Hi,

We had a rash of breakins last weekend by way of the frontdoor. All of the houses had a square indentation on the deadbolt. Also, the houses were left locked. I have posted images of the locks at the link below:

http://s763.photobucket.com/albums/xx273/misoc/lock/

We are trying to find out how this was done.

Thanks.

After all the media attention bump keys have received in recent years, I'm surprised there are people still unaware of it. I've never seen actual evidence of bump keys being used for illegal entry but I guess here we have it...

Whoever bumped those locks clearly didn't have a clue what they were doing. That amount of damage to the face of the cylinder would take a lot more force than necessary, and it would've made a fair amount of noise aswell... now, since it's quieter to just pry a window open with a crowbar, I'd say it's some guy who thinks he's clever cos the cops won't find his tools if they stop him. Chances are the guy actually keeps them clipped in amongst his everyday keys!! The authorities should be made aware of the tools he's using, they should be familiarised with what they look like and be on the lookout for them when searching anyone in connection with this string of break-ins.

I can tell you for a fact that the key(s) the culprit is using will be in poor shape due to the amount of force he's using. The shoulder of the key and rear of the bow will be noticably damaged from repeated impact, so the key that was used on those doors will show pretty unmistakable signs of wear. Although having the keys at all would be more than enough anyway if you ask me. Good luck!

It looks like picture number 1 may have had a tension bar in it but hard to tell. The rest of the pictures, that is just how kwikset and generic kwiksets look. Here is a picture of one I pulled out of one of my bins at work that have never been picked or bumped.



It is just how kwikset does some of their locks and they are made of cheap material so it does not take a whole lot of using the key to make it look worse.

Hi misoc,

I'm a forensic locksmith and I can help identify the method of entry if you send me these cylinders for examination. I have PM'd you additional details but I'm posting here in case others in your same situation are looking for help. As long as there are no requirements for me to travel and the locks are not part of an ongoing investigation then I don't mind helping out.

If you'd like to learn more about forensic locksmithing and what I do, I run the website http://www.lockpickingforensics.com.

dg

like most people i have a kwickset lock and mine looks just the same.

The square indention is pretty normal for a lot of locks.

Depending on what was taken and whether the burglar thought you would not notice for some time, I doubt any burglar would bother to relock the deadbolts by picking or bumping. The risk of exposure is doubled.

I suggest the burglar may have found an opportunity to make copies of the keys at an earlier time.

It's more likely that the doors were simply left unlocked... or they had spare keys hidden in obvious places like under a mat/bin/flower pot or one of those gimmicked key "hiders". Either that or we have an actual picker on our hands, I mean these aren't exactly top notch locks

+1...

You can't hide a key outside someplace where a real burglar wouldn't think to look...

That is why you should use a lockbox for spare keys hidden outside, like a Supra...

That is also recommended for keeping spare car keys secured inside the house, as a burglar could break in and find your "junk drawer" where you hide your spare keys OR you maybe made it really easy for them by hanging them on neat little hooks just inside one of your doors (like the one to the garage perhaps) and use your spare key to drive away with any of your cars which may have been home all alone when the burglary took place...

~~ Evan