An automatic analysis system for firearm identification based on ballistics projectile

Abstract

Characteristic markings on the cartridge and projectile of a bullet are produced when a gun is fired. Over thirty different features within these marks can be distinguished, which in combination produce a "fingerprint" for identification of a firearm. Given a means of automatically analyzing features within such a firearm fingerprint, it will be possible to identify not only the type and model of a firearm, but also each individual weapon as effectively as human fingerprint identification can be achieved. In this paper, a new analytic system based on fast Fourier transform (FFT) for identifying the projectile specimens digitized using the line-scan imaging technique automatically is proposed. Experimental results show that the proposed system has the ability of efficient and precise analysis and identification for projectiles specimens.