Features of Forensic Commodity Examination of Paper, Cardboard and Products Made Therefrom
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32631/v.2025.4.27Keywords:
forensic commodity examination, paper, cardboard, identification, physical and mechanical properties, defects, quality, standardisation, expert methodology.Abstract
The paper examines the scientific and methodological foundations of forensic commodity examination of paper, cardboard and products made from them as objects of particular importance in the areas of document management, packaging and consumer protection. The relevance of the study is due to the high economic importance of these materials and, at the same time, their vulnerability to falsification, counterfeiting and damage during production, transportation and use. It has been established that modern scientific research in the field of paper production is focused mainly on improving technologies and modifying materials, but the problems of forming forensic expert methodology remain insufficiently studied. The scientific novelty of the work lies in the creation of a comprehensive approach to the systematisation of defects and the development of diagnostic features that take into account not only external manifestations, but also the genesis of their occurrence (during production, transport, storage or use). An algorithm for selecting analysis methods depending on the expert tasks set is proposed, covering non-destructive, physical-mechanical, optical, chemical and chromatographic research methods.
Particular attention is paid to the use of modern instrumental methods (optical and electron microscopy, infrared spectroscopy and spectrophotometry in the ultraviolet and visible regions, chromatographic analyses), which allow identifying the raw material composition, determining the coating, detecting traces of modifications and establishing the material’s compliance with regulatory requirements. The practical value of the study lies in the formation of unified recommendations for expert actions at all stages of the examination – from external inspection and sample selection to the synthesis of results and the preparation of conclusions. The findings will help to increase the reliability and evidential value of expert conclusions in court proceedings related to document forgery, counterfeit products and the assessment of damages from poor-quality goods. Thus, the study lays the methodological foundation for the further integration of achievements in chemistry, materials science and forensics into the practice of forensic commodity expertise.
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