Computerised signature verification

AEA Technology has developed a dynamic signature verification software called “Countermatch”, for PCs. Use of an elastic pattern matching code allows a person´s signature, captured electronically, to be compared against a reference “template”, with a real or forged diagnosis being made in a little over one second. For three months, from September to November 1994, the software was tested by the Employment Service at two of their offices in the North of England. (The Employment Service is the UK Government Agency responsible for distributing unemployment benefit). During this time thousands of members of the public used it, as they signed when claiming unemployment benefit. The Employment Service now uses the software everyday at the offices. This paper reports on the experiences gained through such a large trial