Perceptual analysis of handwritten signatures for biometric authentication

The Internet has stimulated increased activity to address key problems relating to the implementation of reliable and robust biometric identity checking. Although not always the biometric modality most readily adopted in such an environment, the handwritten signature continues to offer many advantages over some other more commonly considered biometrics. The authors address some key issues relating to the nature of the handwritten signature and, especially, the strategies used by humans in analysing signature data. Through experimental studies and an analytical investigation, the paper identifies characteristics of the signature which influence its resilience to fraudulent penetration, pointing to some important principles on which to build procedures for both automated and non-automated identity authentication.