Anti-Foreniscs: The Tricerapick

[datagram]

Hey everyone,

Lockpicking Forensics has a new article up about a lockpicking tool called the Tricerapick. It was invented by LP 101's own FarmerFreak as an anti-forensics pick for me to test. The article talks about previous attempts and anti-forensics tools, as well as a discussion of the requirements for any type of anti-forensics picking tool. Then it goes over the tricerapick and looks for any forensic evidence it leaves behind.

Check out "Anti-Forensics: The Keys to the Farm" on the Articles page of the site.

The Tricerapick is a cool tool that I'd like to see some more eyeballs on. It is harder to use than traditional lockpicks, but it is an interesting invention in its own right. As of right now, I place it as a middle ground between tryout keys, lockpicks, and composite keys.

Feel free to discuss the article and the tool in this thread. Both I and Farmer should be able to answer any questions you might have. Additionally, there is an informative thread on non-steel lockpicks.

Special thanks to all the LP101 members who helped proofread and review the article!

Thanks,
datagram

PS: If you are having trouble visualizing how the tool works, watch the video linked in the article. Watching it is more helpful than anything I can put into words!

[Raccoon]

Interesting. I haven't read the article yet, but I find the academic discussion and research on anti-forensics techniques a useful topic for exploring actual forensics techniques.

Unfortunately, I don't find any practical purpose in the retail development of such tools, especially as you described--they're more awkward to use and not as effective as standard picking tools. Short of making a lot of money by selling some to the CIA, I would caution against putting too much more energy into this pursuit for obvious reasons. It's impractical and would only attract nefarious attention.

I shall read the article and post further if I change my opinion.

[femurat]

I'm impressed by this project! Congrats FarmerFreak for the clever idea! You really are the mad scientist

I appreciate the anti forensic capabilities of the Tricerapick but I'd like to go further: this tool could be used to manipulate more pins at the same time, with better feedback and results than with a rake! I imagine to attach the bows to your fingers and to pick like if you are playing the piano! It's a sort of ghetto-sputnik. Keep up the good work!

Cheers

[FarmerFreak]

Interesting. I haven't read the article yet, but I find the academic discussion and research on anti-forensics techniques a useful topic for exploring actual forensics techniques.

Unfortunately, I don't find any practical purpose in the retail development of such tools, especially as you described--they're more awkward to use and not as effective as standard picking tools.

I completely agree. This tool was made with the sole purposes of seeing if it is possible, and what evidence would be left behind. It was a fun tool to play with, and I no longer have a set of the Tricerapicks.

I'm impressed by this project! Congrats FarmerFreak for the clever idea! You really are the mad scientist

I imagine to attach the bows to your fingers and to pick like if you are playing the piano! It's a sort of ghetto-sputnik.

And you think I'm the mad scientist!? Interesting idea though. I'm not sure if my fingers could handle that kind of control.

Something that I would like to add, is that the tricerapick concept could be usefull in locks that have really nasty asymmetric keyways. You all know the ones, where it is nearly impossible to navigate the pick around the profile. But I'm not sure how much easier it would make it to pick the lock, as it can be difficult to pick with this pick.

And a huge thanks to Datagram for doing all the forensics work and putting this article together.

[datagram]

Something that I would like to add, is that the tricerapick concept could be usefull in locks that have really nasty asymmetric keyways. You all know the ones, where it is nearly impossible to navigate the pick around the profile. But I'm not sure how much easier it would make it to pick the lock, as it can be difficult to pick with this pick.

Did I hear Vachette VIP just now? : )

dg

[FarmerFreak]

Did I hear Vachette VIP just now? : )

Heh, that uses a passive key control element right? I wonder if it would still be possible.

Zeke has the perfect example lock for this pick.

Now if we just had blanks...

[Eyes_Only]

That dime looks like it's actually a part of the lock.

And that keyway is wicked! Way nastier than the Corbin Emhart locks I have.

[zeke79]

It is indeed wicked. It is so nasty that I cannot work any of my picks in past the first or second pin. Even my LAB picks are useless on this lock. The only manufactured picks that may work are the two ultra thin Falle Safe picks that come with the set but even those will likely not work as if I recall correctly the lifter portion of the picks are too long so you couldn't work them in around the wards.

To pick this lock I need to use some very thin piano wire but I haven't gotten around to try and find any piano wire yet. I did think about trying some small gauge brazing wire as if I put a handle on it, a small tang would be fairly stiff. The problem isI I am not sure brazing wire comes in small enough diameters so I'll just have to check when I get a few extra dollars that I can spend as our rural supply store luckily has the option that you can buy a whole pack of rods or single rods so I'll see how small diameter they have and pick up a single rod and maybe if I can find some make a Fimo handle or whatever the stuff is called.

As stated though, this is a truly evil keyway and one of only a few locks in my collection that I have been unable to pick. This really bugs me though as this is just a normal 5 pin (IIRC, it might be 6 pin) with no sidebar or secondary locking mechanism. One of these days I'll pick it. I just have to make myself focus on this lock and stop just throwing it aside.

[Unsightly Picks]

With three or four blank keys it might be worth experimenting in an attempted to manufacture your own tricerapick, it might also present a viable application for the pick itself. I dont think it would ever be worth it for criminals, but a locksmith looks a the price of the lock and then wages, at sixty bucks an hour it's not worth spending two hours picking a lock. If the tricerapick would give a smith the option of opening a warded exspensive lock quikley it might be a option. But then again it would require a TON of different tools and the effectiveness would still be in question http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZpMx0HlEHs but that video got me thinking. Sorry i strayed from the forensics view i just thought this might be pertinent to the Tricerapick itself.

[unjust]

so what is that little saw of a keyway? (as in brand of lock)