Our lab is equipped with state-of-the-art scientific instruments and forensic imaging softwares to ensure that every case is dealt with high precision. Included in its list are the following:
Video Spectral Comparator VSC-4
A Workstation for Questioned Document Examination
Photo courtesy of Foster and Freeman Ltd
VSC-4 is an infrared video imaging system fitted with CCD camera with spectral range of 400 to 1100 nm, wide range of interchangeable camera filters, five light sources for incident infrared light, transmitted white and infrared light and incident long wave ultraviolet rays; 6 element filter wheel to select a narrow wavelength between 400 and 700 nm and a handheld infra-red pen torch.
This instrument is designed for:
- Exposing forgeries and alterations to documents by displaying differences in the infra-red absorption, infra-red luminescence, visible luminescence, water marks and paper opacity.
- Exposing counterfeits by displaying fluorescent security features.
- Detecting erased information.
- Revealing concealed information.
- Highlighting embossed stamps for easier examination.
- Exposing tampering, with high magnification imaging.
Electrostatic Detection Device
A Workstation for Detecting Indenting Writings
Indented writings on questioned document can be detected with special electrostatic detection device. This instrument creates an electrostatic image of indented writings, which are developed with charge sensitive toners.
This device is more sensitive than oblique light examination. It produced permanent transparencies and the process is non-destructive.
Digital Microscope – MiScope®
A Compact and Portable Microscope
The MiScope combines a digital movie camera, precision optics and LED lighting in a microscope. This devices is designed to view live images on the computer screen with special features:
- 40 – 140x magnification
- Completely portable with a laptop computer
- Save still images, movies and time lapse
- Labels, markers, time stamps, measurement
- Draw directly on the live image
- Lets an easily alternate between visible and IR illumination to perform a visual spectral comparison
Stereomicroscope
The stereomicroscope is one of the most important tools used by the Forensic Document Examiner. It uses two separate optical paths with two objectives and two eyepieces to provide slightly different viewing angles to the left and right eye. In this way it produces a three-dimensional (3-D) visualization of the sample being examined
The wide field of view and great depth of focus make it an ideal instrument for determining chronological sequence of intersecting strokes, identifying the type of pen used to produce a writing, detecting erasures, corrections or other alterations; comparing printed matter and detecting forgeries.
Ultra-violet Lamp
An examination of a document under short and long ultra-violet rays may detect chemical erasures, alterations, substituted pages and delicate stains due to artificial ageing.
These rays may also prove useful in differentiating different types of paper, and sealing gums.
This is a non-destructive technique as an examination under UV rays does not deface or discolor a document in any way.
Canon RE-650 MKII Video Visualizer
High Resolution Document Camera
The Video Visualizer can view and capture 3-dimensional objects, documents, photos, slides and X-rays, including larger then normal sizes.
This devices is designed for presentations, video or remote conferencing, teaching and many other uses where the image of a document, 3D-objects, photos, slides, X-Rays are displayed on a monitor, projector or via teleconferencing equipment.
It has special features such as:
- High-resolution video document camera
- 12X power zoom f /1.8 – 2.8 lens.
- Auto or manual focus-Follow-Zoom technology
- Auto or manual white temperature color balance control
- Camera rotates to capture any size 3D object
- Negative-positive film conversion
- A telescopic arm for the zoom lens and 2 fluorescent
- lights which fold up to make the unit very compact
Sirchie® CSI Latent Fingerprint Kit
This kit includes an assortment of latent print powders, brushes and lifters necessary for processing latent prints on both porous and nonporous surfaces.
Digital Imaging Systems
Worldwide Forensic Services is equipped with high resolution flatbed scanners, SLR digital cameras with additional macro lens, frame grabbers, digital microscope for recording photomicrographs and forensic imaging soft wares.
Photo-quality color prints for demonstrative reports are printed using high resolution laser, inkjet and Polaroid® printers.
Miscellaneous Equippment
- Dichroic, infrared, polarizer and color filters
- Ring light illuminator
- Starrett® Dial Indicator Micrometer for measuring thickness of paper
- Ratical eye-pieces
- Typewriter grids and rulers
Library
Professional library containing over 5000 research articles and 60 plus books on Forensic Science including document examination and fingerprints.
