Title: Statistical analysis of lateral palm prints in conjugation with signatures for personal identification

Authors: Sonali Ashok Dagha; Kanica Chugh; Pooja Ahuja

Addresses: School of Forensic Science, National Forensic Sciences University, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India ' School of Forensic Science, National Forensic Sciences University, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India ' School of Forensic Science, National Forensic Sciences University, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India

Abstract: Personal identification on the basis of individual characteristics is always an area of interest for the forensic scientist. Certain behavioural biometrics, viz. signatures can help in individualising the person. If such biometrics are modelled with lateral palm prints, they can be a reliable source of individualisation. The hypothenar area/lateral side of the palm/ulnar side of palm that is encountered in crime scenes in the form of patent or latent prints in cases such as sexual assault, below the signature on the document, etc. gives the way to identify an individual. The paper discusses one such useful technique, where fingerprints help in identifying the individual, in the same way that the lateral prints left on paper in conjugation with signatures can also help in identification of the author without analysing the signatures. The present study was conducted on 200 samples obtained in normal position from individuals, in order to identify lateral prints and determine their patterns for the purpose of personal identification. The results suggested positive identification to understand whether the person is right-handed or left-handed. Statistical analysis helps to establish a correlation between the genuine way of signature and the lateral side of the palm.

Keywords: signature authorship; biometrics; hypothenar area; personal identification; palm biometrics.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBM.2025.149665

International Journal of Biometrics, 2025 Vol.17 No.6, pp.527 - 543

Received: 10 Dec 2024
Accepted: 27 Apr 2025
Published online: 10 Nov 2025 *

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