Foster + Freeman | https://fosterfreeman.com/tag/vsc/ Improving the Quality of Forensic Evidence Tue, 27 Feb 2024 11:32:27 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.5.4 https://fosterfreeman.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/cropped-Site-Icon-32x32.png Foster + Freeman | https://fosterfreeman.com/tag/vsc/ 32 32 The Crucial Role of Forensic Science in Upholding Social Justice https://fosterfreeman.com/the-crucial-role-of-forensic-science-in-upholding-social-justice/ https://fosterfreeman.com/the-crucial-role-of-forensic-science-in-upholding-social-justice/#respond Fri, 16 Feb 2024 16:26:22 +0000 https://fosterfreeman.com/forensic-multispectral-imaging-in-fine-art-and-cultural-heritage-applications-with-vsc-and-crime-lite-copy/ With The United Nations World Day of Social Justice being observed on February 20th, we turn our attention to the role forensic science and technology plays in ensuring social justice is upheld and advanced across the globe.

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foster+freeman BLOG

The Crucial Role of Forensic Science in Upholding Social Justice

With The United Nations World Day of Social Justice being observed on February 20th, this blog post focusses on the crucial role that forensic science and technology plays in helping to ensure social justice is upheld and advanced across the globe.

The United Nations World Day of Social Justice represents a global commitment to promoting social justice, equality, and the fair treatment of all individuals, regardless of race, gender, religion, or socioeconomic status. Established in 2007, this commemorative day serves as a reminder of the international community’s shared responsibility to address social injustices and create a more inclusive and equitable world for present and future generations.

Background

How can forensic science uphold social justice?

For as long as the law has been enforced, it has been susceptible to bias, corruption, and the malignant influence of wider social inequalities, often resulting in terrible miscarriages of justice. The countless injustices of the colonial period, witch trials of the 16th and 17th centuries, or the case of François-Jean de la Barre, represent but a small selection of examples that demonstrate the vulnerability of justice systems to influence from racism, social prejudices, discrimination and personal grudges. Thankfully, in many modern cases, forensic evidence provides crucial impartiality and challenges the power of prejudice, preventing and overturning verdicts that may otherwise have been based on discriminatory beliefs.

At foster+freeman we take pride in being market-leaders in an industry so closely tied to upholding and enhancing social justice, and that each of our innovations has the power to contribute to providing greater social justice through increasing the quality and accessibility of forensic evidence. We are firm believers in the equality of forensic evidence and its ability to see through prejudice and discrimination, reveal truth in cases that may otherwise be swayed by bias and social inequality, and ensure that justice is upheld without being tainted by social inequalities.

In a world where justice is paramount for social harmony, forensic science stands as a cornerstone in the pursuit of truth and fairness, serving as more than just a tool for solving crimes. The objective nature of the discipline can ensure that the innocent are exonerated, the guilty are held accountable, and that truth can prevail amidst ambiguity, regardless of the effect of social injustices or biases. More than this, forensic science has the potential to address systemic biases themselves and contribute to a more just world for all.

Read on as we consider examples of how forensic science has upheld social justice, and how modern technologies are making it easier than ever to produce the quality forensic evidence necessary to achieve this.

DNA Evidence

DNA profiling has revolutionized forensic science and criminal investigation since its development in the 1980s. By providing a powerful tool for identifying suspects, exonerating the innocent, solving cold cases, and aiding in disaster victim identification, the accuracy and reliability of DNA profiling have made it an indispensable tool in the pursuit of social justice.

Since its inception in 1992, The Innocence Project, a non-profit organization dedicated to exonerating wrongfully convicted individuals, has utilized DNA analysis to overturn wrongful convictions. We can consider the case of Ronald Cotton, who was convicted in 1984 of raping Jennifer Thompson-Cannino in North Carolina.

Despite Thompson-Cannino’s confident identification of Cotton as her attacker, DNA evidence later proved his innocence. Forensic analysis of the biological evidence collected from the crime scene revealed that another man was the true perpetrator. Cotton spent 10 years in prison before DNA testing led to his exoneration in 1995. Thompson-Cannino and Cotton met following his exoneration and now work together to spread awareness about wrongful convictions and reforms.

We can also refer to the well-known case of the “Golden State Killer,” Joseph James DeAngelo, which exemplifies how forensic science can bring long-elusive perpetrators to justice. DeAngelo terrorized California in the 1970s and 1980s, committing a series of rapes and murders and eluding capture for decades. Advances in DNA technology enabled investigators to link DeAngelo to the crimes through genetic genealogy. By comparing DNA evidence collected from crime scenes to publicly available genealogy databases, forensic scientists identified distant relatives of the perpetrator, ultimately leading to DeAngelo’s arrest in 2018. Subsequent DNA testing confirmed his identity as the Golden State Killer, and he was sentenced to life in prison without parole.

Advances in forensic technology have vastly increased the ability of forensic examiners to screen for, capture and analyse body fluids and other physical evidence such as hair or fingernails at the crime-scene, allowing DNA to be collected and used as evidence in court. Multispectral alternative light sources, as found within our Crime-lite Range, empower CSIs to search for evidence using a range of wavelengths, with single devices such as the revolutionary Crime-lite AUTO now capable of providing illumination across the electromagnetic spectrum, imaging evidence through appropriate filters and capturing quality, court-ready photographic evidence. You can learn more about this process of fluorescence imaging with bandpass filters here.

A recent collaborative study between foster+freeman and L’Institut de Recherche Criminelle de la Gendarmerie Nationale (IRCGN) examined the modern methods used to identify body fluids on forensic evidence

read the article here:
Crime-lite Applications: Visualisation of fluorescence from STK Sperm Tracker™

Trace Evidence

The forensic analysis of trace evidence often plays a significant role in criminal investigations, providing the crucial link needed to make an arrest or secure a conviction. Trace evidence refers to small pieces of physical evidence, such as fibres, hair, glass fragments, and soil particles, that can be transferred between people, objects, and locations during a crime.

The forensic analysis of trace evidence plays a crucial role in determining the cause and origin of fires in arson investigations. By examining burn patterns, residue, accelerants, and other evidence collected from fire scenes, forensic scientists can reconstruct the events leading up to the fire and identify potential arsonists.

In a notable case in 2003, forensic analysis of debris collected from the scene of a deadly nightclub fire in Rhode Island revealed the presence of flammable materials and accelerants, indicating arson as the cause of the blaze. Subsequent investigations led to the arrest and conviction of the nightclub owners and others responsible for the fire, which claimed the lives of 100 people and injured more than 200 others. This case highlights the critical role of forensic analysis in holding individuals accountable for acts of arson and providing justice for the victims and their families.

Advancements in forensic technology make it easier for examiners to identify and examine trace evidence relating to a crime. During investigations, the use of alternate light sources to detect trace evidence is now commonplace, with advances in multispectral imaging and filters allowing examiners to detect evidence that would have otherwise been invisible to the naked eye. Enhancements in portable LASER technology led to the development of our Crime-lite LASER, further increasing the ability of examiners at the crime-scene to identify even the faintest traces of evidence.

Recovered items relating to an investigation can also be examined in a laboratory to identify trace evidence present. Devices such as our Crime-lite ML PRO and DISCOVER system are ideal for conducting multispectral bulk searches, ensuring that maximum trace evidence can be recovered efficiently.

Once trace evidence has been identified it can be analysed, with various methods being employed depending on the type of evidence in question. The foster+freeman ffTA is a powerful and flexible multi-functional system that provides the crime laboratory with a range of analytical facilities on a single microscope. The capabilities of the ffTA include glass refractive index measurement, multi-wavelength Raman Spectroscopy, light polarisation, fluorescence imaging and UV-Vis-IR micro spectroscopy. Learn more here.

Fingerprint Evidence

Although one of the oldest forensic identification techniques, the examination of fingerprints still plays a key role in upholding social justice in many cases, with developments in chemical treatment, hardware and software empowering examiners to recover, image, enhance and analyse fingerprints with ever increasing levels of success.

The crucial role of fingerprint evidence in solving cold cases is can be seen in the case of the “BTK Killer,” Dennis Rader, who terrorized Kansas for decades. Despite eluding capture for over 30 years, Rader’s downfall came in 2004 when forensic scientists linked his fingerprints to evidence found at one of the crime scenes. Rader’s fingerprints, combined with DNA evidence and behavioural analysis, provided the conclusive proof needed to secure his arrest and subsequent confession to ten murders. This case exemplifies how fingerprint analysis, when coupled with other forensic techniques, can be pivotal in closing longstanding criminal investigations and delivering closure to victims’ families.

During the 1990s the world of photography underwent a dramatic shift as digital cameras became commonly available to the general public, providing photographers with a quick and easy method of recording images that could be stored in a computerized file format or printed on demand.

However, while the digital camera became commercially ubiquitous, many forensic photographers remained unwilling to adopt the new technology fearing that digital images would not only be inferior in quality to film but that they would be highly susceptible to manipulation.

At the turn of the millennium attitudes towards digital photography changed as foster+freeman, in close collaboration with Wiltshire Constabulary, launched the DCS 121, a digital photography system offering tamperproof image validation software. As technology has progressed, so too has the DCS, with today’s DCS 5 representing a no-compromise imaging system for the illumination, visualisation, photography, and enhancement of almost any type of fingerprint on any surface or background, ensuring that maximum detail is revealed.

In order to be successfully imaged and analysed, many fingermarks require preliminary chemical treatment. Our industry-standard MVC Range of fuming cabinets are used globally to this end, with our unique RECOVER LFT featuring a cutting-edge chemical vapor fuming process to develop fingerprints on a range of difficult surfaces. RECOVER LFT is unique in its capability in developing fingermarks which have been exposed to extreme heat (discharged bullet casings, for example) and items that have been washed ‘clean’ in an attempt to prevent identification.

You can learn more about the RECOVER LFT in the these two webinars:

Cold Case Forensics: Using Modern Forensic Tech to Solve Decades Old Cases

RECOVER – Investigating Knife Crime: Fingerprint Recovery

Questioned Documents

The forensic examination of identity documents, such as passports, visas, and driver’s licenses, plays a crucial role in detecting and prosecuting cases of fraud and upholding social justice. In instances where individuals have potentially falsified or altered identity documents to gain entry into a country or obtain benefits fraudulently, forensic document examiners are able to analyse the authenticity of the documents and identify discrepancies or irregularities.

A 6-month investigation by Nantes border police, equipped with foster+freeman VSC Document Examination Technology, has unveiled a vast network of false documents allowing foreign students to enter or stay in France.

Document fraud has been referred to as an ‘engine of organised crime’, and plays a major role the ability of criminal gangs to corrupt and undermine social justice internationally. You can learn more in our recent blog post: Document Fraud: An Engine of Organised Crime.

By exposing fraudulent identity documents, forensic analysis helps uphold immigration laws, protect national security, and maintain the integrity of identity verification processes. Our VSC Range of document examination workstations represent best-in-class performance, providing examiners with a complete solution to the examination of questioned documents.

Conclusion

These examples illustrate the multifaceted role of forensic science in upholding social justice, from rectifying wrongful convictions to ensuring the guilty are brought to justice. We can also see how forensic science is able to provide confidence in the impartiality of our legal justice systems, providing a robust barrier to the influences of corruption, bias, prejudice and discrimination.

Forensic science acts as a beacon of hope in the pursuit of social justice, offering clarity amidst complexity and providing accountability in the face of wrongdoing.

By exonerating the innocent, uncovering truth, holding the guilty accountable, addressing biases, and embracing technological advancements, forensic science reinforces the foundations of a fair and equitable society.

As we recognise the importance of social justice on 20th February, we can also be proud to celebrate the role crucial role forensic science plays in ensuring it is upheld. In the years ahead, we are committed to continuing to enhance the quality and integrity of forensic evidence through innovation, and advocate for its ethical and responsible use in the service of justice.

Key Products 
to uphold social justice

Crime-lite Range

Our versatile Crime-lite products, offering powerful and consistent multispectral illumination from portable and robust devices, are ideal for detecting a range of evidence both at the crime scene and in laboratory settings.

The Crime-lite AUTO combines this multispectral illumination with powerful imaging capabilities and built-in filters and pre-sets, allowing examiners to visualise and capture details otherwise hidden from the naked eye, with the agility of a standard digital SLR.

Crime-lite AUTO multispectral forensic light source, ideal for forensic multispectral imaging in art and cultural heritage applications
VSC 900 questioned document examination workstation, ideal for forensic multispectral imaging in art and cultural heritage applications

VSC Range

Our VSC range of questioned document workstations are found at border security points and forensic laboratories across the globe. VSC devices excel in the detailed examination of both complex travel and identity documents and forensic evidence

The first in a new generation of hybrid VSC document examination systems, the VSC 900 provides examiners with a comprehensive suite of traditional and advanced tools for the interrogation and verification of passports, ID cards, visas, residence permits, and other questioned documents.

Related Webinars

Where serious crime demands intensive crime scene investigation, the Crime-lite 82S range offers levels of illumination and ease of use that will almost certainly increase the quantity and value of evidence detected.

RELATED WEBINAR

Victim First Forensics: Sexual Abuse and Sexual Violence

For Sexual Abuse and Sexual Violence Awareness Week we are exploring the methods by which forensic practitioners are able to gather evidence of sexual abuse and violence. Watch Now

RELATED WEBINAR

Advances in Forensic Technology: Disaster Victim Identification

Disaster Victim Identification can appear a lengthy process for forensic experts. The identification of a victim during a mass disaster is rarely possible via visual recognition, and specific evidence types such as fingerprints, dental records and DNA samples are required for a conclusive identification. In this webinar, we use case studies to examine a range of different scenarios to see how advances in technology allow the identification of victims which were previously impossible. Watch Now

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]]> https://fosterfreeman.com/the-crucial-role-of-forensic-science-in-upholding-social-justice/feed/ 0 VSC the premiere range of QDE workstations https://fosterfreeman.com/vsc-premiere-range-qde/ https://fosterfreeman.com/vsc-premiere-range-qde/#respond Fri, 09 Feb 2024 13:36:47 +0000 https://fosterfreeman.com/?p=19283 Today, the VSC has become the premier range for QDE workstations; it is the most innovative and precise tool to unravel mysteries hidden within documents, artefacts, and even passports. We delve into the rich history, technological intricacies, diverse applications, and profound impact of the VSC.

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foster+freeman BLOG

VSC: The premier range of QDE workstations

Today, the VSC has become the premier range for QDE workstations; it is the most innovative and precise tool to unravel mysteries hidden within documents, artefacts, and even passports. We delve into the rich history, technological intricacies, diverse applications, and profound impact of the VSC. From its pivotal role in forensic investigations, where it uncovers hidden details crucial for authenticity and fraud prevention, to its contributions in art conservation, where it unveils secrets hidden within historical artefacts, the VSC stands as a beacon of innovation, reliability, and precision in the realm of forensic technology. Join us as we journey through the evolution and significance of foster+freeman’s premier range of QDE workstations: the Video Spectral Comparator.

History

foster+freeman may be now known worldwide for its crime-lites or VSC instruments; however, back in 1978, Doug Foster and Bob Freeman came together for a research project where they developed foster+freeman’s first and most popular instrument. Such is the level of success achieved by the foster+freeman ESDA, the terms ESDA and ‘the ESDA process’ have become industry standard terminology for revealing indentations or impressions on paper.

The ESDA started as part of a research project to develop a non-chemical, non-destructive method of identifying fingerprints on fabric. While the project itself did not prove successful, the ESDA’s secondary use of detecting indented writing on paper proved to be of huge interest to document examiners worldwide.

With strong backing from the UK Home Office, Doug Foster and Bob Freeman formed a partnership and made the first run of ESDA devices from the garage at Doug’s home.

Following the success of the ESDA, foster+freeman set out building on their existing knowledge base of questioned document examination and looked at developing a workstation that would be far more advanced and complex. This workstation would enable examiners to perform infrared examinations of documents for the ‘rapid exposure of concealed information and assessment of authenticity’. This workstation would become the VSC-1 of the Video Spectral Comparator. Unlike any existing forensic instrument, the VSC used a highly sensitive camera to display variations in IR absorption and fluorescence on-screen, allowing examiners to make real-time adjustments to boost clarity and contrast. By 1990, the Video Spectral Comparator could be considered to be a global success, with over 400 VSC instruments having been sold in more than 45 countries.

The first models of the VSC had a limited spectral range, usually just UV and IR, with basic imaging capabilities. However, today’s versions of the VSC now include high-resolution 12MP cameras. Super-resolution imaging up to 127 MP and 15 modes of advanced UV-Vis-IR imaging. The first VSC to have its dedicated software package and be considered digital was introduced in 1985 with basic but for the time advanced questioned document capabilities. In comparison, today’s VSCs come with the latest and greatest in custom-built software packages. The VSC SUITE software maximises the effectiveness of document examinations by giving the user control of all VSC functions via a fluent, quick-access toolbar.

One of the main working mechanisms of the VSC is how a human eye perceives colour; when the eye sees a different colour, it perceives a different wavelength of light. It also uses the electromagnetic spectrum; the VSC does not just use the visible spectrum of light that a human eye can see. It employs the use of the electromagnetic spectrum, which includes UV and infrared light sources.

Foster + Freeman VSC 2 . 1990 forensic examination system for questioned documents.

How Does it work?

The VSC works on the principle of light and electromagnetic radiation. The principle states that, generally, when light hits a surface, multiple interactions between the light and the object result in different emitted wavelengths. The types of interactions are defined as the following.

Reflection: this is where the object reflects all or most of the light. Absorption: where the item absorbs all or most of the light. Reflection and absorption where a combination of both occur. Transmission, where light passes through an object, and finally, luminescence, light is absorbed and then re-emitted.

The VSC works on the perception of colours; we see different light wavelengths when we see a different colour. As some details we seek in questioned document examination are often hidden and non-visible, we have to access non-visible areas of the light spectrum. We achieve this with the VSC by using multi-spectral illumination; this is achieved with full LED illumination picked for wavelength accuracy.


When we expose a document to a wavelength of light, particularly the non-visible wavelengths ultraviolet (200nm-400nm) and infrared (700nm – 1000nm), any light that is reflected we would not be able to visualise without the use of special filters to isolate these wavelengths. These filters are such as Bandpass filters (400-700nm), long pass filters (>700nm), short pass filters (<400nm), polarizing filters, neutral density filters and IR/UV filters.

The VSC uses multiple illumination methods to find a document’s hidden details. Some features, like ridges or indentations, are not visible when lit from a spot or flood light, but we can visualize the indentation when using oblique lighting. The VSC uses spot, flood, oblique, and transmitted lighting to detect more evidence.

VSC80 IR imaging counterfeit

Applications

What are the use cases for the VSC?

The VSC is a highly versatile machine; it was first developed and made to advance the ESDA process. Originally it was just thought to be for the forensic level examination of documents; however, in the 40 years since the first VSC was made, the world of questioned documents has changed drastically, and so has the technology of the VSC. With thousands of machines used daily worldwide, the VSC is employed in several scenarios. With the modern VSC using the latest and greatest technology in terms of camera, light sources, software and imaging capabilities, it is no surprise that the VSC is used for a wide range of applications, not just questioned documents.

Forensic Examination of Documents

VSCs are now the most advanced QDE workstations worldwide; the VSC combines sophisticated digital imaging and multi-wavelength illumination technology with a clear and efficient software interface to provide a complete solution to examining all questioned documents.

The VSC can perform a multi-spectral illumination examination of a questioned document to reveal its hidden details and uncover the evidence. It can see through the layers of a document to reveal how it was tampered with. It can differentiate between original and copied signatures and writing.

The VSC is often used to examine documents for ink analysis; different inks fluoresce under varied light conditions based on their properties. Even inks from the same source have different properties; we can use the VSC workstations to analyse these inks and see when/if a document was tampered with.

The VSC includes a unique microspectrometer. Adding further functionality to VSC workstations, this compact fibre-coupled spectrometer, with a 3x zoom microscope, captures real-time absorption, reflectance, fluorescence and transmitted spectra to be displayed on-screen in a simple graphical format. An ideal technique for the discrimination of visually similar inks, including ballpoint and liquid ink pens, micro spectrometry has also been demonstrated to be effective in the study of the sequence of intersecting lines.

Card Grading

in recent years, online trading, valuation and authentication of collectable trading cards has been transformed from a niche pastime into a multi-million dollar industry. As the market for trading cards continues to grow, collectors are increasingly turning to third-party grading companies to verify the authenticity and condition of their cards.

As Collectible Card Game (CCG) and Trading Card Game (TCG) items have increased in value, so too requires these items to be accurately verified, authenticated and graded (for quality). In addition to rarity, factors including authenticity, quality, and condition can significantly affect a card’s valuation. Due to this, card grading companies are increasingly turning to forster+freeman VSC technology as they seek to identify a forensic-level solution to card grading.

​Card grading companies use VSC forensic technology to authenticate and grade high-value trading cards, employing various techniques to analyse the cards’ physical properties and characteristics.

Surface analysis under high magnification:

Using a VSC card graders are able to examine the surface of a card for evidence of alterations, alterations or irregularities. For example, they may look for signs of erasing, re-inking, or other modifications indicating forgery or tampering.

Multi-spectral UV-Vis-IR examination:

Full spectral imaging can reveal details on a card that may not be visible under normal lighting conditions. Card grading companies use UV light to detect hidden elements, such as watermarks or fibres, that can help confirm the card’s authenticity.

Spectrometry and Ink Analysis:

Using a high-level VSC8000/HS system, card grading companies can analyse the ink used on a card to estimate its age and determine its authenticity. Using micro-spectrometry, it is possible to analyse the chemical composition of the ink and compare it to known samples

Digital Imaging:

Card grading companies may use digital imaging techniques to capture high-resolution images of the card’s surface and features. These images can be used to compare the card to known authentic examples and identify any differences or irregularities. These images are often supplied to the card’s owner as part of the grading service.

​Immigration and border security

One of the use cases for the VSC that is exponentially growing in popularity is the use of immigration and border security. Passports have become a highly valuable commodity, serving as vital travel documents that allow individuals to cross international borders. To protect these documents, governments commission more advanced security features designed to prevent counterfeiting and forgery. The technology in these passports is so advanced that it caused a shift in VSC technology.

VSCs combine multispectral illumination and unrivalled image quality for the optical examination of travel documents. Document examiners can quickly and efficiently perform a surface-level multispectral examination of the document as a first line of defence.

Furthermore, VSCs can now examine the strongest defence line embedded in travel documents, such as ePassports. The VSC can take the data embedded in the chip of the ePassport, decode it and display it to the examiner. The VSC includes Assure ID; this powerful software tool allows the examiner to extract the biometric data on the chip to perform 50+ forensic documents-specific tests, each with a pass/fail authentication.

Another way in which the VSC900 can detect cases of identity fraud is through Facial Identification.​ ​

Using an external camera, the VSC900 can perform facial recognition examinations, comparing a live image against a printed photograph and an embedded eChip image.​

Unlike human examiners, the VSC900/Gemalto system can achieve a high level of accuracy  while also minimizing the risk of false positives or false negatives with a false acceptance rate (FAR) of less than 1 in 10,000

Conclusion

The journey of foster+freeman’s VSC (Video Spectral Comparator) from its inception in 1978 to its current status as the premier range of QDE (Questioned Document Examination) workstations is a testament to innovation, adaptability and the pursuit of excellence in forensic technology. What started as a response to the need for a non-chemical, non-destructive method of identifying fingerprints on fabric evolved into a global success story with the ESDA and, eventually, the groundbreaking VSC.

Over the years, the VSC has undergone significant advancements, transforming from its early models with limited spectral range to today’s state-of-the-art workstations equipped with high-resolution cameras, sophisticated imaging capabilities, and cutting-edge software packages like the VSC SUITE. Its ability to utilize multi-spectral illumination, including UV and infrared light, allows examiners to delve into non-visible areas of the light spectrum, enabling the detection of hidden details crucial in questioned document examination.

The applications of the VSC have expanded far beyond its initial forensic focus. The VSC has become an indispensable tool in various fields, showcasing its versatility and adaptability to meet the evolving demands of modern technology. From forensic examination of documents, where it can differentiate between original and copied signatures, to its pivotal role in immigration and border security, the VSC plays a vital role in ensuring document authenticity and preventing fraud.

The intersection of technology and art conservation is another remarkable chapter in the VSC’s story. Its contribution to digitizing historical artefacts, such as the Beowulf manuscript, demonstrates the impact of this technology in revealing hidden details and preserving cultural heritage.

As we look back at the 40-year journey of the VSC, we recognize not only its technological evolution but also its significant contributions to diverse fields. From crime investigation to art restoration, the VSC stands as a symbol of precision, reliability, and innovation in the world of forensic technology. foster+freeman’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of what is possible has truly made the VSC the premier choice for professionals worldwide seeking the highest standards in questioned document examination.

Learn More

VSC900 Document Examination System

VSC® 900

The complete solution for hybrid document interrogations

Introducing a new VSC workstation for the hybrid physical and digital inspection of travel and identity documents, designed to meet the complex demands of immigration/border security applications.


The first in a new generation of hybrid VSC document examination systems, the VSC 900 provides examiners with a comprehensive suite of traditional and advanced tools for the interrogation and verification of passports, ID cards, visas, residence permits, and other questioned documents.

View Product Page

VSC® 8000/HS

For the expert analysis of questioned documents

Our most advanced QDE workstation to date, the VSC 8000/HS combines sophisticated digital imaging and multi-wavelength illumination technology with a clear and efficient software interface, to provide a complete solution to the examination of all questioned documents.

Cutting-edge examination techniques including, multi-spectral imaging (from UV through the visible to IR); 3D topographical imaging; hyper-spectral imaging; and full-spectrum color analysis; may all be used to authenticate questioned documents, detect evidence of tampering, and to identify counterfeits and frauds.

View product page

VSC 8000HS Questioned Document Forensic Examining Tool.
Airport
Airport

RELATED WEBINAR

New Frontiers in Document Examination

In this webinar, we will explore the latest techniques and technology used by immigration staff and questioned document examiners to forensically analyze travel and identity documents.

Watch Now

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]]> https://fosterfreeman.com/vsc-premiere-range-qde/feed/ 0 Forensic Multispectral Imaging in Art and Cultural Heritage https://fosterfreeman.com/forensic-multispectral-imaging-in-fine-art-and-cultural-heritage-applications-with-vsc-and-crime-lite/ https://fosterfreeman.com/forensic-multispectral-imaging-in-fine-art-and-cultural-heritage-applications-with-vsc-and-crime-lite/#respond Fri, 19 Jan 2024 12:00:00 +0000 https://fosterfreeman.com/document-fraud-an-engine-of-organised-crime-copy-2/ Following the 22nd Symposium for the Study of Underdrawing and Technology in Painting, we explore how the forensic multispectral imaging capabilities of the VSC and Crime-lite Range can excel in fine art and cultural heritage applications.

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foster+freeman BLOG

Forensic Multispectral Imaging in Fine Art and Cultural Heritage Applications

This month marked the 22nd Symposium for the Study of Underdrawing and Technology in Painting, with foster+freeman delighted to have a team of staff in attendance to present our unique Crime-lite AUTO and new VSC 900 to experts within the field, showcasing their forensic multispectral imaging capabilities in fine art and cultural heritage applications.

These products, from our market-leading VSC and Crime-lite ranges, offer Infrared, Visible and Ultraviolet multispectral imaging, empowering examiners to reveal hidden information, detect forgeries and better conserve our cultural heritage.

Read on as we make use of case studies to explore the value foster+freeman VSC and Crime-lite products offer in fine art and cultural heritage applications.

A book undergoes multispectral imaging analysis using a foster+freeman VSC 8000/HS workstation

A book undergoes multispectral imaging analysis using a VSC 8000/HS workstation

foster+freeman VSC 900 and Crime-lite AUTO during a product demonstration at the 22nd Symposium for the Study of Underdrawing and Technology in Painting

foster+freeman VSC 900 and Crime-lite AUTO during a product demonstration at the symposium

The symposium brought together experts from leading organizations in the field in Leuven and Brussels for a three-day congress, organised by KU Leuven, Illuminare, UCLouvain, Musea Brugge, KIK-IRPA, KBR and M Leuven.

Providing a scientific forum for researchers in the field to share and discuss the latest technical studies in art history, this years event focussed on art from the Middle Ages and Early Modern period, exploring the applications of forensic multispectral imaging in art and cultural heritage.

The conference focussed particular attention on the technical considerations of examining art produced on varied substrates and in a wide range of media, including canvas, cartoons, drawings, panel paintings, painting on parchment, sketches, sketchbooks, manuscript illuminations, and prints.

You can find more information on the symposium here:
Technical Art Studies – 2024 I Leuven (technicalartstudies2024leuven.be)
Symposium XXIII for the Study of the Underdrawing and Technology in Painting | KIK-IRPA (kikirpa.be)

Key Products
for forensic multispectral imaging in art and cultural heritage

VSC 900 questioned document examination workstation, ideal for forensic multispectral imaging in art and cultural heritage applications

VSC Range

While our VSC range of multispectral illumination workstations has its roots in questioned document examination, often in immigration and law enforcement settings, it also represents a powerful tool in the hands of an art authenticator, researcher or conservator.

Found at border security points across the globe, VSC devices excel in the detailed examination of complex travel and identity documents. The same qualities that facilitate the successful forensic examination of a passport, for example, complete with myriad features invisible to the naked eye, naturally lend themselves to the detailed analysis of artworks and cultural artefacts, with the VSC range representing significant opportunities for forensic multispectral imaging in art and cultural heritage applications.

Crime-lite Range

We originally conceived the Crime-lite range of multispectral forensic light sources for use in law enforcement applications, as the name suggestions. However, like our VSC products, Crime-lites excel in wide-reaching applications beyond their original purposes.

Our versatile Crime-lite products, offering powerful and consistent multispectral illumination from portable and robust devices, are ideal for examining artworks and cultural artifacts. Importantly, Crime-lites prove effective not only in lab settings but also in-situ, making them the preferred choice when dealing with objects that may be too large or fragile to be moved practically.

Our Crime-lite AUTO combines this multispectral illumination with powerful imaging capabilities and built-in filters and pre-sets, allowing examiners to visualise and capture details otherwise hidden from the naked eye, on-site and with the agility of a standard digital SLR.

Crime-lite AUTO multispectral forensic light source, ideal for forensic multispectral imaging in art and cultural heritage applications

Background

Multispectral Imaging and Infrared Reflectography

Multispectral imaging refers to capturing images of a document under different illumination wavelengths across the electromagnetic spectrum (including UV, visible and Infrared light), which can then be analysed. One key technique used to examine artworks and manuscripts is Infrared reflectography. This technique is based on the ability of infrared light to penetrate layers of paint, paper and other materials that visible light cannot, allowing an examiner to see beneath the surface of a document and reveal otherwise hidden details. Different materials will also react differently under specific IR wavelengths, allowing them to be isolated from one another and analysed individually.

UNDERDRAWINGS

With specific reference to paintings, it is common practice for artists to make marks on the substrate before going on to cover these with the layers of paint which form the surface of the painting. These ‘underdrawings’ often act as a plan or sketch for the artist to follow, helping them to finalise the composition and other elements of the work. With individual artists generally having their own distinct style, technique and choice of underdrawing materials, analysis of these hidden layers can help to determine the legitimacy of a painting or provide insight into the methods of its production.

In order to use IR to successfully analyse underdrawings and other hidden details beneath the visible surface of an artwork, an Infrared light source is required to illuminate the artwork, with any light reflected back from various materials being captured and recorded using a specialist camera and filters.

Our VSC workstations and Crime-lite AUTO house these elements within a single unit, alongside specialist software, making the process of Infrared reflectography efficient, intuitive and, most importantly, effective. With this in mind, we will now consider case study examples of multispectral imaging and Infrared reflectography using these products:

VSC Case Studies

Northwestern University
Conservation and Multispectral Imaging with VSC 80

Jess Ortegon, graduate fellow at the Winterthur/University of Delaware Art Conservation Program, provides an excellent case study on forensic multispectral imaging in art and cultural heritage, (Looking a Little Deeper: Conservation and Multispectral Imaging), detailing research conducted at Northwestern University Library, which perfectly demonstrates the capabilities of the VSC 80 and the invaluable role it plays in specific conservation applications.

Working to conserve the university’s collection of manuscripts for further research, the multispectral imaging capabilities of the VSC 80 facilitate the non-invasive and non-destructive analysis of fragile manuscripts, allowing conservators to identify a range of materials present in the artefact, including adhesives, pigments, coatings and structural elements, with this information informing the optimal treatment methods, or whether to avoid any conservation action altogether if there is a significant risk of damaging or destroying the document.

NUL has over 5,000 Arabic script materials in their collection, dating from the 19th and 20th centuries. As a valuable resource for ongoing scholarly research, conservation of the collection is vital, with staff using multispectral imaging to conduct analysis of the papers and inks used and identify watermarks that would otherwise be invisible. The findings from this analysis are valuable in themselves to researchers studying the provenance of the materials, as well as informing treatment decisions by the conservators.

“We’re using the VSC80 for all of our analysis in this project as it’s able to replace multiple pieces of equipment used for each MSI technique (light tables, UV lamps, specialized IR cameras). It also has consistent, reproducible results, which is very important when recording and sharing results from such a large collection.”

PAPER ANALYSIS

Analysis of the manuscripts begins by using transmitted light to examine physical characteristics of the paper, in the hope of revealing information relating to its manufacturing processes, including laid and chain lines or watermarks. Through magnification, measurement and annotation of images of the manuscript, the VSC 80 provides examiners with detailed and accurate information on the density of laid and chain lines and the size of any watermarks present, with watermarks being used by researchers to gain insight into the geographical source of the paper stock and related trade and commerce routes.

INK ANALYSIS

Inks are analysed under both UV and IR illumination, with UV being used to observe fluorescence and IR indicating whether radiation was reflected or absorbed by the ink. While identifying inks with certainty is rare, gaining an understanding of their properties can help to identify similarities and differences amongst various inks, providing further valuable information for future research. The VSC stores the illumination parameters alongside each image, allowing examiners to easily compare the response of other inks under the same conditions.

REVEALING HIDDEN TEXT

Ortegon outlines the process by which multispectral illumination is used to reveal important hidden text on a letter without the risk of damage. The letter in question, from French-American artist and naturalist John James Audubon to his family, had previously been repaired by being adhered to another piece of paper which obscured important postage details, such as stamps, seals and the recipient’s address. To access this information, conservators considered removing the paper backing, however further investigation suggested the letter was written in water-soluble ink and such a procedure could cause significant damage.

To mitigate any risk to the document, conservators again turned to the multispectral imaging capabilities of the VSC 80, initially using transmitted light to observe the address and pinpoint its location on the reverse of the letter. IR illumination and filters were then employed to increase the legibility of the address, isolating it from other text by examining the reaction of different materials under precise radiation levels, a process which also revealed previously invisible stamps and fold lines. In this instance MSI proved invaluable, providing valuable information to researchers while avoiding potentially destructive or invasive treatment.

“Our observations and analysis using the VSC 80 will help to better contextualize the materiality of our collections and continue to mitigate potentially risky treatments”

View the article for images:
Looking a Little Deeper: Conservation and Multispectral Imaging

Ackland Art Museum
VSC 8000, Rembrandt Drawing

Ackland Art Museum curator, Dana Cowen, and paper conservator, Grace White, used the multispectral imaging capabilities of the VSC 8000 to examine a rare Rembrandt drawing from the Museum’s Peck Collection, revealing previously unknown and intriguing details which would otherwise be invisible to the naked eye.

During examination under IR illumination, they discovered anachronistic details in the drawing that had been added with a different material to the iron gall ink used by Rembrandt. The discovery was possible as iron gall ink transmits under Infrared light, becoming nearly invisible, whereas the more recent carbon ink present in the drawing absorbs Infrared, becoming darker and more visible. To the naked eye iron gall ink is dark enough to prevent the carbon ink from ever being discernible.

It is believed the carbon ink lines were added by a previous owner of the drawing to visually repair a degraded area of iron gall ink, in an attempt to improve the piece. This discovery provides researchers and students with an insight into the past lives of an object, and how it can best be preserved for future generations.

VSC at The Courtauld

Traces: Renaissance Drawings for Flemish Prints (18 Jun – 25 Sep 2022) at The Courtauld Gallery offered visitors the opportunity to look below the surface of the work of some of the most renowned Netherlandish artists of the Renaissance era.

Using the VSC 8000/HS, researchers were able to reveal traces left by the artists and craftspeople who produced many of the designs for the burgeoning Antwerp print trade throughout the 16th-century.

The video demonstrates how the process of multispectral imaging was used to analyse a drawing, by Jan van der Straet and engraved by Philips Galle, to gain valuable insight into the working methods of the draughtsman and engraver, revealing traces that would otherwise be near-invisible to the naked eye.

The Art of Experiment: Parmigianino at The Courtauld (5 Mar – 5 June 2022), a collaboration involving research students at The Courtauld, aimed to shed new light on the work of the pioneering Renaissance artist.  

In preparation for the exhibition, technical examinations were conducted on the featured drawings, revealing two new drawings hidden beneath historic mounts. The initial discovery was made on the back of the Study for the Coronation of the Virgin for Santa Maria della Steccata, Parma, where Infrared reflectography revealed a male nude drawn on the reverse side.

In the video, Courtauld Conservator of Works on Paper, Kate Edmondson, uses a VSC 8000/HS to demonstrate a range of techniques that were used in preparation for the exhibition, exploring the drawings to reveal previously undetected details.

Crime-lite AUTO Case Studies

Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands (RCE)
‘Lab on the Road’

In Autumn 2021 the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands (RCE) began their ‘Lab on the Road’ project, with researchers using mobile research equipment to conduct examinations and analysis of artworks and artefacts on-site at 8 museums across the Netherlands by the end of 2023. Such was the success of the project that the lab will be hitting the road again in April 2024.


Find more info on the project here.

Much of the success of the project can be attributed to advancements in portable forensic science technology and the devices made available to the researchers, with the foster+freeman Crime-lite AUTO being included in an arsenal of equipment alongside XRF scanners, microscopes and spectrometers. The portability and agility of the device, alongside its powerful multispectral illumination capabilities and integrated multispectral camera makes it an ideal choice for forensic multispectral imaging in art and cultural heritage applications, and foster+freeman were delighted to learn of its successful contributions to the project, resulting in some significant finds.

Crime-lite AUTO chosen to examine Mount Athos

Mount Athos, also known as the Holy Mountain, is an autonomous monastic state within Greece which holds great significance in the Eastern Orthodox Christian tradition. The site was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988, recognising the cultural significant of its historical monastic heritage and the unique ecosystems found on the mountain.

Consisting of 20 Eastern Orthodox monasteries and often referred to as the “Garden of the Virgin Mary”, Mount Athos is considered one of the most important spiritual centres in the Orthodox Christian world and attracts pilgrims from around the world.

A team of experienced conservators selected the Crime-lite AUTO when embarking on a trip to uncover hidden details within the Byzantine artwork of Mount Athos. Through the use of a combination of UV, visible, and Infrared imaging, the team of experts successfully revealed significant features in the artworks that had remained hidden from view for hundreds of years. The portability of the device proved vital to the success of the project, where moving the artworks to a lab setting would have been impossible.

Broader Applications: ffTA

While multispectral imaging and Infrared reflectography play a key role in the examination and analysis of artworks and artefacts, there are a plethora of other forensic methods which can be utilized in these applications, including microscopy, spectrometry and light polarisation, which can be conducted using the foster+freeman ffTA.

The ffTA is a powerful and flexible multi-functional system that provides a range of analytical facilities on a single microscope. By switching from module to module the operator is able to perform a wide range of analytical tasks and extract the maximum amount of forensic information in the shortest possible time.

Foster + Freeman ffTA multi-examination system for trace evidence

MICROSCOPY

At the heart of the ffTA is the Leica DM2700M laboratory microscope, a device whose ancestors have been the primary tool of the art investigator or authenticator for centuries. This microscope is combined with high power LED illumination, creating a unique modular system which enables the examiner to add required functions and quickly switch between them using an optical multiplexer.

Microscopy is a key method in observing craquelure, tiny cracks which appear in a paintings surface over time, the analysis of which can help to identify the provenance and authenticity of an artwork. Acting much like a fingerprint, craquelure can be used as a unique identifier for a painting, with artworks from different climates, countries and time periods having different craquelure patterns. Microscopy also allows the investigator to get a detailed look at how paint has been layered on an artwork and if paint has been added anachronistically: a telltale sign of a fraudulent piece.

SPECTROSCOPY

The ffTA offers modules which allow the user to undertake multi-wavelength Raman Spectroscopy and UV-Vis-IR Micro Spectroscopy. These techniques can be used to identify the properties of particular materials found in an artwork or artefact, and compare them with other known quantities to determine the legitimacy of the subject piece.

LIGHT POLARISATION

Consisting of a pair of polarizers, a retardation plate, and a 360-degree circular rotating specimen stage with Vernier scales, this ffTA module enables birefringence to be measured to an accuracy of 0.1 degrees, and is highly effective in the detection and identification of fibres, making it an ideal tool for the examination and analysis of tapestries, historic clothing and other fabrics of cultural significance.

Conclusion

Having explored how our VSC workstations and Crime-lite AUTO are being used for forensic multispectral imaging in art and cultural heritage applications, it is apparent that each product possesses the capabilities to become invaluable tools for professionals working in specialisms across the field. We can also see that while these two products facilitate the same key technique of multispectral imaging, the respective methods by which they achieve this make them each ideal for specific applications, with the Crime-lite AUTO in particular representing a key technological development in the study of in-situ artworks and artefacts.

We also briefly touched on the ffTA, the potential cultural heritage applications of which are as-yet not fully explored. With the same holding true for other products in our range, such as the powerful DCS 5 system, we look forward to exploring the broader applications of our product range and the opportunities for discovery they hold.

We believe the development of technologies found in our VSC workstations and Crime-lite AUTO clearly represents a time of opportunity for researchers, examiners and conservators within the world of fine art and cultural heritage to advance the field and continue to explore, protect and learn from the artworks and artefacts of our cultural past.

As manufacturers, and researchers in our own right, it is exciting to be involved in sectors beyond law enforcement and border security, particularly when such valuable discoveries are being made. We look forward to continuing to develop best-in-class products which excel in fine art and cultural heritage applications, attending related future events and building meaningful working relationships in the sector.

Learn More

VSC® 8000/HS

Advanced Forensic Analysis of Manuscripts, Paintings, Documents, Canvases and more…

The VSC combines sophisticated optics with multi-wavelength illumination technology to provide a complete solution to the examination and interrogation of manuscripts, drawings and paintings. Features include:

  • High-Resolution 12MP camera
  • Super Resolution Imaging (SRI) up to 127MP  
  • 250x magnification
  • 15 Modes of advanced UV-Vis-IR imaging
  • 3D document imaging
  • Integrated microspectrometer 
  • Motorized XY document positioning stage
  • Calibration and self-test diagnostic tools

View Product Page

VSC8000HS QDE Workstation, ideal for forensic multispectral imaging in art and cultural heritage applications
VSC 900 questioned document examination workstation, ideal for forensic multispectral imaging in art and cultural heritage applications

VSC® 900

The Complete Solution for the Analysis of Artworks and Cultural Artefacts

The first in a new generation of hybrid VSC document examination systems, primarily focused on the interrogation and verification of travel and identity documents, the VSC 900 also excels in the evaluation of artwork and cultural artefacts, providing examiners with a comprehensive suite of traditional and advanced tools for forensic analysis. Features include:

  • High-Resolution 8MP camera
  • Large (A4) document viewing area
  • 158x magnification
  • Full LED illumination
  • Fully-licensed data decoders
  • Motorised XY positioning stage
  • Choice of embedded or external PC

View product page

Crime-lite® AUTO

A Compact and Portable Solution for the Multispectral Examination of artworks

Forensic imaging technology meets powerful multi-spectral illumination in this complete solution to the multispectral imaging of artworks and artefacts. Features include:

  • Complete all-in-one search and imaging device
  • Full-spectrum UV/Vis/IR camera
  • 55x illumination wavebands
  • Automatic filter selection
  • Autofocus image/video capture
  • Simple touch panel interface
  • Intuitive software and companion app

View product page

Crime-lite AUTO forensic light source, ideal for forensic multispectral imaging in art and cultural heritage applications

RELATED WEBINAR

Fine Art, Fingerprints and Forgeries

In this webinar, we explore how forensic technology is being used by museums, galleries, and conservators to reveal hidden histories and separate masterpieces from masterfakes. We look in-depth at the theories behind the techniques used by museums, galleries, and conservators, and demonstrate how foster+freeman products can help sport fakes in real-world scenarios. Watch Now

Further Information and Reading

foster+freeman products are widely used by museums, art galleries, universities, and national libraries worldwide, many of whom use the technology to produce valuable research in their fields. See the following links for further details of published research applications:

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foster+freeman BLOG

Document Fraud: An Engine of Organised Crime

Passports, travel and identity documents are precious commodities that allow individuals to cross international borders, and serve as a means of identity for a range of purposes, such as opening a bank account, applying for a job, or obtaining a driver’s license

An international problem, document fraud has previously been identified as being one of the 3 central pillars of organised crime, with their use being linked to a wide variety of criminal activity.

EUROPOL European Union’s law enforcement agency

“Document fraud is a key facilitator for organised crime. Document fraud entails the production and use of counterfeit documents as well as the use of genuine documents obtained utilizing deception or misrepresentation. The production and use of fraudulent documents have also been linked to terrorist actors. Document fraudsters and forgers manipulate or produce all types of identity, travel, and administrative documents.

Fraudulent documents are used and traded extensively among OCGs and represent a significant obstacle in the fight against serious and organised crime. Fraudulent IDs are in high demand and are the most traded type of fraudulent document. Increasingly, fraudulent documents are traded online. Online marketplaces are used by criminals to display the range of genuine documents on offer and allow document forgers to receive orders directly from clients.”

Securing Modern Travel Documents

Recent advancements in technology have revolutionized the way governments and organizations protect these documents. One of the most significant advancements in safeguarding these crucial documents is the invention of biometric authentication. Many countries are now employing the use of biometric data, such as fingerprint or facial recognition, this extra data not only adds an extra layer of security but also helps expedite the screening process. These high-tech passports contain embedded microchips that store biographical information and a digital image, further fortifying the document against tampering or counterfeiting. Furthermore, secure encryption methods are employed to protect the data stored on these chips.

Authenticating Travel & Identity Documents

Fraudsters may employ a tactic of document fraud called alteration. This is where they try to change the data in a genuine document. Typically, a fraudster will try to alter or substitute the photo on a real passport, alteration of the biographical data on the page or in the MRZ (machine-readable zone), deletions of visa entries or stamps, erasure of biographical data and alteration of personal data. To deal with this we have to employ a hybrid way of securing your personal data. Personal data should be inserted inside the document structure, not just on the surface. This will make it difficult for fraudsters to reach, alter, or recreate it. Personal data should be interlocked with security features. The forged passport will, therefore, show clear and visible traces of alteration.

The advent of ePassports, and the increased sophistication of the biometric chips that are embedded into documents, have compelled fraudsters to improve the quality of their fraudulent documents. 

To crack down on ever-evolving criminals the technology to identify fraudulent documents has to evolve as well.

foster+freeman VSC technology provides a solution to combat document fraudsters. Designed from the ground up for the hybrid physical/digital examination of modern biometric security documents, VSC systems are designed to identify counterfeit documents, detect cases of identity fraud, and build up a complete case of evidence with which to convict and dismantle these powerful criminal networks.

VSC® 900

The complete solution for hybrid document interrogations

Introducing a new VSC workstation for the hybrid physical and digital inspection of travel and identity documents, designed to meet the complex demands of immigration/border security applications.

The first in a new generation of hybrid VSC document examination systems, the VSC 900 provides examiners with a comprehensive suite of traditional and advanced tools for the interrogation and verification of passports, ID cards, visas, residence permits, and other questioned documents.

Find out more

VSC Applications

physical document examination
Examination of a passport and UV fluorescent thread

Physical Document Examination

The product of 40+ years’ design, research and experience, the VSC 900 includes the latest foster+freeman optical imaging technology to visualise and interrogate document security features including watermarks; holograms; special inks; and security threads; as well as anti-tampering measures, such as perforations; laminates; and heat-sealed edges etc.

High resolution, 8MP imaging providing over A4/US Letter field of view

Up to 1023 LED illumination combinations at all spectral wavelengths  (short-, mid- and long-wave UV, through to near-infrared)

Removable transmitted light base with optional XY-Stage

Digital Document Examination

Digital Document Examination

Providing a comprehensive interface for the control of all VSC illumination, imaging and examination tools, the VSC900 software will be instantly accessible to anyone familiar with the VSC line of instruments. Updated to facilitate the hybrid inspection of ‘digital documents’, the VSC900 includes the following advanced features:

Decode embedded security features using fully licenced decoders

Extract biometric data and perform document-specific tests with Pass/Fail authentication

View data contained on the RFID chip of a Machine-Readable Travel Document (MRTD) using Extended Access Control (EAC)

Find Out More…

Explore More: Forensic Science Webinar

New Frontiers in Document Examination

In this webinar, we explore the latest techniques and technology used by immigration staff and questioned document examiners for the forensic analysis of travel and identity documents.

Watch Now

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