IBIS Helps Match Bullets With Their Guns
Posted by Andre Demers on Wed, Nov 16, 2011
Here's a story from India's Daily News Analysis (DNA) that highlights how the Forensic Science Laboratory in Gandhinagar is using IBIS BulletTRAX-3D to link firearms, crimes and suspects.
The Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) in Gandhinagar has acquired the 'Integrated Ballistics Identification System' (IBIS) which uses advanced computer-aided technology that helps forensic experts solve crimes more efficiently. The IBIS makes it easier to compare the unique identification marks made on bullets and their shells by the weapons from which they were fired.
Assistant director of FSL, H K Modi, said that the new system can create computer images of bullet marks and barrel marks, respectively, which are then compared by the IBIS software.
"Every bullet and its empty shell bear unique marks that are made by the barrel (or chamber) of the weapon from which they have been fired. These marks vary from one weapon to another," said Modi. He added that the IBIS can identify the marks made on bullets and their cases even by a country-made gun. The unique marks can link a particular firearm to a crime in which it was used.
"The IBIS will provide digital computer images of these marks - called ballistic evidence - which will assist FSL in solving crimes," said Modi.
With its powerful stereo microscope, the IBIS scans and saves 360 degree images of bullets recovered from the crime scene. Then bullets are fired using the suspected firearm into a cotton box. The bullets are later retrieved and compared with the 360 degree images of the recovered bullets to match the firing marks.
The IBIS uses sophisticated electronic and optical technology to compare evidence stored in its database. "IBIS photographs the surface of fired bullets and casings from crime scenes. Apart from finding the exact matches, the IBIS software also stores the images in a server for future reference," Modi said.
When a new image is entered into its database, the system uses advanced mathematical algorithms to search for a match among previously stored images. "Using filters such as caliber, date of crime, date of entry, and rifling specifications, the correlations produce lists of possible matches," said Modi.
A forensic expert then visually compares the matched images on a computer monitor. If a likely match is found, the images are compared with actual evidence by an examiner under a microscope for a final decision.
"The IBIS can provide 2-3 nearest matches which can then be analyzed manually to determine the exact weapon from which the crime was committed," said Modi.
