“These electronic indicators are every bit as — if not more — important as looking at the physical locks and keys.” key for a BMW and there was no appar- ent damage to theſt system or lock. The vehicle was recovered miles away from where he last parked it. He turned in the key to the insurance company. They test- started the vehicle with that key, con- cluding he must have driven it there. The insurance company settled the case aſter my investigation revealed four keys were programmed to the vehicle, and a spoil- age issue was brought up. When scanned, the BMW key shows VIN, key # and the mileage when the key was last used. The insurance company test altered that evi- dence (spoilage), by rewriting the mile- age on the key during their test, denying the insured the ability to prove his case. A proper scan of the key and module by a dealer or with a low-cost AK90 would have prevented the spoilage. I also recently conducted tests on a 2018 Dodge Charger using a dealer Mi- cro-Pod II to see what information was stored in the vehicle’s memory. This was a push-start proximity key vehicle. The only lock on the vehicle is the driver’s side door lock. The key information was accessed via OBD. Useful information can be obtained if there has not been an interruption in power to the vehicle and WWW.ALOA.ORG Figure 2. This image gives an example of key data found via OBD using a Micro-pod II on a 2018 Dodge Charger proximity key model. The Authenticated FOB ID can be compared to recovered key ID once scanned. the key has not been used in accessing or starting the vehicle since being recovered. Examples of the information: number of keys/fobs programmed, total number of keys programmed to the vehicle; last RKE fob ID used, key number is displayed; last RKE fob button depressed, shows what button pressed, unlock or lock; and au- thenticated fob ID meaning, digital ID of last key used to start vehicle. I could not find a way via OBD to see the digi- tal ID of keys in different positions. The keys can be scanned with something like Miraclone, Tango or Zed-bull to reveal the key ID. This can be compared to the authenticated fob ID function to see if that was the last key used. If the power has been interrupted from a dead battery, the numbers default to zero for the last RKE key used and authenticated fob ID. These are just a few examples of useful digital data. ALOA and IAIL can be an important part of the training and experience required to be a successful investigator If you couldn’t make the IAIL Forensic Conference in October, attend the 2019 ALOA Convention for more classes. And quality equipment and references are a must. Brian VanDenburgh, CFL, CAL, CRL, CAI, is the re- tired deputy chief of po- lice in Schererville, IN. He also formerly worked as a special agent in the USAF Office of Special Investigations and is retired reserve USAF Security Forces. He received his bachelor’s degree from Oakland City University and is the owner of Lockout Express LLC in Dyer, IN, which he established in 1993. Get Published! IAIL members: Submit your articles for the Investigative Spotlight department. Send your information to Ross Squire at [email protected]. NOVEMBER 2018 KEYNOTES 15
