Using forensic handwriting analysis techniques to enhance automatic handwritten script recognition and processing

There is a pressing need for reliable fast and accurate identification of individuals in banking transactions, access to databases containing sensitive information and access to high security buildings or restricted areas. The most common identification method is the use of a PIN (Personal Identification Number). However, a PIN only offers limited security. An appropriate biometric, which may be checked automatically, provides the ultimate level of security, as it is a unique characteristic of each human body. Handwriting and handwritten signatures are biometrics which have a legally accepted role in authorisation and authentication for many activities in banking, legal and commercial work. The accurate identification of forged handwriting (where the writer was not the person they claimed to be) and disguised writing (where the writer tried to disguise their writing in order to disclaim writing it later) has many applications in such documents as cheques, cheques card transactions, contracts, last wills, anonymous letters, doctors prescriptions and authorisation documents