The Immigration & Customs Enforcement Forensic Document Laboratory (FDL), whose mission is the detection and deterrence of travel and identity document fraud, has been in operation since 1978 as the only federal crime laboratory dedicated exclusively to the forensic examination of travel and identity documents. Its highly trained staff provide a wide variety of forensic document analysis and support services to all Department of Homeland Security agencies, as well as to other U.S. federal, state, local, and foreign governmental entities. The FDL is a fully accredited crime laboratory by the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors/Laboratory Accreditation Board (ASCLD/LAB).

The lab‘s document examiners perform forensic examinations of foreign and domestic travel and identity documents as well as handwriting, stamps, seals, printing, and typewriting. Fingerprint specialists provide ink-to-ink fingerprint comparisons and process evidence for latent fingerprints. Ink chemists analyze writing inks, toners, and inkjet printing as well as document materials to link and possibly date questioned documents. FDL staff also provide expert witness testimony on forensic examinations in judicial proceedings.

In addition, the lab maintains the world’s largest known repository of foreign travel and identity documents and reference materials. FDL intelligence officers develop and present customized training programs to law enforcement agencies around the globe on the detection of fraudulent documents and provide real-time assistance to field personnel in the identification of fraudulent documents. In addition they create and distribute Document Intelligence Alerts (color photo bulletins highlighting fraudulent documents recently encountered) and reference guides to law enforcement agencies nationwide.

Law enforcement personnel seeking assistance in the identification of various documents associated with travel, employment and identity should refer to Form M-396, "A Guide to Selected U.S. Travel and Identity Documents" (2008 revision). Copies can be obtained through the National Distribution Center, by completing the following forms and faxing them to 317-290-3046.

CF-3039 for federal government personnel
CF-262 for all other personnel