Using Acceleration/Deceleration Plots in the Forensic Analysis of Electronically Captured Signatures

A research study was conducted to determine if analysis and comparison of acceleration/deceleration plots of signature data captured by electronic signature tablets would provide meaningful evidence in an examination of electronically captured signatures. This research focused on data collected by signature tablets produced by Topaz Systems, Inc., one of the largest suppliers of digital capture devices. William Flynn, in his article “Conducting a Forensic Examination of Electronically Captured Signatures” (published in the June 2012 edition of the ASQDE Journal), noted the visual differences in the plots of genuine and simulated signatures. Further research was conducted to determine how useful plotting the acceleration/deceleration of electronic signatures would be in a forensic examination and what reliable conclusions could be made from their analysis. The study hypotheses were that acceleration plots will be consistent for one writer; that simulated, traced, and spurious signature plots will be visually different from those of genuine signatures; that there will be a noticeable difference between signature plots of different writers; and that the comparison of acceleration plots will be a useful tool for signature authentication.