PRODISCOVER FORENSICS SERIAL NUMBERS SERIAL NUMBERS
If an offender attempts to file off serial numbers on a firearm he used in a crime, there are scientific ways to reveal the serial number no matter how much of the number has been destroyed.
Cavitation will eat away metal in the places where the metal is disordered, thus revealing the serial number. With repeated exposure, the process of cavitation starts eating away at the metal. Cavitation is the process when tiny bubbles are produced along the surface of the metal. In this method, the forensic scientist puts the firearm in a special ultrasonic bath and inundates it with super high frequency vibrations. Ultrasonic cavitation method–This particular method is a destructive method like chemical etching.If the forensic scientist overindulges in this method, he can destroy the evidence for good. This method is disadvantageous because it changes the physical makeup of the evidence. Applying an electrical current (electrochemical etching) speeds up the process. The solution etches the disordered metal quicker than the metal around it. Chemical and electrochemical etching method–The forensic firearm examiner paints what is known as an etching solution over the area in question.This method is advantageous because it is not destructive and does not change the weapon in any way. This reveals the location of the hidden serial number. These particles tend to settle in places where the metal is disordered. He then sprays the firearm with an oil that suspends any iron-like particles. Magnetizing produces ripples of magnetic forces used to locate where the metal is disordered from the pressure stamping process. Magnaflux method–The forensic scientist first magnetizes the firearm.Please note that these products only work with stamped serial numbers on carbon steel parts, they will NOT. However, it could take more than an hour to get a readable result. They are known to produce good contrast for mark recovery. There are three methods for revealing missing serial numbers: Below are common forensic investigation etchants for serial number restoration of firearms. All the methods have a common denominator: Whenever metal is pressure stamped, not only does the metal have indentations of numbers, but the metal underneath the numbers contains resultant structural abnormalities. There are several methods that forensic firearms investigators use at their disposal for finding hidden serial numbers. Crooks that scratch off the serial numbers of their firearms are not as smart as they believe.