What the work includes
The examination is based on the product, photographs, documents, case materials, information about manufacturing method, use and repairs, and the questions posed.
- inspection of the marking and its location;
- analysis of the material, surface, coating, relief and damage;
- examination of features of the marking application method;
- assessment of signs of alteration, removal, damage or reapplication;
- preparation of a report, expert report review or analytical position.
Typical questions
- which method was used to apply the marking;
- whether there are signs of alteration, removal or damage to the marking;
- whether the markings being examined were applied using the same method or different methods;
- whether the marking corresponds to the submitted documents and the object;
- whether the findings of a previous examination are substantiated.
Pricing
from RUB 60,000. The exact cost depends on the type of material, number of objects, questions and need for inspection, microscopy or laboratory work.
Preservation of the area and the history of its alteration
Before inspection, it is important to preserve both legible characters and the surrounding surface area. Coating boundaries, the location of damage, relief, fastenings and the relative positions of markings may matter to the examination. An isolated photograph of a few digits deprives the specialist of part of the context.
Do not clean, grind, touch up with paint or treat the disputed area yourself to improve legibility. Such actions change the condition of the surface and may hinder subsequent examination. If intervention has already taken place, disclose its date and known method, and preserve photographs taken beforehand where available.
Separating tasks during inspection
- Establish where the marking being examined is located and how it relates to the object.
- Describe the accessible surface condition and visible damage.
- Check for signs of alteration, reapplication or replacement of the substrate.
- Determine which questions can be resolved using the submitted data.
The absence of a legible number does not automatically mean deliberate destruction, and the presence of damage does not yet explain who caused it or when. Technical features must be assessed with regard to the material, construction and known history of repairs or use.
The possibility of reading the former content is determined by the condition of the particular object and the examination programme chosen. No universal promise to restore any marking can be made. If answering a question requires intervention on the object, its purpose and permissibility are agreed before it is performed; the results must distinguish the condition initially observed from features obtained during examination.