A method of detecting a covert marking including applying a fluorescent ink to a dendritic structure to generate an ink-coated dendrite and imaging the ink-coated dendrite with a device to visualize the ink-coated dendrite. A method of detecting a covert marking on an object including applying UV light to an object including a dendritic structure and illuminating the dendritic structure with the UV light. A dendritic structure including a unique metallic structure at least partially coated with a fluorescent ink that is not visible to the naked eye in ambient light and is visible to the naked eye when exposed to UV light.
