OSCE strengthens Ukraine’s forensic document expertise

The OSCE Transnational Threats Department, in co-operation with the State Forensic Science Bureau of Latvia (SFSB), delivered a specialized training for experts from the Main Forensic Centre of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine (SBGS) from 24 to 26 February in Riga, Latvia. The training strengthened the examination skills of forensic document experts, who also benefited from the participation of Portals Paper Ltd, which produces high-security papers used in passports and identity documents.

Hosted at the SFSB forensic laboratory, the course built on a December 2025 training by engaging an additional cohort of Ukrainian forensic document experts in the same specialized programme. It focused on advanced forensic methods used to detect and interpret document alterations, including cases involving chemical etching, erasures, additions or replaced photographs. Participants practiced techniques for revealing the original content of altered documents and detecting flooded, faded, and other poorly visible texts and images, even on damaged or burnt materials. 

In addition to the forensic laboratory sessions, participants were trained on the application of Amped FIVE specialized software for image analysis, which can significantly enhance the accuracy and reliability of document and portrait examinations. The software, provided to the SBGS Main Forensic Centre by the UK Home Office International Operations with co-ordination support from OSCE, allowed participants to gain practical experience in improving image clarity, identifying digital alterations and supporting expert conclusions.  

Portals Paper Ltd experts also provided hands-on demonstrations and led discussions on innovations in security paper design, watermarking and anti-forgery features. This collaboration gave participants a comprehensive understanding of how document manufacturing and forensic examination complement each other in preventing forgeries and ensuring the integrity of identity documents.

“The December training in Riga laid a solid practical foundation for the development and implementation of new types of examinations within our Centre. The knowledge and skills acquired by our experts are already being applied in their professional training and daily work, enhancing both individual competence and institutional capacity. The February training builds on this foundation by deepening technical expertise and expanding the number of trained specialists, which is a critical step in introducing new types of forensic examinations and aligning our practices with international standards,” said a representative of SBGS.

The training course was part of an ongoing OSCE extrabudgetary project supporting the participating States and Partners for Co-operation in reducing illegal border crossings by using a fake or stolen identity. This project is funded by the United States, as well as Finland and San Marino through the Helsinki+50 Fund.