Bribery and Detective Dye

Bribery and Detective Dye

Bribery:

Bribery refers to the act of offering or giving gifts or money with the intention of influencing the behavior of the recipient in a dishonest manner. It is considered a criminal offense and involves the offering, giving, receiving, or soliciting of valuable items to alter the actions of individuals who hold legal or public responsibilities.

However, it's important to note that giving valuable items or money openly and without any dishonest motives, on an equal basis to everyone, does not fall under the category of bribery. Similarly, providing partial or full refunds or discounts on purchases of the same type, quantity, and quality of products or services is not bribery, but rather a legal form of rebate. For instance, it is perfectly legal for an employee of the electricity department to accept a rebate on their electricity bill.

Therefore, bribery can be defined as the act of offering gifts with the intention to influence the conduct of the recipient. These gifts can take various forms such as goods, money, property, valuable objects, privileges, preferment, advantages, emoluments, or even promises to influence votes, actions, or individuals in official capacities. In anti-corruption operations, substances like Anthracene or Phenolphthalein are commonly used as evidence to establish the acceptance of bribes. Phenolphthalein powder, a white-colored smooth powder, is applied to currency notes and other objects likely to come into contact with the hands of the perpetrator. This transfer of Phenolphthalein, based on Locard's principle of exchange, is then revealed by washing the hands with a colorless solution of sodium carbonate or lime water, causing an immediate pink coloration. This confirms the presence of currency notes or the transfer of Phenolphthalein to the hands. Depending on the amount of Phenolphthalein present, the evidence is sent to forensic laboratories along with other materials for analysis. However, the color of Phenolphthalein gradually fades and can become colorless by the time of the court trial. This may raise unnecessary doubts and put the investigating officer in an awkward position. Nevertheless, scientists can explain this phenomenon by stating that the fading of Phenolphthalein color is due to the formation of 2(4-hydroxy benzoyl) benzoic acid and phenol under basic conditions.

To overcome the issue of color fading, forensic scientists often employ anthracene powder in trapping cases. Unlike Phenolphthalein, anthracene does not exhibit the same fading properties and offers the advantage of fluorescence. The suspect's hands or clothing can be immediately examined under ultraviolet light, revealing a distinct violet/blue fluorescence, thus indicating direct contact with currency notes. Pure anthracene displays blue fluorescence, while impure anthracene shows yellow or green fluorescence due to the presence of tetracene or naphthacene. Hands or objects can be cleansed with ethyl alcohol for forensic examination.

In trap cases, investigating agencies such as the Anti-Corruption Branch of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Vigilance Department commonly utilize Phenolphthalein or Anthracene as part of their investigations.

Detective Dyes:

Detective dyes are chemical substances commonly employed to catch individuals involved in bribery in the act. In cases related to trapping or catching wrongdoers, various techniques utilizing different chemicals such as starch powder, fluorescent dyes, phenolphthalein powder, anthracene powder, and others are employed. However, in India, phenolphthalein powder remains the most popular choice. During anti-corruption operations, both phenolphthalein and anthracene are commonly used as evidence to prove the acceptance of bribes.

Chemistry of Phenolpthalein:

Phenolphthalein is an organic compound classified as a member of the phthalein family, with the chemical formula C20H14O4. It is a fine white powder known for its smooth texture and finds extensive use as a laxative and an acid-base indicator.

Chemical Structure of phenolphthalein

Phenolphthalein exhibits four distinct forms, each corresponding to a specific color depending on the pH of the solution. In acidic solutions, it appears colorless, while in basic solutions, it takes on a pink hue. The color of a phenolphthalein solution varies according to the pH value. In strongly acidic solutions with a pH close to zero, it appears orange. In the pH range of 0 to 8.2, it remains colorless. However, in the pH range of 8.2 to 12, it exhibits a fuchsia color. Beyond a pH value of 12, it reverts to a colorless state, similar to acidic or neutral solutions.

Phenolphthalein molecules exist in a colorless state when they are not ionized. Upon ionization, they produce colorless H+ ions and pink-colored phenolphthalein ions. The four distinct forms of phenolphthalein are as follows: