The range of the POISC Technology application and the ballistic expertise issues to be solved with this Technology

 

1. Short introduction into the basic parts and ideology of the POISC Technology.

• POISC Automated Ballistic Identification System (ABIS);
• Automated POISC Photo-Module System (PMS);
• POISC Firearms Photo-Unit (FPU).

Enhancement and upgrade of the POISC technology software and hardware enabled widening the range of the POISC application and the scope of tasks and issues that can be solved more efficiently with the help of this technology.
Traditionally automated ballistic identification systems (ABIS) were intended mainly for the creation of automated databases of digital images of bullet and cartridge case surfaces that are the objects of criminalistics examination, and for the ranging of these database objects according to the similarity degree of the toolmarks left by the firearms on these objects and on the new object that is under examination (a bullet or a cartridge case).
As the ABIS have been developed the applicability of the system workstations have been extended in providing preliminary comparative analysis of objects’ digital images for the purposes of individual firearms identification using toolmarks on bullets and cartridge cases. However, up to now the expert makes his final conclusion if the toolmarks match, as a rule, on the basis of the comparative analysis of the real objects with the help of a comparison microscope.
The current modifications of the POISC systems offer the package of new program means that allow improving the conditions and efficiency of expert’s work.

The POISC integration capabilities:

The technology based on the POISC Systems allows building different configurations of the Systems’ parts and providing the integration of them. In particular, it allows sending the acquired object image to the distant central or neighboring (local) database to enlarge the database or find a match. The checks of matching toolmarks can be conducted both in the central laboratory and in the local laboratory requesting the check.
If in the central laboratory, then the local laboratory receives the results of the comparative analysis together with the analyzed objects’ images from the external database.
If in the local laboratory, then it receives the object images with the recommended objects’ hit list resulted from the search in the external database and conducts the analysis themselves.
The third variant can provide the collaboration of several laboratories and criminalistics centers, if the number of them is not large and there is no pressing need to create a central database. In this case, these laboratories can share the object images acquired on their DAS without operators’ assistance in automated mode at any suitable time of the day or at night. As a result, every of the participating laboratory forms a complete database created by all the participants of data sharing. This database allows all participants to carry out their independent check in the database and conduct the comparative analysis of the objects they have a concern with.
It is also possible to provide the geographically-distributed acquisition of object images (at the crime scenes or test-fire sites) with the further submitting of these images for the formation of the central database and further centralized search in this database and comparative analysis of objects.
The POISC Technology enables realization of mixed ABIS configurations and operations depending on the specific character of bullet and cartridge case repositories and ballistic expertise performance in the certain country or jurisdiction or organization.

Besides basic hardware, the POISC systems include:

«Data Acquisition Stations» (DAS ) in the POISC systems allow obtaining images of the objects (bullets, cartridge cases, firearms and so on), enter them into the database and make a check of matched parameters with the objects from the database
«Expert Work Stations » (Analysis Stations) (EWS) can be the stations distant from the repository of actual objects (bullets and cartridge cases) and from the database of digital images. These stations can remotely carry out the inspection of the examined specimens (bullet or cartridge case) in the database without sending actual specimens to the check site (laboratory). It diminishes the expert’s workload at the final stage and results in reducing time the expert spends at the comparison microscope.

 

2. The POISC Technology includes the following POISC systems:

• POISC Automated Ballistic Identification System (ABIS) оn the basis of POISC Scanners:

«POISC-U» - Scanner Universal for acquiring images of bullets and cartridge cases «POISC-B» - Scanner for acquiring images of bullets «POISC-C» - Scanner for acquiring images of cartridge cases

 

Functions: POISC ABIS (POISC BIS) is intended for acquiring digital images of fired bullets and cartridge cases, storing them in the database of scanned bullet and cartridge case images and their comparative analysis (expertise) in manual and automated modes.
The system is intended for keeping automated records on bullets and cartridge cases, automated identification of firearms by toolmarks left on fired bullets and cartridge cases recovered at the crime scenes as well as by toolmarks left on the ammunition as a result of firearm test-fires (recovered, seized, handed over).

«Data Acquisition Stations» (BIS DAS):
Functions: The BIS DAS hardware and software are intended for work on the scanner; entry of the accompanying information on the objects; acquisition of bullet or cartridge case scanned image; data export (import) to the Server (database); check of signature matches with the database objects; object analysis (expertise)of match results.

«Expert Work Stations » (Analysis Stations) (BIS EWS):
Functions: The BIS EWS hardware and software are intended for the expertise of the examined object with the images stored in the database.

 

•  Automated POISC-Photo-Module System (PMS) on the basis of POISC Photo-Module:

Functions: PMS is intended for circular frame-by-frame photography of objects (cartridges, bullets, cartridge cases) in black-and-white and color modes; examination of digital photo/video images of these objects and creation of the database of photo/video images of cartridges, cartridge cases, bullets and so on, according to the measured parameters of the objects; creation of so-called «object’s digital image» («digital evidence»).

 

«Data Acquisition Stations» (PM DAS):
Functions: The PM DAS hardware and software are intended for work with the Photo-Module; entry of the accompanying information on the objects; acquisition of bullet, cartridge case or cartridge photo/video images; data export (import) to the Server (database); check of the parameter matches of the examined objects with the database objects; comparative analysis (expertise) of objects.

«Expert Work Stations » (Analysis Stations) (PM EWS):
Functions: The PM EWS hardware and software are intended for the expertise of the examined object with the images stored in the database.

 

•  POISC Firearms Photo-Unit (FPU) on the basis of POISC Photo-Unit Stand (PUS):

Functions: FPU is intended for the photography of handguns (pistols, revolvers , etc) and sound suppressors as well of their parts with the help of a digital or video camera for the further measurement of the objects’ geometry and determination (specification) of design, production, machining features; creation of the database of firearms and so on.

 

«Data Acquisition Stations» (FPU DAS):
Functions: The FPU DAS hardware and software are intended for work with the Photo-Stand; entry of the accompanying information on the objects; acquisition of object photo images; data export (import) to the Server (database); check of the parameter matches of the examined objects with the database objects; comparative analysis (expertise)of objects.

«Expert Work Stations » (Analysis Stations) (FPU EWS):
Functions: The FPU EWS hardware and software are is intended for the expertise of the examined object with the images stored in the database.

 

• The POISC Technology also includes the software:

Special software for each system operation;
Special software for work with the databases (Servers);
Special software for integration with the software of «Evidence» system (LIMS).

Notes:
The company is constantly developing new capabilities of the POISC hardware and software and extending their range.

 

3. Applied problems to be solved with the POISC Technology.

It is well known that the forensic ballistics expertise of firearms and toolmarks is certainly not limited by finding matches on toolmarks left by the firearms (firearm identification).
The hardware and applied software developed by SBC allows the ballistic expert to organize his work in a better and more efficient way.
The integrated use of the POISC technology provides the versatility of the expert’s work and extends the range of problems he can solve, such as:

 

• Firearm identification by spent cartridge cases:

• Determination (identification) of the cartridge case caliber; type and shape of the cartridge case (cartridge) and its parameters, material; primer position and parameters;
• Determination (identification) of toolmarks left by the firearm parts;
• Identification of the firearm model (group of firearm models) the cartridge case could be fired from;
• Identification of the firearm specimen, the cartridge case could be fired from, among the firearms submitted for the expertise;
• Identification of the firearm links: whether the cartridge cases recovered at different crime scenes were fired from the same firearm specimen or not;
• Identification of firearm links: whether the cartridge cases recovered at the same crime scene were fired from the same firearm specimen or not;
• Identification of the quantity of the firearm specimens used at the crime scene;
• Finding matches of toolmarks signature in the database;
• Evaluation of match results. Expert’s conclusion.

 

• Firearm identification by spent bullets:

• Evaluation of the applicability of toolmarks on the bullet for identification purposes;
• Determination (identification) of the bullet caliber;
• Determination (identification) of the barrel type (rifling or polygonal) represented on the bullet surface;
• Determination (identification) of the available seating marks and their position;
• Determination of the features indicating the barrel condition and wear;
• Determination of the features indicating the improvised (home-made) barrel;
• Identification of firearm model (group of firearm models) the bullet could be fired from;
• Identification of firearm specimen, the bullet could be fired from, among the submitted for the expertise firearms;
• Identification of firearm links: whether the bullets recovered at different crime scenes were fired from the same firearm specimen or not;
• Identification of firearm links: whether the bullets recovered at the same crime scene were fired from the same firearm specimen or not;
• Determination of the quantity of firearm specimen used at the crime scene;
• Finding matches of toolmarks signature in the database;
• Finding matches of toolmarks signature in the database;
• So on;
• Evaluation of match results. Expert’s conclusion.

 

• Criminalistics examination of firearm cartridges:

• Determination (identification) of the cartridge classification by its design;
• Determination (identification) of the cartridge caliber;
• Measurement of the cartridge geometry;
• Measurement of the bullet (cartridge case) geometry;
• Determination (identification) of the cartridge purpose;
• Determination (identification) of the firearm purpose;
• Determination (identification) of the cartridge case design;
• Determination (identification) of the bullet design;
• Determination (identification) of the cartridge the examined bullet (cartridge case) could belong to;
• Search in the database of cartridges according to the cartridge parameters;
• So on;
• Expert’s conclusion.

 

• Criminalistics examination of the firearm and its parts:

• Determination (identification) of firearm type;
• Determination (identification) of the firearm caliber;
• Determination (identification) of the firearm purpose (military, service, gas, etc);
• Determination (identification) of the firearm regular cartridge;
• Measurement of the main firearm parameters (length, height; width);
• Examination of the firearm parts;
• Determination of the geometry of the main firearm parts (assembled);
• Determination of the geometry of the firearm parts and description of their action (disassembled): (Trigger Mechanism; Cartridge Case Ejection; Automation Principles; Receiver Mechanism; Protective elements; Manner of Barrel Fixing and so on);
• Determination of the barrel characteristics (length, diameter, land/groove number and width, rifling twist and so on);
• Determination of the magazine capacity;
• Determination (identification) of the available markings on the firearm parts and their position;
• Search in the database of firearms according to the specified parameters;
• So on;
• Expert’s conclusion.

 

• Criminalistics examination of the improvised firearm and its parts

• Determination (identification) of the firearm type;
• Determination (identification) of the firearm caliber;
• Determination (identification) of the improvised firearm purpose (military, service, gas, etc);
• Determination of firearm regular cartridge;
• Determination (identification) of the used firearm cartridge;
• Measurement of the main firearm parameters (length, height; width);
• Measurement of the main firearm parameters (length, height; width);
• Examination of the firearm parts (improvised (hand-made) parts, available firearm parts produced at the factory and so on);
• Описание способов изготовления элементов оружия (способы используемой механической обработки и т. д.);
• Определение вида, формы, конструкции и особенностей изготовления глушителя (если он имеется);
• Проведения поиска совпадений по заданным параметрам по БД самодельного и переделанного оружия;
• So on;
• Expert’s conclusion.

 

4. Functional Capabilities and Special Program Products of the POISC systems.

 

• POISC Automated Ballistic Identification System (ABIS):

- POISC Automated Ballistic Identification Scanners;
- Data Acquisition Stations (BIS DAS);
- Expert Work Stations (Analysis Stations) (BIS EWS).

Special software for acquisition, storage of scanned bullet and cartridge case images and work with them:

• Software enabling the scanner operation, viewing and recording of the images of scanned bullets and cartridge cases;
• Software enabling the execution of the bullet expertise;
• Software enabling the execution of the cartridge case expertise;
• Software enabling the creation of 3D images;
• Software enabling the selective highlighting of different marks on the object image;
• Software enabling the processing of the images with the help of various filters, determination of toolmarks parameters and estimation of their informative value;
• Software enabling simultaneous viewing of object images obtained on different systems and types of equipment;
• Software enabling the recording of structured textual information related to the examined object and the expertise of this object;
• Software enabling keeping records on the examined objects and their check in the database;
• Software enabling the storage and search of the object images and their relevant information in the database of bullet and cartridge case scanned images;
• Software enabling the object checks in the database (search of correlated individual firearm marks) and creation of the hit lists organized in decreasing order of similarity;
• Software enabling the information transfer from the DAS to the Database Server;
• Software enabling the audit of the quality of the scanned images and correct entry of the measured and design parameters of objects and toolmarks at the acquisition station;
• Software enabling the audit of the quality of the image recording and correct entry of the main numerical parameters resulting in the correctness of the database of the storage server;
• Software enabling the synchronized automated data sharing between servers;
• Software enabling the service of experts’ inquiries for search in the database in multiuser mode including the inquiries from the distant workstations;
• Software enabling the network administration and information protection from an unauthorized access;
• Software enabling the protection of scanned images from falsification.

 

Note: These software means can be composed into the basic POISC BIS system configurations. These POISC BIS configurations illustrate the possible ways and potential of the POISC BIS application in solving the tasks of individual firearm identification of not only criminal firearms, but also registered civil, military and law-enforcement firearms.

 

• Automated POISC Photo-Module System (PMS):

- POISC Photo-Module;
- Data Acquisition Stations (PM DAS);
- Expert Work Stations (Analysis Stations) (PM EWS).

Special software for acquisition, storage of digital photo/video images of bullets, cartridge cases and cartridges and work with them:

• Software enabling the Photo-Module operation, viewing and recording of the photo/video images of examined objects;
• Software enabling the creation of the database of criminal objects’ digital photo/video images (bullets, cartridge cases and cartridges and so on);
• Software enabling the creation of the reference database of cartridge, bullet and cartridge case digital photo/video images;
• Software enabling the creation of the reference database of firearm models and their toolmark characteristics on bullets and cartridge cases;
• Software enabling the formalized description of examined objects, measurement of their geometry as well as the measurement of any marks on object surfaces and their relative position (in linear and spatial coordinates);
• Software enabling coding of toolmarks on the object surfaces according to the firearm models (creation of templates);
• Software enabling the check of the examined object in the database of firearm models and their toolmark characteristics on bullets and cartridge cases;
• Software enabling the check of the examined object in the database of cartridge case parameters and their elements (bullets and cartridge cases);
• Software enabling the integration with the scanner;
• Software enabling the work with the digital images obtained on other devices (scanner, microscope, camera and so on);
• Software enabling the creation and operation of the automated search and reference system on cartridges, bullets, cartridge cases and characteristics of firearm toolmarks left on bullets and cartridge cases.

 

• POISC Firearms Photo-Unit (FPU):

- POISC Photo-Unit Stand;
- Data Acquisition Stations (FPU DAS);
- Expert Work Stations (Analysis Stations) (FPU EWS).

Special software for acquisition, storage of the images of firearms and their parts and work with these images:

• Software enabling the Photo-Unit operation, viewing and recording of the photo images of the examined objects;
• Software enabling the creation of Information Cards on the examined objects;
• Software enabling the records of the examined objects and their check through the database of firearms;
• Software enabling the storage and search of the object images and their Information Cards in the database of firearms;
• Software enabling the formalized description of examined objects and measurement of their geometry;
• Software enabling the identification and coding of improvised firearm characteristics;
• Software enabling the creation of the database on improvised firearm characteristics;
• Software enabling the check of the examined object in the database on improvised firearm characteristics;
• Software enabling the creation and operation of the automated search and reference system on firearms.

 

The list of POISC special software applications for POISC systems and their capabilities is being regularly extended.