Ballistic signature identification becoming traceable within China

Ballistic signature identification is an important criminal investigation technique for detecting gun cases. Just as everyone has a unique fingerprint, unique striations mark on the bullet when it passes through the gun barrel. By identifying the ballistic signature left in a crime scene, the gun type can be determined, which provides important information for the detection of cases.

In order to realize a high-precision ballistic signature identification technology, NIM has developed a non-contact ballistic signature measuring system based on chromatic confocal sensor. This research work is supported by the Ministry of Public Security. The system can quickly acquire the three-dimensional data of ballistic signature and the measurement uncertainty is better than 1 micron. NIM has also developed an artifact with typical ballistic signature characteristics, which enables the ballistic signature measuring instrument to trace to the SI unit of length.

The standard developed will be used by the Institute of Forensic Science of the Ministry of Public Security, so that the ballistic signature identification work in China will no long need imported measuring instruments. At the same time, it supports the certification and the laboratory accreditation work in the forensic science field in China, providing reliable data for judicial appraisal.

Fig. Ballistic signature measuring device
Fig. Ballistic signature measuring device