Counterfeit Product Analysis – Forensic Expertise You Can Trust

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 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.

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. Granulometry Analysis:

   • A technique used to measure the size and distribution of particles in a sample.
   • Employed in the pharmaceutical industry, materials manufacturing, etc.

7. 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.

8. Densitometry:

   • A physical technique that measures the density of materials, useful for determining the composition and characteristics of solid or liquid substances.

9. 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.