PHOTO AS THE MOST SENSITIVE PART OF DOCUMENT PROTECTION
Journal: FORENSIC EXAMINATION
№ 2
, 2026
Authors:
1.
Regula
(International marketing and business development department, leading specialist)
employee from 01.01.2022 to 01.01.2026
Minsk, Belarus
employee from 01.01.2022 to 01.01.2026
Minsk, Belarus
Type:
Article
Pages:
from 94
to 107
Status:
Published
Received:
26.03.2026
Accepted:
03.04.2026
Published:
29.06.2026
Subject area:
UDC 343.982.4
UDC 343.982.42
UDC 343.982.42
Language:
Russian
Keywords:
photo substitution, morphing, Information Reference System Regula
Abstract:
The article addresses the issue of photograph protection in identity documents as the crucial element for visual identification of a document holder. Particular attention is paid to morphing — a technology that combines images of two faces, allowing different individuals to use the same document. The authors analyze modern forgery methods, including the use of UV inkjet printers to integrate altered images, and demonstrate examples of detecting such manipulations. Based on examples from expert practice (passports of Portugal, France, Bulgaria, etc.), the effectiveness of traditional security features (UV luminescence, DID® elements, latent IPI images, blind embossing) is shown, especially when they are placed directly within the portrait area. An analysis of documents from various countries reveals the absence of a unified approach to photo protection, which affects the overall security level. The article argues that the strategic placement of standard security features is a cost-effective strategy against morphing, simplifying the detection of forgeries for both automated verification systems and forensic experts. This material is based on a report by Regula presented at the High Security Printing Asia 2025 conference.
The article addresses the issue of photograph protection in identity documents as the crucial element for visual identification of a document holder. Particular attention is paid to morphing — a technology that combines images of two faces, allowing different individuals to use the same document. The authors analyze modern forgery methods, including the use of UV inkjet printers to integrate altered images, and demonstrate examples of detecting such manipulations. Based on examples from expert practice (passports of Portugal, France, Bulgaria, etc.), the effectiveness of traditional security features (UV luminescence, DID® elements, latent IPI images, blind embossing) is shown, especially when they are placed directly within the portrait area. An analysis of documents from various countries reveals the absence of a unified approach to photo protection, which affects the overall security level. The article argues that the strategic placement of standard security features is a cost-effective strategy against morphing, simplifying the detection of forgeries for both automated verification systems and forensic experts. This material is based on a report by Regula presented at the High Security Printing Asia 2025 conference.
Keywords:
photo substitution, morphing, Information Reference System Regula
photo substitution, morphing, Information Reference System Regula
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