Ballistics identification database helps police track gun-crime suspects

  • Natalie Caula
    • Twitter
  • Monday, November 26th, 2012
    Unique marks left from the firing pin will be analyzed and entered into a database.

    Unique marks left from the firing pin will be analyzed and entered into a database.

    Every weapon the Charleston County Sheriff's Office comes across has been tested using the Integrated Ballistics Identification System. (Grace Beahm/postandcourier.com)

    Every weapon the Charleston County Sheriff's Office comes across has been tested using the Integrated Ballistics Identification System. (Grace Beahm/postandcourier.com) Buy this photo

    Brian Sommerfeldt does forensics ballistics testing using the Integrated Ballistics Identification System for the Charleston County Sheriff's Office. The county was recently highlighted at a national conference for their work with the IBIS system. (Grace Beahm/postandcourier.com)

    Brian Sommerfeldt does forensics ballistics testing using the Integrated Ballistics Identification System for the Charleston County Sheriff's Office. The county was recently highlighted at a national conference for their work with the IBIS system. (Grace Beahm/postandcourier.com) Buy this photo

    Brian Sommerfeldt performs forensics ballistics testing using the Integrated Ballistics Identification System for the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office. The county was recently highlighted at a national conference for its work with the IBIS system.

    Brian Sommerfeldt performs forensics ballistics testing using the Integrated Ballistics Identification System for the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office. The county was recently highlighted at a national conference for its work with the IBIS system. Buy this photo

    Every weapon the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office comes across has been tested using the Integrated Ballistics Identification System.

    Every weapon the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office comes across has been tested using the Integrated Ballistics Identification System.