Currency and Securities - Counterfeit Clues (From Criminal and Civil Investigation Handbook, P 6-103 to 6-108, 1981, Joseph J Grau and Ben Jacobson, eds. - See NCJ-84274)

• NCJ Number: 84314
• Author(s): P A Linker
• Date Published: 1981
• Length: 6 pages
• Sale Source: McGraw-Hill Publishing Co
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS.

Annotation

The manufacturing processes for genuine currency and securities are described, and ways to detect counterfeits are indicated.

Abstract

Usually counterfeit currency is made by offset printing and does not have the same sharpness, clarity, and three-dimensional quality of genuine currency. A counterfeit item will usually be flat to the touch and have lines that fade out in spots. A genuine bill has sharp lines throughout, and the ink and design will not rub off or fade with wear. The color and quality of the Treasury seal should always be examined, and the note in question should be compared with a genuine one. Great care is used in the manufacture of securities, but since they can take many forms, lack of uniformity makes it difficult to detect a counterfeit. Since counterfeit securities are usually made by the photo offset process or by color copier machines, close examination will frequently determine whether or not a certificate is genuine. These types of counterfeits will not have a three-dimensional appearance or raised textures. Some color copies will have a glossy appearance, and the coloring may not be deep and uniform. Copier machine imitations will have uneven tones, faded areas, and dark blots of color. Some manufacturers randomly disperse colored substances throughout the paper used to print securities. Under a black light, the color dots will fluoresce.