It would seem much more likely that this would be (as you say) a toy application — showing notes which have been in contact with cocaine, notes smeared with disease-ridden kid snot, etc. 🙂
Also, the Bank of England has instructions on non- or low-technology techniques to identify counterfeit bills.
http://www.bankofengland.co.uk/banknotes/Pages/retailers/default.aspx
Instructions are also available for Euro currency:
http://www.new-euro-banknotes.eu/Euro-Banknotes/Security-features/LOOK/THE-NEW-%E2%82%AC20
and US currency:
https://uscurrency.gov/
Given this, I don’t see an app as more than toy, as you say, although I’m sure you can find lots of interesting facts, such as identifying US bills which have been tested using a marker. I suspect you’re unlikely to see a real counterfeit bill — I don’t see any police department agreeing to let you test known counterfeits; they’ll probably refer you to the treasury.
–Scott.