I'm not understanding the importance of seeing the brand.
Not directed at you, but whose business is it what it says? She's got one. The sheriff confirmed it. It's now a scar and an identifier on her person. If she doesn't want anyone to know what it says, then that's it. I doubt the info will come out. She has a right to her privacy.
No, I think there's a reason why it's message and location is being kept quiet. You are right, we the public have no business to see. I think that is why the divulging of the brand didn't make the sheriff happy. It's important, not that a pic needs to be shown to the world.
jMHOO