Dutch bumpkey test by consumer reports NL

[Barry]

Tought you guys might find this amusing

Right after our appearance on NovaTV we where contacted by the Dutch 'consumentenbond' (Dutch Consumer Reports). They wanted to test all locks from the Dutch Police Seal of Approval to see how big the bump-key problem really was. So they asked Toool for help. For us it was a dream assignment. Together with our German friends of www.ssdev.org we helped them test 60 popular high security locks. These locks where on the recommendation list of the Dutch Police Seal of Approval.

The outcome of the test? 80% of these high security locks could be bumped open by us in under three minutes. Damage free. More then 50% of that in under one minute. But that was not all. Dutch Consumer Reports also tested how difficult it was for a layman to open these locks. From the 47 locks we opened the layman could open 22! These laymen are people who have no experience with locks whatsoever, yet still opened these locks in under three minutes. Not a bad score if you keep in mind most of these locks are rated 'burglar proof' for 5 to 10 minutes (depending on their SKG star rating).

An English version of the Dutch Consumer Reports article can be found here:

http://www.toool.nl/consumer-reports-nl.pdf (2.6 Mb)

Greetings and keep up the good work,

Barry

[zeke79]

Thanks Barry! Great info as always.

[p1ckf1sh]

The outcome of the test? 80% of these high security locks could be bumped open by us in under three minutes. Damage free.

Too bad you didn't make the consumentenbond check the locks for damage by forensic means. I take it "damagefree" means that no obvious damages were visible to the naked eye. But T would still think that the sudden impact should leave metallurgical marks on the pins which are obvious to a forensic analysis. The question is just whether these marks can be properly distinguished from regular wear. What I would like to know is

a) is it possible to see "fresh" bumping marks in a lock that has been used for a while? (think: somebody bumps your lock, steals from your place, you notice it after unlocking and have to prove to the cops/insurance that the door was not left open or something)

b) is it possible see aged bumping marks in a used lock that has been used for a little while after the bumping? (think: somebody is mad at you and plants evidence of a crime at your place before tipping off the authority)

I think both of these questions are something that is important to know when trying to measure the impact bumping has. If there is clear evidence to be found, it won't be such a big problem after all. Sure, it is problematic because anyone can learn to do it quick, but with clear evidence that something has been done to the lock it is just another opening method after all.

Greetings and keep up the good work

Same to you. Maybe you can get in touch with the people involved again and discuss this with them. I think it is something they would also like to know, especially if they are concerned not only with the technical aspects of bumping but also with the legal and insurance/approval-related issues.

[raimundo]

brass is made of copper and zinc, with a little lead thrown in to make it machine like butter. brass will not cut brass, or much of anything else except your fingers. brass will burnish another brass surface to a shiney flatness.

[p1ckf1sh]

Too bad you didn't make the consumentenbond check all the locks for damage by forensic means. [...]

D-a-m-n me, I replied to your posting before actually reading all the way through the PDF Document. I notice there is mention of forensic analysis, but not very indepth. At least the question has been answered in general, good think to know.

Sorry for that...

[Barry]

To talk about forensics ...

It is quite possible for experts to see if a lock has been bumped.
We have seen reports from the German police, and they can determine with a very high degree if a lock has been bumped or not.

Things they look for are:

Dents on the side of pins/spools.
Springs that are fumbled
marks on the house of the locks where the lower pin sometimes bounces to

Etc etc etc.

Most of the time they can and will see these marks.

Sad part is that in Holland we never send locks to laboratories, while in Germany it is common practise to do so....

Do not underestimate the power and intelligence of forensic specialists.
These people know what they are doing, have the right tools and know where to look

Greetings,

Barry

[p1ckf1sh]

We have seen reports from the German police, and they can determine with a very high degree if a lock has been bumped or not.
[...]
Most of the time they can and will see these marks.
[...]
Do not underestimate the power and intelligence of forensic specialists.
These people know what they are doing, have the right tools and know where to look

I never did that (underestimate them). And it's comforting to know that at least in the place I live forensics are used regularly. Not that my apartment was especially prone to burglary, but you never know.

Thanks for sharing your info.

[panalman]

Tought you guys might find this amusing

Right after our appearance on NovaTV we where contacted by the Dutch 'consumentenbond' (Dutch Consumer Reports). They wanted to test all locks from the Dutch Police Seal of Approval to see how big the bump-key problem really was. So they asked Toool for help. For us it was a dream assignment. Together with our German friends of www.ssdev.org we helped them test 60 popular high security locks. These locks where on the recommendation list of the Dutch Police Seal of Approval.

The outcome of the test? 80% of these high security locks could be bumped open by us in under three minutes. Damage free. More then 50% of that in under one minute. But that was not all. Dutch Consumer Reports also tested how difficult it was for a layman to open these locks. From the 47 locks we opened the layman could open 22! These laymen are people who have no experience with locks whatsoever, yet still opened these locks in under three minutes. Not a bad score if you keep in mind most of these locks are rated 'burglar proof' for 5 to 10 minutes (depending on their SKG star rating).

An English version of the Dutch Consumer Reports article can be found here:

http://www.toool.nl/consumer-reports-nl.pdf (2.6 Mb)

Greetings and keep up the good work,

Barry

I for one have been keeping an eye on the reports regarding bumping via the toool web site you guys have been very busy on research and testing and I am grateful for the paper you prepared it really was a fantastic article which emphasises on a whole lot of security issues regarding pin tumbler locks. Excellent work and I am sure it’s very much appreciated by all.

[greyman]

Barry

Congratulations on the fine work, and a nice report. I hope you guys are making some money out of this consulting work. You may need to start paying protection money soon when all the company reps put contracts out on you!!!

But seriously, I would like to point out something that you might need to consider if the company guys really sick the lawyers on you for loss of income. Your tests are based on a sample size that is too small. I read in your report that only two of each type of lock was tested by say 3 guys. That is fine, but statistically the sample is not big enough to draw a firm (read "legally meaningful") conclusion. I urge you to consider how many locks you really need to test before drawing conclusions that are made public. If the tests are based on good science, then the manufacturers cannot reasonably refute the results. Otherwise, their legal team will make quick work of you!

Regards

Greyman