ARTICLES / Authenticating is Like A Puzzle

 

 

Authenticating/evaluating a signature is like a puzzle. In the case of a process that has 16 different areas of a signature to be evaluated one can say that each area that is evaluated is a piece of a puzzle. How do these pieces fit together to form the puzzle and conclusion. The best way and simplest ways are to start with the premise that the questioned signature is authentic and apply the process of Authenticating / evaluating to prove its not.

When evaluating/authenticating a signature, it's indeed like piecing together a puzzle. The process involves assessing multiple areas of the signature, each one providing a unique "piece" of information that contributes to the overall picture of authenticity. By evaluating distinct areas of a signature, you're essentially checking various characteristics (such as pressure, flow, letter formations, and consistency) to build a case for whether the signature is genuine or not.

This approach, starting with the premise that the signature is authentic and then applying a structured process to prove it's not—helps ensure that the evaluation remains unbiased and systematic. This method prevents jumping to conclusions prematurely and forces the evaluator to follow the full process. It helps you gather supporting evidence and assess each part of the signature against known authentic examples, while ruling out inconsistencies or red flags that may indicate a forgery.

Ultimately, this process of "proving it’s not" ensures a thorough, methodical review that prioritizes accuracy and integrity. The puzzle analogy is a great way to think about it, as every piece of evidence fits into the larger picture, leading to a conclusion that is both logical and reliable.

The process described above can be closely tied to the concept of reverse engineering, which in this case applies to the evaluation of signatures.

Reverse engineering typically involves taking something that is already made (a product, a system, etc.) and deconstructing it to understand how it was built or how it works. In the context of signature authentication, reverse engineering involves starting with the assumption that the signature is genuine, and then systematically breaking down its components to understand how those individual characteristics contribute to its authenticity.

Here's a deeper dive into the steps involved in this "reverse engineering" approach to signature evaluation:

• Start with the Assumption of Authenticity: When you start by assuming the signature is authentic, you are essentially taking an unbiased approach. You’re not starting with any preconceived notions or doubts about its legitimacy. This forces you to follow the full evaluation process, rather than prematurely concluding it’s a forgery. This is key in avoiding cognitive biases, ensuring a thorough and objective analysis.
  
  
• Break Down the Signature into Components: Just as in reverse engineering where a product is taken apart piece by piece, signature evaluation breaks the signature into specific areas for analysis. This might include examining individual letters, the fluidity of strokes, pressure patterns, the way ink flows, and how the signature overall compares to known authentic signatures from the same person.
  
  
• Analyze Each Piece or Characteristic: Every "piece" of the signature—whether it’s the way a particular letter is formed, the consistency of the pen pressure, or the overall.
  
  
• Spacing—provides information. By focusing on these smaller details, you can begin to reconstruct the signature’s authenticity, much like engineers or scientists break down a system into smaller components to understand how it operates.
  
  
• Cross-Check Against Known Authentic Examples: In reverse engineering, the goal is often to compare the deconstructed item with a prototype or reference model. In the case of signature authentication, you would compare each area of the questioned signature against verified, authentic signatures from the same person. You may use databases, known examples, or even previous authentication reports to assess consistency.
  
  
• Look for Inconsistencies or Red Flags: As you “reverse-engineer” the signature, you are likely to encounter inconsistencies that don't align with authentic signatures. These might include strange flourishes, unusual spacing, or irregularities in letter formation. Such inconsistencies are clues that can indicate a forgery.
  
  
• Synthesize the Findings: Once you've analyzed all the individual components of the signature, you bring everything together to form an overall judgment. Do all the puzzle pieces fit together or are their problems fitting the pieces together. Based on your conclusion you have your opinion which is based on scientific principles of forensic signature evaluation.

Below are a second set of factors (puzzle pieces) that will contribute to the overall conclusion of your evaluation.

8. Physiological Factors Age: As people age, their handwriting may become shakier or less fluid due to reduced dexterity.

9. Health Conditions: Neurological Disorders (e.g., Parkinson’s, arthritis) may cause tremors or shaky strokes. Vision Issues can lead to larger, uneven, or misshapen signatures. Fatigue: Physical or mental tiredness can cause slower, more erratic or sloppier signatures. Emotional State: Stress, anxiety, or excitement may lead to hurried, inconsistent signatures.

10. Environmental and Contextual Factors: Positioning (Seated vs. Standing): Seated: Provides stability, leading to smoother signatures. Standing: May cause shaker signatures due to reduced hand control. Walking and Signing: Signing while walking can result in an uneven or hurried signature. Surface and Writing Instrument: Paper Type: Rough paper can affect ink flow, causing inconsistent signatures: Pen Type: Different pens (e.g., ballpoint vs. fountain pen) affect the signature’s quality.

11. Environmental Conditions: Temperature & Humidity: Can affect ink’s appearance (e.g., smudging or fading): Lighting: Poor lighting can lead to hesitation and uneven strokes. Context of Signing Time Pressure: Rushed signing often leads to less refined, inconsistent signatures. Distractions: External distractions can cause errors or reduce focus, leading to a less controlled signature. Coercion or Duress: Signing under pressure or threat can result in a more rigid, unnatural signature. Personal Handwriting Habits: Left vs. Right-Handedness: Left-handed individuals may have more angled or backward slanted signatures. Signature Style: Variations in style (cursive vs. block letters) can affect the appearance of a signature.

12. Cognitive or Psychological Factors Stress or Anxiety: Can lead to hurried, shaky strokes and a lack of fluidity. Memory or Familiarity: Distractions or unfamiliarity with the document can result in inconsistencies in the signature.

13. Legal or Professional Contexts: Formality and Self-Consciousness: In legal settings, individuals may modify their signature to make it more distinctive and secure. Witnessed Signings: The presence of a witness might lead to more careful or conscious signing, potentially altering the signature’s appearance. This breakdown covers a range of factors, from personal conditions to external influences, that can shape a person’s signature!

Reverse engineering in signature authentication, therefore, is about breaking down the signature into its parts, understanding how it should appear in its most authentic form, and testing each part against that ideal. The goal is to work backward from authenticity, using each "piece of the puzzle" to either confirm or challenge the signature's genuineness.  If there are enough red flags or inconsistencies, the signature is likely a forgery. This approach ensures that you adhere to a logical and methodical process. It’s a valuable strategy for ensuring both accuracy and objectivity in the evaluation/authentication of signatures.