Evaluating the viability of obtaining DNA profiles from DNA encapsulated between the layers of composite counterfeit banknotes

Abstract

Banknote counterfeiting can potentially undermine the integrity of a currency, by eroding both public and retailer confidence in cash as a method of payment. To thwart such criminal counterfeiting activity, banknote issuing authorities employ a range of overt and covert technologies, most in the form of banknote security features.The development, selection and deployment of such features, is an ongoing process undertaken jointly between the manufacturers of security features, banknote printers and banknote issuing authorities, i.e. Central Banks. This ongoing process helps maintain the integrity of banknotes as a recognised, safe and secure means of payment. While some counterfeit banknotes are seized by police at the point of production or whilst in storage, others are removed from circulation during banknote sorting operations, as part of the ‘cash cycle’. Counterfeit banknotes which are removed from circulation are inevitably contaminated, in terms of finger marks and DNA acquired during handling by both criminals and non-criminals alike. However, encapsulated DNA recovered from between the layers of a composite banknote, is highly likely to belong to a person involved in the manufacturing process and is therefore of far greater evidential value. Such evidence has the potential to identify the criminals involved in counterfeit note production.This research evaluates the investigative potential of recovering and profiling of such encapsulated DNA, primarily regarding specific counterfeit types. Accordingly, the objective of the research is to establish an innovative and reliable method of extracting and profiling encapsulated DNA from counterfeit banknotes.