No serial number, no problem. Saskatchewan’s new ballistics lab is giving police the power to trace 3D-printed, modified and smuggled guns — even those with obliterated markings — using cutting-edge technology that’s already achieving a 100 per cent success rate in restoring firearm serial numbers.
Saskatchewan Firearms Office Commissioner Robert Freberg during the opening of the Saskatchewan Ballistics Laboratory’s (SBL) permanent facility in the city on Monday, Oct. 20, explained that the lab now has the technology to identify firearms used in criminal activities, including improvised and modified handguns.
Freberg said by test-firing the guns they analyze the unique markings left on cartridge casings and bullets of seized guns confiscated by officers in raids, traffic stops, and other incidents of investigation.
“All firearms, when they’re discharged, it’s going to leave an impression on the casing. The technology uses a lot of different things that it looks at to develop the analogy of the casing. Again, suppose that firearm was used and you have the casing in front of it. In that case, whether it was, for example, a 3D-manufactured firearm or some other modified firearm, we’re able to actually trace that back to a better situation where that same firearm was used. But more importantly is also the ability for us to trace the firearms and raise the serial number on firearms that have been obliterated,” said Freberg.
He added that by analyzing seized guns and the unique markings left on cartridge casings and bullets, experts can match a weapon to multiple crime scenes through a shared database network across Canada and internationally. Even if a firearm’s serial number has been removed, the lab has specialized restoration techniques that have allowed them to achieve a 100 per cent success rate in recovering serial numbers so far.
The lab’s technology gives investigators the capability to link altered firearms to previous crimes and determine if the weapon was smuggled across the border or connected to criminal activities in the U.S. It also allows for the rapid processing of cases, with results available within 24 to 48 hours. This helps ensure timely prosecutions, improves public safety by dismantling trafficking networks, and holds offenders accountable. In essence, advanced ballistic imaging, database integration, and serial number restoration make it possible to identify even non-standard or improvised guns, ensuring that no firearm used in a crime remains untraceable.
“I’m proud to say that our technicians have been excelling in that. We’ve had 100 per cent success on tracing the firearm serial numbers on firearms that have been modified or obliterated, which is very useful in the tracing process. Again, tracing these firearms back in a lot of cases to the U.S.,” added Freberg.
He said that firearms lawfully acquired by responsible gun owners in the province and across the country are not the issue in criminal-related activities, but rather those obtained through illegal means, which are often smuggled products from south of the border.
Prince Albert Police Service Chief Patrick Nogier added that this is why a ballistics lab is a worthy infrastructure investment for the province to help law enforcement agencies across Saskatchewan.
“It’s based on the speed by which you can bring a firearm in, get it analyzed, get it into the hands of investigators. We know that drugs are associated to gangs and associated to weapons. All those things, when they come into our communities, have some type of connection to it. It’s not uncommon for us to see drug runners that are coming from eastern Canada, from western Canada, and from South Dakota. When they come into our communities, making sure that we have a quick response to that is going to play a key role in keeping the public safe,” said Nogier.
Corrections, Policing and Public Safety Minister Tim McLeod said the government has invested almost $3.35 million in the facility, which will have additional testing equipment and personnel who will conduct firearms testing for all law enforcement agencies in the province.
“The Saskatchewan Ballistics Lab has been a turning point in how crimes involving firearms are investigated in our province, providing over 900 firearm examinations and services since commencing operations. With the opening of a permanent lab, our government is committed to providing law enforcement with the tools and expertise they need to secure and protect Saskatchewan families and communities,” added McLeod.
Comments