Methods for identification and verification

Apparatus and methods in which one or more elemental taggants that are intrinsically located-or extrinsically placed-in an object are detected by x-ray fluorescence analysis to identify or track/trace the object or its point of manufacture, as well as to establish the origin of objects and their authenticity. The taggant is manufactured as part of the object or the taggant is placed into a coating, packaging, label, or otherwise embedded within or onto the object for the purpose of later verifying the presence or absence of these elements by x-ray fluorescence to determine the unique elemental composition of the taggant within the respective object. The apparatus and methods can used in combination with, in place or, or in additional to current anti-counterfeiting technologies. By using x-ray fluorescence analysis, the apparatus and methods are simple and easy to use, as well as provide detection by a non line-of-sight method to track and trace objects, as well as to establish the origin of objects, their point of manufacture, and their authenticity.