How to Prove Forged Signature?
Signatures are a form of identification that is generally created by an individual to express their identity creatively. Nonetheless, signatures are also an important part of business transactions and can authenticate documents, legal agreements, contracts and more. Signatures can be forged for wrongful personal gains and it is important that such forgeries are detected quickly to ensure that the personal interests of the victim are safeguarded. Let us understand how to prove a forged signature:
Understand Types of Forged Signatures and How to Detect Them
Here are some types of forged signatures and how they can best be detected:
Freehand Forgery
Forging a signature by hand without the use of any special tool or tracing is known as freehand forgery. It normally reveals noticeable differences from the original signature in terms of stroke patterns, spacing, or general style. These variations – such as line thickness or fluidity, help in identifying genuine signatures from freehand forgeries. Visual inspection and comparison with known authentic signatures are necessary to identify these discrepancies.
Traced Forgery
A traced forgery involves copying a real signature by putting it under paper and tracing over it. Even while traced forgeries could seem quite similar to the original, there may be very slight variations in the line quality or pressure. These variances, which include hesitations or uneven stroke thickness, may be signs of a traced forgery. Finding these subtleties requires careful inspection under magnification and checking for inconsistencies with real signatures.
Cut and Paste Forgery
Cut and paste forgery is when someone physically cuts out a signature from one document and glues it onto another. You can detect this by looking closely at the edges of the signature; if they look uneven or don’t match the surrounding paper, it’s a sign of tampering. Also, differences in the texture or colour of the paper around the signature may indicate that it’s been pasted on.
Electronic Forgery
Electronic forgeries are rising because of technical developments. It involves utilizing software or other technological tools to digitally alter or duplicate a signature. Analysing digital files or information associated with the document is necessary for detecting electronic forgeries. Experts in forensics can carefully examine the electronic signature to look for irregularities like inconsistent pen strokes or changes to the digital image. This calls for specific knowledge and methods to spot alteration indicators and confirm the authenticity of the signature.
Manual Verification
While manual verification to detect forged signatures can be performed, there are certain limitations to them:
Subjectivity
Manual verification relies on the subjective judgement of the examiner, which can be influenced by individual biases or inconsistencies. Different examiners may interpret signatures differently, which may lead to inconsistencies in the verification process.
Lack of Expertise
Without specialized training or expertise in handwriting analysis, individuals performing manual verification may lack the necessary skills to accurately assess the authenticity of signatures. This increases the likelihood of errors or misinterpretations and compromises the reliability of the verification process.
Inconsistencies in Standards
There are no standardized criteria or guidelines for manual signature verification, which may lead to variations in verification standards across different examiners and organizations. This lack of uniformity can result in inconsistent outcomes and undermine the credibility of the verification process.
Time-Consuming
Manual verification can be a time-consuming process, especially when dealing with several documents or complex signatures. This can lead to delays in authentication and processing – it impacts efficiency and productivity.
Limited Accuracy
Manual verification may not be sufficiently accurate or reliable, especially when dealing with sophisticated forgeries or subtle alterations to signatures. Without advanced forensic techniques or specialized equipment, manual verification may overlook subtle signs of forgery or manipulation.
Vulnerability to Fraud
Manual verification is susceptible to fraud or manipulation by individuals seeking to deceive the verification process. People who commit fraud may take advantage of the problems with manual signature checks to make fake signatures look real. This makes it hard to trust the verification process and can lead to mistakes or dishonesty.
Examination of Dynamic and Static Features
For signature verification to work well, experts need to look at both static (unchanging) and dynamic (changing) aspects to detect small differences between the signatures. Some of these aspects include:
Pen lifts
This refers to when someone lifts their pen off the paper while signing their name. The timing and frequency of these pen lifts can be unique to each person and can help determine if a signature is genuine or forged.
Signature shape and dimensions
This refers to the overall shape and size of the signature. Any significant differences in shape or dimensions compared to known signatures could suggest forgery.
Signs of retouching
This involves looking for any signs that the signature has been altered or touched up after it was originally signed. This could include changes to the ink colour, inconsistencies in the pen strokes, or other alterations that suggest tampering.
Pen pressure and pressure changes
The amount of pressure applied to the pen while signing, as well as any changes in pressure throughout the signature, can be different for each person. These pressure patterns can help distinguish between genuine and forged signatures.
Letter proportions
Every individual’s signature has consistent proportions between the letters and the overall layout. Deviations from these proportions could indicate a forged signature.
Shaky handwriting
This refers to how steady or unsteady someone’s handwriting is when they sign their name. If the signature looks more shaky than usual, it might be a sign of forgery.
Letter slants
The angle at which the letters are slanted in the signature can be a unique characteristic. Any inconsistencies in the slant of the letters may indicate a forged signature.
Speed, acceleration and smoothness of curves – The speed at which someone signs their name, how quickly they accelerate or decelerate while signing and the smoothness of the curves in their signature can all provide valuable information for verification.
Offline Verification Solutions for Forged Signature Detection
When it is not practical to monitor real-time signature activity, offline signature verification solutions are employed. These tools automate processes that mimic human ways and increase productivity and conserve resources. Their primary focus is detecting static characteristics, including the texture, form, stroke locations, and subtleties of the handwriting of a signature.
These technologies use machine learning to assess whether a signature fits within the predicted variance range of the customer’s authentic signature, as opposed to searching for precise matches like people do. It is important to remember that real signatures vary depending on the age, attitude and signing environment—some factors that are critical to the functioning of signature verification systems.
Online Verification Solutions for Forged Signature Detection
Online signature verification tools are more advanced as they analyse how a signature is made, considering factors like speed and pressure. A real signature is usually smooth and quick because it is done without much thought. But a fake one is slower and more controlled because the forger has to be careful. These tools can spot these differences, helping in detecting forged signatures.
Employing the Skills of an Expert
For the most skilled forensic handwriting expert, you can get in touch with Inside Ink. We use cutting-edge methods to precisely identify forged signatures. Our proficiency in examining various handwriting styles enables us to spot minute details and discrepancies that can point to fraud. We provide thorough signature verification services that are customized to meet your demands. We possess the ability to detect and identify forgeries – computerized, traceable, or freehand. Get in touch with us to learn more and find out how our services may help you protect yourself from fraudulent activities.
Get Falsified Documents Analysed
At Inside Ink, you can avail the services of an experienced forensic handwriting expert to detect falsified documents and provide insights into handwriting traits. You can our expertise for accurate assessments and valuable insights. Get in touch with us to learn more about our services.