ICE’s Forensic Document Lab (FDL), established in 1978, is one of the federal government’s top tools for combating document fraud. Contemporary publishing tools and printing technology have made it easier than ever for criminal organizations to develop fraudulent documentation, travel documents, IDs and related materials with higher quality and at lower cost. These materials are used to facilitate border crossings, identity theft and employment schemes by illegal workers and for other criminal purposes.
The FDL provides a wide range of forensic and investigative services, including comparative examinations of handwriting and printing samples, forensic examinations of foreign and domestic documents, restoration of altered or damaged documents to assist in investigations, source identification, fingerprint examinations and expert witness testimony in court proceedings.
The FDL also maintains the world’s largest known repository of foreign travel and identity documents and reference materials. FDL representatives develop and present customized training programs to law enforcement agencies around the globe on the detection of fraudulent documents and provide real-time assistance to field personnel in the identification of fraudulent documents. In addition, they create and distribute Document Intelligence Alerts – color photo bulletins highlighting fraudulent documents recently encountered – and reference guides for law enforcement agencies nationwide.
The FDL is the only federal crime laboratory dedicated to exclusively examine travel and identity documents. Its highly trained staff provides a wide variety of forensic document analysis and support services to all Department of Homeland Security agencies, as well as other federal, state, local and foreign governmental entities. The FDL is a fully accredited crime laboratory by the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors/Laboratory Accreditation Board.
Law enforcement personnel seeking assistance in identifying the various documents associated with travel, employment and identity should refer to Form M-396, "A Guide to Selected U.S. Travel and Identity Documents" (2008 revision). Copies can be obtained through the National Distribution Center, by completing the following forms and faxing them to 317-290-3046.
DANIEL S. ABRAHAMIAN
ICE FORENSIC DOCUMENT LAB - FDL
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