Document Forensics & Hyperspectral Imaging at SWAFDE

The Southwestern Association of Forensic Document Examiners (SWAFDE) is a regional organization providing regular professional development meetings for forensic document examiners working across the United States. Forensic document examiners are called upon to determine the authenticity and authorship of documents, which may include questioned handwriting, hand printing, typewriting, commercial printing, photocopies, papers, and inks.

Ink discrimination performed on currency using hyperspectral imaging software.

The next SWAFDE meeting will be held in San Diego, CA from April 4-7, 2013. Surface Optics is scheduled to present on the topic of hyperspectral digital imaging as it applies to document forensics on April 5 (Friday) at 4:15pm.

Examiners are frequently asked to provide expert testimony in court and it benefits them to take advantage of all the technological resources available. Hyperspectral digital imaging offers a non-invasive tool for:

• Latent fingerprint analysis
• Detecting document forgeries or alterations
• Ink discrimination
• Paper substrate & fiber analysis