On 12 February, Wattay International Airport introduced a new document examination machine, Video Spectral Comparator (VSC), designed to detect fraudulent travel documents, enhancing the airport’s security measures.
Provided by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the tool is equipped with advanced features to improve the verification process for passports, banknotes, and other security documents. Using a high-resolution camera, the machine analyzes security elements such as watermarks, holograms, and microprints.
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The newly implemented VSC models are more powerful and versatile than previous versions. With higher resolution imaging, a broader spectral range, and automated software analysis, the VSC plays a crucial role in verifying the authenticity of documents.
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This technology will support Lao immigration authorities in conducting thorough checks on passports and other security documents, reinforcing border management and ensuring compliance with international standards. It is also an essential tool in the fight against transnational crimes, including human trafficking.
Director General of the Department of Immigration, Phetdavong Keokanyan, emphasized the challenges Laos faces in managing fake travel documents due to its borders with five neighboring countries.
“Recognizing that Laos shares borders with five countries and faces multifaceted challenges in managing and examining fake travel documents imposed by transnational crimes, such as human trafficking and migrant smuggling,” he stated.
In addition to the new machine, Lao immigration authorities have updated their Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), creating a comprehensive manual to streamline operations. The manual serves as a resource for frontline immigration officers, offering clear guidelines on their responsibilities, traveler profiling, and adherence to proper procedures.