Hailey Johnson
Exploding ink packs, also known as intelligent banknote neutralisation systems (IBNS), are a security system used by banks, ATMs, and retail establishments to prevent robberies. The concept behind IBNS is to deter criminals by maximising their potential loss from the crime while increasing the chances of them being caught. This is achieved through the use of dye packs inserted between bills that explode when taken beyond a specified area, releasing indelible dye that stains the money and makes it easily identifiable as stolen.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What are they? | Exploding ink packs, also known as intelligent banknote neutralisation systems (IBNS) or dye packs, are security systems used by banks to deter robberies and foil criminals. |
| How do they work? | Dye packs are inserted between genuine banknotes, with the interior of the notes removed to accommodate the electronic apparatus and dye pack. When a robber leaves the bank with the cash, a radio transmitter triggers a timer, after which the dye pack explodes, releasing an indelible dye and potentially other chemicals or tear gas. |
| Effectiveness | Dye packs are used in over 75% of banks in the US. They are also used in ATMs, retail establishments, and vending machines. |
| Purpose | The use of IBNS aims to remove the anticipated reward of a crime and increase the risk of being caught. The brightly coloured stains on the bills allow for easy identification of stolen money and can also link the criminal to the crime scene. |
| Development | The first IBNS prototype was invented by Spinnaker International Ltd in 1982, using coloured smoke as a neutralising agent. In 1990, safety ink was introduced as a neutralising agent, and IBNS systems began to be used in non-armoured vehicles for cash transportation. |
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What You'll Learn
How do exploding ink packs work?
Exploding ink packs, also known as dye packs, are used as a security measure by banks, ATMs, retail establishments, and vending machines to prevent robberies and protect cash in transit. The concept behind these systems is to maximise the potential cost of the crime for the criminal while minimising the reward.
Dye packs are inserted between random bundles of bills. They remain in standby mode until they are removed from a specified area, such as when they are taken out of the bank doors. At this point, the dye pack is armed and a radio transmitter or proximity sensor triggers a timer. After a set time, usually at least 10 seconds, the dye pack explodes, releasing an aerosol of brightly coloured indelible dye, typically Disperse Red 9, and sometimes tear gas. The chemical reaction causing the explosion creates high temperatures of about 200 °C (400 °F), making it dangerous for the criminal to touch the money.
The conspicuous, brightly coloured stains on the bills allow for quick and easy visual recognition of stolen money. In addition to the dye, bonding agents or glues can be used to further incapacitate the robber and destroy the money. Tracers and markers can also be added to the ink, providing forensic evidence that links the criminal to the crime scene.
Dye packs have been used effectively to deter robberies and neutralise stolen cash, rendering it unusable and easily identifiable.
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Why do banks use them?
Exploding ink packs, also known as intelligent banknote neutralisation systems (IBNS), are used by banks to deter robberies and foil criminals. The system was invented in 1965 in Georgia, USA, and is now used in over 75% of banks in the country.
The IBNS works by inserting dye packs between genuine banknotes, which are then stored next to a magnetic plate at a bank teller's workstation. When a robber demands cash, the teller can slip a dye pack into the bundle of notes. As the robber exits the bank, a radio transmitter triggers a timer on the dye pack, causing it to explode and release a brightly coloured dye, typically red, staining the money and often the robber as well. This conspicuous marking makes it difficult for the stolen cash to be used or circulated, reducing the reward of the crime.
The dye packs also contain tracers and markers that provide forensic evidence, increasing the risk of the criminal being caught and prosecuted. This technology thus acts as a deterrent to potential robbers, as the likelihood of being caught and the difficulty of using the stolen cash increase significantly.
In addition to banks, IBNS technology is also used in ATMs, retail establishments, vending machines, and the cash-in-transit industry to protect cash in public spaces. The use of IBNS is regulated by legislation and the legal conditions applying to the private security sector in various countries.
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Are they effective?
Exploding ink packs, also known as intelligent banknote neutralisation systems (IBNS), are effective in deterring robberies. IBNS is used by banks, ATMs, retail establishments, and the cash-in-transit industry to render stolen cash unusable and easily identifiable. The system inserts dye packs between bills in random bundles, which explode when removed from a specified area, releasing indelible dye that stains the money and the robber, making it difficult to circulate the stolen cash.
The effectiveness of IBNS lies in its ability to reduce the anticipated reward of a crime by permanently marking the cash as stolen. The bright-coloured stains, typically red, act as a visual indicator of stolen money, making it challenging for robbers to utilise the cash without attracting attention. This method also serves as a deterrent, as potential robbers may be discouraged from attempting a robbery if they know the money will be unusable.
Additionally, IBNS can include tracers and markers in the ink or bonding agent, providing forensic evidence that links the criminal to the crime scene. This further increases the risk of being caught and discourages potential robbers. The inclusion of tear gas or other chemicals in the dye pack can also incapacitate the robber, enhancing the effectiveness of the system.
The use of IBNS has gained popularity, with over 75% of banks in the U.S. employing dye packs to foil robberies. The technology has also been utilised in countries such as Austria, the UK, Denmark, and France, demonstrating its effectiveness in enhancing security for cash-in-transit and reducing the appeal of bank robberies.
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Where are they used?
Intelligent Banknote Neutralisation Systems (IBNS) are used by banks, ATMs, retail establishments, vending machines, and the cash-in-transit industry. Dye packs are inserted between bills in random bundles. If a bundle containing a dye pack is removed from a specified area, it explodes, releasing an indelible dye and possibly an array of additional chemicals. The conspicuous, brightly coloured (usually red) stains on the bills allow for the quick and easy recognition of stolen money.
Dye packs are used to foil robberies in over 75% of banks in the U.S. IBNS technology is also used to protect cash inside ATMs, in retail establishments, in vending machines, and by the cash-in-transit industry, to protect cash in public spaces.
The use of IBNS is usually regulated by the presence or absence of a legal structure (legislation and regulations) as well as the legal conditions applying to the private security sector. Countries that permit the use of IBNS without legal or professional regulation or other restrictions include Austria, Bosnia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Slovenia, Switzerland, and the UK. Countries with legal regulation that permits the use of IBNS upon citing the regulation include Denmark, Finland, the Netherlands, and Norway.
The first IBNS prototype, invented by Spinnaker International Ltd in 1982, used coloured smoke as a neutralising agent. In 1990, safety ink was accepted as a neutralising agent for use in soft-skinned vehicles. At the same time, in Sweden, IBNS systems manufactured by Spinnaker were being used in non-armoured and partially armoured vehicles, demonstrating that this was a viable alternative to cash transportation with armoured trucks.
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How did they come about?
Exploding ink packs, also known as dye packs, are a security system used by banks, ATMs, retail establishments, and vending machines to prevent robberies and neutralise stolen cash. The concept of an Intelligent Banknote Neutralisation System (IBNS) was invented in Georgia, United States in 1965. The technology was designed based on the notion that criminals seek to maximise their rewards while minimising the potential costs of their crimes.
IBNS aims to remove the anticipated reward of the crime by permanently marking the cash as stolen with indelible security ink, which renders the stolen funds unusable and easily identifiable. The dye packs are inserted between genuine bills, with the electronic apparatus hidden within a cavity, and are kept in standby mode until activated. During a robbery, a bank teller would slip the dye pack to the robber along with packs of paper money.
When the dye pack is taken beyond a specified area, such as outside the bank doors, a radio transmitter triggers a timer, typically of at least 10 seconds, after which the dye pack explodes, releasing an aerosol of brightly coloured dye, typically Disperse Red 9, and sometimes tear gas. The chemical reaction creates high temperatures of about 200°C (400°F), making it difficult for the criminal to touch or handle the stolen cash.
The conspicuous, brightly coloured stains on the bills allow for quick and easy visual recognition of stolen money, deterring criminals from using or exchanging the marked currency. Additionally, tracers and markers can be added to the ink, providing forensic evidence that links the criminal to the crime scene, further increasing the risk of being caught.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, they are known as Intelligent Banknote Neutralisation Systems (IBNS) and are used by banks, ATMs, retail establishments, and vending machines.
A stack of bills fitted with a dye pack is stored next to a magnetic plate at a bank teller's workstation. When a robber takes the money, the dye pack is armed. As the robber exits the building, a radio transmitter triggers a timer, and the dye pack releases an aerosol, marking the money and/or the robber, making them easily identifiable.
The purpose is to deter robberies and reduce the reward of the crime by permanently marking the cash as stolen with indelible security ink. This makes the stained bills difficult to bring back into circulation.
Exploding ink packs are effective in foiling robberies and increasing the chances of catching criminals. They are used in over 75% of banks in the U.S., and the technology is also employed in other countries.
