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MARYLAND'S BALLISTIC SYSTEM REPORT RECOMMENDS SUSPENSION OF PROGRAM |
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Written by Administrator
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Monday, 29 November 1999 16:00 |
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A September 2004 follow-up to the September 2003 Maryland State Police Forensic Sciences Division report on Intigrated Ballistics Identification System (MD-IBIS) has been released to the public. This follow-up report recommends that the program be suspended because 'the same situation exists that was present a year ago' and 'some other issues of negative consequence have been illuminated.'
The original September 2003 Maryland State Police Forensic Sciences Division report on Intigrated Ballistics Identification System (MD-IBIS) discussed the MD-IBIS, which was established as a database of 'unique signatures' inscribed on cartridge cases fired in a particular firearm. Unlike the ATF's NIBIN System, the MD-IBS catalogs only manufacturer's firearms, while NIBIN stores only crime data and expressly forbids manufacture data uploads. The report stated that of the 32,000 cartridge casings, and 160 criminal inquiries, there have been only four matches to guns under investigation. In addition, they have run into some of the same problems noted in the California study. The 2004 follow-up report states that: 'continuing problems include the failure of the MD-IBIS to provide any meaningful hits. There have been no crime iinvestigations that have been enhanced or expedited through the use of MD-IBIS. Traditional methods proved to be the pathway to solution. Guns found to be used in the commission of crimes are not the ones being entered into MD-IBIS. the program has been in existence for four years at a cumulative cost of $2,567.633. . . It is recommended that this Program be suspended.' Click on the following links to review the reports in their entirety: September 2003 Maryland State Police Forensic Sciences Division Report on Intigrated Ballistics Identification System (MD-IBIS) September 2004 Maryland State Police Forensic Sciences Division Report #2 on Intigrated Ballistics Identification System (MD-IBIS) |
