The Scope and Implications of a Tracing Mechanism for Small Arms ...

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whenever illicit weapons are recovered, it is essential to use tracing to
identify the point of diversion. Whilst individual investigators may consider
tracing irrelevant to their case, on a national scale it is vital that a central
agency takes control to prevent an accumulation of destabilising illicit
weapons proliferating amongst criminal groups. To counter the criminal
arms trade, a central agency needs to gather information about all illicit
firearm recoveries from around the country, or from a group of countries,
and conduct separate tracing enquiries. There are big gains to be had, for
example, where one weapon is traced to a source other weapons may well
be identified. The source of illicit supply can then be dismantled and further
weapons prevented from entering the “black market”. It is hoped that the
next generation of IWETS, the Interpol International Weapons and
Explosives Tracking System, will include an analytical function capable of
this task.
In view of the potential for leakage from the legal market, it is essential
that the business activities of commercial arms dealers are scrutinized,
which includes random visits by police and customs officials to verify that
their registers and stocks tally with the disclosures made to the national
record-keeping system.
With regard to tracing, it is not always necessary to trace every weapon
recovered, particularly where batches of small arms are involved.
Sequential serial numbers means that only the first and last weapons in the
series need to be traced. Battlefield sweepings involving a mix and match
of assorted weapons can be more time consuming. There are some that
may not be traceable simply because records no longer exist after 10 years.
This is certainly the case for much of the World War II vintage material that
is still in circulation. In any event, it must be remembered that tracing does
not always lead back to the trafficker; in most cases it just identifies the
point of diversion or the non-existent end-user. Once the weapons trail
ends, then other investigative techniques take over to trace and track the
people concerned.
3.1.10 Recommendations
Marking Methodology
1. The unique identifier must be marked on the frame or receiver of the
firearm.