How To Catch A Thief?

How do you catch a thief?
My daughter just had some money stolen (it was $38 and for a field trip or she wouldn't have had it at school) from her purse.
We know who stole it, but it cannot be proven.
I was thinking of some kind of powder I could make/buy and put it on money and plant it.
Or perhaps you can buy money that can beep or something when a button is pressed on a remote? (Sounds like it wouldn't exist but it sounds so cool I've gotta ask!)
And can you purchase fake money for the purpose of catching a thief? Or iis it illegal?
I really want to catch this girl. Not only am I upset (and my daughter is too) but this girl steals very frequently, and the school has yet to be able to prove she took it.... Just that she was the only person in the room by herself at the exact time it was stolen.

I would appreciate your help but please keep in mind I am a poor school teacher and would preffer to make (not buy) something if
possible.

Thanks!

wysiwyg

There are small, easily concealable video recorders that are commercially available, but these can cost a fair bit of money. However, if cost is an issue, my suggestion would be to take a small amount of money, an amount that you could stomach losing in the worst case scenario that it gets stolen again, and photocopy the bills (front and back). This will capture the serial numbers printed on the paper money. Put the photocopies away, perhaps folded up in your pocket. Plant the real paper money in an easily accessible place (but not too obvious) and step away, move your attention elsewhere, or whatever it takes to create favorable conditions for a theft to occur again. Once the "bait" has been taken, you and witnesses (an authority figure ideally) should confront the accused party. Ask to see the girl's pockets, purse, etc., anywhere the money could be kept. If the girl produces the stolen bills, this evidence will be irrefutable once you display the photocopies of the bills. If the girls says something like, "I didn't steal that money, it's mine" this would be a ridiculous arguement because if this is true, how did you get photocopies of her money?

GSDlover

Please be very sure that this is the person who took the money.
When I was in 4th grade our classes were divided into two groups of high and low levels. Half of each level changed rooms and I was part of the group that went to another room. We sat in desks belonging to other students. Well, the desk I sat in started to have things missing and I was blamed. It had to me right? I was the only one sitting at the desk so I was the only one that had the opportunity right?
WRONG!
I was called down to the principals office three different times and each time I denied taking a thing. Since they couldn't prove it nothing was done. The fourth time I was called down I had to show my hands, which were clean. This time, besides taking stuff the person also broke an ink pen all over the inside of the desk and would have ink on their hands. There had been no time to wash and even if I did I couldn't have gotten off the ink completely. I was finally believed it wasn't me. Later two boys in the classroom as the desk were found with ink all over their hands.
And when my child was in 2nd grade they had a jean jacket I'd just bought. They were in the hallway going to class when another teacher actually grabbed my kid and said that she stole the jacket in front of her peers. My child was taken to the office, she told them I'd just bought it but they still made her feel like a thief. I had to come to the school. Come to find out the other student thought she'd worn it to school, but had in fact left hers at home.
So, I'd be very careful accusing without proof. Just because she MAY have been the only person when it was missed doesn't mean it was taken when she was in the room. If the school has been unable to prove it the student everyone is blaming may very well be innocent.
And how do you know your child didn't lose it, spend it, give it away, etc.?

Mr. Goodhi

Write down the serial numbers of the bills & ask to see the bills that the suspect has. If the numbers match you've caught your thief.

cameras...

danrathersatitagain

Publicly accuse and humiliate her in front of people. It's probably all you can do.

hunky34

well you can buy a pen with invisable ink that shows up with a blue light ant a toy store"toysrus" or else ware that will work.

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