FAQ
T_LOGIN Log in

Don't have an account on our website?

T_REGISTER Register

Classifying handwriting samples according to their type using discriminant analysis

Publication date: 08.05.2023

Problems of Forensic Sciences, 2022, 132, pp. 241-257

https://doi.org/10.4467/12307483PFS.22.013.17686

Authors

Jagoda Dzida
Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Wieniawskiego 1, 61-712 Poznań, Poland
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9057-5294 Orcid
Contact with author
All publications →

Titles

Classifying handwriting samples according to their type using discriminant analysis

Abstract

Classifying handwriting samples according to their type (i.e. natural, disguised, traced, simulated or unintentionally unnatural) is an important task in handwriting analysis. It may facilitate the collection of writing standards and also help experts to assess the differences between questioned material and comparative samples or to choose the best writing features and the most relevant examination protocol for the case. Current research aimed to create a method for classifying the type of a handwriting sample using discriminant analysis. Five basic types (i.e. natural, disguised, traced, simulated and unintentionally unnatural) and some subtypes were included in this study. Participants (N = 139) wrote their full signatures, fictional signatures or a short sentence. Motor and dimensional features were assessed. The methods proved to be more than twice as accurate in classifying samples according to their type than a random choice probability (e.g. 44% as opposed to 17% for the 6-types classifier). This proof-of-a-concept study demonstrates that handwriting samples may be classified according to their type with satisfying accuracy based on their writing features and statistical tools of discriminant analysis. However, further studies are necessary to improve the accuracy of the method.

References

Download references

1. Alford, E. F. (1970). Disguised handwriting. A statistical survey of how handwriting is most frequently disguised. Journal of Forensic Sciences15, 476–488.

2. Bird, C., Found, B., Ballantyne, K., Rogers, D. (2010). Forensic handwriting examiners’ opinions on the process of production of disguised and simulated signatures. Forensic Science International195, 103–107.

3. Durina, M. E. (2005). Disguised signatures: random or repetitious? Journal of the American Society of Questioned Document Examiners8, 9–16.

4. Ellen, D., Day, S., Davies, C. (2018). The scientific examination of documents. Methods and techniques (4th ed., p. 248). Boca Raton, Florida: CRC Press.

5. Harris, J. J. (1953). Disguised handwriting. Journal of Criminal Law, Criminology & Police Science43, 5, 685–689.

6. Huber, R. A., Headrick, A. M. (1999). Handwriting identification: Facts and fundamentals (p. 434). Boca Raton, Florida: CRC Press.

7. Koppenhaver, K. M. (2007). Forensic document examination: Principles and practice (p. 307). Totowa, New York: Humana Press Inc.

8. Leung, S. C., Cheng, Y. S., Fung, H. T, Poon, N. L. (1993). Forgery I – simulation. Journal of Forensic Sciences38, 402–412.

9. Matuszewski, S. (2011). Types of handwriting samples. Problems of Forensic Sciences87, 181–192.

10. Muehlberger, J. (1990). Identifying simulations: practical considerations. Journal of Forensic Sciences35, 368–374.

11. Wendt, G. W. (2003). Statistical observations of disguised signatures. Journal of the American Society of Questioned Document Examiners3, 19–27.

Information

Information: Problems of Forensic Sciences, 2022, 132, pp. 241-257

Article type: Original article

Titles:

English:

Classifying handwriting samples according to their type using discriminant analysis

Polish: Klasyfikowanie próby pisma ręcznego według typu z wykorzystaniem analizy dyskryminacyjnej

Authors

https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9057-5294

Jagoda Dzida
Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Wieniawskiego 1, 61-712 Poznań, Poland
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9057-5294 Orcid
Contact with author
All publications →

Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Wieniawskiego 1, 61-712 Poznań, Poland

Published at: 08.05.2023

Received at: 27.12.2022

Accepted at: 31.01.2023

Article status: Open

Licence: CC BY-NC-ND 4.0  licence icon

Percentage share of authors:

Jagoda Dzida (Author) - 100%

Article corrections:

-

Publication languages:

English, Polish

Suggested citations: Vancouver

Dzida J. Classifying handwriting samples according to their type using discriminant analysis. Problems of Forensic Sciences. 2023;2022 (132): 241-257

Classifying handwriting samples according to their type using discriminant analysis

quote

download files

RIS BIB ENDNOTE