NCJ Number
166134
Journal
International Journal of Forensic Document Examiners Volume: 2 Issue: 3 Dated: (July/September 1996) Pages: 220-225
Date Published
1996
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This study attempted to recreate currency subjected to an exploding dye pack and test the efficiency of various solvent systems in removing dye from the treated samples; results of the extractions were tabulated and the condition of the tested samples observed.
Abstract
Interviews with robbery suspects determined that money, in contact with exploding dye packs, could be washed, leaving the money worn, weathered, and with an earthy color tone. Based on these statements, an exploded dye pack containing money, heavily stained with the red dye 1-methylaminoanthraquinone, was submitted for the purposes of testing the ability of various solvents to extract the dye from the currency and to determine whether the treated currency resulted in the previously reported condition. Various solvent extraction schemes were developed and tested on various size samples of dyed currency. The results of these tests help explain the physical appearance of the circulated, post-robbery currency, following the removal of dye. An analytical scheme that uses Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy to detect residual dye on washed circulated currency following robberies is also presents. Solvents that successfully extract dye without damaging the currency, together with analytical techniques to examine for the presence of trace dye on suspect currency, will be of value when reconstructing the steps to remove dye from currency subjected to a dye-pack during a bank robbery. 4 figures, 3 tables, and 2 references