NCJ Number
173498
Journal
International Journal of Forensic Document Examiners Volume: 4 Issue: 1 Dated: Jan/Mar 1998 Pages: 29-32
Date Published
1998
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article examines software components that use inexpensive digitizers to capture handwritten signatures on electronic documents.
Abstract
The article explores document authenticity as evidenced by various kinds of electronic "signatures" and suggests that the ability to establish a forensically verifiable link to the person who signed an electronic document is crucial if the full cost- and time-saving potential of electronic documents is to be realized. The paper suggests that Questioned Document Examiners can play a key role in the digital future by extending their skills pertaining to strokes by ink pens on paper into the realm of strokes created by electronic pens on digitizers ("tablets"). The paper describes how the digitizer works and how an electronic mechanism called PenOp accomplishes signature capture and verification. The article also discusses the potential for forensic analysis using PenOp, current users of the mechanism, and some of its advantages (e.g., it can provide context such as time and place, as well as the dynamics of the signing act itself). Notes, figure, references