Robotnik wrote:I've always taken some issue with the notion that criminals don't pick locks. If I'm recalling FBI crime stats correctly, something like 80-85% of residential break-ins are forced entry, and about 10% are entry through an unsecured door or window. That leaves a small-but-not-insignificant percentage of residential burglaries committed by surreptitious/covert means, including lock picking.
I'm 100% on board with the assertion that lockpicking is an extremely unusual MO for a burglar, but it's far from unheard of.
This is very true. I did a talk at EMF camp this year and a section of it was devoted to this very subject. It is very hard to say just how many thefts are committed via lockpicking because in all but the most high profile of cases, the lock will not get forensically examined. The age-old piece of advice, if you come home and there is no sign of forced entry then make some signs so the insurance company don't renege on the deal. How many times does that play out?
Also, there is the fact that because lockpicking is covert then it has to be obvious that a theft has taken place at all. And so many thefts take a long time to get noticed, if at all.
About the OP - the hackaday article say Bill is "an accomplished and skilled locksmith". I beg to differ, he knows jack shit, has only been picking for maybe 3 years is it? It really winds me up when I see bozo's get lionised. The list is huge.