The document discusses identity cards in Brazil, which contain personal information and security features to prevent fraud. It describes a case where identity cards were altered by erasing printed text, photos, and signatures, and replacing them. Forensic examination found evidence of the erasures. As a result, transparent protective film was added to identity cards to prevent such alterations.

1. 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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2. 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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3.  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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4. 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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5. 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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6. 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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7. 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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8. 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.
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.
Denise Rivera – Perita Grafotécnica / Handwriting Expert
Rio de Janeiro / Brasil
Email: denise.rivera@ig.com.br
Blog: deniseriveraperitablogspot.com.br
Phone: 5521-8123-8606.
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