What is the purpose of lead crimps used by inspectors?

Lead crimps serve a practical and important function in the inspection process. The primary purpose of using lead crimps is to seal or secure inspected items. When an inspector applies a lead crimp to an item, it creates a physical barrier, ensuring that the item remains tamper-evident and intact until the point of use or further inspection. This sealing mechanism adds a layer of accountability and assurance that the item has not been altered or misused since the inspection took place.

The other options do not accurately describe the function of lead crimps. For instance, lead crimps do not serve decorative purposes, nor do they indicate which items have been checked at a glance; rather, their main role is related to security and verification. They also do not replace hardware, as their use is focused on the integrity of inspected items rather than substituting other components.