What is the forceful (gewaltsame) overcoming category, and what does it look like in practice?
Forceful overcoming = destroy or deform the door, window, frame, or cylinder until the locking mechanism stops mattering. It's loud, leaves obvious traces, and is by far the most common method real burglars actually use.
Definition:
Doors, windows, or other closures: bring the locking mechanism out of engagement through destruction or deformation. For cylinder locks: remove or destroy the cylinder so the bolt can be operated with auxiliary tools.
Why forceful entry dominates statistics:
Real burglary is opportunistic. The average home burglar:
- Spends < 60 seconds at the entry point
- Carries a flathead screwdriver and a crowbar
- Picks the lock on a window (cheaper, less noisy than a door)
- Doesn't know what lockpicking is
Lockpicking is a TV trope, not a real-world threat for residential properties. Forceful entry is the threat model.
Common forceful methods (escalating drama):
| Method | Target | Tools |
|---|---|---|
| Window lifting | Tilted (Kipp) windows — lifted off pivots from outside | Flat strap, fishing line |
| Crowbar prying | Door frame or window edge | Crowbar (Brecheisen), screwdriver |
| Glass smashing | Single-pane windows | Hammer, kick |
| Cylinder snapping | Profile cylinders that protrude too far | Pliers, vise grips |
| Cylinder drilling | Pin stack from the front | Cordless drill |
| Ram-raid | ATM / safe through the wall of the building | Stolen vehicle, often a van |
| Explosive attack | Cash machine | Gas mixture or shaped charge — leaves the building partly demolished |
The extreme end — Bancomat-Sprengung (ATM explosion):
At the most destructive end of the spectrum sits the ATM explosion, a method that surged across Europe roughly 2018–2024. Attackers fill the machine with a flammable gas mixture or attach explosives, blow the housing apart, grab the bills, and flee. Damage to the building often costs more than the cash stolen — the locking mechanism became completely irrelevant.
The forensic value of forced entry:
| Evidence type | What it tells you |
|---|---|
| Tool marks | Brand/type of tool used; with luck, which tool from a suspect's kit |
| Glove fibers / DNA | Identifies the person |
| Footprints inside | Sequence of movement, number of perpetrators |
| Damage pattern | Skill level, planning, method |
Tip: When you read security marketing, watch for the framing: a "pick-resistant" lock that snaps in 5 seconds with pliers offers no real-world security. Always read the EN 1303 rating (or VdS in Switzerland) for the specific attack class you care about.