The method

How we work

Three levels of analysis, one written method

You go up a level only when you need to, and every level produces a document that states its own limits. The laboratory check (L2) takes place in the expert's laboratory, which is not ISO/IEC 17025 accredited: accreditation is a declared objective. The chemical analysis (L3) is carried out at third-party laboratories, named in the report along with their qualifications.

Code of ethicsRead the Code of Ethics

L1 is for businesses and the authorities: consumers will start with Forensis Lab Verify™, coming soon, and today they request the expert report on the bottle, which starts from L2.

L124/48 hours

Photo check

The sample stays where it is; the images travel. Working from a standardised photographic record of eight required shots (one for each point checked), with lighting and scale set by protocol, the expert compares typography, alignment, finishing, batch code consistency and the integrity of the cellophane against the brand references and signs off the result; in future, image-comparison software (in development) will assist with this. It is a preliminary examination: it quickly guides the decision on whether to go on to the laboratory, and it does not count as an expert report. The examination identifies elements of compatibility, visible anomalies or discrepancies; the absence of photographic anomalies is not, by itself, absolute proof of authenticity.

What you receive

L1 preliminary result (not an expert report), with the photographic record attached.

Flaconi e astucci disposti su banco d'acciaio con segnalini numerati.
Illustrative image

What is checked

  • 01Bottle and packaging together, with metric scale
  • 02Label typography and colour
  • 03Geometry of collar and cap
  • 04Atomiser shape and finish
  • 05Batch code against the brand's own format
  • 06Cellophane seal and weave
  • 07Mandatory symbols and responsible-person details
  • 08EAN / reference match
L23/5 days

Laboratory check

The sample comes into the expert's laboratory and is compared against a genuine reference example, following the laboratory's written method. We measure the bottle and cap with digital callipers, the weight (overall and of the perfume alone) and the actual amount; we examine the paper and card of the box, engraving, printing and embossing, and the bottle under low-angle light and ultraviolet light. Differences are measured and documented, making the comparison technically reproducible within the expert assessment.

What you receive

L2 report with a comparative table of measurements and deviations.

Due tappi in ottone confrontati con un calibro digitale.
Illustrative image

What is checked

  • 01A direct comparison with a genuine example
  • 02Measurements of the bottle and cap, taken with digital callipers
  • 03The weight, both overall and of the perfume alone, and the actual amount (volume)
  • 04The paper and card of the box
  • 05Engraving, printing and embossing
  • 06The bottle under low-angle light and ultraviolet light
L37/10 days

Chemical analysis

Gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry, carried out under the expert's direction at the third-party laboratory named in the report, separates the liquid into its components and returns its profile: a chromatogram is a fragrance's fingerprint. The main substances are identified by matching against spectral libraries; compared against the genuine profile, the chromatogram shows absent peaks, foreign peaks and altered ratios. This is where any undeclared allergens or solvents above the permitted limits may come to light.

What you receive

L3 report with comparative chromatogram, peak table and conclusions on conformity, stating the degree of certainty reached.

Vial ambrate nel carosello di un gascromatografo, con siringa di iniezione.
Illustrative image

What is checked

  • 01Sample preparation and dilution
  • 02Chromatographic separation and spectrometric identification of the compounds
  • 03Comparison against the reference profile
  • 04Detection of compounds not present in the reference profile
  • 05Targeted screening for substances and markers of interest, according to the technical brief and the applicable method
  • 06Quantification of area ratios

L3 · The fingerprint

A fragrance has a fingerprint

The gas chromatograph separates it into its components; the mass spectrometer identifies the main ones by matching against spectral libraries. Laid over the original's profile, the difference becomes measurable.

Case FL-DEMO-0818 · overlay

30 m column · He 1.2 ml/min · 40→280 °C

  • Reference
  • Sample under examination
Reference · Sample under examination
RTCompoundReferenceSampleFinding
4.12Limonene0.820.44below threshold
10.85Foreign to the reference·0.68foreign
12.47Tetramethyl acetyloctahydronaphthalenes1.000.58below threshold
16.05Coumarin0.420.20below threshold
18.64Ambroxide0.74·absent
22.10Hexamethylindanopyran0.630.24below threshold

Demonstration values, consistent with protocol FL-⁠P/03 · areas normalised on the reference's largest peak

The expert process

From suspicion to report

Six stages that carry a doubt through to a document prepared for use in legal proceedings and, beyond that, to estimating the damage.

  1. 01

    Observation and identification

    visual characteristics, materials and finishing

  2. 02

    Technical and comparative analysis

    comparison against database and genuine samples

  3. 03

    Advanced instrumental testing

    materials analysis and gas chromatograph, under the expert's direction, at a third-party laboratory named in the report

  4. 04

    Assessment and final report

    technical report with findings and recommendations

  5. 05

    Legal and investigative support

    documentation prepared for the proceedings

  6. 06

    Economic damage estimate for brands

    estimate prepared with law firms and forensic economists named in the document

Protocol FL-P/04

The chain of custody

A report is worth only as much as the history of the exhibit behind it. If you cannot show where the sample has been and who handled it, even the best analysis loses its value.

Read the protocol
  1. I.

    Intake

    The exhibit is numbered, photographed on arrival and sealed. The number stays with the sample until it is returned.

  2. II.

    Handling register

    Every opening of the seal is recorded with date, time, operator and reason. The register is part of the report.

  3. III.

    Storage

    Samples kept away from light and heat, in a locked cabinet. Aliquots for chemical analysis are drawn once only.

  4. IV.

    Return or destruction

    On completion the exhibit goes back to the client or is destroyed on their instruction, with a written record.

Not sure which level to start from?

Businesses and the authorities usually start from L1 · Photo check, carried out by the expert: a fixed fee stated in advance, and a preliminary result that quickly guides the decision to go further or to stop there. For consumers the first step will be Forensis Lab Verify™, coming soon: a pre-analysis of the photos, with our technology and the assessment of our experts. It will give a preliminary result, which is not an expert report. Today a consumer requests the expert report on the bottle, starting from L2 · Laboratory check.

See the pre-analysis demo (in Italian)Talk to the expert