Graphoscopy is the branch of forensic document examination that focuses on determining the authenticity or authorship of handwriting. In this field, the questioned signature is evaluated against reference signatures that meet specific criteria, enabling a thorough comparative analysis. According to widely recognized academic literature, these reference signatures should exhibit:
Contemporaneity: Temporal proximity between the production date of the reference signatures and the moment the questioned document was supposedly signed.
Spontaneity: Evidence that the handwriting arose naturally and unconsciously.
Suitability: Consistency between the graphic patterns in the reference signatures and those in the questioned writing.
Quantity: A sufficiently large set of reference signatures to capture normal variations in the writer’s script.
Global academic studies highlight various best practices in detecting forged signatures. Common approaches include morphological analysis (examining stroke formation, pen pressure, and slant) and metric analysis (quantifying angles, proportions, and distances).
In many cases, statistical methods and specialized software supplement traditional visual comparisons. Guidelines from organizations such as ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) and SWGDOC (Scientific Working Group for Forensic Document Examination) frequently serve as references for ensuring methodological rigor.
By advancing research, disseminating knowledge, and promoting adherence to established standards, IBPTECH contributes to the academic development of graphoscopy. Its focus lies in enhancing the scientific foundations and methodological consistency of signature analysis, in alignment with internationally recognized practices for examining questioned handwriting.
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