Infrared Tracking Spray Experiments

Overview

An easy way to covertly track a vehicle, package, or person is to use some type of invisible tracking powder or liquid.  The Soviets did this back in the late 1970s and early 1980s by using a substance called "spy dust."  Spy dust turned out to be a combination of nitrophenyl pentadien (NPPD) and luminol.  This yellowish, odorless powder "glowed" when illuminated with the right wavelength of ultraviolet light.  This concept was very useful to the KGB as they could sprinkle some spy dust on a person, doorknob, steering wheel, sidewalk, etc. and then monitor their movements by setting up certain "choke points" while performing routine foot surveillance.

For this project, we'll try to develop a similar technique.  While amateur "spy shops" now sell consumer ultraviolet tracking powder, the powder still relies on the need for external ultraviolet illumination.  This could be a problem for the amateur espionage enthusiast as the proper ultraviolet lamps and long-range optics are expensive and bulky.

For our homebrew method, we'll be using standard infrared OmniGlow Cyalume lightsticks.  These lightsticks are available at most high-end sporting goods stores or even some military surplus outlets.  They act just like the normal "snap & shake" lightsticks, just that their light output is in the non-visible infrared spectrum.  These lightsticks are commonly used at night by the military to mark friendly forces or landing and drop zones.  Because the lightsticks operate in the infrared spectrum, they show up just fine when using light-amplifying night vision googles.  They will also show up using standard black-and-white CCD video cameras or color video cameras with the infrared filter removed.  The handheld night vision viewer project in GBPPR 'Zine Issue #33 would be perfect for this.

This means you can extract the liquid from an infrared lightstick and put it into a spray bottle.  You can then "spray" your target person or vehicle, and track them using a small CCD camera with a video monitor.  Those old, clunky VHS video cameras from the 1980s are perfect for use while tracking vehicles as you can use the camera's stock zoom lens and viewfinder to follow the target vehicle.

While all this may sound too good to be true, there are a few things to keep in mind:

  1. The liquid in the Cyalume lightsticks has a very distinct smell (Phenol), so be careful not to spray too much.  You may also want to remember this scent in case this tracking method is used against you.
  2. Standard pump-style spray bottles tend to "dribble" when you first use them.  This could easily alert your target by the large liquid drips.  It's best to pre-charge the spray bottle or try to develop some type of aerosol dispensing application.
  3. The liquid in the Cyalume lightsticks can stain some clothing and will leave a somewhat sticky residue.  Again, be careful not to use too much, and try to test this ahead of time.
  4. When activated and exposed to air, the liquid in the Cyalume lightsticks doesn't seem to last very long.  Usually only a couple hours, so plan ahead for this.  The spent liquid should also "glow" when illuminated with an external ultraviolet light.
  5. This technique can also be used by victims to mark their attackers.  For instance, give it to your 12-year-old son whenever he attends a HOPE conference in New York.  He could then spray anyone who tries to molest him.  I'd imagine the staff of $2600 Magazine would light up like the Sun when viewed in infrared...


Construction Notes & Pictures

Overview of what's needed.

Both "visible-light" and infrared OmniGlow Cyalume lightsticks are shown above, along with a simple pump-style spray bottle.  A visible-light lightstick will be used for these examples as the infrared ones are kinda expensive and they will also be easier to photograph.

Snap and shake the lightstick as normal.

Google for "Cyalume lightsticks" for alot more information on how they work and the chemicals they use.

Another possible idea using infrared Cyalume lightsticks is to pour the liquid into a "hollowed-out" eyeglass frame.  This technique might be able to defeat surveillance or face recognition cameras which don't contain any infrared filtering.  This method will also easily pass through security checkpoints when active-infrared camera jamming countermeasures (infrared LEDs) usually won't.

Now, cut-off one end of the lightstick and pour the liquid contents into the spray bottle.  The lightstick's label says the liquid is non-toxic.

You'll probably want to filter the remnants of the Cyalume lightstick's glass capsule before pouring.

In the center, was a test spray onto an old t-shirt.

Same scene as above, but photographed in the dark and with no flash.

Keep in mind this is a visible-light lightstick.  The infrared one would appear basically the same when using a night-vision device or CCD camera.

Test spray onto a painted chimney surface.

The dried liquid does have the same "sticky" feel like you get when you remove stickers from a surface.  The liquid can also effect the paint, even removing it in some cases.

Same seen, but with without the lights or a flash.

Note the large dribbles you get when you first pump the spray bottle.  This should be kept in mind when trying to be used covertly.

Believe it or not, Toys-R-Us used to sell a "Spy-Tech Invisible Detection Kit" back in the early 1990s.

The kit included a battery operated ultraviolet light, some ultraviolet tracking powder, an ultraviolet ink pad and pen, and some stamps to secretly mark documents.

The ultraviolet tracking powder consists of a very-fine white substance (cornstarch?) which fluoresces when exposed to ultraviolet light.  The phosphor powder which coats the inside of florescent lights bulbs may also be adapted.

The powder sticks to your fingers even after you wipe them with a cloth or on your clothes.

This powder is also useful for marking electronic alarm or lock keypads to help determine which keys are frequently used.

Mix the tracking powder with some petroleum jelly to help make it more water resistant during vehicle tracking applications.














From Antonio and Jonna Mendez's Spy Dust