A security checkpoint for authenticating a security article, the security checkpoint comprising: - an apparatus for authenticating the security article, said apparatus comprising an apparatus housing accommodating: - a biographic information capturing device configured to capture biographic information from the security article; - a security feature detector comprising an optical detector configured to detect an optical property of a security feature in the form of an image or graphic element on and/or in the security article; wherein the security checkpoint further comprises: - a gate moveable between a closed position and an open position; wherein the captured biographic information and the detected optical property of the security feature on and/or in the security article are processed to determine whether the security article is genuine, and the gate is operable to be moved from the closed to the open position depending on the determination, wherein the apparatus further comprises a security article receiving device accommodated by the apparatus housing and adapted to receive the security article and to capture from the security article the biographic information and the optical property of the security feature, wherein the security article receiving device comprises a reader support, characterized in that the optical detector is configured to detect the optical property selected from light intensity of emitted, reflected or absorbed light, light emission wavelength, reflection wavelength, absorption wavelength and light polarization, and the security feature detector is movable for detecting the optical property of the security feature from different angles or distances relative to the security feature. - an apparatus for authenticating the security article, said apparatus comprising an apparatus housing accommodating: - a biographic information capturing device configured to capture biographic information from the security article; - a security feature detector comprising an optical detector configured to detect an optical property of a security feature in the form of an image or graphic element on and/or in the security article; - a biographic information capturing device configured to capture biographic information from the security article; - a security feature detector comprising an optical detector configured to detect an optical property of a security feature in the form of an image or graphic element on and/or in the security article; wherein the security checkpoint further comprises: - a gate moveable between a closed position and an open position; - a gate moveable between a closed position and an open position; wherein the captured biographic information and the detected optical property of the security feature on and/or in the security article are processed to determine whether the security article is genuine, and the gate is operable to be moved from the closed to the open position depending on the determination, wherein the apparatus further comprises a security article receiving device accommodated by the apparatus housing and adapted to receive the security article and to capture from the security article the biographic information and the optical property of the security feature, wherein the security article receiving device comprises a reader support, characterized in that the optical detector is configured to detect the optical property selected from light intensity of emitted, reflected or absorbed light, light emission wavelength, reflection wavelength, absorption wavelength and light polarization, and the security feature detector is movable for detecting the optical property of the security feature from different angles or distances relative to the security feature.