Ballistic Fingerprinting
The Democrat and Chronicle has an article on New York’s attempt at ballistic fingerprinting (which will never work because you can always buy these and barrel ballistics change over time, particularly during the first 200 rounds) and a lawsuit against the system. Some interesting figures from the article:
CoBIS has cost the state more than $12 million and “since inception, not one crime has been solved using the system,” the lawsuit alleges.
“It’s costing the state of New York about $4 million a year.”
Nearly 52,000 guns were registered in the CoBIS system since its inception in March 2001, said State Police spokesman Lt. Glenn Miner.
There have been no “confirmed hits” between registered guns and guns used in crimes, he said.
By my calculation, that is $230.77 per gun. That and the fact it doesn’t work means the future isn’t looking good for ballistic fingerprinting.
May 10th, 2004 at 1:57 pm
I think the government should create a database of everyone’s DNA. That way, they could solve EVERY crime.
After all, if you’re not a criminal, you don’t have anything to worry about.
May 10th, 2004 at 3:26 pm
They could have trained hundreds of kids to shoot safely with that kind of dough……
May 10th, 2004 at 3:28 pm
Um, but I don’t want somebody having my DNA – then somebody could plant evidence (such as a hair) obtained just by shaking my hand.
All you need to do is take DNA from anybody committing a felony……..
May 10th, 2004 at 4:40 pm
Easycure:
I’m reasonably certain that Thibodeaux was being sarcastic. 😉
May 10th, 2004 at 5:22 pm
Yeah, right, like I’d be sarcastic.
May 10th, 2004 at 7:09 pm
As soon as they come up with a ballistic fingerprinting system that is effective, someone will come up with a bullet design that can be cranked out on the side of a cocaine processing center that will cut new grooves in the barrel, cost $4 to make, and sell for $200 on the street.
May 10th, 2004 at 8:11 pm
Just because a program is expensive and inneffective doesn’t mean it’ll be cancelled. Quite the contrary, it will need to be expanded, maybe to require annual renewal of the fingerprint. Just drop off your guns at the nearest police station, and when we get the new sample, we’ll notify you to come pick them up. Make sure all your papers are in order when you arrive.
May 11th, 2004 at 9:21 am
Just because a program is expensive and inneffective doesn’t mean it’ll be cancelled. Quite the contrary, it will need to be expanded…
Great point. That’s exactly what the VPC is saying about the existing “assault weapons” ban: it’s ineffective, so it must be expanded!
Heck, now that I think about it, that seems to be how a lot of government programs grow: it’s not working! Let’s expand it!