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

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The following questions should therefore be taken into consideration
with respect to extrinsic elements: what types of firearm are used to commit
homicides and aggravated robberies (or any other type of offence)? What
types of firearm do the police recover? Were the weapons stolen or did they
enter the country illegally? Where do they come from? 9 Considering the
effort required to set up such a system, any solution for a PGT would thus
take into account existing data (currently very much under-utilized) in the
different law enforcement agencies and other institutions. Analyzing this
data would bring fresh, relevant elements to the investigation.
On the basis of the above, tracing can thus be defined as the capacity
to uncover the history of a weapon and to link cases to one another if
similarities are observed, whether in connection with the technical
characteristics or with the elements of the criminal investigation. We have
also emphasized the importance of the presence of the serial number in the
partial reconstitution of the history of a weapon, and the significant
contribution of information from forensic intelligence. This is why it is
important to (1) precisely define the types of firearm involved, (2) to review
the current categorization and definition of weapons, and (3) to include
extrinsic elements in the global tracing process.
It is furthermore important to recall that, in spite of all these
shortcomings, the tracing operations currently being carried out by law
enforcement officers and other institutions (BATF, Viva Rio, etc.) are
producing significant results.
2.4 WHAT ABOUT AMMUNITION?
The involvement of ammunition and the elements related to
ammunition in tracing operations remains a grey area; there has been no
in-depth examination as to the appropriate measures to apply with respect
to marking and tracing operations. What is more, there is no mention in
Swiss law of any standards to be adopted with respect to marking and
tracing measures, whether for firearms or for ammunition. This is an area in
dire need of rapid clarification.
It is important to recall that ammunition is as dangerous as a firearm,
and that it is an integral part of the various illegal networks and trafficking
operations. The amount of cartridges produced on a daily basis by the