Firearm identification system and method for forensic purposes

Abstract

A system and method are disclosed for identifying a firearm by markings on the inside of the firearm. The markings leave an impression on the bullet casing, allowing the firearm to be identified from the markings left in the bullet casing. The markings could be symbols, characters, or a combination thereof. Tools for marking the firearm are also disclosed.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A firearm comprising: 
 a frame;    a trigger;    a firearm firing chamber;    a barrel;    and a firearm indicia formed on a predetermined internal portion of a surface of the firearm, wherein the firearm indicia comprises a predetermined pattern associated with data about the firearm.    
     
     
         2 . The firearm of  claim 1 , wherein the data includes at least one of a serial number, a registration number, firearm manufacturer, the date of manufacture, the firearm model number, special edition, and the caliber.  
     
     
         3 . The firearm of  claim 1 , wherein the firearm indicia comprises at least one alphanumeric character.  
     
     
         4 . The firearm of  claim 1 , wherein the firearm indicia comprises at least one symbol.  
     
     
         5 . The firearm of  claim 1 , wherein the predetermined portion is recessed relative to the internal surface and the firearm indicia is raised relative to the recessed predetermined portion of the internal surface and generally even with the internal surface.  
     
     
         6 . A method of identifying a firearm used to discharge at least one bullet casing, the firearm having firearm indicia formed on an internal surface of the firearm, comprising the steps of: 
 reading a firearm indicia formed on a predetermined portion of the at least one bullet casing during the firing of the firearm, wherein the firearm indicia is associated with information about the firearm; and    associating the firearm indicia on the at least one bullet casing with information corresponding to the firearm to allow for identification of the firearm.    
     
     
         7 . A firearm marking tool comprising: 
 a guide having a first end and a second end and a passage extending therebetween, the guide configured to fit within a firing chamber of the firearm and having a longitudinal axis;    a drive element disposed within the passage at the first end of the guide and movable within the guide along the longitudinal axis; and    scribing elements slidingly disposed within the guide between the first and second ends, the scribing elements sliding orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the guide in response to the presence of the drive element.    
     
     
         8 . The firearm marking tool of  claim 7 , further comprising: 
 a pneumatic controller attached to and in communication with the drive element to move the drive element relative to the guide.    
     
     
         9 . A method of marking a firearm with firearm indicia to allow identification of the firearm from a bullet casing used in the firearm, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a firearm marking tool to mark the firearm, the tool capable of marking an interior portion of the firearm; and    using the tool to mark on the predetermined portion of the firearm the firearm indicia.    
     
     
         10 . The method of marking a firearm of  claim 9 , further comprising the step of establishing a predetermined pattern as the firearm indicia, wherein the firearm indicia is associated with data about the firearm.  
     
     
         11 . The method of marking a firearm of  claim 9 , wherein the marking tool is at least one electrode from an electric discharge machine.  
     
     
         12 . The method of marking a firearm of  claim 9 , wherein the marking tool is a laser.  
     
     
         13 . The method of marking a firearm of  claim 9 , wherein the marking tool is a sharp element capable of inscribing metal.  
     
     
         14 . The method of marking a firearm of  claim 9 , wherein the marking tool is controlled by a computer processing unit.  
     
     
         15 . A firearm barrel and firing chamber assembly comprising: 
 a firearm firing chamber;    a firearm barrel;    and a firearm indicia formed on a predetermined internal portion of a surface of the firearm firing chamber, wherein the firearm indicia comprises a predetermined pattern associated with data about the assembly.    
     
     
         16 . The assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the data includes at least one of a serial number, a registration number, firearm manufacturer, the date of manufacture, the firearm model number, special edition, and the caliber.  
     
     
         17 . The assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the firearm indicia comprises at least one alphanumeric character.  
     
     
         18 . The assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the firearm indicia comprises at least one symbol.  
     
     
         19 . The assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the firearm indicia is inscribed into the predetermined portion of a surface of the firing chamber.  
     
     
         20 . The assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the predetermined portion is recessed relative to the internal surface and the firearm indicia is raised relative to the recessed predetermined portion of the internal surface and generally even with the internal surface.