As licenced private investigators specializing in jewelry and art theft investigations, we witness the fallout of jewelry and art theft first hand and all too often. Whether stolen from a private home or public setting, these types of precious assets often represent immense historic value, sentiment, and uniqueness that makes no dollar amount a satisfying substitute, making the crime one that cuts deep for targeted owners.

Framed by this reality, the unveiling of a brand new app from INTERPOL marks a positive step towards reducing the skyrocketing rates of both jewelry theft and art theft across the United States and around the globe. Let’s take a look at exactly what this cutting-edge technology has to offer concerned collectors everywhere.

  1. Direct Access to INTERPOL’s Stolen Works of Art Database

INTERPOL’s Stolen Works of Art Database promises to change the game for those aiming to thwart criminals intent on art theft and jewelry theft. It does so by cataloging essential information for the identification of valued items, aiding in their identification and location. At time of writing, the database has already amassed data on more than 52,000 objects from 134 member countries—all in the name of mounting a combined response to safeguarding our common heritage.

This impressive resource has been designed for use by police officers, custom officials, the general public, private collectors, art dealers, journalists, students, and art enthusiasts. However, the innovation of this project lies not in the simple documentation of stolen valuables, but in a far more comprehensive range of functions. The key to unlocking this crime fighting potential comes with use of their groundbreaking ap, ID-Art.

  1. Stamping Out Jewelry Theft and Art Theft with ID-Art

The free-to-use ID-Art mobile app not only allows users to check if an object is registered as stolen, but also to create and inventory their own art collections and report site thefts and threats in real time. Missing objects can be searched manually or visually, using diverse search parameters such as object type, medium, production technique, artist’s name, or country of provenance. These metrics are streamlined by INTERPOL’s standardized ‘Object-ID’ format. 

Alternatively, users can upload an image of the asset in question to perform a visual search using ID-Art’s cutting-edge image recognition software. This attention to details means that those cataloging their collections on the app can enjoy peace of mind that the data is in place to make it difficult for criminals to move their most beloved property in the event of jewelry or art theft. This, in turn, will help to reduce illicit trafficking and deter would-be criminals from targeting one-of-a-kind objects in the first place.

  1. Going Further to Prevent Art and Jewelry Theft

Seeking adequate insurance and cataloging your valuables can go a long way in the event of a theft, but what about prevention? Private investigators from Lauth Investigations International frequently turn their expertize in analyzing crime scenes to the art of security and risk assessment. If you are concerned that you may be vulnerable to art or jewelry theft, we can deliver a comprehensive assessment and tailored advice on the steps that you can take to ensure the safety of your prized valuables.
Should the worst have occurred and your items are missing, our veteran private investigators are ready to jump out into the field and unearth their trail, in hot pursuit of recovery. No matter your art and jewelry related security concerns, the Lauth Investigations team is ready to provide essential support. Contact us to learn more, and download INTERPOLS ID-Art app free of charge for Apple and Android mobile devices, to add vital layers of protection in the safeguarding of your assets.