read encrypt and store the original signature pattern of the seal as well as to read and compare a verification pattern of the seal with the original signature pattern to determine and indicate tampering with the seal when the patterns do not match further assurance against seal duplication can be gained if a second characterization record is made of each seal with a different lamp orientation rotation of the first tube 32 about its axis and pivotal movement of the second tube 40 relative to the first tube repositions the lamp relative to the seal with the base 26 remaining fixed fig2 schematically illustrates pattern generation of a seal with the lamp located at a second position b with the light rays therefrom being represented by broken arrows the generation of a backup pattern record takes advantage of the fact that any given two dimensional reflection pattern can be generated by an infinite number of three dimensional arrangements of reflective particles but only one specific arrangement of particles can produce the same related pair of patterns with different lamp orientations in use the seal must not be the strongest part of the object to be protected ideally the seal should completely surround the protected object so that access to it is completely dependent upon defeating the seal if the seal can not envelope the object completely then it should cover all areas vulnerable to penetration and its.