SERIAL NUMBER RECOVERY TECHNIQUES ON STEEL PLATES; FRY’S REAGENT AND EDDY CURRENT TECHNOLOGY

Abstract

The recovery of obliterated serial numbers is a common process involved in the forensic analysis of firearms confiscated in criminal cases. The current standard method of recovery involves the use of chemical reagents which are highly destructive to the material. The destructive process does not allow subsequent analysis, nor does the test always recover the serial number completely. A new technology that utilizes eddy currents and magnetic fields to recover serial numbers without the use of chemicals has been proposed to allow for an almost non-destructive recovery. This research has shown that the use of eddy currents and magnetic fields is a promising technique for obliterated serial number recovery and that further research may indicate it is a suitable replacement for the currently used Fry’s Reagent.