BS-CRIMINOLOGY
2-3B1
FORENSIC 4
HOW TO DETECT COUNTERFEIT MONEY?
LEADER: FRANCES KATE S. MANLUTAC
MEMBERS: JV DE TORRES
NIKKO R. MAMADOR
RYAN MABAET
CESAR J. HIPOLITO JR.
BS-CRIMINOLOGY
2-3B1
DISTINCTIVE FEEL
A counterfeit note's paper is generally the first giveaway, as it is much shinier than the
actual thing. We're all used to dealing with currency on a daily basis and are familiar
with the feel of a real bill, even if we aren't aware of it.
PORTRAIT
Portrait is the authentic portrait that has a lifelike appearance and stands out against the
background. The fake portrait is usually flat and lifeless. The backdrop, which is
frequently overly dark or uneven, blends into the details.
WATERMARKS
It is an identifying image or pattern in paper that appears as various shades of
lightness/darkness when viewed by transmitted light (or when viewed by reflected light,
atop a dark background), caused by thickness or density variations in the paper. It has
been used on postage stamps, currency, and other government documents to
discourage counterfeiting. There are two main ways of producing watermarks in paper;
the dandy roll process, and the more complex cylinder mould process. Watermarks vary
greatly in their visibility; while some are obvious on casual inspection, others require
some study to pick out. Various aids have been developed, such as watermark fluid that
wets the paper without damaging it. A watermark is very useful in the examination of
paper because it can be used for dating, identifying sizes, mill trademarks and locations,
and determining the quality of a sheet of paper.
COLOR FIBERS
Colored fibers are inserted into the pulp before it is pressed, in order to make
counterfeiting even more difficult. It helps prevent counterfeiters from raising notes—
bleaching out the paper of a low denomination and printing a higher denomination onto
the authentic paper.
BS-CRIMINOLOGY
2-3B1
METALLIC THREAD
The philippine peso has two security threads. First is Embedded Security Thread This is
a special thread implanted vertically off center of the note during the paper’s
manufacture. Second is Windowed Security Thread, The thread is vertically located like
“stitches” on the face of the note. A 4mm wide stitch-like metallic security thread can be
seen present in 100, 200, 500 and 1000 peso notes. The front of the thread carries in
clear text the initials of the BSP together with the numeric denomination in repeated
series. Similarly, at the back of the security thread is the printed initials of BSP in
repeated series.To check if the money is real, the color of the parrot should change
from red to green when the note is rotated at a 90 degree angle. Bills also have a
security thread, a stitch-like metallic thread running vertically across the note. It should
change color from red to green when put up against light.
LACEWORK DESIGN
The background designs are made up of multicolored and well defined lines. The
lacework designs are composed of web-crisscrossing lines which are continuous and
traceable even at the intersection. To check if the money is real, The genuine note is
printed on a special kind of paper which is rough when you run your fingers through it. It
does not glow under the ultraviolet light.
COLOR OF EACH DENOMINATION
A special characteristic of the 1,000-peso denomination, which is also located in the
lower left corner of the face of the note. It changes color from green to blue or blue to
green when the note is held at different angles.
These security features are easily recognizable by sight and touch alone. Instruments
are not necessary. Make it a habit to feel and look at all notes being received so that the
fingers and the eyes will become familiar with the features of the genuine Bangko
Sentral notes. Whereas Counterfeit money does not change color.
BS-CRIMINOLOGY
2-3B1
SERIAL NUMBER
Composed of one or two prefix letters and six to seven digits, which are clearly printed.
The letters and numerals are uniform in size and thickness, evenly spaced and well-
aligned. They glow under ultraviolet light. With real money you can see that the print is
polished and well aligned, moreover, when you apply it to the uv light, it will glow, while
with fake money, the print is blurry and the serial number is not aligned properly.
VIGNETTE
In the vignette you can see the design on the back of the Philippine peso is composed
of lines and dashes that are fine, distinct and sharp. The varying color tone gives an
authentic look to the picture that makes it stand out. And in the counterfeit money you
will not see a vignette because the printing machine that used ordinary and substandard
ink was used here, that’s why you cannot spot the vignette on the back of the
counterfeit money.
CLEANNESS OF PRINT
In cleanness of print you can feel the various printed features of the Philippine peso that
give off a well-defined, sharp, and distinct impression. Because of the measurable
thickness of ink deposited on the paper, fingers can easily feel the main prints on the
front and back designs of relatively new notes. When you put your fingers across the
authentic note, you will notice that it is printed on a unique type of paper that is rough.
You can see it in the upper side of the Philippine peso with written on the upper part of
the money you can feel the embossed print over the words “REPUBLIKA NG
PILIPINAS,” numerical value in text, signatures, and value panels particularly, the one
located at the lower right corner of the money. While in counterfeit money you can’t feel
the embossed print because substandard ink was used here.
