New tagging technique for bullets shoots holes in "fingerprinting"

MachineDesign.Com ^ | May 8, 2003 Issue | Machine Design News editors

[Constitution Day]

 

New tagging technique for bullets shoots holes in "fingerprinting"

Embedded microembossing technology marks cartridge casings as they are ejected from the firearm.

Ballistic fingerprinting has its critics. Used for years, it involves analyzing the unique markings of fired bullets and empty shell casings and then matching them to specific firearms. Proponents say ballistic studies help law officers match guns with crime-scene evidence. Critics, on the other hand, claim the technique is just a way to register and eventually confiscate all lawfully owned handguns. They also say ballistic markings can be easily altered, essentially making the "fingerprints" useless.

One company aims to change that with an alternative tagging technology said to be proof positive. NanoVia LP, Londonderry, N.H. (www.nanovia.com), has developed a microembossing technique that stamps each cartridge casing as bullets fire. The microscopic code can be made up of encrypted symbols, bar codes, or simple alphanumeric codes, such as the make, model, and tracking number. Manufacturers can access the code to find out a firearm's serial number and purchasing history. The company says these identifiers, called NanoTag Ballistic ID Tags, would immediately lead investigators to a specific gun without requiring the extra manpower and expense associated with trying to match "scratches and dings" that can be easily altered. The technique uses imaging equipment found in local, state, and federal forensics labs.

NanoVia is working with the State of California Department of Justice to test various code configurations and to see where the embossing surfaces should sit within the firearms for forensic value and repeatability.

[Constitution Day]

I've had the print issue of this magazine on my desk for a few days and have been waiting for it to appear on their site so I could post it.
I have never heard of this technology until now, and wanted to see what Freepers thought of it.

A statement from NanoVia's website is below.

CD

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NanoVia to Help Develop CA Legislation on Ballistic ID Tag™

March 19, 2003 (Londonderry, NH) – NanoVia, LP has agreed to assist the State of California in writing its state ballistic identification legislation.  NanoVia’s patented ballistic tagging technology, NanoTag^™, is slated to be a key component. 

A number of States’ Departments of Justice have expressed an immediate and enthusiastic interest in evaluating the technology, as have several federal agencies.  The California Department f Justice has entered into an evaluation program with NanoVia to optimize and test various code configurations and placement of embossing surfaces within various firearms for forensic value, repeatability and to establish guidelines for implementation. 

Within a properly outfitted firearm, NanoVia’s micro-embossing technology imparts a unique, indelible, and microscopic code on the bullet and/or shell casing.  The technology would be integrated as an alternative to the ballistic “fingerprinting” method currently under such hot debate.  NanoVia’s NanoTag^™ Ballistic ID Tag^™ does not require national registration of new firearms or a cross-jurisdictional database of ballistic fingerprint images of those new firearms.  Simply put, the NanoTag^™ Ballistic ID Tag^™ replaces the ambiguous “scratch and ding” imaging and analysis, with a proof-positive ID technology. 

This type of identifier would immediately lead investigators to a specific gun without the manpower and expense associated with trying to match “scratches & dings” that change with time and/or differing ammunition, and because it uses imaging equipment already commonly found at local, state & federal forensics laboratories, the cost of implementing the NanoTag^™ Ballistic ID Tag^™ technology is negligible compared to the manpower and equipment costs required for “ballistic fingerprinting.”

[Constitution Day]

Bang!

[Redcloak]

Can you say "reloads"? Good, I knew you could.

[slowry]

bump

[Joe Brower]

Well, now. What new sci-fi will those gun-haters think of next?

Reloads. A-yep!

[Qwerty]

"Can you say "reloads"? Good, I knew you could."

Excellent point.

[Constitution Day]

I bet you the Kalifornia DoJ has already thought of that.

[Puppage]

Used for years

Without EVER SOLVING ONE CRIME, OR GETTING ONE CONVICTION!!!

[philetus]

that stamps each cartridge casing as bullets fire.

[AdamSelene235]

Can you say "reloads"? Good, I knew you could.

It looks like this marks the cartridge as it is ejected. Reloads won't help.

Can you say rat tail file or revolver?

[philetus]

Something to do with the firing pin?

[Redbob]

Since it would be the firearm that would be doing the embossing of the identifier on the cartridge case, I don't really see how a reload would be any different from a factory load...

However, I do think that anyone acquainted with using a Dremel tool for polishing could pretty easily remove the embossing area.

[Redcloak]

It looks like this marks the cartridge as it is ejected. Reloads won't help.

If you've picked up brass that someone else has shot, then their gun's marks will be on the rounds that you reload and shoot.

[wjcsux]

It appears as if this device puts an ID on the bullet and/or casing. If you have a Model 1911, barrels, firing pins and extractors are readily available, easily changed and cheap.

[philetus]

Grind off the embosser,get a felony, lose all guns,cat gets stomped.

[thatsnotnice]

... has developed a microembossing technique that stamps each cartridge casing as bullets fire.

I guess they've never heard of a revolver. Or a brass catcher. Of course, I don't remember seeing a brass catcher on a sidearm. Oh well.

[3Lean]

That felony for removing the embosser will really make those criminals think twice. They surely wouldn't break the law, would they???

Just another burden on the law-abiding which is easily defeated by the law breaking.

[AdamSelene235]

If you've picked up brass that someone else has shot, then their gun's marks will be on the rounds that you reload and shoot.

Oh goody, yet another excuse to send ninjas into innocent people's homes at 2 am.

[sailor4321]

I guess if you do use reloads (and trade brass with other reloaders) then pretty quickly the shell casings will be marked with the mark of every weapon in which that brass was used. Won't be real handy for identifying a particular gun, which is supposed to be the big benefit.

The argument (on their web site) that no registry will be required is false of course. Without one there will be no way to trace the brass to a particular handgun.

I wonder how they handle revolvers?

[sailor4321]

I'm not surprised to see Kalifornia behind this in a big way. They powers that be know they have to disarm the citizens (or otherwise intimidate them) pdq as they have taken ineptitude to a level in which armed revolt is fully justified...and is probably the only realistic way to bring about reform.