Advances in firearm serial number restoration

Abstract

Gun violence and other criminal activities involving firearms  have been on a constant rise over the past few decades. As more  and more complex yet precise methods continue being researched for ascertaining the manner and modus operandi of  such crimes, certain simpler evidences cannot be overlooked for  the purpose of identification. Often, firearms and ammunitions  are present as the primary evidence pertaining to crimes  involving armed violence. The firearm is a trove of evidences,  which can be used to ascertain the identity of the weapon as  well as that of the perpetrator. The methods commonly used to  identify use of a firearm include and are not limited to study of  the rifling pattern, measurements involving Vernier calipers,  GSR analysis, injuries sustained as a result of firing, ascertaining the range, trajectory and velocity of firing, and,  through the analysis of firing pin, breech, chamber and other  such markings left on the ammunition . Serial number markings