Innovation
Setting new standards in the design and manufacture of forensic technology, foster+freeman adheres to a rigorous framework for testing and validating new forensic products, tools, and techniques to ensure that they are based on sound principles and empirical evidence.
Each of our best-in-class forensic instruments is verified by science, through rigorous testing and validation both in controlled laboratory conditions and through the analysis of ground truth data to ensure its accuracy, reliability, and validity.
Scientific Advisory Board
Members of our Scientific Advisory Board engage with foster+freeman executives to highlight topics that need attention and discussion from an industry/customer perspective, including legislative or regulatory changes and newly emerging technologies.
The SFAB provide expert input on specific projects and activities, and give our organization new insights and advice to help us solve relevant problems and explore new opportunities by stimulating robust, high-quality conversations.
New Technology
Chemical reagents – the missing link in fingermark validation?
The work of forensic experts has significant implications on the lives of individuals and societies as a whole. As such, the results that examiners provide must be reliable and trustworthy: this is where validation comes in.
Introducing MVC® FFLEX M: Fingermark Fuming, Updated
For more than 35-years, MVC® fuming cabinets have set the benchmark for performance and reliability as the dependable workhorses of forensic laboratories worldwide. Updated with a radical new design, the MVC®FFLEX M builds on that tried and trusted technology offering innovative new user-focused features to optimise results.
DISCOVER®, a 2-part solution for the search, detection, and imaging of evidence at the crime scene and in the laboratory
A laboratory docking system for the handheld Crime-lite AUTO forensic search and imaging tool, DISCOVER brings the functionality, ease of use, and high quality of results produced by the ‘AUTO’ into the fingerprint laboratory.
Published Patents
Downdraft Table
GB 2609589 A
View Document
Improved Fingermark Recovery
GB 2600830 B
View Document
Image Capture Apparatus
WO 2022/219327 A2
View Document
Improved Recovery of Ballistics Identification Markings
GB 2606412 A
View Document
Image Capture Apparatus
GB 2605821 A
View Document
Hand-Held LASER Device
GB 2605462 A
View Document
Improved Coaxial Examination of Surfaces
GB 2602793 B
View Document
Methods and Apparatus for Visualising Prints on an Object
GB 2561712 B
View Document
Methods and Uses for Visualising a Print on an Object
GB 2585804 B
View Document
Apparatus and Associated Accessories, Methods and Uses for Visualising a print on an object
GB 2578815 B
View Document
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Research Projects
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Dr Roberto King, Chief Technology Officer
Latest Research Projects
Crime-lite Applications: Visualisation of fluorescence from STK Sperm Tracker™
A collaborative study between foster+freeman and L’Institut de Recherche Criminelle de la Gendarmerie Nationale (IRCGN).
Crime-lite Applications: Visualisation of Illicit Substances
The Crime-lite product range is suitable for the detection and visualisation of different types of drugs residues. This application note examines a variety of different drugs residues/adulterants under various light wavelength/filter combinations.
Crime-lite Applications: The use of Bandpass Filters in forensic examinations
The use of bandpass filters with light sources may reveal evidence which was undetectable with the use of a standard longpass filter. Bandpass filters can also increase the contrast between evidence and substrate to better analyse its morphology.
foster+freeman granted Human Tissue Authority licence
foster+freeman have been granted a licence by the Human Tissue Authority (HTA) for the storage of biological materials, which have come from the human body, for research, education and training purposes.
Crime-lite Applications: Forensic Applications of Infrared Light
Using Infrared light we can exploit the differences in absorption and reflection between substrate and evidence to reveal otherwise hidden information.
Forensic disciplines combine to develop new fingerprinting technique that could help spot document fraud
In a paper published by New Scientist, foster+freemans’ Dr Roberto King outlines a new technique that could be important in cases of fraud.
COMMITED TO IMPROVING FORENSIC SCIENCE
Our Research Partners
History of Innovation
1978
ESDA: The Original foster+freeman instrument
Such is the level of success achieved by the foster+freeman ESDA, the terms ESDA and ‘the ESDA process’ has become industry standard terminology for the method of revealing indentations or impressions on paper.
The ESDA started life as part of a research project to develop a non-chemical, non-destructive method of identifying fingerprints on fabric, and while the project itself did not prove successful the ESDA’s secondary use, that of detecting indented writing on paper proved to be of huge interest to document examiners worldwide.
The ESDA technique works by an electro-static process, in much the same way as a photocopier. The sheet of paper to be investigated is placed on a bronze plate that has been perforated by tiny holes and earthed. Underneath the slab is a pump, which, when switched on, sucks air through the plate and holds the paper down flat against it. A sheet of transparent polymer film is laid over the top of the paper which is then charged with static electricity: a metal wand known as the corona discharge unit is passed over it. Inside the wand is a thin wire with a potential of about 5,000 volts. As a result, static electricity discharges itself to earth through the bronze plate.
The conductivity of the paper and film laid across the plate differs at those places where there are indentations in the paper, this difference results in an electronic image of the indentations being created on the sheet of film. This image is then developed by allowing fine carbon granules to spread over it, either by an aerosol process in a cloud chamber or by pouring carbon granules, mixed with small plastic balls which act as a carrier, across the surface of the paper. The granules stick to the electrostatic image of the indentations, and the image becomes visible.
ESDA: A Breakthrough Case
Note as seen by the naked eye 
Indentations revealed by ESDA
The ESDA went from being a research project to an essential piece of document examination equipment almost overnight when, following a raid on a London bank, police used the ESDA technique to examine a note handed by the robber to the bank teller demanding cash. Hidden to the naked eye but revealed by the ESDA were the indentations of a telex message drafted to someone in Canada and pleading for money to be sent to an address in Surrey. The man was arrested and the story hit the headlines. News of the ESDA’s capabilities spread fast.
With strong backing from the UK Home Office, Doug Foster and Bob Freeman set up in partnership making the first run of ESDA devices from the garage at Doug’s home.
ESDA Today: Still Going Strong
foster+freeman continue to manufacture the ESDA today. Updated in design but almost identical in application, the ESDA2 continues to sell and with hundreds of units installed by police forces and private document examiners worldwide, it is likely that the ESDA technique will remain the industry standard for years to come.
1980
A New Era of Document Examination
Such is the level of success achieved by the foster+freeman ESDA, the terms ESDA and ‘the ESDA process’ has become industry standard terminology for the method of revealing indentations or impressions on paper.
The ESDA started life as part of a research project to develop a non-chemical, non-destructive method of identifying fingerprints on fabric, and while the project itself did not prove successful the ESDA’s secondary use, that of detecting indented writing on paper proved to be of huge interest to document examiners worldwide.
The ESDA technique works by an electro-static process, in much the same way as a photocopier. The sheet of paper to be investigated is placed on a bronze plate that has been perforated by tiny holes and earthed. Underneath the slab is a pump, which, when switched on, sucks air through the plate and holds the paper down flat against it. A sheet of transparent polymer film is laid over the top of the paper which is then charged with static electricity: a metal wand known as the corona discharge unit is passed over it. Inside the wand is a thin wire with a potential of about 5,000 volts. As a result, static electricity discharges itself to earth through the bronze plate.
The conductivity of the paper and film laid across the plate differs at those places where there are indentations in the paper, this difference results in an electronic image of the indentations being created on the sheet of film. This image is then developed by allowing fine carbon granules to spread over it, either by an aerosol process in a cloud chamber or by pouring carbon granules, mixed with small plastic balls which act as a carrier, across the surface of the paper. The granules stick to the electrostatic image of the indentations, and the image becomes visible.
1985
VSC Goes Digital
In the mid-1980’s, foster+freeman introduced a software package for image processing using the Atari 1040ST computer. The software and computer were interfaced with the VSC to create the first complete questioned document processing system as we know it today
1990
Global Leaders in Document Examination
By 1990 the Video Spectral Comparator could be considered to be a global success with over 400 VSC instruments having been sold into more than 45 countries.
1995
VSC-4: Small But Perfectly Formed
Throughout the 1990’s, the VSC-4 range of instruments provided examiners with a compact solution to forensic-level document examination. Ideal for deployment at border control points, small-footprint VSC’s remain a popular choice for locations where space is an issue.
2000
A New VSC for a New Millennium
At the turn of the millennium, foster+freeman launched the VSC2000, which introduced full color and infrared imaging, microspectrophotometry, automated operation via a Windows-based on-screen digital control panel, and an increased range of light sources.
2000
DCS 121:
A Revolution in Fingerprint Photography
During the mid-late 1990’s the world of photography underwent a dramatic shift as digital cameras became commonly available to the general public. Digital photography provided photographers with a quick and easy method of recording images that could be stored in a computerized file format or printed on demand.
However, while the digital camera became commercially ubiquitous, many forensic photographers remained unwilling to adopt the new technology fearing that digital images would not only be inferior in quality to film but that they would be highly susceptible to manipulation.
At the turn of the millennium attitudes towards digital photography changed as foster+freeman, in close collaboration with Wiltshire Constabulary, launched the DCS 121, a digital photography system offering tamperproof image validation software.
2002
DCS 121 Adopted by Law Enforcement
Replacing dark rooms, rolls of film, and many hours of development time with a fast and effective method of capturing high quality images of fingerprints, DCS 121 not only improved the efficiency of fingerprint photography, it also introduced a new age of digital image enhancement that would enable fingerprint experts to reveal details in fingerprints that would previously have been impossible to achieve.
A number of major UK police forces were quick to adopt DCS technology and by 2002 digitally photographed fingerprint impressions, captured by the DCS-121, were routinely being accepted in courts and accepted as valid evidence.
Rapid Advancement of the DCS
During the early years of digital photography technology advanced at a terrific rate. The image quality of digital cameras rapidly improved, while at the same time, the cost of processor power and memory (storage) was dramatically reduced.
Soon after it’s release, Foster+Freeman replaced the original scanning camera with a digital SLR. This switch to consumer technology would allow the company to keep pace with rapidly advancing technology, upgrading the camera to coincide with significant improvements in digital imaging.
Digital Enhancement of the DCS
In addition to the time and cost saving advantages of digital photography, the DCS also enabled fingerprint examiners to utilize a full suite of digital image enhancement techniques to reveal hidden detail and boost the contrast and visibility.
The DCS software includes a full suite of enhancement ‘toolboxes’ designed specifically for fingerprint examiners. Regular background pattern removal, FFT (Fast Fourier Transform) and noise filters etc. allow fingerprint examiners to reveal details that would previously have been impossible to achieve.
While using digital enhancements, image integrity is preserved through the inclusion of licensed validation software that validates the original image and creates a digital master before creating an audit trail that records every subsequent change, modification or digital enhancement applied.
2005
VSC5000: Intelligent Document Examination
In 2004, foster+freeman released the first ‘intelligent’ VSC. The VSC5000 aided the examiner by autoselecting fluorescence filters to match the illumination source and introduced, for the first time, Auto-Examine routines.
2010
VSC: Rapidly Developing Technology
In order to keep pace with rapid developments in computer processor and digital imaging technology, foster+freeman stepped up the development of new VSC instruments. In 2008 the company released the VSC6000 intelligent Video Spectral Comparator, soon to be followed by the VSC40 and VSC400 workstations. As camera technology entered the age of HD, foster+freeman responded with the upgraded VSC6000/HS and VSC40HD workstations.
2015
DCS5: A Full-Spectral System
With the release of the DCS 5 in 2015, foster+freeman has further increased the fingerprint examiners ability to reveal ‘difficult’ marks through the addition of full UV-Vis-IR imaging.
By expanding the spectral range of the camera, and including UV and IR illumination together with a selection of specialist imaging filters, it is now possible to observe the interactions of light that take place beyond the range of human vision (400-700nm approx.). In particular, Reflected UV has the ability to reveal incredible fingermarks that may previously have been deemed impossible to detect or photograph.
The significance of these new techniques can be seen in the rapid uptake of DCS 5 technology worldwide.
TODAY
The world’s most advanced range of VSC workstations
Our most advanced range of QDE instruments to date, the VSC8000/HS, VSC80, and VSC80i are equipped with a full range of examination features that meet the varied demands of contemporary document examination. Suitable for deployment in a wide range of settings, VSC instruments remain the technology of choice for dedicated QDE laboratories, busy border control points or the quality control department at a high-security printer.
Innovation
The Original foster+freeman instrument
The ESDA went from being a research project to an essential piece of document examination equipment almost overnight when, following a raid on a London bank, police used the ESDA technique to examine a note handed by the robber to the bank teller demanding cash. Hidden to the naked eye but revealed by the ESDA were the indentations of a telex message drafted to someone in Canada and pleading for money to be sent to an address in Surrey. The man was arrested and the story hit the headlines. News of the ESDA’s capabilities spread fast.
With strong backing from the UK Home Office, Doug Foster and Bob Freeman set up in partnership making the first run of ESDA devices from the garage at Doug’s home.
Note as seen by the naked eye
Indentations revealed by ESDA
foster+freeman continue to manufacture the ESDA today. Updated in design but almost identical in application, the ESDA2 continues to sell and with hundreds of units installed by police forces and private document examiners worldwide, it is likely that the ESDA technique will remain the industry standard for years to come.
A New Era of Document Examination
Following the successful development of the ESDA electrostatic detection apparatus, Doug Foster and Bob Freeman turned their attention to a new, far more advanced, workstation that would enable examiners to perform infrared examinations of documents for the 'rapid exposure of concealed information and assessment of authenticity' - the VSC-1 Video Spectral Comparator.
Unlike any existing forensic instrument, the VSC used a highly sensitive camera to display variations in IR absorption and fluorescence on-screen, allowing examiners to make real-time adjustments to boost clarity and contrast.
In the mid-1980’s, foster+freeman introduced a software package for image processing using the Atari 1040ST computer. The software and computer were interfaced with the VSC to create the first complete questioned document processing system as we know it today.
By 1990 the Video Spectral Comparator could be considered to be a global success with over 400 VSC instruments having been sold into more than 45 countries.
Throughout the 1990's, the VSC-4 range of instruments provided examiners with a compact solution to forensic-level document examination. Ideal for deployment at border control points, small-footprint VSC's remain a popular choice for locations where space is an issue.
At the turn of the millennium, foster+freeman launched the VSC2000, which introduced full color and infrared imaging, microspectrophotometry, automated operation via a Windows-based on-screen digital control panel, and an increased range of light sources.
A Revolution in Fingerprint Photography
During the mid-late 1990's the world of photography underwent a dramatic shift as digital cameras became commonly available to the general public. Digital photography provided photographers with a quick and easy method of recording images that could be stored in a computerized file format or printed on demand.
However, while the digital camera became commercially ubiquitous, many forensic photographers remained unwilling to adopt the new technology fearing that digital images would not only be inferior in quality to film but that they would be highly susceptible to manipulation.
At the turn of the millennium attitudes towards digital photography changed as foster+freeman, in close collaboration with Wiltshire Constabulary, launched the DCS 121, a digital photography system offering tamperproof image validation software.
Replacing dark rooms, rolls of film, and many hours of development time with a fast and effective method of capturing high quality images of fingerprints, DCS 121 not only improved the efficiency of fingerprint photography, it also introduced a new age of digital image enhancement that would enable fingerprint experts to reveal details in fingerprints that would previously have been impossible to achieve.
A number of major UK police forces were quick to adopt DCS technology and by 2002 digitally photographed fingerprint impressions, captured by the DCS-121, were routinely being accepted in courts and accepted as valid evidence.
During the early years of digital photography technology advanced at a terrific rate. The image quality of digital cameras rapidly improved, while at the same time, the cost of processor power and memory (storage) was dramatically reduced.
Soon after it's release, Foster+Freeman replaced the original scanning camera with a digital SLR. This switch to consumer technology would allow the company to keep pace with rapidly advancing technology, upgrading the camera to coincide with significant improvements in digital imaging.
In addition to the time and cost saving advantages of digital photography, the DCS also enabled fingerprint examiners to utilize a full suite of digital image enhancement techniques to reveal hidden detail and boost the contrast and visibility.
The DCS software includes a full suite of enhancement 'toolboxes' designed specifically for fingerprint examiners. Regular background pattern removal, FFT (Fast Fourier Transform) and noise filters etc. allow fingerprint examiners to reveal details that would previously have been impossible to achieve.
While using digital enhancements, image integrity is preserved through the inclusion of licensed validation software that validates the original image and creates a digital master before creating an audit trail that records every subsequent change, modification or digital enhancement applied.
In 2004, foster+freeman released the first 'intelligent' VSC. The VSC5000 aided the examiner by autoselecting fluorescence filters to match the illumination source and introduced, for the first time, Auto-Examine routines.
In order to keep pace with rapid developments in computer processor and digital imaging technology, foster+freeman stepped up the development of new VSC instruments. In 2008 the company released the VSC6000 intelligent Video Spectral Comparator, soon to be followed by the VSC40 and VSC400 workstations. As camera technology entered the age of HD, foster+freeman responded with the upgraded VSC6000/HS and VSC40HD workstations.
With the release of the DCS 5 in 2015, foster+freeman has further increased the fingerprint examiners ability to reveal 'difficult' marks through the addition of full UV-Vis-IR imaging.
By expanding the spectral range of the camera, and including UV and IR illumination together with a selection of specialist imaging filters, it is now possible to observe the interactions of light that take place beyond the range of human vision (400-700nm approx.). In particular, Reflected UV has the ability to reveal incredible fingermarks that may previously have been deemed impossible to detect or photograph.
The significance of these new techniques can be seen in the rapid uptake of DCS 5 technology worldwide.
Our most advanced range of QDE instruments to date, the VSC8000/HS, VSC80, and VSC80i are equipped with a full range of examination features that meet the varied demands of contemporary document examination. Suitable for deployment in a wide range of settings, VSC instruments remain the technology of choice for dedicated QDE laboratories, busy border control points or the quality control department at a high-security printer.
Foster + Freeman Ltd.
Registered No. 01403147 England
Vale Park, Evesham, Worcestershire, WR11 1TD, United Kingdom
info@https://https%3A%2F%2Fhttps://fosterfreeman.com
+44(0)1386 768 050
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