An application of stereoscopy and image processing in forensics: recovering obliterated firearms serial number

L. C. da Silva Nunes; Paulo Acioly Marques dos Santos

doi:10.1117/12.590715

21 October 2004 An application of stereoscopy and image processing in forensics: recovering obliterated firearms serial number

L. C. da Silva Nunes, Paulo Acioly Marques dos Santos

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 5622, 5th Iberoamerican Meeting on Optics and 8th Latin American Meeting on Optics, Lasers, and Their Applications; (2004) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.590715
Event: 5th Iberoamerican Meeting on Optics and 8th Latin American Meeting on Optics, Lasers, and Their Applications, 2004, Porlamar, Venezuela

Abstract

We present an application of the use of stereoscope to recovering obliterated firearms serial number. We investigate a promising new combined cheap method using both non-destructive and destructive techniques. With the use of a stereomicroscope coupled with a digital camera and a flexible cold light source, we can capture the image of the damaged area, and with continuous polishing and sometimes with the help of image processing techniques we could enhance the observed images and they can also be recorded as evidence. This method has already proven to be useful, in certain cases, in aluminum dotted pistol frames, whose serial number is printed with a laser, when etching techniques are not successful. We can also observe acid treated steel surfaces and enhance the images of recovered serial numbers, which sometimes lack of definition.

Citation Download Citation

L. C. da Silva Nunes and Paulo Acioly Marques dos Santos "An application of stereoscopy and image processing in forensics: recovering obliterated firearms serial number", Proc. SPIE 5622, 5th Iberoamerican Meeting on Optics and 8th Latin American Meeting on Optics, Lasers, and Their Applications, (21 October 2004); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.590715

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