counterfeit-verifications

-- On-Site & Laboratory Interventions --

Whether in the context of supplier change, prototype development, or product range expansion, OSE Services, your analytical expert, is by your side:

Verification of formulation and properties on your raw materials or finished products;

Analysis of various matrices applied on-site (coatings, etc.) following amicable or judicial disputes;

Custom investigative analyses in the context of suspected fraud.

We operate in France and in Europe

48H lead time upon request & context

SUPPORT IN COUNTERFEITING LITIGATIONS

Detection of Counterfeit Works and Products

What is counterfeiting?

Counterfeiting is the act of reproducing, imitating, or using without authorization a work, product, brand, patent, or registered design, with the intention of deceiving or profiting from the reputation or value associated with the original. It can concern various fields, including:

Physical products: Imitation of products (clothing, accessories, medicines, etc.) to sell them as if they were the original.

Intellectual property: Illegal use of registered trademarks, patents, copyrights, or designs.

Currency or official documents: Forgery of banknotes, passports, or other official documents.

Counterfeiting is illegal and can lead to civil and criminal sanctions, as it infringes on the intellectual property rights of the legitimate creators or owners.

What are the chemical techniques for detecting counterfeits?

These techniques allow for determining the chemical composition, molecular structure, or interactions of a substance.

Infrared Spectroscopy (IR): :

Used to identify chemical bonds and determine the functional groups present in a molecule.
A common method for analyzing polymers, organic compounds, etc.

UV-Visible Spectroscopy (UV-Vis):

Studies the absorption of ultraviolet and visible light by molecules.
Used to determine the concentration of certain substances, such as organic compounds or metal ions in solutions.

Chromatography (GC, HPLC):

Gas Chromatography (GC) and High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) are used to separate and analyze the components of a complex mixture.
Techniques used to analyze food products, drugs, pollutants, etc.

Mass Spectrometry (MS):

Determines the mass of molecules and their molecular structure by analyzing their ionized fragments.
Used to identify compounds in complex mixtures, often coupled with chromatography (GC-MS, LC-MS).

Titration :

A quantitative method used to determine the concentration of an analyte in a solution by reaction with a known reagent.
Used in classical analytical chemistry to analyze acids, bases, ions, etc.

Electrochemistry (Potentiometry, Voltammetry):

Techniques that measure the electrical properties of solutions to determine ion concentration.
For example, potentiometry with selective ion electrodes is used to measure pH or specific ion concentrations.

Fluorescence Spectroscopy:

A technique that measures the fluorescence emitted by a molecule after excitation by light.
Useful for detecting low concentrations of substances, particularly in biology and medicine.

What are the physical techniques for detecting counterfeits?

These techniques allow for measuring the physical properties of materials or substances, such as their structure, mass, hardness, conductivity, etc.

Electron Microscopy (SEM-EDX):
- Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) provide highly detailed images of the surface or internal structure of materials at the nanometer scale.
- Used for analyzing metals, biological materials, polymers, etc.
X-ray Diffraction (XRD):
- A technique used to determine the crystalline structure of a material.
- Commonly used in materials science to identify the crystalline phases of solids and in chemistry to elucidate the structure of compounds.
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR):
- Analyzes the structure of molecules by measuring the interaction of atomic nuclei with a magnetic field.
- Used to determine the three-dimensional structure of organic and complex molecules.
Thermal Analysis (DSC, TGA):
- Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC): Measures the heat absorbed or released during thermal transitions (melting, crystallization).
- Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA): Measures mass changes as a function of temperature, often used to assess the thermal stability of materials.
Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM):
- Provides 3D images of the surface of materials at the nanometer scale by "scanning" the surface with a probe.
- Used in nanotechnology, biology, and surface analysis.
Granulometry Analysis:
- A technique used to measure the size and distribution of particles in a sample.
- Employed in the pharmaceutical industry, materials manufacturing, etc.
Raman Spectroscopy:
- A technique based on light scattering to identify the vibration modes of molecules.
- Used to identify chemical compounds, often in solid or liquid samples.
Densitometry:
- A physical technique that measures the density of materials, useful for determining the composition and characteristics of solid or liquid substances.
Thermal and Electrical Conductivity:
- These measurements characterize the conductive properties of a material, whether in terms of heat transfer or electrical flux.

These techniques, when combined, provide extremely precise information about the nature and properties of a sample, whether organic, inorganic, or hybrid. They are widely used in scientific research, quality control, industry, and in identifying counterfeits or manufacturing anomalies.

Our references