NY ballistic database firing blanks?

Newsday ^ | June 3, 2004 | MICHAEL HILL

[neverdem]

ALBANY, N.Y. -- A database designed to match handguns in New York state to crime scene evidence has not solved a crime more than three years after its debut.

Pataki administration officials cite difficulties local police can face in getting crime scene evidence to Albany, where the database is housed. But state officials say they are close to solving the problem through a deal that would allow inquiries made around New York to piggyback on a federal ballistic network.

Since March 2001, identifying information about each new pistol and revolver sold in New York has been entered into the Combined Ballistic Identification System database. Under the system, called CoBIS for short, new guns are fired, casings are collected and the minute markings are cataloged by a computer.

Law enforcement officials say the unique markings are like gun "fingerprints" and that bullet casings recovered from crime scenes can potentially be matched with the more than 53,000 guns entered into New York's database.

[neverdem]

The author failed to mention that of the six "hits" Maryland made with its "ballistic fingerprint" database, none led to the solving of any crime. The last time I read anything about Maryland's program, they had all been solved already.

[neverdem]

BANG

[snooker]

Barrel change, bang!!!

[Lawgvr1955]

Maybe they will have better luck solving crimes after they get the micro chip installed in everyone's head.

Seriously, how many crimes did they expect to solve this way? They are "finger printing" the guns of law abiding citizens being used for a lawful purpose. Sounds like they are plowing a baren field.

[chudogg]

"Nobody says, 'People wear gloves. We shouldn't a have a fingerprint database,' It's a preposterous suggestion."

Yeah they do, thats why we dont have a fingerprint database!

[Gandalf_The_Gray]

Barrel change, bang!!!

No need to go that far, just go to a range and shoot a box or two of standard ammo. If it makes you feel better, you could "fire lap" your barrel (to remove high spots!) by lightly coating a few FMJ projectiles w/ 600 grit valve lapping compound and popping them down range. I would recommend a through cleaning after such a procedure.

Regards,
GtG

PS For the truly paranoid, you might want to change your extractor claw and firing pin also.

[decimon]

Gorovitz believes a major problem with ballistic databases is that only New York and Maryland have one. They need to be more widespread to be effective, he said.

Ding-ding-ding-ding

[patton]

Who says we don't? LOL.

My figerprints/DNA/Photogragh/Financial data/Etc. are in more federal databases than you can shake a stick at.

I get stopped and PROBED in airports.

But that is because I am suspicious - I work in the Pentagon.

[snooker]

I always clean well after a long session at the range. I especially make sure any worn or burred parts get prompt replacement, or a touch up with a fine stone if appropriate.

All this crapola assumes the criminal has the brain of a fly. Some do, but a lot don't.

[Paleo Conservative]

They are "finger printing" the guns of law abiding citizens being used for a lawful purpose. Sounds like they are plowing a baren field.

But with so many law abiding citizens' guns registerd in the system, they're bound to have some false positives.

[Sofa King]

Hey! Did you steal my tagline???

[TLI]

Bump For Later Laughter

[Robert A Cook PE]

Until Hillary gets power again.

Then they will have a complete list of 54,000 guns they CAN immediately confiscate.

[TLI]

"Maryland's database, five months older than New York's, has posted six hits based on more than 160 queries, according to Maryland state police."

"the $1.5 million-a-year system"

"has not solved a crime more than three years after its debut."

99.97% ineffective in so much as providing a clue, 100.00% ineffective in solving anything.

At $750,000.00 per clue it is a damn near perfect government bureaucratic program. Almost 100% room to show improvment, therefore insuring it's continued funding.

[lowbridge]

bump

[Gandalf_The_Gray]

Hey! Did you steal my tagline???

Not to proud to say; yes, I only steal from the best.

Regards,
GtG

[Sofa King]

Not really a problem.