The production and sale of counterfeit goods undermine producers, damage consumer confidence, weaken the economy, and put public safety at risk. Through its Forensic Research Program, the LAEC supports national institutions in safeguarding consumers, protecting markets, and strengthening public security, and defending Lebanon’s economic stability. Counterfeit pharmaceuticals, food, currency, artworks, and textiles, have become more sophisticated that standard techniques may fail to detect. LAEC applies and adapts advanced nuclear and related analytical techniques, including ion beam analysis (PIXE, PIGE, RBS, XRF), Scanning electron microscopy, mass spectrometry methods (GC-MS, HPLC-MS, TOF-SIMS, and IRMS), as well as vibrational spectroscopy (Raman, IR).

Our current activities focus on:

-Pharmaceuticals: conducting quality control of active ingredient content and detecting counterfeit medicines in different forms (intact tablets, solutions, or pellets).

-Food authentication: detecting adulteration, verifying authenticity, and tracing provenance with chemical and isotopic fingerprints, in line with international safety standards.

-Banknotes and coins: ensuring quality control of Lebanese currency and studying counterfeit the techniques and materials used in counterfeit currencies to support law enforcement in identifying counterfeiters and their production methods.

By combining cutting-edge techniques with the long-standing expertise of its researchers, LAEC places its capabilities at the service of ministries, the central bank, customs, the general directorate of antiquities, and universities. Our goal is to safeguard essential and valuable products against fraud and provide trusted scientific support.