Morpho has the goal of fighting ID document forgery worldwide by developing a new security feature: the Stereo Laser Image (SLI).
Identity document forgery is a serious threat worldwide. Interpol's database currently counts an alarming number of 40 million fake passports – plus the unreported cases. Morpho has the goal of fighting this trend. In an extensive analysis done together with governments, border officials and police, the company investigated what is the major threat and what is needed to close the security gap. Based on the findings, Morpho developed a new security feature that exactly meets the needs in the field to effectively prevent ID documents forgery: the Stereo Laser Image (SLI).
“It turned out that the most common threat for ID cards and passports is the substitution of the photo,” reports Jan van den Berg, ID Documents-expert at Morpho. “Attempts at photo forgery are mostly done by placing a transparent sheet with a new printed portrait over the original.” This is the point that Morpho's new security feature SLI is tackling. The SLI is a repetition of the primary holder photo on the ID document in a 3D-format. It allows checking the authenticity of the primary photo by directly comparing the two photos. SLI cannot be copied on an overlay. Any attempt to place a transparent sheet with a new printed portrait over the original cannot create the 3D-effect and tactile characteristics.
Only one single photo needed
An optical lens structure is integrated in the polycarbonate card body to create the stereo view. Morpho only needs a single photo of the document holder in the usual formal, compliant with ICAO-guidelines. Special software turns the photo into a specific 3D-model, creating different views. It also puts in floating characters for further protection. During personalization, the images of the holder are engraved at different angles through the lenses. This is unique. The result is the portrait of the document holder in 3D without moving the card or using special glasses. As it is easy to check, the new feature will keep processes at the border fast. In comparison to former 3D-solutions, SLI can be used directly in existing enrolment infrastructures without extra equipment.
Making life safer and easier
The first to benefit are the Dutch: Since March 2014, Morpho supplies passports and ID cards with SLI feature in the Netherlands. Jan van den Berg: “We are convinced that SLI is the perfect feature to offer the necessary high level protection against the abuse of travel documents, making peoples' lifes safer and easier.”