Preserve removed parts separately
State where each component was removed from and who carried out the replacement. Parts from different locks should not be mixed into a single unidentified group. The position of the strike plate, fasteners and marks on the door may matter alongside the condition of the mechanism itself.
Document the actions taken during opening and removal
It is necessary to know whether special tools, drilling, forcible opening or other intervention were used. Marks from those actions must be distinguished from signs that existed earlier. A suspicion of attempted forced opening must not replace a description of the observed damage.
Formulate the task based on the surviving objects
The presence of marks from applied force, their formation mechanism and suitability for comparison can be considered within the available features. If removal has changed the initial condition, some questions may remain unanswerable. Keys and examples of possible tools are submitted only under an agreed programme.
What to prepare
- The removed lock and its associated parts.
- Photographs of the door and mechanism before removal.
- Information about the method of opening and replacement.
- Maintenance documents and a description of previous faults.
- A list of questions and the known circumstances of discovery.
What to bear in mind
Do not clean or modify the mechanism to improve its appearance. Do not independently reproduce the suspected method of applying force on the object to be examined.
Outcome of preliminary preparation
Preparation helps preserve the provenance of marks and distinguish initial damage from changes arising during necessary opening and repair.
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