Restoration of firearm serial numbers with electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD).
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.
National Institute of Standards and Technology, MS647, Boulder, CO 80305, USA. Electronic address: ryan.white@nist.gov.
Ryan M
RM
White
National Institute of Standards and Technology, Boulder, CO, USA.
Robert R
RR
Keller
EBSD; Firearm; Serial number