VIN ATF provides full, independent, and impartial products and services to all private, commercial, and government parties.
With experience in criminal, civil and liability cases, VIN ATF specializes in the investigative and forensic examination of automotive and residential/commercial security, and offers a number of products and services to meet your needs.
Training & Seminars
Whether you are law enforcement, insurance SIU, or an attorney, VIN Advanced Technologies & Forensics, Inc. offers training and seminars to suite the needs of your group. From simple and short presentations to full-day or week long education and hands-on training in automotive or commercial/residential security. Contact VIN ATF to schedule.
Research - Consultation - Opinion - Document Review
Some decisions simply need accurate and concise information regarding locks, keys and/or security systems. VIN ATF consultation, research, opinion and document review addresses the specifics of system operation, system components, and known methods of bypass, compromise or failure. When circumstantial variables are provided via police/fire reports, opposing expert testimony, sworn statements, etc., VIN ATF can provide a detailed assessment on the accuracy and probability of stated methods of theft, bypass, or failure.
Visual Inspection
"You got to know when to hold em, know when to fold em,
Know when to walk away and know when to run." from The Gambler, Kenny Roger
Most insurance claims don't require a full examination to provide making preliminary cost-effective assessments and decisions, but require a more thorough understanding of a vehicle's security features than an adjuster can provide. Save time, save money, multiply time and increase the productivity of your SIU department by using VIN ATF's Visual Inspection. The Visual Inspection provides your SIU personnel with a basic field and plain-view assessment on the status of the mechanical and security systems of a recovered vehicle. In many instances, the provided information is all that is needed to make important claim-related decisions.
Normally completed within 48 hours of the request, the Visual Inspection is a fast, efficient, and economical service that can improve your department's overall claim handling ability. Should the findings of the Visual Inspection escalate to a full examination, the cost of the Visual Inspection is dismissed.
Field Examination
When a complete and concise evaluation is required, VIN ATF's Field Examination provides a thorough and cogent assessment of all security related features within the scope of the requested examination. The adoption of strict field examination protocols assure that all relevant and material issues are examined, and evidentiary integrity maintained.
Reports include
- Observations - a comprehensive presentation on the status of the system or object being examined
- Discussion on the findings of the examination, including the components involved, proper operation of those components, operation of the components based on the examination findings, and potential methods of bypass, compromise, or failure.
- Opinions/Conclusions - Logically and cogently found on the findings of the field examination, known class and unique characteristics of involved security features, and forensic analysis of recovered or collected evidence.
- Photographs - covering all aspects of the investigation.
Forensic Examination
With two labs to serve you, VIN ATF provides microscopic and diagnostic examinations performed on locks, keys, alarm systems, immobilizers. Using the latest in scientific techniques and methods, and backed by years of hands-on experience, VIN ATF exemplifies the highest in security/locksmith forensics.
Key Validation
Investigations often require confirmation that a submitted key(s) actually belong(s) to a vehicle that is under investigation. In the past, security restrictions by the automobile manufacturers have made validation extremely difficult. Private investigators, law enforcement, and other parties had to rely on obtaining information either through backdoors or subpoena. But not anymore. VIN ATF is now happy to provide clients with legal, manufacturer provided key code validation.
Benefits of key validation:
- Insurance companies and parties of interest are now able to confirm that a key submitted during the claims process actaully fits the vehicle in question.
- Law enforcement has used key validation to link keys found in the hands of suspects to a list of known stolen vehicles.
Key validation can be provided for all major automobile manufacturers including: GM, Ford, Chrysler, Nissan, Mitsubishi, Honda, Acura, Lexus, Toyota, Scion, Mercedes, Mazda and more.
Basic Mechanical
Stop paying for redundant services. VIN ATF's basic mechanical provides you with the first, and often the only, step needed in determining the mechanical condition of a recovered vehicle - oil and transmission fluid analysis. Working with court approved experts in automotive fluid analysis, VIN ATF can provide you the preliminary information needed on a vehicle's condition before investing in a full mechanical examination.
Full Mechanical
VIN ATF offers full mechanical examinations on all automobiles. Whether conducted in conjunction with a theft claim or for subrogation purposes, a full examination of possible engine, brake, or other mechanical failure is available from VIN aTF.
Origin & Cause
Whether conducted for a theft claim or subrogation, a full Origin & Cause is available on all burned vehicles.
Field Forensics
Although best practice requires sending evidence to the laboratory for forensic analysis, it often is not the most efficient or practical. Now armed with electronic field microscopes, VIN ATF brings the laboratory to the field.
Although more costly than sending evidence to the laboratory, field forensic analysis is excellent where time and other claim critical conditions exist. Field forensics is best suited for investigations where evidence examination is non-destructive and where evidence cannot be removed and held by VIN ATF.
Part Replacement
When it's necessary to replace parts that were removed during an examination, VIN ATF is your answer to proper completion at reduced costs. With over 20 years of experience in automotive and commercial/residential locksmithing, VIN ATF has the training and experience necessary to repair vehicle's and/or structures to their pre-examined conditions. Further, VIN ATF can perform these tasks at wholesale pricing on parts and without the added costs of towing.
As a fully licensed locksmith, VIN ATF is capable of repairing or replacing locks and other security hardware. With experience in both automobiles and commercial/residential structures, VIN ATF offers other services including key generation (programming), key duplicating, lock/hardware repair or replacement, rekeying, safe combination changes, door repair or replacement.
