Interest in “document’s fingerprint” is growing

Security holograms are generally accepted as the strongest available anti-counterfeit protection measure. Imitation of advanced security holograms is impossible or close to impossible. However, the holograms offer no tools for particular documents identification. This limitation is based on the very basic principle of hologram production (mass production using the same master).

In spite of this, OPTAGLIO’s researchers found a holographic solution for particular documents identification. It is based on microholograms, extremely small metallic particles of regular shape with a holographic surface. Seen by a naked eye, microholograms look as metallic dust. Under higher resolution, a complete hologram can be found on each "grain". OPTAGLIO has invented microholograms and has patented them.

OPTAGLIO OVImage product is based on random scattering of microholograms into a defined area of protected document such as ID card, passport, banknote, tax stamp etc. Microholograms are hot stamped on paper or sealed into plastic. Afterward, distribution of microholograms on a particular document is recorded into a database to enable identification of the document in future.

"Once a document has been created, even we in OPTAGLIO cannot imitate it," explains Igor Jermolajev, the research manager in OPTAGLIO. "Anti-counterfeit protection is normally based on reliable recognition of a protective element. With OPTAGLIO OVImage you can go even further. You can exactly identify from what passport was removed the abused element. You can say when the passport was issued, who was its holder, if its stealing was correctly reported etc."

Personal documents have their serial numbers but the falsifiers can tamper them. Identification based on an element that cannot be imitated thus brings a radical improvement in protection and forensic. This improvement is critical because weak points in document protection are often targeted by criminals and terrorist groups and because distrust towards some documents can impact their respectable owners.

We are delighted to say that reaction of the market confirms strong interested in very advanced anti-counterfeit solutions. Security issues prevent us from announcing particular clients and contracts but the import thing is that several countries will be able to identify particular documents in the near future," said the technical manager in OPTAGLIO Libor Šustr.