Abstract: An individual, who is to be subsequently identified, first signs his signature, hereinafter called a template signature, with a special pen, attached to circuits, which produce digital sample signals from which a set of parameters of his signature are derived. This set of template signature parameters is stored in a memory along with sets of parameters derived from template signatures of other individuals. Subsequently, when an individual signs his name with a special pen, the circuits will produce a set of parameters, corresponding to those produced for a template signature. Parameters are selected which can provide strong distinction between signatures. The selected parameters are then used to derive from memory only those sets of template parameters which include the selected parameters which have values falling within a predetermined acceptable range of values.