Forensic Philately

Forensic Technology for the examination of postage stamps, letters, and items of philatelic interest

VSC document analysis instruments, designed for the forensic examination of security and travel documents, are ideally suited to the study of postage stamps and associated postal history items.

Using high magnification, multi-spectral imaging and other techniques, a philatelist may detect the fraudulent manipulation of material produced to deceive the unwary as well as flaws and irregularities produced by the printing process, revealing e.g. differences in ink formulations, perforations, embossing and overprints.

“Equipped with VSC instruments, philatelists are able to access ever more advanced forensic analysis tools to reveal more hidden detail than ever before.”

Philately Solutions

Advanced Forensic Solutions for philatelic examinations

VSC^® 8000/HS

Non-destructive UV-Vis-IR examination systems

VSC workstations combine sophisticated digital imaging and multi-wavelength LED technology with a clear and efficient software interface, to provide a complete document examination solution.

VSC Video Spectral Comparators use a variety of light sources and filters to image materials in the ultraviolet, visible and infrared wavelength ranges to examine, compare and photograph minute details on a variety of materials.

Philatelic researchers can measure objects, pinpoint particular spots for study, locate flaws and alterations, study watermarks and other security devices, and overlay images for comparison.
The VSC8000/HS also includes a spectrometer, capable of creating and storing spectra (visual representations of energy/wavelengths of radiation or particles emitted by a substance), and providing colour values and chromaticity (colour) charts.

Forensic-level document examination workstation
Super-resolution (SRI) document imaging
Detect fakes, counterfeits & evidence of tampering

Learn more >

VSC^® PDi+

Ultra-high resolution of documents under examination

Captures ultra-high-resolution images of stamps, letters and postage marks under a selection of light sources to create a full digital record of the physical document.

Examining the ‘digital document’, experts can observe the item under multiple illumination conditions, whilst zooming in or out, revealing
hidden features with no loss of detail.

Flawless 45MP imaging
Create perfect digital copies of physical documents
Identify fakes and counterfeits
Forensic-level examination, simply operated
UV, Visible and Infrared imaging

Learn more >

Advanced Forensic Solutions
for Philatelic Examinations

Detect Counterfeits and Evidence of Tampering

Using high-precision imaging technology in combination with dedicated examination tools

Non-Destructive Examination of Valuable Artefacts

Non-destructive VSC examination makes it possible to establish the authenticity of an item, detect changes that have been made and see beneath the surface of an artefact revealing its history.

Forensic-Level Imaging and Examination

VSC technology has wide-ranging applications outside of the forensic lab including the examination, validation and authentication of high-value collectibles including stamps, trading cards, signatures and memorabilia.

8000HS examines stamps under IR philately

VSC stamp defect — Using VSC technology to observe a physical defect

Stamp defect 3D — Using VSC technology to observe a physical defect

Charizard Pokemon Card. — Japanese trading card undergoes VSC examination

Webinar

Authentication and Grading of Stamps, Cards and Collectables

foster+freeman VSC technology has wide-ranging applications outside of the forensic lab.

In this webinar, we look at how experts and collectors of stamps, trading cards, signatures and memorabilia are using VSCs to validate and authenticate their high-value collectibles.

Run time: 1-hour

View On-Demand