NCJ Number
161279
Journal
International Journal of Forensic Document Examiners Volume: 2 Issue: 1 Dated: (January-March 1996) Pages: 64-70
Date Published
1996
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This article describes a recent invention that combines the inventor's skill in printing with knowledge of optics to produce paper currency, traveler's checks, postage stamps, food stamps, and other important documents that, unlike current documents of similar types, have characteristics that reveal copies to be obvious counterfeits.
Abstract
Currently, counterfeiting of these documents is possible using sophisticated color copiers. In contrast, the invention produces copy-proof instruments that are both indistinguishable from genuine items produced with previous technology and that result in obviously bogus copies when fraudulent duplication is attempted. The invention forms lines into various patterns in a manner imitative of intaglio or gravure printing. The pitch of the lineations is deliberately selected to vary minutely from the pitch of the scanning trace of various copying machines such as photocopiers, video opticons, and others. The variation in pitch can be obtained by deliberately manufacturing the document with the desired pitch or, after placing the image on the document, changing the dimensions or geometry of the document to effectively skew the pitch parameter. Figures