Art and forensics — two worlds, one quest for truth
Whether a Renaissance masterpiece or a seemingly genuine bundle of banknotes—both pose the same question: Is what we see truly what it claims to be? In both art and forensic science, the goal is to reveal hidden information. Provenance, authenticity, manipulation, aging, material composition, or trace origins—every detail matters. In both fields, the ability to “see beneath the surface” is crucial. Hyperspectral imaging systems provide a powerful tool for this—nondestructive, high-resolution, and scientifically precise.
Technological Background: Spectral Signatures as the Key to Insight
Hyperspectral imaging is based on the principle of spectral reflection: every material—whether pigment, paper, metal, textile, or biological tissue—reflects light in a characteristic pattern across many wavelengths. This pattern, the spectral profile, is as unique as a fingerprint. Modern hyperspectral cameras and sensors capture this profile not only at single points but across every pixel of an image—in real time.
Unlike traditional multispectral cameras or chemical spot tests, this technology enables clear identification and classification of diverse materials, as well as detection of aging processes or forgeries at the molecular level. The key advantage: all of this is done completely non-contact and without any interference with the object’s process—a must when dealing with valuable artworks or critical forensic evidence.
When cost is the driving factor
Hyperspectral imaging has become an indispensable tool for a growing number of applications as well as for research and development. Many applications benefit from the increased specificity of wavelength discrimination provided by imaging systems and from the wide range of applications that a single device can cover. Commercial off-the-shelf hyperspectral imaging devices offer a very cost-effective solution for any application requiring only a small number of cameras. But is there a more affordable solution when the application requires dozens or hundreds of cameras?
The usual answer to this challenge is to use commercial off-the-shelf multispectral imaging cameras due to their lower cost. However, we believe this answer is mistaken. Off-the-shelf multispectral imagers either do not provide the required spectral resolution or have available channels at the wrong wavelengths. Additionally, the tolerances of the spectral center positions are too high—due to the complex manufacturing process—to ensure seamless integration of a large number of cameras into a single solution.
Art Science: Revealing History, Technique, and Authenticity
In art analysis, hyperspectral imaging offers entirely new insights into works from various periods. Underdrawings, corrections by the artist, and overpaintings by later hands often remain invisible beneath the visible surface. Different types of pigments and binders that appear identical to the naked eye can be spectrally differentiated.
This allows for the reconstruction of original painting techniques, dating of restoration phases, and the detection of later manipulations. High-resolution hyperspectral cameras with a broad spectral range also enable the distinction between originals and replicas, as even the smallest differences in composition or layering become visible. Museums and conservators increasingly use these imaging systems as non-invasive diagnostic tools that document, analyze, and objectify conservation decisions—without endangering the artwork.
Forensics: When truth is a matter of spectrum
In forensic laboratories, every trace counts — yet not every trace is visible. Hyperspectral cameras reveal traces that cannot be detected by conventional methods. This applies to biological residues such as blood or sweat as well as to gunshot residues, printing ink remnants, or solvents.
A particularly sensitive application area is counterfeit detection. Traditional UV or infrared inspection methods reach their limits with high-quality reproductions or new printing techniques. The technology identifies authentic banknotes by their specific spectral material profile — based on paper composition, security fibers, pigment coloration, and printing technique. Counterfeits, on the other hand, exhibit characteristic deviations — even when visually nearly perfect.
Additionally, this technology enables the detection of document manipulations: subsequent additions with differing inks, disguised alterations, or overwrites that are invisible under visible light become clearly identifiable in the appropriate spectral range. Text fragments on burned or smudged documents can also be reconstructed. Even medical traces, such as skin flakes or tissue residues, can be hyperspectrally analyzed if needed.
Mobility and Operational Readiness: In Museums and at Crime Scenes
Cubert’s hyperspectral camera systems are compact, mobile, and adapted to a wide range of lighting conditions. Whether in a controlled museum environment or under forensic field conditions, these systems deliver high-resolution, spectrally rich data without lengthy calibration processes.
The intuitive software enables both scientifically trained users and non-technical operators to perform thorough analyses. Data can be archived, compared, and documented long-term for review or legal evidence. This makes hyperspectral imaging a standard tool for everyone who needs to see beyond the visible — no matter the context or deployment.
Spectral perception as a new objectivity
Hyperspectral imaging introduces a fundamentally new level of objectivity in material and surface analysis. Instead of relying on subjective visual impressions or limited color measurements, it captures comprehensive spectral signatures that uniquely characterize substances and structures. This spectral fingerprinting enables precise, reproducible identification and differentiation — independent of lighting conditions or human perception.
By making invisible differences visible, spectral perception transforms qualitative assessments into quantitative, scientifically verifiable data. It thus lays the foundation for trustworthy decisions in quality control, authentication, forensic analysis, and many other fields where true objectivity is essential.
About the Author
Dr. Matthias Locherer has been the Sales Director at Cubert GmbH since 2017. With a PhD in Earth Observation from Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, he brings extensive expertise in remote sensing, spectral imaging, and data analysis. Matthias has contributed to numerous research projects and publications, particularly in the hyperspectral monitoring of biophysical and biochemical parameters using hyperspectral satellite missions. His deep knowledge of optical measurement techniques and physical modeling makes him a key driver in advancing innovative hyperspectral technologies at Cubert.
