Instantaneous chemical profiles of banknotes by ambient mass spectrometry

Abstract

Using two desorption/ionization techniques (DESI and EASI) and Brazilian real, US$ dollar, and euro bills as proof-of-principle techniques and samples, direct analysis by ambient mass spectrometry is shown to function as an instantaneous, reproducible, and non-destructive method for chemical analysis of banknotes. Characteristic chemical profiles were observed for the authentic bills and for the counterfeit bills made using different printing processes (inkjet, laserjet, phaser and off-set printers). Detection of real-world counterfeit bills and identification of the counterfeiting method has also been demonstrated. Chemically selective 2D imaging of banknotes has also been used to confirm counterfeiting. The nature of some key diagnostic ions has also been investigated via high accuracy FTMS measurements. The general applicability of ambient MS analysis for anti-counterfeiting strategies particularly via the use of "invisible ink" markers is discussed.

Química forense: perspectivas sobre novos métodos analíticos aplicados à documentoscopia, balística e drogas de abuso

“…43 A obtenção do perfil químico do dinheiro torna-se uma metodologia eficiente para as investigações criminais no combate à falsificação do dinheiro nacional. A autenticidade das principais moedas (real, dólar e euro) pode ser averiguada em poucos segundos, 63 Perfis químicos foram também obtidos para as notas falsas reproduzidas no Laboratório Thomson usando 3 diferentes marcas de impressoras: inkjet, phaser e laserjet (Figuras 1Sa-c, material suplementar). Os íons detectados para as impressoras inkjet e phaser correspondem a uma série oligomérica de m/z 300-900 e m/z 700-1300, respectivamente (Figuras 1Sa-b, material suplementar).…”

“…A presença da cocaína na sociedade é de tal magnitude, que é comum encontrar a droga até na superfície do papel-moeda. 63 …”

Analyzing Brazilian Driver’s License Authenticity by Easy Ambient Sonic-Spray Ionization Mass Spectrometry

“…In these spectra, a series of diagnostic ions, m/z 284, 301, 368, 391, 413, 429, 494, 522, 550, were detected. This set of diagnostic ions has been detected and reproduced in others official Brazilian printed documents, such as banknotes [25] [26] and vehicle registration documents [1]. Most dyes used in the official printing process are expected to be deeply and/or strongly adsorbed to the security driver's license paper, therefore, the EASI charged droplets desorb small amounts of chemicals from the top of document; hence, there is a low abundance of ions and a low total ion current produced from original printed documents [28].…”

“…Recently, ELDI-MS was used to rapidly distinguish authentic from counterfeit US dollar bills and New Taiwan dollar banknotes [24]. EASI-MS was used for the nearly instantaneous, reproducible, and non-destructive characterization of Brazilian vehicle documents [1] and first [25] and second generation Brazilian banknotes [26].…”

Evaluation of the Evidential Value of the Elemental Composition of Glass, Ink and Paper by Laser-Based Micro-Spectrochemical Methods

“…Alternative mass spectrometric methods for the identification of organic components of inks have been recently reported, including Secondary Ionization Mass Spectrometry (SIMS) [Pachuta et al, 1994], Field Desorption Mass Spectrometry [Sakayanagi et al,1999], Ambient Mass Spectrometry using DESI and EASI [Eberlin et al, 2010;Ifa et al, 2007;Lalli et al, 2010], Direct Analysis in Real Time (DART) [Jones et al, 2006] and Laser Desorption Ionization Mass Spectrometry (LDIMS) [Gallidabino et al, 2010;Weyerman et al, 2010;Weyerman et al 2012].…”