Forensic Examination of Original and Scanned Signatures to Study Different Characteristics Using Image Processing Tool.

Abstract

There has been a simultaneous rise in the employment of image processing software applications in criminal operations to match the recent exponential surge in their use. However, for more effective processing and better storage, the majority of documents these days are created entirely online. The development of computer-based image processing tools and contemporary replication processes has simplified the process of digitally fabricating signatures. The goal of the current study is to identify the various characteristics of scanned (at varying dpi or resolutions) and printed (using inkjet and laser printers) signatures. Many printed signature samples were created from genuine documents, using traditional and digital tools like Adobe Photoshop. Identified traits include alignment errors, irregularities in half-tone patterns, variations in letter spacing, and over-deposition of ink particles. It could be possible to differentiate a scanned signature from the typical signatures of the real person by identifying and analyzing such traits. This study highlights the lack of research on offline scanned documents and makes the case for using the most recent image processing techniques to do forensic analysis on a variety of document types.