1. A method for providing an indication of authenticity of an electronic image of a physical document comprising: generating a signal corresponding to contour variations of at least one of a number of surfaces of said document; converting said signal into a profile tracing signature; and correlating said profile tracing signature with said electronic image of said document to ascertain authenticity of said physical document; wherein said generating a signal includes tracing said at least one of a number of surfaces of said physical document with a pickup; and responsive to said tracing, detecting one or more characteristics on said at least one of a number of surfaces of said physical document, and wherein said signal includes an indication of each of said one or more detected characteristics.