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Electronic Lock Bumping

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Electric Pick Gun Toolkit

Electronic lock bumping refers to the use of snap guns (powered by an electric motor) to open a lock. It can also be referred to as a lock picking technique in which a locksmith, or a homeowner with a snap gun, can open a pin tumbler lock regardless of its difficulty. However, only professional tradesmen such as locksmiths are legally allowed to use the gun to help clients in a business setting.

History[edit]

Key bumping was first mentioned in 1926 during the time of Hiram Simpson`s Patent lock device. However, most research papers written on this technique indicate that the practice started about 60 years ago. During those early years, it was considered a trade secret by the locksmiths. Therefore, they avoided talking about the technique in public.

Public Awareness[edit]

The use of key bumping was not introduced until sometime later and was first recognized as a major security issue by Klaus Noch around 2002. Later, an American security expert named Marc Tobias went public to talk about the technique. During this time, the German media highlighted the issue and this was followed by several other related publications. These articles focused on the uses, the techniques, and the hazards of lock bumping. There have also been several papers written to address the possible legal issues that relate to bump key usage. It was most recently brought to the public's attention through an American news media segment [1] on the topic.

Use by law enforcement[edit]

The history of snap guns shows that they were also designed to be used by the police. Police officers used snap guns to open locks without using traditional lock picking techniques. Additionally, only the police are allowed to own the guns in some jurisdictions.

Impact of Internet[edit]

The internet has also played a major role in educating people about the snap guns used for lock bumping. Today, snap guns are available for anyone to purchase. This has resulted in individuals purchasing their own snap guns and using them to unlock locks in case of a house lockout. As a matter of fact, “Around 90% of locks in residences are susceptible to lock bumping and potential criminal activity”_American_Builders_Central-2|[2]. On the contrary, the potential threat created by the high availability of the snap guns means that there is a higher risk that they will be used for illegal purposes.

Design[edit]

The Electronic Snap Gun has a unique design and components that distinguish it from a regular pick gun[3]. In order for it to operate, Electrical power is used to move (vibrate) the lock picking gun. Additionally, it comes with an electrical motor that has an eccentric bearing. The motor will oscillate the needle continuously. This means that the snap gun requires little movement by the user. It also has a needle that is connected to the moving head, and the direction button is located just next to the trigger button. There is an adjustment screw attached that is placed on top of the head. This screw is used to increase or reduce tension. All of these parts are then mounted to a case to make a complete snap gun.

Manual versus Electric[edit]

The Manual pick gun comes as a spring-loaded tool that is similar to a toy gun. It has a lock pick that is attached to the front side. Additionally, the pick gun is interchangeable and is often referred to as the needle. The needle gets inserted into the lock and then is placed beneath the pin stacks. Similar to traditional lock picking, a separate tension tool is then used to apply tension and the plug is rotated.

The Electric pick gun works in a related manner. However, it oscillates the needle backwards and forward, causing vibrations. To get the needle's resonate frequency, the pick tool should be controlled such that the top pins will jump above the shear line.

Traditional Lock Bumping[edit]

Note that this similar process[4] takes place in traditional lock bumping. However, with electronic lock bumping, the snap gun automatically transfers the energy. Therefore, the electric snap gun opens a lock much more rapidly compared to traditional lock picking.

Use by professionals[edit]

Professional locksmiths have been granted permission to use snap guns. As long as they are registered with the Associated Locksmiths of America (ALOA), they can use the snap guns to assist people facing lockout issues. Additionally, there are some companies that manufacture lock guns and only sell them to licensed locksmiths. Examples include Rytan and Falle Safe which are among the major companies known to exclusively sell the lock pick guns. Unfortunately, non-professionals and criminals have started using the snap guns as well. Therefore, these companies have come up with policies that disallow purchasing of lock picking equipment by individuals that are not [5]"locksmiths, representatives of recognized government agencies or other security professionals".

Criminal Usage[edit]

Police officers are known to use lock bumping tools to open locks. However, the internet has played a major role in educating people on the use of electronic lock bumping. As a result, criminals have taken advantage of lock bumping techniques and practices. This has led to some states declaring the snap guns illegal.[6] However, people still have access to them and among them are robbers and burglars which pose a huge security risk all over the world. For example, police arrested two men in Texas who were accused of numerous lock picking burglaries in 2015. According to the report[7], “in the cases, police found no signs someone forced their way into the homes. Rather, court records indicate police found signs that those responsible were picking locks.” The two men were tied to at least 25 other unsolved burglaries since the beginning of the year.

Forensic Evidence[edit]

With electronic lock bumping on the rise[8], more and more criminals are using lock guns to gain unauthorized entry to residences and commercial buildings. The field of Forensic Locksmithing aims to investigate these crimes by collecting forensic evidence at the scene of a suspected lockpicking crime. One of the key factors that is used to identify a case of electronic lock bumping is that the needle on the pick gun causes striking against the bottom pins. Thus, "Electric pick guns leave a much greater amount of forensic evidence than manual pick guns because of their constant movement when inside the lock".[9] Traditional lock picking, on the other hand, leaves some scratches on the lock. However, when the electric pick gun has been used, it leaves impact marks on the pins. Done several times, the pick gun will leave impact marks that resemble the spokes found on a bike. These are distinct marks compared to what is left by the other pins.

In fact, detectives can count the marks clearly to tell how many times the lock picking attempts were done. According to the Forensic Examiner,[10] “In a case involving safe penetration, the placement of a drill point may indicate whether or not the attacker knew what they were doing”. In some instances, the electric pick gun will leave brass components inside the lock. Therefore, a cam on the lock acts as a very good source of forensic evidence.

References[edit]

  1. IN THE NEWS - LOCK BUMPING AND BUMP KEY – PROTECT YOURSELF. YouTube. October 4, 2012. Retrieved September 6, 2018.
  2. _American_Builders_Central_2-0|↑ "Lock "Bumping": How doors are being bumped and broken into | American Builders Central".
  3. Von Malegowski. "How to Open Locks With a Lockpick Gun: 3 Steps". Retrieved September 6, 2018.
  4. Deviant Ollam. "Ten Things Everyone Should Know About Lockpicking & Physical Security" (PDF). p. 10. Retrieved September 13, 2018.
  5. "Terms of Sale". MBA USA. Retrieved 14 September 2018.
  6. "The Open Organisation Of Lockpickers :: State Laws". toool.us.
  7. Schwaller, Kevin. "Police arrest men suspected in numerous lock-pick burglaries". KXAN. Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc. Retrieved 13 September 2018.
  8. "Lock Bumping on the rise" (PDF). DC1 Security. Retrieved September 13, 2018.
  9. "Pick Guns". LockWiki. Retrieved September 6, 2018.
  10. Datagram. "The Forensic Examiner - Summer 2013 by CNTA, Inc. - Issuu". pp. 76–77. Forensic Locksmithing: A Key To Solving Crime. Retrieved September 6, 2018.

External Links[edit]

Associated Locksmiths of America (ALOA) Terms of Sale


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