NCJ Number
159691
Journal
International Journal of Forensic Document Examiners Volume: 1 Issue: 2 Dated: (April-June 1995) Pages: 99-110
Date Published
1995
Length
12 pages
Annotation
The vertical alignment and horizontal spacing of embossed credit cards produced by different embossing machines were compared to determine whether fraudulently produced credit cards can be identified back to a particular embossing machine.
Abstract
The research used sample cards produced on DataCard Cardwriter II embossing machines, including new, used, and seized machines. The embossed detail on the credit cards was examined for class and individual characteristics that could be used to identify a particular make and model of embosser. The results were assessed to determine whether or not the observed class and individual characteristics represented a unique enough combination of features to identify a specific embossing machine as producing a particular credit card. Results revealed that two new embossing machines of the same manufacture and model had their own sets of individual features and that the individual features were sufficient to differentiate between the machines. However, these features may change over time and new features may develop. Minor differences in observed characters should not be given too much weight. Findings suggested that having manufacturers produce and retain several sample cards containing all the characters of the sample machine would be extremely useful. Illustrations and 3 references (Author abstract modified)