Think you know of an image that's been doctored? You might be able to detect it with a few simple steps. Experts at the US Office of Research Integrity (ORI) have developed software droplets that can detect how an image has been manipulated. “I hope the droplets will reintroduce the idea of scientific observation,” says John Krueger, the ORI scientist who developed them.

What can the droplets do?

The five droplets reveal differences the human eye would not ordinarily catch. Using an online browser and Adobe Photoshop, they can reveal erasures or disruptions in the background, pinpoint edges and details of two similar features, and color-code two overlaid images.

It would be less work to just do the experiment. John Krueger, Office of Research Integrity

Who has used the droplets?

Although ORI does not formally track the use of the droplets, at least one large research university and one academic journal has used them successfully in investigations. Using the droplets in his research integrity class, Julio Turrens, associate dean and biochemist at University of South Alabama, has caught three instances of image fraud in papers or grants under his review.

What do the droplets NOT do?

The droplets can only de-authenticate an image—they cannot, for example, distinguish between fraud and extreme beautification of data unless the original image is available for comparison.

Won't the droplets show how to commit undetectable fraud?

“It would be less work to just do the experiment,” says Krueger.

The droplets and instructions are available at http://ori.dhhs.gov/tools/droplets.shtml