Compare the document with the particular item
Check whether the consignment note can be linked to the product examined through labelling, a batch, photograph or description. A document for an unspecified group of goods does not always establish the provenance of one selected item. If the link rests only on the owner's account, this must be stated.
Consider the degree of processing
Colouring, coatings, gluing, dressing and the use of composite parts affect the availability of diagnostic features. Different parts of a product may be made of different materials. Before asking about a single species, it is therefore useful to determine which areas are actually accessible for examination and whether a sample will be needed.
Separate identification from documentary questions
Determining a material's natural origin does not replace verification of permits and does not by itself establish where it was harvested. The specialist's conclusion stays within the method and available features. If only a broader taxonomic group can be established, it must not be replaced with a precise species name.
What to prepare
- The item itself or photographs of all its parts.
- Consignment notes and a description of how the documents relate to the product.
- Batch, manufacturer and material identifiers.
- Information on coatings, restoration and other processing.
- The examination task and whether sampling is permissible.
What to bear in mind
A standard commercial label is not an independent biological examination. A small photograph of a finished fragment may leave the species unidentified; the possibility of reaching a conclusion is assessed before choosing a method.
Outcome of preliminary preparation
A preliminary assessment helps select the objects within the product and determine whether the question can be answered by non-destructive methods or requires laboratory work.
To discuss your task, provide the relevant materials and a brief description of the circumstances through the website's current enquiry channel.
Discuss the task → · All materials →