Document Examinations of Copies

It is not possible to assess whether a copy is genuine or not. An actual authenticity assessment requires that a document examination of the original document can be performed. However, the NIDC often see other issues when examining a copy requiring other methods for the document examination. 

The quality of the copies can vary greatly. For example, the centre receives copies of ID documents where colors and details on the documents have been completely or partially lost in the copying process. 

In addition, there are limited options for conducting the document forensic examination, as it is not possible to assess materials and printing techniques from a copy. Therefore, the tactical assessment often plays a decisive role and can uncover factors that may affect the assessment of a copy. 

The results of the technical examination and the tactical assessment of a copy are incorporated into a single document assessment. For the assessment of copies, a separate conclusion scale is used, which does not include an actual authenticity assessment, as this is not possible for copies.

The document assessment constitutes the written statement that the Danish National ID Center sends to the authority that has requested a document technical examination of a document.


Please also see Processing of Personal Data in Relation to Authentication of Travel- and Identity Documents.