What do Immigration Officers look for in a travel document? Charlie Stevens National Document Fraud Unit UK Immigration Service

Introduction What is the purpose of a travel document? It is a document that confirms identity and nationality for the purpose of crossing international borders

Why does it need to be secure? To ensure that the document cannot be counterfeited or unofficially altered. An Immigration official will use the document to confirm a person’s nationality, identity and entitlement to leave to enter.

What is the role of ICAO? More than 200 countries issue passports Each country issues many different docs. ICAO promotes a standard layout Recommended safeguard standards Digital images are more secure The MRZ offers global machine-readability Standards for biometrics are vital

That is why adherence to ICAO specifications is so vital. Training Because of the numbers of different travel documents that are in circulation, it is usual for Immigration officials to be trained to identify generic rather than specific security features. It would be impossible to remember the specifics of every travel document. That is why adherence to ICAO specifications is so vital.

How is the document checked? Verification of a travel document takes place on four levels. Level 1 – on entry Level 2 – back office Level 3 – forensic lab Level 4 - manufacturer

Why is Level 1 so important? This is the start of the chain. If suspicions are not raised here, level 2 – 4 checks cannot be conducted. Often it is behaviour that gives rise to suspicion, not the document. At this point impostors as well as document fraud are identified.

Equipment used at Level 1 MRZ reader Ultra-violet light Transmitted light Limited magnification Full page reader

Detection at Level 1 At this level it is the passenger's bona fides that are tested Compliance of MRZ is validated Check of passenger against watch lists Check of document number against watch lists Are they the rightful holder? Security features checked

Document security features verifiable at Level 1 Substrate features UV dull paper Complex multi-tonal watermark Random fibres (visible and/or UV) Planchettes Embedded thread

Document security features verifiable at Level 1 Security printing Intaglio with latent image Anti-copy features Rainbow Guilloche Micro-text

Document security features verifiable at Level 1 Laminate features UV inks Visible safeguards Special inks (thermochromic, phosphorescent) 3M

Document security features verifiable at Level 1 Optically Variable Devices Optically Variable Inks ImageperfTM CLITM, TLITM, etc.

Document security features verifiable at Level 1 Tactile features Embossings Laser etchings Raised text

BUT! It must be borne in mind that an Immigration official only has a very short time and little in the way of equipment to conduct all of these checks.

Without standardisation

How is standardisation achieved? Document 9303

Thank you! Charlie Stevens National Document Fraud Unit UK Immigration Service Charlie.Stevens@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk +44 20 8745 2480