How to Identify a Forgery: A Guide to Spotting Fake Art, Counterfeit Currencies, and More

“A fascinating introduction to how scientists identify fraudulent copies, from signatures to oil paintings.” —BooklistFakes and counterfeits have existed since ancient times; and while the methods of forgery have surely advanced, so has the science necessary to identify them. Currency, art, and historical artifacts are only a few of the objects commonly forged; and scientists in forensic laboratories throughout the world work alongside artists, museums, linguists, and historians to authenticate these items. How to Identify a Forgery investigates how modern computers, printers, and scanners have presented new challenges for scientists and how objects suspected of being faked, forged, or fraudulent are examined forensically.