Legal Research

Study Argues Against National Ballistics Database

By David Badertscher, PLL

Source: Crime and Justice News, March 5, 2008.

"A new government-sponsored study recommends against creating a national ballistics database, saying the science behind it is too murky, reports the Associated Press. The idea is based on the assumption that each gun leaves unique markings on bullets, like fingerprints."

"Advocates say new guns should be test-fired and their markings entered into a database, which could be used to identify which gun fired shell casings and bullets found at crime scenes. The 300-page report says it's unclear whether the ballistic fingerprints are unique, and that the process might be too expensive and time-consuming to be worthwhile. AP didn't identify the agency that commissioned the report or its writer".

Associated Press/Ft. Worth Star-Telegram

Full post as published by New York Supreme Court Criminal Term Library on March 05, 2008 (boomark / email).