‘Fingerprinting’ documents and packaging: Forgery

Unique surface imperfections serve as an easily identifiable feature in the fight against fraud. Everything has a fingerprint Virtually all paper documents, plastic cards and pieces of packaging contain a unique physical identity code. Microscopic imperfections on the surface of these materials act as a covert ‘fingerprint’ that is almost impossible to modify controllably. It is easily read using a low-cost portable laser scanner. Most forms of document and branded-product fraud could be rendered obsolete by use of this code. We have found that almost all paper documents, plastic cards and product packaging contain a unique physical identity code formed from microscopic imperfections in the surface. This covert ‘fingerprint’ is intrinsic and virtually impossible to modify controllably. It can be rapidly read using a low-cost portable laser scanner. Most forms of document and branded-product fraud could be rendered obsolete by use of this code.