The development of an image analysis system that can detect fraudulent alterations made to printed images

151-159
The research presented is in the field of forensic print recognition and links printed documents to their source of production. The research concentrates on document fraud perpetrated using laser printers. It poses the question whether imperceptible alterations to documents produced by laser printers or photocopiers can be detected in principle using non-destructive digital imaging techniques. This research investigates changes in print sharpness, contrast and smoothness caused by document alteration.

The purpose of the research was to establish the suitability of using digital image analysis techniques for forensic science and security printing applications. Digital image analysis is viewed as important in this field because it is entirely non-destructive. As digital technology becomes cheaper and less specialised, the concepts investigated here may become integrated into computationally intelligent mobile phone devices.

The results of the research demonstrated that fraudulent changes to laser print could in principle be detected using digital image analysis, although further development to the imaging techniques are still required. These refinements could involve the effects of ageing and contamination of the print samples.

Papers at the conference were selected and subjected to peer review by the editor and conference program committee. They comprise forgery and counterfeiting specialists from international universities, commercial organisations and central banks. The conference covered many aspects of optical security and counterfeiting. The topics included currency security, biometrics, specialist inks, printing technology and optically variable devices. Contributors ranged from large commercial research laboratories and universities to smaller companies specialising in product development.