Forensic Science Examination of the three stamps on cover

showing a plate number '77'

A classic example of the invaluable role 21st century forensic science can play in philately and in the authentication of postage stamps.

Abed H Najjar

The whole expertising episode with the five experts who all gave five 'fake' opinion based on five differing ways/reasons of faking meant that this philatelic gem now has five questionable ‘subjective’ opinions from experts who have proven, in this case, to be totally lacking in the ability to express them correctly.

This is why the forensic science route was taken and the opinions of leading experts in the field of forensic science were sought. Science is not subjective and has no axe to grind. It will give the results as they are and is therefore an invaluable tool in assisting with philatelic postage stamp expertising.

In this case we are looking at the possibility of tampering and counterfeit. Leading scientists are far better experienced and much better equipped with state of the art equipment to give us the reliable answers that we need than 'some' philatelic experts who will, as in this case, give a 'suspect' opinion relying on magnifying glasses, light microscopes or comparators!

The faking requirement in this case is the alteration of the number '3' into a number '7', five times and on three stamps, in the full knowledge that the number '7' on some lies underneath the black Guernsey duplex cancellation.

This of course would mean that the ink between both '7's had to be tested 'elementally' and compared and the paper fibre had to be carefully examined in order to rule out tampering and by doing so one could check if there are any residues of paper from other stamps covering the figure '3'.

Here are some images which should show the 'enormous' perhaps even 'impossible' task facing a forger. It is quite incredible that such a faking fete could be carried out successfully five times in an area that is no larger than 2mm wide and on figures that are no bigger than .8mm in a way that can not be detected by forensic experts.

The right hand number '3' which should be altered to a '7'. It is clearly evident that there is too much 'white' from the figure '3' that needs painting out and some areas of the red around it that should be made white. How on earth can this be done successfully without detection by forensic science?	The right hand number '7' from stamp SK clearly showing an identical type of background, colour and texture. The cancellation also clearly lies above both '7's.

This is a microscope image of the paper fibres at 80x magnification. It is very clear that the fibres are interwoven and matted together. Tampering of any kind will clearly disturb this feature and will be easily seen under microscopy. Furthermore the fibres can be clearly seen to be coloured and there are ink residues amongst them. How can these fibres be cleaned in some selective areas which should be white and these residues removed without damaging the whole matrix?

 

Comprehensive and detailed scientific opinions were obtained from Robert W Radley of The Forensic Document Laboratory, Professor Gene Hall at Rutgers University and The Reading Scientific Laboratories.

The findings are briefly outlined on this page. They will be presented in their most 'simplistic' way, avoiding the presentation of detailed reports which will undoubtedly be alien to the non scientist.

The following two micrograph images of the right hand '7' from stamp SK from the RSSL and Rutgers University show the identical detail of the paper fibres as can be clearly seen with careful examination.

 

 

Micrograph from the RSSL (left) and Rutgers University (right) of the right hand '7' from stamp SK. Careful examination will show the paper fibres in the same position in both images. There is absolutely no sign of any alteration as implied in both faking certificates. It must be stated that some paper fibres in the diagonal of the number 7 are somewhat disturbed and this may well be due to the metal projections in the newly engraved area on the plate tearing at the paper fibres during heavy impact between the plate and the sheet during printing. certainly not an indication of any abrading of the figure in order to alter it or remove any ink!! This is another wonderful and a classic example of the repeatability of scientific finding or observations. The two images above which have been produced by two different establishments and two different experts using two different techniques, show identical features of the area in question.

Robert W Radley - The Forensic Document Laboratory

Robert W Radley M.Sc., C.Chem., F.R.S.C., F.S.Soc.Dip., F.A.E., R.F.P. of The Forensic Document Laboratory was given the cover to examine and the brief was to investigate the validity of the two expert opinions and the 'fake' certificates that were issued. Mr. Radley also looked at every possible way the faking could have been produced and commented on it in the report.

His findings are outlined in an in depth report however here are the conclusions which clearly show that the cover and stamps have not been tampered with. The front page of the report also carries this heading.

"The Report has been produced "FOR THE CONSIDERATION OF THE COURT IN THE HEARING OF THE ABOVE MATTER".

" SUMMARY OF OPINION
4. Further to my examination of the documents in question, a more detailed outline of which follows, my findings and opinions are summarised below.
5. (i) The stamps in question have not been modified by some form of inlaying process utilising elements of another stamp or stamps and such a possibility has clearly not occurred. This proposition is, I understand, the basis of the RPSL rejection of this item as being genuine. I this statement find to be demonstrably incorrect and therefore I consider the ground for issuing of the certificate is wholly unwarranted and incorrect factually.
6. (ii) Similarly, I do not consider that the scientific evidence supports the comments of the Philatelic Foundation concerning the reasons given for their rejection of the cover in question.
7. (iii) I find no evidence of substance to significantly support the proposition that the stamps in question have been modified by an obliteration of a numeral ‘3’ from a ‘plate 73’ stamp and subsequent alteration of the ‘3’ to a numeral ‘7’. The technical difficulties in modifying a ‘plate 73’ stamp to a ‘plate 77’ stamp are immense and from a detailed examination of the cover in question, I find the combined evidence is inconsistent with such a procedure having been adopted."

The Robert W Radley Report

Gene S. Hall, Ph.D.

Professor of Analytical Chemistry

Rutgers The State University of New Jersey

'Chemistry Professor Gene Hall is widely known as “The Paper Document Detective,” the go-to guy when there are problems in conservation and reconstruction of written or printed materials, or suspicions of counterfeiting. Hall was able to authenticate two of 10 rare 19th-century Hawaiian stamps using laser and x-ray technology. The other eight, Hall said, are "suspect."'.

Source: Rutgers Focus December 13 2006

http://news.rutgers.edu/focus/issue.2006-12-13.1988901585/article.2006-12-13.9699673187

Professor Gene Hall is also well known to the Royal Philatelic Society London and with whom the work and findings on the Hawaiian stamps was researched and published.

Professor Gene Hall was asked to authenticate the cover and the three plate 77 stamps. This he did in his laboratory using Raman spectroscopy and EDXRF. His detailed report is summarised in a letter he issued and which is linked here.

Professor Hall's letter

Professor Hall's full scientific report

The following are two micrograph images of the second '7' clearly showing that no paper tampering, i.e. removal or addition has has taken place. The image on the left clearly shows the figure '7' 'standing proud' of its surroundings as with the white diamond areas.

 

 

The following trace using EDXRF very clearly shows the identical nature of the ink between the two '7s'.

'EDXRF comparison of red ink around first (blue trace) “7” and around second
(red trace) “7” in the plate number “77”. Notice the appearance of P, Ba and Cr in the second “7”.'

One will also notice the very small trace amounts of chromium, phosphorus and barium. according to Professor Hall's report, these trace elements were, "not homogenously distributed around this diamond inked area". The report's conclusion carries the following sentence "The elements Ba, Cr, and P were found only in the diamond area surrounding the second “7” in plate number “77” and were not homogenous and not part of the ink formulation. Their source is probably from the printing process."

Professor Hall's prelimenary report stated the following:

"It is important to note at this point that the pigment in the second “7” (Sample B) matches that of the rest of the stamp (Sample A) as well as that of the control copy (Sample C). The identical nature of the inks of the three samples effectively rules out the finding that the ink had been painted in."

 

These links will also illustrate some of Professor Hall's forensic work with philately, bank notes etc.

http://www.nystamp.org/June2004.html   

http://www.nyms.org/past.html  

http://acs.confex.com/acs/marm05/techprogram/S1701.HTM

http://acs.confex.com/acs/marm05/preliminaryprogram/abstract_19190.htm

The Reading Scientific Services Limited

The Reading Scientific Laboratories were commissioned to examine the three stamps on cover. This was done using EDXRF and scanning electron microscopy.

The elemental analysis showed the ink to be similar between the two '7's with the exception of the fact that 'trace' chromium and barium were found. These findings endorse those of Professor Gene Hall at Rutgers University. Another very clear indication that 'science is not subjective and will give the results as they are'.

The investigation using scanning electron microscopy showed the fibres to be untampered with throughout the diamond. This was further endorsed using micrographs, an example of which is illustrated here.

Above is a micrograph image of stamp SK showing the paper fibres to be intact and untampered with. The whole structure looks similar between both '7's. Note the red/white coloured fibres that run in and out of the right hand '7' diamond.

 

 

Scanning electron microscope (topographic mode) showing the right hand '7' diamond area. It is abundantly clear from this image that the paper fibres are matted and undisturbed.

This letter confirms the RSSL findings as far as the paper fibres are concerned.

RSSL letter.