Restoration of firearm serial numbers with electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). (April 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: White, Ryan M.; Keller, Robert R.
• Is Part Of: Forensic science international. Volume 249(2015)
• Page Start: 266
• Page End: 270
• Publication Date: 2015-04
• Subjects: Firearm -- Serial number -- EBSD; Medical jurisprudence -- Periodicals; Chemistry, Forensic -- Periodicals; Forensic Medicine -- Periodicals; Médecine légale -- Périodiques; Chimie légale -- Périodiques; Gerechtelijke geneeskunde; Gerechtelijke chemie; Gerechtelijke psychiatrie; Chemistry, Forensic; Medical jurisprudence; Electronic journals; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 614.1
• DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2015.02.003
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0379-0738

Abstract

Highlights: Serial number analogues are stamped in stainless steel and polished away. EBSD is used in the scanning electron microscope to view the sub-surface damage. The shape of the imprint is clearly restored using EBSD pattern quality maps. Abstract: Firearm serial numbers are a critical identifying mark, and restoration of destroyed serial numbers is often crucial for prosecution of a criminal case. A method is presented utilizing electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) in the scanning electron microscope (SEM) which allows for clear visualization of die-stamped imprints which have been completely polished away. Evidence of the stamp can be observed to a depth of approximately 760 μm below the surface. With further development, the described method is capable of reconstructing an 8 character serial number in approximately 1 h.