MCI conducts in-depth studies of artistic, anthropological, and historic objects using state-of-the-art analytical techniques to elucidate their provenance, composition, and cultural context of Smithsonian collections, and to improve our conservation and collections storage capabilities. MCI is the only Smithsonian resource for technical studies and analyses for the majority of Smithsonian collections. Technical studies require the latest instrumentation, analytical expertise, art historical knowledge, and interpretive abilities. MCI has unique capabilities in most of these areas, as is evidenced by requests for consultation not only from within SI, but from outside organizations, including the White House, U.S. House of Representatives, Defense Intelligence Agency, Secret Service, World Monuments Fund, and other federal, museum, and academic organizations.