Forensic Investigation Consultant FIC
Forensic Investigation Consultant


FORENSIC EXPERT WITNESSES
FORENSIC ANALYSTS

FIC Windows Utilities
FIC Windows Utilities

Forgery - Counterfeiting etc.

Field Activity ^ The Field of Forgery and Counterfeiting Examinations is active in cases involving findings such as banknotes, coins, passports, stamps, shares, seals and other security prints, for which laboratory examinations are required in order to determine authenticity or non-authenticity and any alterations they may bear.

Laboratory Examinations ^
By applying internationally recognized, scientifically documented and court-admissible scientific and technical methods, we conduct laboratory examinations for:
  1. determining the authenticity of EURO banknotes and coins and of other banknotes and coins, as well as securities and valuable instruments such as stamps, shares, cheques, lottery tickets, invoices, credit cards and similar items.
  2. determining the authenticity of security documents, by examining paper quality and characteristic security features of the document, such as watermark, security thread and ink visible under ultraviolet radiation, in public documents such as passports, identity cards, residence permits, driving licences and similar documents.
  3. determining alterations on printed forms and documents, for example mechanical erasures, chemical washings and photograph replacement.
  4. determining the methodology followed and identifying the means used for forgery, counterfeiting or false coinage.
Evaluation - Utilization ^
In addition, we conduct:
  • evaluation of laboratory-examination reports by state and other laboratories or specialists in cases related to forgery, counterfeiting and similar examinations.
  • utilization of evidence requiring further examination, by identifying forensic points for additional analysis, documentation and presentation, and by locating points for which laboratory examination or exploitation was possible but no corresponding request had been made.
Studies - Training ^
Furthermore, we undertake:
  • preparation of studies and submission of proposals concerning special security measures and special equipment for protection against forgery of various printed forms and documents, as well as credit or other cards. These studies and proposals mainly concern bodies such as credit institutions, private-sector or wider public-sector enterprises and similar organizations, and are adapted to the requirements of each body.
  • preparation of specialized training programs and information seminars for protection against the use of forged or counterfeited documents, banknotes, false coins and similar items, adapted to the requirements of each body.
  • quality control of the available equipment used for detecting falsity.
Indicative questions that may be raised, depending on the examined case ^
  1. Is the examined security document, such as a passport or identity card, forged from the outset or is it a genuine document that has been altered?
  2. Was the forged-from-the-outset security document printed by a classical printing method, such as OFFSET or screen printing, or were electronic means used, such as a computer, scanner, printer or colour photocopier?
  3. Does the forgery methodology and the means used indicate an organized workshop for producing forged security documents or an isolated case?
  4. Is the quality of the forged security document sufficient for it to be easily considered genuine, and at what level of examination: simple police check, bank-clerk check, passport control, or examination by trained forgery-investigation personnel or an expert?
  5. Does the counterfeiting methodology for a banknote, another value instrument or a false coin indicate an organized counterfeiting or false-coinage workshop, or an isolated case?
  6. Are the materials used to prepare the counterfeit banknote, value instrument or false coin available in ordinary commerce, or do they require access to more specialized suppliers, such as printing inks or holographic foils?
  7. Is the quality of the counterfeit banknote or false coin sufficient for it to be easily considered genuine, and at what level of examination: simple police check, bank-clerk check, passport control, or examination by trained forgery-investigation personnel or an expert?
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