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IDENTITY CARD – BRASIL ADULTERATION – A REAL CASE

Denise Gonçalves de Moraes Rivera

Perita Criminal Grafotécnica Instituto de Criminalística Carlos Éboli (ICCE)

Rio de Janeiro / Brasil

Definition

The identity card — diversely named in Portuguese cédula de identidade (identity bill) cartão/carteira de identidade

(identity card) or "RG" (from Registro Geral, General Registry), depending on the state — is the national official identity document in Brazil. It contains the name, the birthdate, the names of the parents, the signature and the thumbprint of the bearer. Other national documents can, by law, be used as an identity card, such as the Brazilian driver's license, a Passaport, for minors, the birth certificate.

Issue Because of its need for most civil activities, it is practically compulsory to all citizens who have attained the age of majority (18 in Brazil) to have an RG card and number issued, although bearing it at all times is optional but not uncommon. Minors can also have one issued, but if the citizen is under 16 at the time of appliance, it will expire at their 18th birthday, making it necessary to issue another. Identity cards are issued by the state governments, but can be used nationwide. It is interesting to note that there is no legal restriction to having more than one identity card, provided that each is issued by a different state.

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The documents required for the issue of an identity card depend on whether the person is single or married. For single persons, it is the birth certificate (the original one or a certified copy), for those married, it is the marriage certificate. If the person wants, the CPF can be printed on it too. The Law No. 7116 of 08.29.1983 ensured the validity of identity cards across the country, standardizing the national model of the same. The model of this Identity Card is printed by American Bank Note Company or By Casa da Moeda do Brasil.

Security Features The ID card has the following dimensions: 10.2 cm x 6.8 cm and is made of paper filigree, printed in intaglio and offset, in green, with numismatic background. Mandatory elements of ID:

a) Arms of the Republic and the inscription "Federal Republic of Brazil."

b) Name and Arms of the Federation printed on the face containing the photo and fingerprint identified.

c) Identification of the Issuer Authority. d) General Registry of Issuer Authority, place and date of

dispatch. e) Name, affiliation, place and date of birth of identified,

containing a summary, data of birth certificate or marriage presented.

f) 3x4 Photo, signature and right thumbprint identified (captured and digitized in the document).

g) Signature of the officer Authority consignor (usually by mechanical seal).

h) The term "Valid throughout the national territory" and the reference to Law 7116 of 08.29.1983.

From October 2001 identity cards began to be issued by the General Department of Civil Identification (DETRAN-DIC).

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The ID cards have pictures (photo, thumbprint and signature) digitized graphics and other security devices that significantly reduce the possibility of adulteration or forgery. In the reverse of the ID are printed in two-dimensional barcode, the photo, the fingerprint and the signature of the identified, allowing certification of identity "offline" based on a comparison of the digital codes of the thumbs of the individual with the digital collected live in "live scanners." Text that complements the person identified data is produced by laser printing process. The ID can not be plasticized, being wrapped in clear plastic envelope. The application of UV reveals the characters printed with reagent ink.

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Alterations Detected In 2007 began to occur frauds with use of identity cards that visually did not exhibit any trace of adulteration. In an operation of the judicial police several identity cards were apprehended and sent to Laboratory of Forensic Document Examination of Criminalistic Institut Carlos Éboli (ICCE). Closer examination revealed the adulteration by erasure of the text printed in laser, using soft rubber. Such operation caused no considerable damage to the fibers of the paper support. After deleting the text, the signature and the photo of the person identified, this ID served as a basis for fraudulent ID, with new data printing and photo identification (false). Therefore, the document was ready to be accepted in most financials institutions. a) One Identity Card in the adulteration process, when removed the original photo, signature and holder’s information. b) Another Identity Card after alteration:

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The forger did not bother to suppress the data printed on the back of the document, since only the issuer Authority (DETRAN-DIC) has the necessary equipment to convert the two-dimensional barcodes in images. The application of UV allowed the visualization of traces of erasures, using soft rubber without causing major damage to the surface of the paper support. The image magnification allows visualization of traces of deleted text.

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Remnants of Original Text In the case illustrated above the real signature was deleted by erasing, after that replaced by the signature we can see. Identity card alterated, where all text, photo and signature were erased.

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Same identity card view with UV application: The identity card in name of Dayzelane Nardoim Costa was adulterated with removal of all the printing and photography's carrier. These traces were detected with the application of UV light. It should be clarified that the images converted to digital format, printed on the back of the document, require equipment suitable for conversion. Such equipment exists only in the ranks of DETRAN (responsible for issuing the document). This shows a security element useless because it can't be verified by anyone. Furthermore, although this identity card has a lot of security features, what makes it very expensive, a common

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rubber can erase all text, photo and signature printed on it, without any trace of this alteration.

In Conclusion Having analyzed and found the security hole of this document, a report was sent to the president of DETRAN, suggesting the application of transparent plastic, high adhesiveness, in order to protect the data that identifies the bearer of the identity card. This suggestion was accepted and from 2007 all Identity Cards came to be made with transparent protective film. Denise Rivera – Perita Grafotécnica / Handwriting Expert Rio de Janeiro / Brasil Email: denise.rivera@ig.com.br Blog: deniseriveraperitablogspot.com.br Phone: 5521-8123-8606.

Abbreviations: DETRAN – DIC: DEPARTAMENTO DE IDENTIFICAÇÃO CIVIL (Civil Identification Department) CPF: CADASTRO DE PESSOA FÍSICA The Cadastro de Pessoas Físicas (CPF) – Portuguese for Natural Persons Register – is a number attributed by the Brazilian revenue agency (Receita Federal – Federal Revenue) to both Brazilians and resident aliens who pay taxes or take part, directly or indirectly, in activities that provide revenue for any of the dozens of different types of taxes existing in Brasil.