Falskning

Falskning, commonly translated as forgery or falsification, is a term used in Nordic languages to describe actions that involve making, altering, or presenting a false document, signature, or statement with the intent to deceive. It also covers the use or possession of such falsified items as genuine.

Common forms include document forgery (altering or creating official papers such as contracts, certificates, or licenses), signature forgery (imitation of another person’s signature), counterfeit currency or goods, and falsification of data or records in research, administration, or journalism.

In criminal law, falskning typically requires an intent to deceive (mens rea) and an act that has or could have a deceptive effect on another party. The exact definitions and penalties vary by jurisdiction, but offenses often carry fines, imprisonment, or both. Some contexts distinguish outright forgery from related acts such as fraud or misrepresentation.

Enforcement combines criminal prosecutions with civil remedies. Forensic methods, document authentication, handwriting analysis, and digital forensics are used to detect falskning. Organizations combat falskning through internal controls, audits, digital signatures, and anti-counterfeiting measures.

Because the concept spans traditional paper documents and digital information, falskning is a cross-cutting concern in law, finance, academia, and governance. Related terms include fraud, counterfeiting, and data fabrication.