Experiment #17

Macro-etching Examination of Serial Numbers

I. Objective
1. Learn the proper techniques in determining whether the serial numbers of a
motor vehicle are tampered or not.
2. Restore the original serial numbers of a motor vehicle.
3. Recognize its application in criminal investigation

II. Apparatus/Materials
Beaker (80ml), applicator stick/barbecue stick, absorbent cotton, sand paper/emery
cloth. Paint remover, pencil, onion paper, carbon paper, plastic tape

III. Procedure
1. Determination of the Original Engine Number and Chassis Number
1.1. Examine the metal surface of a motor vehicle bearing the engine number to
identify the type of metal where the engine number was stamped.
1.2. Photograph the entire motor vehicle including the engine block. Make a close-
up photograph of the metal surface where the engine number is normally located.
1.3. Clean the surface and make it smooth using a small piece of sand paper.
Remove the paint if the metal surface bearing the serial number is painted as in the
case of a chassis number.
1.4. Get the stencil of the engine number by placing an onion paper over the
numbers and applying repeated strokes of the pencil on the paper until all the letters
and numbers are captured or, by rubbing the engine number with carbon paper and
then, covering the area with plastic tape. Remove the plastic tape from the metal
surface bearing the engine number and place it on an onion paper.
 1.5. Apply melted paraffin wax around the area to be treated so that no spilling of
reagent as well as no rusting action will take place after conducting the macro-etching
examination.
1.6. Using a cotton swab, apply a thin coating of Cupric Chloride solution on the
metal surface bearing the engine number through repeated strokes.
1.7. Swab the metal surface with Nitric Acid repeatedly followed by the application
of a mixture of 50% Cupric Chloride and 50% Hydrochloric Acid.
1.8. Observe the etched surface for the appearance of letters or numbers, if there
are any. Record and photograph any restored or partially restored letters and numbers.
1.9. If you think you have obtained the best result, take a photograph of the metal
surface earlier subjected to macro-etching examination.
1.10. Wash the treated area with dilute ammonium hydroxide to neutralize the acid
and then completely was hit with water.
1.11. Remove the melted paraffin wax around the metal surface right after washing
it.
1.12. Follow the same procedure for the macro-etching examination of the chassis
number.
1.13. Record and illustrate your observations.

IV. Observation
1. Why should an ocular inspection be conducted on the metal surface
bearing the serial number before subjecting to macro-etching examination?

2. When do you photograph the motor vehicle and the metal surfaces bearing
the engine and chassis number?

3. Why is there a need to polish the metal surface before the stencil of the
serial numbers is taken?

4. What is the importance of carefully observing the metal surface being acid-
etched during the conduct of macro-etching examination?
 5. Describe what happens to the metal surface bearing the serial numbers when the
following acid-etching solutions are applied:
5.1. Cupric Chloride Solution

5.2. Concentrated Nitric Acid

5.3.50%Cupric Chloride and 50% Hydrochloric Acid

6. When do you say that the engine numbers and chassis numbers are original?

7. Will the partially restored number be lost if the acid-etching is prolonged?

8. Why is great patience needed in conducting number restoration?

V. Post Laboratory Discussion

Guide Questions

1. What is a serial number?

2. What is the difference between the engine numbers and the chassis numbers?

3. What is the principle involved in number restoration?

4. What is the basis of macro-etching examination?

5. When the metal surface bearing the engine number is defaced, is it still possible to
recover the original engine number?

6. How will the metal surface, which was previously placed under stress, react with the
acid-etching reagents compared to the surface which is not strained?

7. What are the other names for macro-etching examination?

8. Enumerate the etching reagents which are used for the following metals:
8.1. Copper
 8.2. Gold

8.3. Silver

8.4. Aluminum

8.5. Lead

9. Why is there a need to apply melted paraffin wax around the area to be macro-
etched?

10. What is the significance of this physical evidence in criminal investigation?

VI. Conclusion
VII. Illustration

VIII. Documentation