The reference ballistic imaging database revisited

Reproducibility and persistence of individual marks on 3000 fired bullets from five Chinese Norinco QSZ-92 9 × 19 mm pistols, and the search performance of Evofinder® to a 1000 firearm database of the same model firearm

For firearm identification, foundational validity based on the reproducibility and persistence of characteristic marks must be established. We investigate the fired bullets of five Chinese Norinco QSZ-92 9 × 19 mm pistols over 3000 shots. The first 50 fired bullets are recovered, whereas every 50th fired bullet is recovered from the 51st to 3000th round. As such, 109 bullets are available for each pistol, and totally 545 bullets are introduced into the Evofinder^® system. A large background database comprising 3000 bullets fired from 1000 registered QSZ92 9 × 19 mm pistols is used as interference. Both on-screen analysis and automatic comparison are performed. The first fired bullets from the five pistols are separately correlated with the database. The results show that although the similarity for known match bullets changes slightly as the shot number increases, the land-engraved area (LEA), groove-engraved area (GEA), and slippage marks can be reproducibly transferred to the fired bullets in consecutive shots. The Evofinder system ranks all known match bullets on the top of the correlation result with the combination of LEA, GEA, and slippage marks.

Sharing ballistic data across Europe: A prototype network between France and Switzerland using Evofinder®

Today, there is a real political urge to see the sharing of ballistic data intensify across Europe mostly due to recent events such as terrorist attacks. However, technical constraints remain and two main options are being discussed. The first one relies on a centralized common database, implying a vendor monopoly for all Europe and a unified protocol among member states. The second one advocates for a distributed framework relying on existing national infrastructures and leaving each country responsible for its own protocols. This article describes a prototype network linking Switzerland and France using the Evofinder® system by ScannBI. We will first focus on how this network was set up, and then report some results from tests conducted to assess the viability of the concept. These results demonstrate that the second option cannot be discarded and pave the way for a distributed network. This solution appears to be cheaper, more adaptable and answers the practical needs of member states.

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A prototype network linking Swiss and French Evofinder networks has been set up.

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Results show its viability without any change in existing databases and protocols.

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It opens a way to a distributed, scalable, efficient and reliable European network.

Performance Evaluation of a Registered Ballistic Database Using the Evofinder® System

Firearms for police in China are registered along with their fired bullets and cartridge cases. A Registered Ballistic Database (RBD) of 1000 Norinco QSZ-92 pistols with registered ammunition was established and was evaluated through the Evofinder® system. In this research, 1000 bullets and 1000 cartridge cases were randomly selected and correlated against an RBD of 2996 bullets and 2999 cartridge cases. Examiners found that successful identifications all ranked 1st, supported with land (100%), groove (97%) engraved areas, and primary marks (85.6%) for bullets, and firing pin impressions (99.8%), and breech face marks (99.9%) for cartridge cases. Two known matches (KM) for the same pistol rank in the top two (100%). The distribution of similarity scores varies from marks; however, the Evofinder® system could still effectively distinguish known matches from known nonmatches (KNM) for either bullets or cartridge cases. This study demonstrates the efficiency of the RBD.

The sharing of ballistics data across Europe and neighbouring territories

The current study explored the use of ballistic examinations and cross-border information sharing across 14 European countries. The presented data were collected using a mixed methods technique consisting of semi-structured interviews and questionnaires that were completed by participants. The results painted a very heterogeneous picture of the use of automated ballistic systems across these countries, as well as how ballistic analyses are integrated in the fight against gun-enabled crime. Three super-ordinates themes emerged from the thematic analysis: use of automated ballistic systems; Ballistic evidence recovery and analysis; knowledge exchange and best practices. The ability to draw firm conclusions regarding the value of ballistics comparison systems, either on a national or cross-border basis, is hampered by inconsistencies regarding data recording practices and definitions. Therefore, key recommendations are suggested to establish better cross border cooperation between member states and develop a better understanding of data sharing procedures.