and trial judges with guidelines for determining when evidence from even presumptively well-qualified handwriting experts is unreliable and should be excluded. Part I discusses the need to replace the foundational tenets that have traditionally been espoused to support the discipline of forensic handwriting analysis with less absolutist statements derived from principles of neuroscience and human motor control theory. Part II provides an overview of the essential requirements for performing reliable forensic handwriting examinations, which lawyers and judges need to know and practitioners should adhere to. Part III seeks to illuminate the impact of cognitive bias on forensic handwriting analysis by discussing the biasing influences that can improperly taint and sway an examiner’s decision-making process and render unreliable his or her opinions and testimony, and by providing an overview of the various methods and techniques available for minimizing, if not eliminating, such adverse influences. Part IV examines the three different types of forensic casework peer review (administrative, technical and verification) and why testimony concerning any type of “review” performed by a non-testifying expert constitutes improper bolstering and/or inadmissible hearsay. Part V discusses the gatekeeping obligation imposed upon trial judges to screen and exclude unreliable evidence proffered by handwriting experts and what lawyers need to do, but all too often fail to do, to facilitate the judge’s role as gatekeeper. Several appellate court decisions are reviewed to illustrate instances of unreliable handwriting identification opinion evidence that escaped recognition and successful challenge at the trial level, as well as one recent district court case in which the proffered testimony of a handwriting expert was properly excluded by the gatekeeper. Finally, Part VI concludes with the author’s thoughts and perspectives on what can and should be done to further enhance the reliability of handwriting identification opinion evidence that is presented in civil and criminal cases, and what is needed to remedy the inequality of resources in criminal cases that effectively deprives defendants and their counsel of the ability to acquire the expertise needed to properly expose flaws and weaknesses in opinion evidence proffered by prosecution experts.

Examining Authenticity: An Initial Exploration of the Suitability of Handwritten Electronic Signatures

Considering the increasing relevance of handwritten electronically captured signatures, we evaluated the ability of forensic handwriting examiners (FHEs) to distinguish between authentic and simulated electronic signatures. Sixty-six professional FHEs examined the authenticity of electronic signatures captured with software by signotec on a smartphone Galaxy Note 4 by Samsung and signatures made with a ballpoint pen on paper (conventional signatures). In addition, we experimentally varied the name (“J. König” vs. “A. Zaiser”) and the status (authentic vs. simulated) of the signatures in question. FHEs’ conclusions about the authenticity did not show a statistically significant general difference between electronic and conventional signatures. Furthermore, no significant discrepancies between electronic and conventional signatures were found with regard to other important aspects of the authenticity examination such as questioned signatures’ graphic information content, the suitability of the provided sample signatures, the necessity of further examinations and the levels of difficulty of the cases under examination. Thus, this study did not reveal any indications that electronic signatures captured with software by signotec on a Galaxy Note 4 are less well suited than conventional signatures for the examination of authenticity, precluding potential technical problems concerning the integrity of electronic signatures.