Laser engraving of identification documents is one of the important signs for determining their authenticity

Abstract

The article considers the technology of laser engraving as a modern method of personalization of identification documents (passports, ID cards, passes, etc.), which is simultaneously used as an effective means of protecting them from counterfeiting, with special attention paid to driver’s licenses of different years of manufacture. The main types of laser systems used during document personalization, the physicochemical properties of engraved layers and the features of the interaction of laser radiation with polymeric materials are outlined. Comparative characteristics of laser engraving performed on different equipment and using different types of lasers are presented, and the influence of technical parameters of the equipment on the quality and morphological features of the formed images is analyzed. The practice of using laser engraving in official documents of Ukraine and the countries of the European Union is summarized, and the main directions of research into technologies of laser personalization of documents in modern protection systems are determined. The purpose of the article is to analyze the role of the laser engraving method in ensuring the authenticity of documents, as well as the possibility of studying the characteristics of laser engraving as an object of forensic examination of documents. The methodological basis of the work was general scientific and special research methods, in particular formal-logical, microscopic, comparative and the method of analysis and generalization of scientific sources and the practice of expert activity. The scientific novelty lies in determining the main features by which experts can determine the method of applying information and confirm the authenticity of the information in the document, in particular by the following parameters: depth, contrast, microstructure, localization of carbonized areas and the nature of the thermal effect on the base material. Also in substantiating the prospects of using the results of the study of laser engraving features to improve the methods of forensic examination of documents and the formation of a system of reference samples for further use in expert practice. The conclusions emphasize that laser engraving is a modern and promising method of personalizing documents and has characteristic features suitable for expert research and assessment. Also, for a more objective study, it is necessary to create a base of reference samples and introduce modern technologies of automated visualization systems and comparison of features.