A method of identifying a source of a marking fluid applied to a person or
an object comprises applying a marking fluid including one or more
security markers to a person or an object and illuminating the applied
marking fluid to excite the security markers. Photoluminescent emission
from the security markers in response to the excitation is measured and
compared with one or more pre-defined photoluminescent signatures
associated with the source of the marking fluid. The source of the
marking fluid is identified based on a match between the detected
photoluminescent emission and at least one of the pre-defined
photoluminescent signatures.