Digital identification of vehicles not only for investigative and forensic purpose

Abstract

This paper deals with the issue of digital identification of vehicles not only from the perspective of forensic sciences, but also in a wider context. The introduction explains terms and principles of primary and secondary identification; these are general terms, regarding not only vehicles, but any kind of identification process. In relation to vehicles, particular attention is given to explaining the issue of identification with a VIN (Vehicle Identification Number). The core of the paper is based on research conducted at the Academy of the Police Force in Bratislava, Slovakia, which aimed to find a suitable tool for reading digital identifiers from motor vehicles across various vehicle manufacturers. The subsequent goal was to analyse the obtained information, which is digitally inserted into vehicles as identifiers by various manufacturers, and to find general connections and rules for various models and their commercial markets. The conclusion presents basic conditions for widespread, globalised use and practical use of digital identifiers, especially with regard to modern vehicles.