Security feature

The holographic - kinematic element Identigram is a security feature in the German identity card

Numbering on a German document

Security features are characteristic properties that prove the authenticity (genuineness) of an object and should make counterfeiting impossible or at least make it considerably more difficult.

Banknotes and documents usually have several of these characteristics. Since November 1, 2001, German identity cards and passports have contained the identigram as a holographic - kinematic feature, surface embossing in the data page or card, security printing and watermarks .

The characteristics are checked using chemical and physical methods, among other things. A UV test device is often sufficient . If one of the elements does not apply when checking, it is a forgery (manipulation or total forgery).

The more important or valuable an item is, the more security features it has. Documents such as ID cards or visas and banknotes ( security features of banknotes ) are often provided with these features.

Examples

The characteristics can consist of the following elements, among others:

• Watermark , uv watermark
• special paper quality , for example with integrated fibers,
• Security thread (metallically vapor-deposited plastic thread), often micro-printed and sometimes fluorescent ,
• special printing techniques such as iris printing and intaglio printing ,
• multi-colored guilloches , for example in the form of filigree drawings,
• Printing elements with tilting effect ,
• Script elements with micro- writing ,
• fluorescent or phosphorescent printing elements that are only visible under certain light sources (such as UV light ),
• Use of optically variable colors (OVI = O ptical V ariable I nks ),
• Color gradients, especially on banknotes and ID cards (e.g. German national press ID ),
• Numbering of each individual piece for individual identification and traceability,
• Use of optically variable features (OVD = O ptical V ariable D evices) in the form of holograms or kinegrams .

See also

• Forgery of ID
• Security features of banknotes

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Bundesdruckerei ( Memento of the original from April 28, 2007 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. - Security features of the identity card (No. 5)