NCJ Number
85107
Date Published
1980
Length
39 pages
Annotation
This study evaluated the effectiveness of packets containing tear gas and red dye in the recovery of money stolen from banks and in the investigation, apprehension, and prosecution of bank robbers.
Abstract
It was based on a literature review, contacts with law enforcement officials and with three major manufacturers of the packs, and a survey of 150 banks in all 50 States. The 37 banks currently using the packs reported that 171 robberies had occurred in which the tear gas/dye packs left the banks with the robbers. The packs resemble a regular pack of strapped currency and are designed to emit gas to make the robber drop the money and to emit smoke and dye to attract attention and stain clothing and currency. In these 171 robberies, 71 percent of the money stolen was recovered. Over four-fifths of the banks indicated that they had experienced robberies in which the packs were directly or primarily the cause of the robber's apprehension. Almost three-quarters of the banks reported that the packs were useful to the police during the followup investigation. None of the banks sustained losses resulting from litigation or claims of injury or damage resulting from the 171 robberies. The packs failed to activate in less than 2 percent of the robberies. The packs are a valuable device for recovering assets, for deterring bank robberies, and for aiding apprehensions and prosecutions. Their use is increasing, and the risk of injury and liability is almost nonexistent. Figures and a copy of the study instrument are provided.