Arif Mamedov, President and CEO at Regula USA explores on-the-go identity verification and forensic document examination.

The workload facing law enforcement agencies has increased and relates to the use of advanced technology by criminals to forge documents and banknotes as well as the growing mobility of the world’s population, leading to a higher demand for identity verification, often on the go. This has put a strain on law enforcement, but is there a solution to these challenges?

Mobile identity verification

Movement across borders is increasing and while authentication at designated control points is feasible, it becomes challenging during large migration waves or in regions with a unified security perimeter. In some cases, there may be no border control points (with a unified security perimeter, such as the EU), and identity verification may need to be done by law enforcement agents while out in the field, for instance on trains or buses. This creates a pain point, as stationary authentication of documents becomes impossible.

While portable forensic magnifiers may be used, identifying security elements on foreign documents is difficult without specific knowledge. A full-functionality mobile document reader for law enforcement can be the most effective solution for proper identity verification in such situations.

Regula, a global developer of forensic devices and identity verification solutions, has launched a solution to tackle this issue – the Regula 7310 mobile workstation. It is the sole portable device that facilitates precise authentication of biometric and document data in any location or situation. The device contains essential light sources for reading almost all types of identity documents. The workstation runs on the Regula Document Reader SDK, an in-house identity verification software that utilizes advanced optical character recognition (OCR) technology.

The Regula 7310 mobile workstation offers a comprehensive verification process. It scans a document using white, ultraviolet and infrared light to identify its type and detect machine-readable zones (MRZ), RFID chips or barcodes if available. It then selects the appropriate document template from Regula’s extensive database (which currently contains 12,000 document templates) to compare the presented ID and verify its authenticity. Regula’s SDK captures and extracts data from the document’s MRZ, RFID chips, barcodes and visual zones, cross-checking it against all data zones to detect any alterations and identify any fraudulent documents.

In addition to document verification, Regula 7310 also allows users to obtain biometric data through its fingerprint scanner and face-matching module. The Regula SDK precisely identifies individuals and verifies whether a document belongs to the person. The software matches the photo captured using the workstation camera to the photo from the document, including an RFID chip photo.

Regula’s software handles the entire recognition, processing and verification process, making it possible for law enforcement to work without an internet connection. This feature provides an added advantage for efficient identity verification on the go.

Designing an ideal forensic laboratory

The proliferation of professional printing equipment and widespread availability of information about security features is leading to increasingly sophisticated methods of document and banknote forgery, resulting in greater potential harm and larger-scale consequences. As document management continues to play a critical role in social and political life, it is essential for law enforcement to prioritize the development of new techniques for securing important documents and detecting fraud.

Tools

Below are advanced tools which became “must-haves” for an ideal forensic laboratory – for analyzing certain advanced security features:

• Hyperspectral analysis: used to identify additions and establish the original content of altered records
• Different light sources at varied illumination angles: used to discover the method of printing and its authenticity, detect alterations to the content of the document and discover the content of indented, etched, erased, faded, and other invisible (or barely visible) records
• 3D modulation of the relief: used to discover the sequence of printing for relief strokes (e.g. signatures, handwritten notes)
• Spectral characteristics of dyes: commonly used to find out the origin of forged documents or banknotes

Reference data

Additionally, for law enforcement to verify the authenticity of a document, a comparison with a reference sample is required, but no expert has complete knowledge of all existing documents, security features and their locations. It is a challenging task to provide every forensic laboratory with a complete collection of samples for all document types. Therefore, Regula Information Reference System (IRS) is crucial in verifying the authenticity of various document types and banknotes. The system includes images and information about all security features contained in a document and it can be regularly updated.

Expert qualifications

Effective forensic analysis requires more than just the acquisition and installation of advanced equipment in a laboratory, as experts must also receive adequate training on its operation and use. At Regula, we provide comprehensive training courses on the operation of their multifunctional devices and general knowledge on document and banknote security features, allowing law enforcement agencies to utilize new solutions efficiently and expand their expertise in forensic authentication.

In addition to the theoretical and practical skills required for detecting forged documents and effectively using special verification devices, these training courses provide knowledge on various related topics such as main security features in paper, holder’s portrait protection, types of security laminates used in documents, printing inks used in security documents, construction of a document book block, ways of document personalization, their features and distinctions as well as modern methods of document falsification.

Final thought

Through our collaborations with law enforcement agencies, we have the opportunity to focus on their pain points and implement the latest developments in the field of identity document authenticity, including advanced forensic equipment and a vast spectrum of databases. We are confident that the combination of these tools, reference databases and training can enhance the level of regional expertise in combating identity and document fraud. As a result, law enforcement agencies can effectively employ new solutions and broaden their knowledge of forensic authentication.

This article was originally published in the March edition of Security Journal Americas. To read your FREE digital edition, click here.