NCJ Number
159688
Journal
International Journal of Forensic Document Examiners Volume: 1 Issue: 1 Dated: (January-March 1995) Pages: 52-55
Date Published
1995
Length
4 pages
Annotation
The Trodat Security Marker imported from Austria by Trodat Canada Ltd of Guelph, Ontario, a self-inking ultraviolet rubber stamp marker developed to aid police investigators in the identification of stolen goods, was evaluated with respect to its ability to adhere to a variety of surfaces found on stolen property.
Abstract
The manufacturer claims that the ink will leave a permanent invisible impression on most services, including metal. The current tests evaluated stamp impressions on paper, plastic, vinyl, metal, nylon, lacquered wood, plexiglass, cellophane, glass, and leather. Results revealed that the stamp impressions held to the different surfaces with varying degrees of success. Uncoated highly polished metal products poorly retained the stamp impressions. Stamp impressions were retained permanently on objects with hard plastic shells; objects coated with plastic, vinyl, lacquer, or varathane; and paper products. Synthetic clothing, leather goods, and some unpolished and uncoated metals retained the image but not to the same degree as the others. Findings indicated that the marking system is useful for identifying objects with high theft potential, particularly items with plastic casings. The size of the marking unit restricts the use of the system to large items. Illustrations and 2 references