ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES REGIONAL SEMINAR PROMOTING FIREARMS MARKING 1-2 DECEMBER 2010

INTERPOL Firearms Programme Providing the tools and the technology to fight firearm violence SCOTT L. HEAGNEY U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) ATF Representative to INTERPOL WASHINGTON-United States National Central Bureau (USNCB)

INTERPOL Firearms Programme Providing the tools and the technology to fight firearm violence

MARKINGS NEEDED FOR A SUCCESSFUL IDENTIFICATION AND TRACE OF A FIREARM*:  Manufacturer  Country of origin  Type of firearm-pistol, rifle, shotgun, etc.  Serial number  Caliber *At the minimum INTERPOL Firearms Programme

4 Powerful Tools INTERPOL Firearms Tracing Tool INTERPOL Firearms Reference Table INTERPOL Firearms I.D. OnlineTraining INTERPOL Ballistic Information Network

INTERPOL Firearms Tracing Tool INTERPOL FIREARMS TRACE REQUEST INTERPOL Firearms Programme

The INTERPOL Firearms Trace Request is an international communications tool that allows an investigator to request a firearm’s ownership history from the country of origin or legal import. INTERPOL member countries can access the Firearms Trace Request through the I-24/7 network.INTERPOL Firearms Trace Request The Firearms Trace Request was created in recognition of the need to give law enforcement a tool to combat firearms violence, as outlined in the United Nations 2005 Protocol on firearms, which called for an International Instrument to Enable States to Identify and Trace, in a Timely and Reliable Manner, Illicit Small Arms and Light Weapons. The Firearms Trace Request, should be addressed to the NCB of the country where the firearm was manufactured, unless it was legally imported into another country. If the firearm was legally imported, and is stamped with an identifiable importer’s mark, the trace request should be sent to the country of legal importation. Sending this form will launch the firearms tracing process through the NCBs who will complete the tracing process through their law enforcement and industry contacts. INTERPOL created this tracing form in recognition of the need to give law enforcement the tools to combat firearms violence, as outlined in the 2005 protocol that calls for an International Instrument to Enable States to Identify and Trace in a Timely Manner, Illicit Small Arms and Light Weapons. Users are strongly urged to complete the tracing instrument with all available information, which can be facilitated by utilizing IFRT.

INTERPOL Firearms Tracing Tool INTERPOL Firearms Reference Table (IFRT) INTERPOL Firearms Programme

The IFRT gives investigators the ability to properly identify firearms used in crimes, thereby increasing the probability of successfully tracing the firearm’s origin. The IFRT is an easy-to-use, web-based system containing more than 250,000 firearms references and 57,000 high quality images. Using the IFRT, investigators can identify the make, model, caliber, serial number and country of origin of a firearm; vital information for proper usage of the Firearms Trace Request. The IFRT was developed by INTERPOL using data supplied and updated annually by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and is available to authorized users through INTERPOL'S global secure police communications system, known as I-24/7. To maintain the latest information on firearms, users of the IFRT are welcome to submit documentation about firearms not found in the IFRT by using the Expert’s Submission Form (ESF).

INTERPOL Firearms Tracing Tool INTERPOL Firearms Identification Online Training INTERPOL Firearms Programme

INTERPOL Firearms Tracing Tool INTERPOL Ballistic Information Network (IBIN) INTERPOL Firearms Programme

Every firearm leaves unique microscopic markings on the surface areas of fired bullets and cartridge cases; in other words a “ballistic fingerprint.” Current ballistics technology enables us to share and compare thousands of ballistic exhibits in a matter of hours. INTERPOL's IBIN is a platform for the large-scale international sharing and comparing of ballistics data. The network connects member countries or territories equipped with the Integrated Ballistic Identification System (IBIS), created by our partner in this project, Forensic Technology. Member countries that acquire an IBIS system in the future will be invited to join the IBIN network as well.INTERPOL's IBIN Just as fingerprint data can link crimes and criminals across international borders, so too will the international sharing of ballistic data. IBIN will find connections between separate crimes that would otherwise have gone undetected. Over time, we anticipate that the analysis of the shared ballistic data will reveal illicit firearms trafficking routes and provide police with critical information about firearms traffickers and other violent criminals.

INTERPOL Ballistic Information Network Born on October 4, countries Cartridge Casings: 49,247 Bullets: 8985 Total: 58,232

INTERPOL Ballistic Information Network Current Statistics +84,600 exhibits Contributors (most to least) –Spain—also greatest # of queries –Denmark –UK –Sweden –Norway –Netherlands

INTERPOL Ballistic Information Network Next Steps IBIN Best Practices Guide Communication protocol Add new countries INTERPOL Ballistic Information Network

Next Steps In-country initiatives High priority inclusions for countries without the technology (proposal) Focused programmes—wildlife poaching, motorcycle gangs, serial crimes, etc INTERPOL Ballistic Information Network

CONNECTING INVESTIGATIONS Algeria Australia Belgium Brazil Bulgaria Canada Chile Colombia Croatia Denmark Dominican Republic El Salvador Ecuador Honduras Former Yugoslavian Republic of Macedonia Portugal Qatar Romania Russia Saudi Arabia Scotland (UK) South Africa Spain Swaziland Sweden Thailand Turkey Trinidad & Tobago United States United Kingdom Venezuela Greece Hong Kong, China India Republic of Ireland Italy Israel Jamaica Kenya Kuwait Mexico Netherlands Netherlands Antilles Norway Panama Puerto Rico (USA) IBIN

INTERPOL Ballistic Information Network INTERPOL Firearms Programme Thank you for your attention. For more information about the INTERPOL Firearms Programme contact Tracy Hite at the IPSG

INTERPOL Contact information : Telephone +33 (0) INTERPOL Website IBIN Website To learn more about the IBIS technology consult