Firmware unit "Vij" for vehicle (automobile) identification number (VIN) investigation.
Application:
Criminalistic investigation of automobiles with the purpose:
- identification of their number authenticity;
- restoration of original numbers in case their relief stands out insufficiently because of corrosion, lacquer coating etc.;
- restoration of original numbers in case they are proved to have been altered;
- determination of technology used to alter the number.
Extra application
General tracing studies and relief/stress defectoscopy of surface layer of ferroalloy parts.
Method
Reproduction of induced stray magnetic fields of the object under investigation at an intermediate magnetic carrier;
Magnetic-optical visualization (MOV) of magnetic copies and induced magnetic stray fields of the object under investigation by Faraday effect appearing in crystal bismuth garnet ferrite films;
Electrochemical etching of surface;
Defect visualization by ferro-powder pattern method;
Inputting and processing of object images obtained by above-mentioned methods into a computer;
Research of obtained images by means of the software: measurement, comparison, etc.;
detection of defects by writing-current method.
Support
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General view of autonomous operating block.
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Hardware
Off-line operative unit for visualization upon the intermediate magnetic tape,
Unit for magnetic-optical and optical visualization,
Electrochemical etching unit,
Unit for magnetic powder visualization,
Unit for whirling-current defectoscopy,
Video-capture unit,
Secondary power pulse unit,
Off-line powering buttery,
Tools and tackles set,
Packing containers (case ¹1, case ¹2.)
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User interface window.
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Software
Program NUCA
Program EYER
Image input and processing,
Semiautomatic stitching of image fragments,
Image handing,
Storing and printing.
Methodical
Research methodic of MOV,
Technical description and operation instructions.
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Characteristics
Software operational environment - Windows 95 and higher,
Image file format - BMP, PCX, GIF, JPG,
Material of objects to be investigated by MOV - ferromagnetic alloys,
MOV frame size - not less than 12,5ìì x 9,5ìì,
Number-plate input time - about 1 min.
Specifications
Owing to promptitude of MOV investigations combined with the hardware compactness and off-line powering the method can be used for on – the – road control.
As the MOV method is non – obstructive, there is no need to damage the lacquer coating of the vehicle; effective investigations by other methods are possible, including chemical tests of the lacquer coating homogeneity.
With MOV, the material consumption is low.
Magnetic copying onto an intermediate carrier provides for repeated usage of it. Besides the object can be magnetically copied for filing.
Informational effectiveness of MOV investigation results makes it possible to find out the attributes not detectable by traditional methods.
As the “Viy” set includes traditional means as well: whirling – current defectoscopy, electrochemical etching and ferro-powder patterns, accomplished with an optical input into PC by use of a remote optical head, the investigations are integrated into a system.
The specialized software affords making photographic tables with use of modern text and graphics editors.
Implementation
As the “Viy” set includes traditional means as well: whirling – current defectoscopy, electrochemical etching and ferro-powder patterns, accomplished with an optical input into PC by use of a remote optical head, the investigations are integrated into a system.
Hardware and software system "Vij" had been successfully tested.
It is effectively used by forensic research subdivisions of the Ukrainian Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Justice, Polish Police
firms "AR-control" (Latvia) and IHG Rt. (Hungary).
Applied research methods are approved and recommended for application by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Justice. Through the field tests involving over 60 automobiles, with use of magnetic-optical means, 6 instances of falsification numbers have been detected ( the illustrations of MOV used in expertise photo-tables are given below).
Magnetic-optical visualization (MOV) of 'Mercedes – Benz' 200D body number plate with fragments of the original number (WDB1241201B281577) altered twice by mechanical calking. The lacquer coating is removed, the plate has heavily corroded and has some through holes due to earlier 4 etching – method expertises.
MOV of 'VAZ 2106' body number plate with full restoring of primary number (ÕÒÀ210630F1200607), which was altered with low-melting-point metal fusing (the lacquer coating was not removed).
MOV of 'GAZ – 24' body number plate with signs evidencing that the number elements were not produced at one time. There are also welding inclusions and traces of abrasive treatment. The lacquer coating was not removed.
For information: Leviy Sergey V., Ph.D., Ukraine, Kiev tel./fax (380-44) 236-89-84, E-mail: sleviy@lad.org.ua
Calking elements of number with postheating,