The Association of Firearms and Toolmarks Examiners posted a review of Tobias on Locks and Insecurity Engineering in May 2026, written by James Hamby, PhD.  James is an internationally known security expert and lectures on forensics and security worldwide.

AFTE REVIEW

By: James E. Hamby, Ph.D.

 TOBIAS ON LOCKS AND INSECURITY ENGINEERING

– Understanding and Preventing Design Vulnerabilities in Locks, Safes and Security Hardware by Marc Weber Tobias, J. D., Published in 2024 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey (ISBNs 9781119828259 (Hardback), 9781119828631 (ePDF), 9781119828266 (ePub).

Marc Weber Tobias is a longtime technical advisor to AFTE and has made presentations at our annual training seminars. He is a very gifted expert in the field of locks, safes, and security hardware, and has authored this massive 633-page tome on the above subject that contains twenty-seven particularly useful chapters with an extensive index.

Although not all firearm & tool mark identification units currently examine locks, safes, and security hardware submissions, this book would be a valuable reference to have available both for active casework and for training yourself, colleagues, and students.

Of particular interest to me, who examined locks and security devices during part of my career of 50+ years, is the information dealing with attacks on locks in the past as well as now and in the future.

I strongly recommend that you consider acquiring this reference publication for your Laboratory’s Reference File (LRF). I believe that you will find the information in the book to be of excellent value.