Automated firearms identification

Every firearm leaves unique, reproducible markings on expended (used) bullet and cartridge cases that it fired.

A firearms examiner visually compares the ballistic signature of a bullet/cartridge recovered from a crime scene with those in the police files.

Automated Ballistic Identification Systems (ABIS) are specialized computer hardware/software combinations designed to capture, store and rapidly compare digital images of bullets and cartridge casings.

Instead of having a custom-made system like the FBI however, ATF opted to build their network on a platform developed by Forensic Technology WAI Inc., a private Canadian company.

It was later upgraded to handle cartridge casings as well, and was then subsequently renamed as the Integrated Ballistics Identification System (IBIS).

From 1993 to 1998, the United States had two automated ballistics identification systems in place: Drugfire, which was under the FBI, and IBIS, under the ATF.

The adoption of IBIS as the NIBIN standard propelled Forensic Technology as the world’s biggest manufacturer of automated ballistic identification systems.

The emergence of a world standard enables law enforcement agencies worldwide to share ballistic data.

Law enforcement agencies worldwide utilize ABIS to rapidly generate Candidate Lists of probable matches of a suspect bullet/cartridge against the ballistic database.

In all installations of ABIS worldwide, it is the Firearms Examiners who make the final decision and certification of a ballistic match.

A firearm identification room. This room includes microscopes, a water tank for firing bullets and, an ABIS system. This room is used to identify and test firearms picked up as evidence .