Lock and Break in Expert Witness
We are Expert Witnesses for lock-related issues in association with Safeguard Security Consultants Limited (www.safeguardsecurityconsultants.com).
We have a long experience in Civil and Criminal cases and have given evidence in Magistrate’s and Crown Courts.
If you have a requirement for an Expert Lock Witness, or lock specialist please contact AMTLS. Our knowledge and industry understanding will give you precise information.
Recent Expert Lock Witness Case Studies
Lock Failure
In a newly built extension to a secure hospital the key operation in the internal door locks was difficult and a number of keys were broken by the use of grips in attempts to unlock doors.
Our investigations discovered a manufacturing fault in the lock mechanism created in an attempt to convert locks to use 22mm profile cylinders. The entire set of locks was replaced by the manufacturer.
Arson Attack
A fire at a newly finished apartment building was started deliberately and on arrival the Fire and Rescue Service found that all the windows in the building had been opened wide to fan the flames.
The lock cylinder on a sliding patio door appeared to have been opened by “Bumping” but there were no visible marks or damage to the cylinder pins.
A site visit suggested that entry was more likely to have been gained by reaching through the over-sized letter box and operating the internal thumb turn to unlock the main entrance door.
Door Bolt
A 3” brass necked bolt fitted to a cellar door in a public house failed under minimal force allowing a customer to fall down the cellar staircase and sustain life changing injuries.
Our examination revealed that the failure was due to a manufacturing fault in the case extrusion which allowed the centre part containing the sliding bolt to tear away from the side flanges. Due to the dark finish on the casing the fault would not have been visible with the bolt in situ.