Appraise the basic elements of documents submitted in physical or digital form. This step often takes place concurrently with step 3.2 and may involve a quick check for consistency or a detailed forensic analysis if warranted.
- Appraise the basic elements of the documents. Depending on whether the documents have been submitted in physical or digital form, appraise aspects such as:
- size and layout;
- font and typography;
- official logos, stamps, dry seals, and signatures;
- texture and finish of paper;
- print method, such as laser, inkjet, lithography, or engraving;
- type of digital format, such as JPG or PDF;
- digital image quality;
- level of data maturity, such as scanned image or structured data;
- security features, such as:
- microprint;
- watermark;
- ultroviolet ink;
- digital signature, certification, or encryption;
- secure verification link or QR code.
- Identify any noticeable inconsistencies in appearance or content, such as:
- multiple fonts, variations in colour, awkward or forced lettering, misalignment;
- missing key elements (e.g., stamp, signature, certificate number);
- an anachronism (e.g., wrong name of the issuing institution or their officials for the period of study, inconsistent dates or program duration, misused terminology, spelling and grammatical errors);
- signs of physical alteration (e.g., white-out, erasure) or digital manipulation (e.g., inconsistent image quality or texture due to a copied and pasted logo or signature);
- lack of expected physical or digital security features.
- Update the status of the application, if necessary, when inconsistencies are identified, to:
- inform the applicant of possible delays due to enhanced verification efforts;
- allow the applicant the opportunity to explain the identified inconsistencies (if applicable).