A multi-mode reader instrument capable of detecting and determining digital data from a signal from one or more markers, indicia or taggants on an object, the markers, indicia or taggants such as a bar code, a QR code, an RFID, an optical compound, a fluorescent compound, a phosphorescent compound, a DNA taggant, an upconverting phosphor (UCP), a chemical dye, a digitized image, a radioactive compound, an olfactory compound or a thermal attribute of the object is provided. Also, provided is a method and a system for identifying an object, the system includes: a multi-mode reader instrument for detecting data from a signal from one or more markers, indicia or taggants on an object and assignment of digital code for the marker and a database for securing and retrieving information relevant to the item.