NCJ Number
51869
Date Published
Unknown
Length
18 pages
Annotation
PROCEDURES FOR EXAMINING AND RESTORING DIE-STAMPED IMPRESSIONS (E.G., A MANUFACTURER'S SERIAL NUMBER) ON METAL AND OTHER MATERIALS ARE DESCRIBED IN A MANUAL FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL IN COLORADO.
Abstract
THE MANUAL IS CONCERNED PRIMARILY WITH RESTORATION OF MARKINGS ON STOLEN VEHICLES. GENERAL PROCEDURES FOR HANDLING EVIDENCE CONTAINING AN OBLITERATED STAMPED IMPRESSION ARE DISCUSSED. ARTICLES LIKELY TO HAVE A MANUFACTURER'S SERIAL NUMBER--VEHICLES, WEAPONS, WATCHES, CAMERAS, BINOCULARS, ETC.--ARE LISTED, AND SOURCES OF INFORMATION USEFUL IN INVESTIGATING MARKINGS ON STOLEN OBJECTS ARE CITED. SEVERAL RESTORATION TECHNIQUES--ELECTROLYTIC POLISHING, ELECTROPLATING, MAGNETIC FLUX, EXPOSURE TO COLD OR HEAT, X-RAY--AND THEIR APPLICATIONS IN RESTORING IMPRESSIONS ON METAL ARE EXPLAINED. TECHNIQUES OF RESTORATION FOR WOOD AND RUBBER ARE ALSO DESCRIBED. GUIDELINES FOR PHOTOGRAPHING EVIDENCE AT ALL STAGES OF A RESTORATION ATTEMPT AND FOR RECORDING INFORMATION OBTAINED DURING THE RESTORATION ARE OFFERED. FORMULAS FOR ETCHING SOLUTIONS APPLICABLE IN RESTORING IMPRESSIONS ON ALUMINUM, COPPER AND COPPER ALLOYS, LEAD AND LEAD ALLOYS, BRASS, AND STEEL ARE PRESENTED, TOGETHER WITH A FORMULA FOR USE ON ENGINE BLOCKS, TYPEWRITER FRAMES, AND OTHER CAST-IRON OBJECTS. A BRIEF GENERAL DISCUSSION OF THE RECOGNITION, RECOVERY, PRESERVATION, AND ANALYSIS OF PHYSICAL EVIDENCE IS ALSO PROVIDED. (LKM)