Friday, October 11, 2002

Ballistic Database Is a Doubled-Edged Weapon. And there are other problems. One could use a firearm manufactured before the initiation of ballistic data collection. Alternatively, a firearm such as a revolver or a bolt-action rifle that did not automatically expel a cartridge case combined with a bullet that fragmented so severely on impact that it could not be scanned into the system would provide no evidence. Nor would projectiles fired from shotguns. The database could still prove useful in instances where shooters did not plan their actions ahead of time, but likely not for cases such as the one in the Washington area. Unlike fingerprint and DNA databases collected from criminal offenders, ballistic samples cannot be targeted. The guns in police custody are the least likely to be useful in the future. [FirearmNews.com] The author is way off base. The reason it wouldn't work is that there's no such thing as a "ballistic fingerprint." The markings left on a bullet or cartridge case change substantially just from normal useage, and that's not even mentioning how easy it is to replace the barrel or extractor. If you take a fired bullet and case from a rifle, and compare them with a bullet and case taken from the same rifle after 500 rounds are fired through it, they won't match. comment () trackback ()  3:20:45 PM     Camcorder Jamming Devices Announced [Slashdot] The headline is misleading--the technology is really for altering images projected on a movie screen so people can't tape movies in a movie theater. However, given the proliferation of spy cameras in public places, a device that really does jam camcorders would be quite useful. comment () trackback ()  2:09:51 PM     PGP 8.0b beta supports OS X 10.2 [The Macintosh News Network] It's unfortunate that there's no Mac version. I would certainly buy it if there was. comment () trackback ()  1:57:41 PM     NY Times: "The Senate voted overwhelmingly early this morning to authorize President Bush to use force against Iraq, joining with the House in giving him a broad mandate to act against Saddam Hussein." I hope it's a bluff.  [Scripting News] They didn't actually declare war, but that's not surprising in these times of illegal government. Of my "representatives" in Congress, Representative Watson and Senator Boxer voted no, but Senator Feinstein voted yes. Not that I needed any more reasons to vote against Feinstein the next time she's up for reelection. comment () trackback ()  1:51:39 PM     Letter: Castro Made Soviets Worried [AP World News] I wonder if this will put a dent in the fondness that modern-day Marxists have for Castro. Probably not. comment () trackback ()  1:46:09 PM     Jimmy Carter Wins Nobel Peace Prize [AP World News] Good for Carter! He was a terrible President, but he's a really good "roving diplomat." Besides his role in the Israel-Egypt peace treaty, I was particularly appreciative of the way he sabotaged Clinton's attempt to "wag the dog" at Haiti by talking the Haitians into surrendering right before the invasion could begin. comment () trackback ()  1:41:19 PM

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