The Code Page
Top Down Image 1:
Base Upwards Image 2:
I first posted these close-up images in 2020; these are, in fact, amongst the photos provided to SAPOL
If you look closely, you will see the strings of small letters and numbers within the crossed lines. The top image was taken looking down from the code page from the top. This image shows the letters and numbers in what appears to be their correct orientation so that they can be read from left to right. The lower image was taken from the base of the code page, and of course, the letters and numbers are not so readily readable left to right.
Part of the letter Q is visible, as are some of the characters written within the circumference of that letter outline:
Each and every marked over area, that includes the dark 'stain' marks to the top left and right, the 'flourish' at the base of the page, and every larger letter contains
In examining this and other finds, the question arose, whether these markings were actually just markings on the paper and the ink that was applied effectively highlighted them. However, the ‘markings’ all took the form of letters and numbers that fitted within the boundaries of the marked areas. To confirm that, the example of the letter Q shown below clearly shows how the characters follow precisely the inked over
The question is why did they mark over all of the micro code?
Their interesting, what process or methoad did you use to get the crossed lines characters to show up? Can't see any trace of fluids or bleach etc.
ReplyDeleteDavo, fair question. Over the years I've used numerous different techniques to 'uncover' concealed writing. They include infra red, Ultraviolet, sodium hypochlorite, citric acid, backlighting, oblique lighting, combinations of the above and more. In this instance, pretty sure that I used direct sunlight with an oblique camera angle. The camera had a macro lens capability as well as being good for wide angle and close up photographs. There has been a lot of trial and error, some methods work better than others. Will be writing a post that covers this topic.
ReplyDeleteDavid, t clarify, in the images above you see the results of 2 different methods, the first two images near the top of the post is actually the same photograph but inverted and in that case it was taken in direct sunlight. The second two images were taken using ultra violet lighting as you can see. Of these two, the first is the simplest and the result is quite reasonable. Whilst that method was fine for the crossed lines, different methods need to be used for different areas on the code page and different again for the torn slip and the Boxall Rubaiyat.There are some baseline requirements that apply to each. The selection of paper type and the actual printer specification are critical. I have a document which contains a detailed description of each subject document and how the concealments are revealed.it is in the docs submitted to SAPOL and the coroner. I will publish that information in due course. In the meantime you could try out the direct sunlight method.
ReplyDeletePaid a visit to tbt blog, they’re a bit confused on the micro code about how it’s read and where a message starts etc., what’s your take?
ReplyDeleteHi Josh, had a look just now. The issues of how and if a concealed message can be read and where a message starts and ends can be confusing. A starting point is getting your mind around tradecraft as it existed at the time. By default you have to examine tradecraft practices in different countries and agencies, a matter of who used what, where and how at the time. To the points:
ReplyDelete1. How concealed messages are read. We start with 3 pieces of micro code . The torn slip, the Boxall ROK and of course the Somerton Man code page. The first question is were they all written by the same person? Answer, I don’t believe they were. Two out of three possibly. Next, did they all use the same concealment method? Answer, several concealment methods were used across the three examples with the SOE’s Ink H being used in at least some of two of the examples, being the Boxall ROK and the code page. The Tamam Shud slip made use of a different method. The Boxall ROK shows a number of concealment types including steganography, a variation of steganography, Ink H, anamorphic writing and possibly invisible ink. The latter may also have been used on the code page of course, there are other thoughts about the code page and its markings/letters. For the record I still believe that the Boxall ROK was part of a training course. Brass tacks, there are numerous ways in which these concealments can be read, in fact I have a short list which will be included in the book.
2. Where a message starts and ends.very much a tradecraft issue and again there are options. The various agencies used different methods many of these could and were ‘customised’ down to the individual operator. Think in terms of SOE and Leo Marks and the poem codes. Another example would be the Coast watchers one of which was the code developed by Commander Eric Feldman, the ‘Ferdinand’ code. In a long ago published post I was able to interview a Coast-watcher who had worked up in the islands, he told me that they used their personal date of birth as a keyword. I have looked at the ‘Ferdinand’ code. So, the short answer is that there are numerous ways in which individual operators could start and finish a coded message and that can be influenced by the nature of the code as well as the nature of the concealment method used. (A good example is the Ink H method where code is inserted into individual letters, easy to do with the letter I or H but what about the letter M or A?)
It’s understandable why people are confused, finding, uncovering and interpreting concealed codes is not particularly easy, it can literally take months in some instances and just when you think you’re on the right track, research uncovers yet more options. While I have been able to find and partially decrypt some of these codes, there is more work to be done. One big question that only the Coroner can answer is ‘Will these codes tell us the identity of the Somerton Man?’. I don’t have the answer to that question.
Nearly forgot, for those interested, when researching codes, ciphers or concealments, it pays to regularly spend time sharpening your lateral thinking skills. One way to do that is to use topographic puzzles. Here's a Facebook link to an example: https://www.facebook.com/share/r/16V25ZNbUz/
ReplyDelete