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The illicit trafficking in small arms is an international problem with grave consequences
to those who live in less developed nations. To stop any form of trafficking it is
important to ensure the ability to track weapons to their sources, there must be a common
international system for the marking and tracing of weapons. Under current international
law, states may adopt various different weapons marking systems, complicating the
identification of the country-of-origin of a weapon [1]. However, these marking
technologies are only good for those firearms that are recovered or captured. By
instituting Intentional Firearm Microstamping (IFM) a technology that provides a link to
a serial or production build number, by embossing the IFM code on to the cartridge that
is fired and ejected at the scene. IFM will provide critical forensic intelligence in regions
of conflict by helping to identify patterns, trafficking routes and ultimately shut down
illicit arms sources and markets that fuel the violence associated with regional genocide,
terrorism and/or insurgency groups within warzones. Intentional Firearm Microstamping
(IFM) technology will provide a rapid and accurate cartridge-to-firearm identification
process, enabling law enforcement both national and international to quickly pursue
international arms dealers and other illicit firearm markets. Intentional Firearm
Microstamping (IFM) is a patented technology and trace solution where intentional
tooling marks are formed or micromachined onto firearms interior surfaces that come into
contact or impact the surfaces of cartridge casings. The IFM tooling marks can take the
form of alphanumeric codes or encoded geometric codes, such as a barcode. As the
firearm is discharged the intentional tooling marks transfer a code to the cartridge casing
before it is ejected out of the firearm. When recovered at the scene of an incident, the
intentional firearm microstamped cartridge can indentify a specific firearm, without the
need to recover that firearm. This paper will explain the key attributes of Intentional
Firearm Microstamping technology; including its implementation and application
benefits such as developing border security controls and law enforcement capacity world
wide to combat illicit trafficking of firearms to terrorists, gangs and/or fueling regional
conflicts. The data generated by IFM will be discussed and its application to spatial and
temporal mapping of trafficking patterns and other criminal patterns.
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