Forensic Laboratory Services

Counterfeits (Bureau for Counterfeit and Document Examinations)

The Counterfeits Discipline is one component of the Bureau for Counterfeit and Document Examinations. In this Section suspect travel documents (passports, visas, etc.), currency and payment cards are examined to determine if they are genuine, whether they have been altered or are counterfeit. Assistance is provided to investigators in searching printing plants suspected of being connected with counterfeiting activities. Services include:

• conducting forensic examination of Canadian and foreign banknotes and coins and of negotiable instruments (traveller’s cheques, bonds) to establish their authenticity;
• conducting classification and database recording of information pertaining to counterfeit banknotes and dissemination of information to the Canadian law enforcement community and to foreign agencies;
• providing forensic examination of travel documents and payment cards suspected of being counterfeit or fraudulently altered; and
• conducting classification and database recording of information pertaining to counterfeit travel documents and payment cards and dissemination of the information to Canadian and foreign law enforcement agencies and to Interpol.
  

The Counterfeits bureau had received and examined over 38,000 deceptive counterfeit Bank of Canada $100 notes that had originated from the same source and contained the same printing defects. A counterfeit Bank of Canada $20 note was examined and determined to contain similarities to the counterfeit $100 notes. The $20 note had been produced by a person in southern Ontario. The RCMP then began surveillance on the suspect. Through the efforts of the RCMP Commercial Crime Unit, the OPP and the municipal police, a search was conducted at the suspect’s residence. Computers, printers, dry embossers, foils, paints, inks and paper were seized, in addition to 2,300 Bank of Canada $100 notes in various stages of production. These notes were all classified the same as the 38,000 notes previously examined. The accused pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 5 years. His co-accused were sentenced to 2 years each.

If you are interested in a career as a Counterfeits examiner, you must have a Bachelor of Science degree or equivalent degree in science or a science-based professional degree (e.g. engineering). Consult the Careers page for additional employment information.