In this paper, a post processor for accuracy of character recognition of real-time online Gurmukhi script has been developed. Our analysis is based on dataset consisting of 184 samples of each 45 characters of Gurmukhi script collected from four different categories of writers. Based on this extensive study, we propose an efficient algorithm for online handwritten Gurmukhi character recognition that achieves promising recognition accuracy of 95.6% for single character stroke sequencing. Beside character recognition the contribution in this paper is summarized in two folds as (i) the proposed scheme resolves stroke sequencing, (ii) overwritten strokes are identified and resolved. Moreover, for every stroke, complexity of adding new stroke for Gurmukhi character formation has been computed to be O(n).

An efficient post processing algorithm for online handwriting gurmukhi character recognition using set theory

The present study analyzed the English handwriting of subjects from Andhra Pradesh, Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir to investigate whether the examination of style characteristics helps determine the nationality/ethnicity of the writer or the place where the writer learned writing. The subjects had completed secondary education in their respective regional languages along with English as a second language. Characteristic features such as letter formations, punctuation marks, spacing between letters, and margins were observed. The data were analysed using the chi- square test to determine significant class characteristics in the English handwritings. Significant class characteristics were identified; these occurrences were attributable to the influence of habitually writing in their native language, because the impact of regional language on the subjects’ English handwriting was observed in a few samples. Forensic document examiners will be able to determine class characteristic in the English handwritings of people from different states using the established procedure and possibly also determine the nationality or ethnic origin of writers.

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Forensic Examination of Class Characteristics in English Handwriting of the Three States: Andhra Pradesh, Punjab and Kashmir in India

Handwriting is the means of communication and recording information in day-to-day life even with the introduction of new technologies. Languages are systems of symbols; writing is a system for symbolizing these symbols. Handwriting is quite distinctive (1). Each individual's writing style is personal and unique which is the result of unconscious, automatic actions and interaction between a person's brain, eye and hand. Writing is also influenced by the person's physical state (2), influence by drugs or alcohol (3), age (4), the force on the writing tool (5) and other environmental factors (6). An individual's writing styles change throughout the lifespan of a person and the degree of change may vary greatly. No two individuals, including twins can write alike (7-8). Investigators and forensic document examiners have long been tasked to use inscriptions and markings as clues to identify their writers. This research aims to study the age related retention of individual characteristics in handwritings and signatures over a period of time ranging from two to ten years. Samples of seventy past handwritings and signatures were collected from individuals and compared with the present handwritings and signatures of those individuals. Individual characteristics that were found to be retained as well as those that were modified were identified and compared. The subjects were healthy and sound. In the first step magnifiers were used to examine the writings and signatures and then comparison microscope was used for detailed document examination. The analysis of writing style and signature characteristics indicated changes attributable to deviation. In spite of these changes occurring due to age, the characteristics that were retained are found to be useful in attributing authorship while examining documents.

A Study on the Age Related Retention of Individual Characteristics in Hand Writings and Signatures for Application during Forensic Investigation

In this research work, we discuss class characteristics in English handwriting of people from Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. The subjects had primarily studied in their local language, with English as their second language. The regional handwriting samples from 750 subjects were collected randomly in the age group between 18 and 60 years and their class characteristics such as writing movement, formation of letters, letter designs, pen-lifts, letter size, artistic ability, letter spacing and embellishments were examined Several characteristic features peculiar to the individual linguistic groups were identified and the impact of the regional language script writing system was observed on the English handwriting of almost all the subjects.

Determination of the State of Origin of the Writer from the Class Characteristics in English Handwriting

Identification of handwriting found on the disputed document by comparison with the known handwriting samples of the suspect still comprise the problem which is most com­monly referred to a forensic document examiner. One of the important scientifically estab­lished principles which govern such analysis and identification is the ‘Principle of Compari­son’ which explicitly states that, for obtaining correct results, like has to be compared with like; meaning thereby that the expert has to analyze and rely upon similar letters and com­binations between the questioned and the standard handwriting samples and, consequently, the problems where similar handwriting samples in the same script have not been provided for comparison; usually fall outside the scope of forensic document examination. However, in this field, like any other human activity; perfect and ideal conditions are hard to achieve. Handwriting, being acquired skill and neuro-muscular controlled motor activity, its basic elements like the horizontal stroke, vertical stroke, loops, curves and arches etc., are combined together to form letters and alphabets of all the scripts. The question then arises — whether inter-script comparison of handwriting samples can be attempted lead­ing to some limited or qualified conclusions. Thus, if it becomes possible and practicable to examine and compare the basic elements of questioned handwriting in one script, say Devanagri with the similar elements found in specimen/ admitted handwriting samples in another script by the same writer, say Gurmukhi, because sample handwritings in Devanagri could not be procured for whatsoever reasons; the scope of examination can be widened further and expert may be in a position to express some opinion regarding their common authorship or otherwise, which may be found worthwhile to the investigat­ing agency or the court of law, thereby helping in the administration of justice ultimately.To the best of our knowledge, not much research is available, where writings produced in different scripts by the same writer could be compared, thereby leading to a definite opin­ion on the issue of their common authorship or otherwise. In the present study, an attempt has been made to explore this issue by taking writing samples of the same writer in three scripts, having knowledge of all the three commonly used languages, i.e., English, Hindi, and Punjabi, corresponding to the said scripts i.e., Roman, Devanagari and Gurumukhi. Three hundred sixty 360 writing samples were obtained from as many as 40 individuals appropriately skilled in writing, reading and speaking these languages/ scripts. Careful study and evaluation of the basic elements of written strokes whose execu­tion were found to be similar in all the three scripts has been carried out indicating the possibility of ‘Script Independent Comparison’. Limitations of the proposed study have also been discussed in the paper.

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Rajvinder K. Sidhu

Papers

A preliminary study investigating class characteristics in the Gurmukhi handwriting of 1st and 2nd generation Punjabis