The investigation into the alarming assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump that unfolded this past Sunday is intensifying, with the FBI now focusing on a critical piece of evidence: a rifle with its serial number mysteriously obliterated. The agency is deploying some seriously advanced techniques to uncover what’s hidden beneath the surface of this assault-style weapon.
Let’s break down what we know so far. The suspect, Ryan Wesley Routh, reportedly has a troubling criminal record. According to court documents, he’s a convicted felon, and now investigators are piecing together how he came into possession of a semi-automatic SKS rifle, which, as you might guess, raises some serious red flags.
On Sunday, in the area around Trump International Golf Club, which is lined with trees and fenced off with chain link, Secret Service agents came across some intriguing items. They found a digital camera, two bags—a backpack and another—and notably, a loaded SKS-style rifle equipped with a scope. This rifle, however, had its serial number completely erased, making it virtually impossible to trace at first glance.
Here's where it gets technical: typically, firearms come with a serial number that’s stamped, cast, or engraved into the metal. This number is essential for tracing the weapon’s origin. But with the serial number on this rifle erased, investigators hit a snag. They need that serial number to perform a gun trace, but in this case, it's been deliberately obscured.
But don’t worry, this isn’t the end of the road. Experts have a few tricks up their sleeves for situations like these. According to Scott Sweetow, a retired ATF executive and firearms specialist, even if a serial number is defaced, it doesn’t necessarily disappear completely. Sweetow explained that the process of stamping metal leaves a deep impression that often survives, even if the surface is ground down or scratched.
Investigators use a combination of sophisticated chemicals and tools to make these hidden numbers visible again. They apply special treatments to “eat away” at the material that was used to obscure the number, followed by using advanced instrumentation to reveal what’s left. Think of it as uncovering a hidden message etched into the metal—a "shadow" of the original number, as Sweetow put it.
In addition to chemical treatments, the FBI and ATF have cutting-edge technology at their disposal. Techniques like x-ray and magnetic resonance imaging allow them to peer beneath the surface and examine the metal more deeply than the naked eye could ever manage.
So, while the obliterated serial number adds a layer of complexity to the case, forensic methods have advanced significantly. Sweetow notes that while this makes the investigation a bit tougher, the tools and techniques available today are far superior to those from a couple of decades ago.
On a legal front, Routh’s situation is serious. Being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm could lead to a hefty 15-year prison sentence. Plus, possessing a firearm with an obliterated serial number could tack on an additional five years. Routh faced a West Palm Beach federal court on Monday, where he was formally charged. He didn’t enter a plea, and the court has scheduled a pre-detention hearing for September 23 and an arraignment for September 30.
As this case develops, it will be interesting to see how the forensic techniques and legal proceedings unfold. Stay tuned as the investigation continues and more details emerge.
Login