September 15, 2006

Lansing - Michigan State Police (MSP) troopers have a new tool to help them detect counterfeit Michigan driver’s licenses, personal identity cards, credit cards and currency thanks to a $6,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

All MSP troopers and motor carrier officers will now carry key-chain size, ultraviolet black lights that can assist officers in distinguishing between valid and counterfeit driver ’s licenses, credit cards and currency. The black lights allow officers to view distinguishing features imprinted in valid licenses, currency and credit cards that are otherwise invisible to the naked eye.

"Technological advancements have made the creation of counterfeit identification easier than ever allowing criminals to escape detection," stated Colonel Peter C. Munoz, director of the MSP. "Equipping our officers with this simple technology gives them the tools to quickly detect fraudulent identification and address this growing problem."

More than 2,000 black lights were purchased with this grant. Some of the black lights will be distributed to local law enforcement agencies as well.