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Art forgery is one of the most important issues of art and antiques market which can be reduced and prevented by criminal law measures. Art fakes can be detected by expert witness who applied forensic science methods. Access to specialized knowledge from three fields of science, i.e. criminal law, art history and forensic science is necessary to handle with art forgery. Therefore, the research was focused on criminal law and forensic science issues. Because expert witnesses (forensic science experts) pose a crucial role in detection of art fakes, comparative studies on access to the function of expert, use of opinion as an evidence and criminal liability of expert witnesses in criminal proceedings in Poland, Germany, France and Italy were performed. Research shows that regulations are generally similar in compared European countries, but indeed they differ in some important issues. Proper forensic expertise should consist of historical and stylistic research, signature analysis and material identification. Various spectroscopic and chromatographic methods can be used for identification and characterization of artwork materials, i.e. organic and mineral pigments, binders and varnishes. Possibilities of classification and differentiation for forensic purposes of the most popular red and brown pigments in paint layers were evaluated. Elemental analysis was performed by X-Ray Fluorescence and Laser Ablation - Inductively Coupled Plasma - Mass Spectrometry. Results shows that modern paint colors which are produced by different manufacturers differ strongly in elemental composition, including major elements. However classification of paint samples based on elemental composition is limited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The new lab facility at the Geological Institute of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences was set up in the end of 2009. The main equipment consist a state of the art PerkinElmer ELAN DRC-e ICP-MS and New Wave Research UP-193FX excimer laser ablation system. Combined together, it is a precise instrument for geochemical research and geochronology. One of the leading research topics is quantitative determination of trace and ultra trace elements in rocks together with their age dating clarification. We report our first results obtained with the new equipment to unravel the great opportunities for usage in the field of the geological science. Our main efforts till now are in the field of research directed to metamorphites including trace elements determination of bulk rock samples from different rock types - metagranites, metapegmatites, metapelites, orthoschists, and metabasites and in situ U-Pb age dating of zircons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the study of pyrite and arsenopyrite from the Srebren deposit found in West Rhodopes, Bulgaria, by using laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). Topics discussed include the presence of minor and trace elements in pyrite and arsenopyrite, the impact of low concentrations of trace elements in pyrite on ore-forming hydrothermal fluids and analytical data revealing differences in trace and minor element concentrations.

The article analyses the chemical composition of sanidine crystals from the Kopriva trachyrhyodacites and Prekolnitsa grabens found in South Western Bulgaria. Topics discussed include analysis of the major and trace elements of the sanidine crystals, evidence of plagioclase, quartz, biotite and amphibole in crystals and chemical composition of the studied crystals. Also mentions the presence of barium and strontium in crystals.

The article focuses on an analysis of trace elements in titanites obtained from different metamorphic rocks in different lithologies of Chepelare shear zone, Rhodope massif in Bulgaria. Topics discussed include titanite as tracer for valuable geochronometer, geothermometer and tracer for magmatic and metamorphic processes, formation of rocks from the shear zone by metamorphic conditions and geochemistry of metamorphic rocks. Also mentions variation in patterns of rare earth elements.

The article discusses the study done to examine the trace elements distribution in coexisting rock-forming minerals of the Smilyan granite in Bulgaria. Topics discussed include use of laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry in the extraction of trace element distribution data, negative correlation of Strontium and Barium contents in plagioclase, and variation of individual contents showing compositional zonation, modal mineral proportions, and whole rock contents.

A study done to examine the microchemical characteristics of spherulitic pyrite from the Chiprovtsi deposit in Bulgaria is presented. Topics discussed include specimens containing spherulitic pyrite from the low temperature mineralization were studied, reflected light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) are used, and role of rapid crystallization from the supersaturated solution facilitates the incorporation of gold as micro to nano sized particles.

The article discusses the study done to examine the chemical speciation and the distribution patterns of gold concentration in the arsenopyrite and pyrite minerals at the Govezhda and Svishti Plaz gold deposits in Bulgaria. Topics discussed include occurrence of gold in arsenopyrite in elemental form and chemically bound species, location of the Govezhda deposit in low grade metamorphic rocks and the use of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS).