NCJ Number
188967
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 46 Issue: 3 Dated: May 2001 Pages: 631-636
Date Published
May 2001
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This article describes an office paper copying process that allows paper and copier solution to be used more than once and surplus copier solution to be safely disposed of down a household drain.
Abstract
DeCopier Technologies, Inc., of Framingham, MA, has developed an office paper copying system that uses a nontoxic thermochemical process to soften toner and loosen its bond with paper. The toner is then brushed away and the sheet dried, ready to be reused. The company reports that the process will work not just on documents prepared by a photocopy machine or laser printer, but on transparencies, facsimiles, and other documents with toner components/entries. The process affects toner as well as other applications (e.g., ink, typewriting, rubber stamps) typically seen in documentary evidence. In tests, the current version of the process affected all the additional applications except watermarks, but did not completely remove any of them. The manufacturer claims that the process is non-toxic and environmentally friendly. The solution can be recycled by the machine and reused again and again. The toner waste product is very small and can be reused as a filler material. The solution is a relatively inexpensive stable chemical with an indefinite shelf life and can be safely disposed of down a household drain. Figures, table, references