Summary
Fakes and forgeries have existed since humans began creating art and written language. Laws against forgery existed in ancient Egypt, as skilled craftsmen made glass imitations of precious gemstones. Today, science has become a key partner in the battle against forgers as the techniques of forgery advance. Stamps, money, art, and historical artifacts are only a few of the objects that are commonly forged, and scientists working in forensic labs often work hand-in-hand with artists, museums, linguists, and historians to study artifacts and documents.
Fakes and Forgeries looks at the modern tools of computers, printers, and scanners to create questioned documents and counterfeits. Beginning with an overview of fakes and forgeries from ancient times to the present, this new volume examines the art of analyzing evidence—from lottery tickets and voting ballots to stamps and envelopes.
Chapters include:
- History and Pioneers
- The Scientific Approach
- Dyes and Pigments; Inks and Paints
- Detecting Document Forgery
- Counterfeiting Currency
- Forging Art, History, and Science
- Conclusion: The Future of Fakes, Forgeries, and Counterfeits.
Specifications
28 black-and-white photographs and 22 line illustrations. Index. Appendix. Glossary. Cross-references. Sidebars. Further reading. Web sites. Tables.
About the Author(s)
Suzanne Bell, Ph.D., has a degree in chemistry from New Mexico State University and an M.S. in forensic science from the University of New Haven. She is currently an associate professor of chemistry and director of forensic and investigative sciences at West Virginia University. Bell’s previous work has been published in Journal of Chemical Education, Analytical Chemistry, and Journal of Forensic Science. Bell is also the author of the acclaimed The Facts On File Dictionary of Forensic Science and Encyclopedia of Forensic Science, Revised Edition.