Singular braids are isotopy classes of smooth strings which are allowed to cross each other pairwise with distinct tangents. Under the usual multiplication of braids, they form a monoid. The singular braid group was introduced by Fenn-Keyman-Rourke as the quotient group of the singular braid monoid. We give a solution of the word problem for this group. It is obtained as a combination of the results by Fenn-Keyman-Rourke and some simple geometric considerations based on the mapping class interpretation of braids. Combined with Corran's normal form for the singular braid monoid, our algorithm provides a computable normal form for the singular braid group.

Singular braids are isotopy classes of smooth strings which are allowed to cross each other pairwise with distinct tangents. Under the usual multiplication of braids, they form a monoid. The singular braid group was introduced by Fenn-Keyman-Rourke as the quotient group of the singular braid monoid. We give a solution of the word problem for this group. It is obtained as a combination of the results by Fenn-Keyman-Rourke and some simple geometric considerations based on the mapping class interpretation of braids. Combined with Corran's normal form for the singular braid monoid, our algorithm provides a computable normal form for the singular braid group.