Nondestructive imaging of hidden figures on license plates by X-ray radiograph

To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2009.03.024 Byline: Oc-Yeub Jeon (a), Sang-Hyeon Kim (a), Joong Lee (b), Jong-Taek Park (a), Tae-Hoon Kim (a), Hak-Soo Park (c), Il-Kwon Huh (c), Hyung-Tae Kang (c) Keywords: Forensic science; Nondestructive investigation; X-ray; Radiograph; Metal testing; Restoration Abstract: In this case, we investigated the modified license plates. The evidences had new embossing pressed serial numbers after erasing the original numbers on the license plates by hammering. The X-ray radiograph could visualize the hidden figures; those were virtually unseen by naked eyes or undetectable by ordinary photography. To reveal the erased figures, we performed image processing with computer software after X-ray radiographs. It proved to be an efficient nondestructive way to visualize the hidden original figures on metals. Author Affiliation: (a) Physical Analysis Division, National Institute of Scientific Investigation, 331-1 Shin-Wol-7-Dong, Yang-Cheon-Gu, Seoul 158-707, Republic of Korea (b) Document and Image Division, National Institute of Scientific Investigation, Seoul 158-707, Republic of Korea (c) Conservation Science Laboratory, National Museum of Korea, Seoul 140-026, Republic of Korea Article History: Received 29 September 2008; Revised 26 March 2009; Accepted 26 March 2009