There are two main approaches a bank robber might take; there are those who use a gun, and those who hand over a note reading ‘this is a robbery’.
Forensic document examiner Justin Watt works to identify criminals by analysing handwriting, typed text, and small clues on paper that give away big secrets.
Watt breaks down how much can a simple note reveal about a criminal on Crime Insiders:
“You’d have those that would kick in the door with their sawn-off shotgun and yell at everybody, ‘this is a robbery.’ And then you’d have the bank robber who would very quietly walk into the branch, and make some small talk with the teller, pass the note across, and then the teller would realise they’re actually in the middle of a robbery,” Watt said.
Watt worked with police to identify an active bank robber in the late 90s, who used the note-passing method. This allowed him to get in and out of the bank as quickly as possible without attracting attention.
The gentleman walked in wearing dark sunglasses and a hat. He presented a post pack box and a note which Watt recalls said:
“This is a robbery. There is an explosive device in the box. Give me all the cash, and within five minutes, I’ll be out of range, and you can call the police then.”
How did forensics identify the bank robber?
Watt analysed the holdup note using a forensic tool called Electrostatic Detection Apparatus, or ESDA.
“What some people don’t realise,” Watt said, “is you can enhance impressions on what looks like a completely fresh clean piece of paper.”
If you lean on a piece of paper, you can usually see it’s caused wrinkles or imperfections. ESDA however, uses an electrostatic charge to reveal invisible lines and minute writing impressions, even just from surfaces it’s touched.
When Watt begins analysing the document, he notices impressions on the top right corner that reveal more hand writing.
“I’m starting to get really excited. I’ve developed now a name and an address, and it was a letter to somebody.”
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