Forensic Technology Wai, Inc.

Forensic Technologies Wai Inc.

Walsh Automation Inc.

I.a.f. Production Inc.

Roman Baldur

Yvan Boudreau

Michael R Barrett

Robert Dugre

Gerald Lague

Paul Marois

Enrico Di Franco

Maurice Brossard

Marc Quevillon

The apparatus has a fired cartridge mounting device for holding the cartridge substantially aligned with a longitudinal axis with a primer surface of the cartridge substantially perpendicular to the axis, a cartridge microscope mounted with its optical axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, a focusing mechanism for focusing the microscope to image a breech face impression on the primer surface and a firing pin impression surface in the primer surface, and an axisymmetric light source mounted to project axially symmetric light onto the breech face impression and the firing pin impression surface about the longitudinal axis. Images of the breech face and the firing pin impressions can be used for comparative analysis independently of an angular orientation of the cartridge held by the mounting device. During this analysis, a first image from a test cartridge and a second image from a computer data bank are rotated relative to one another, and a maximum correlation value for the rotated first and second images is obtained.

Fired cartridge examination method and imaging apparatus

A method for obtaining a signature from a fired bullet by mounting the bullet to turn substantially about a longitudinal axis of the bullet, illuminating a surface of the bullet, obtaining and storing a frame image at a given position of the surface portion using microscope optics, the frame image having a transverse extent substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis, advancing the frame image position by an amount less than a transverse extent of the frame image, repeating the last two steps a plurality of times to obtain a plurality of overlapping frame images, combining the frame images to form a continuous composite image having a transverse extent much greater than the transverse extent of the frame images, and computing a signature of the composite image along a line extending in the transverse extent of the composite image. The points of the signature are determined from image data along a direction of striations in the composite image which is at an angle with respect to the transverse line and the longitudinal axis.

Method and apparatus for obtaining a signature from a fired bullet

The identification structure of the present invention provides a plurality of minute holes arranged in a code on a precision machine contact surface of the object to be identified. The holes are of such a small diameter and sufficiently deep depth that they do not interfere with or detract from the function of the object identified, but any attempt to remove them by grinding or otherwise, degrades or destroys the proper functioning of the object identified. The holes can be formed into a binary code which in one aspect depends on each hole being in one of two alternative positions. In another possible arrangement, the binary code can depend on the presence or absence of a hole in a particular position and a check sum can be included to prevent tampering or alteration. Electrical discharge machining provides an excellent fabrication technique. Placing the identification structure on the inside of the barrel of a gun is one example of an application. The ideal location for the holes, of the identification structure, being generally along the groove in the rifling adjacent to the railing edge of a land area in the barrel of the gun. An appropriate fiber optic device can be used to read the code in such a location.

Method and structure for identifying solid objects having a dynamic surface

The portable spent cartridge casing examination imaging apparatus has a carrying case in which all the necessary components for field imaging of spent cartridge casings are contained securely for transport when the case is closed, and can be solidly assembled in the field for imaging. The case includes a base, a lid which locks in a vertical open position. A spent cartridge casing mounting device is provided for holding the cartridge substantially aligned with a longitudinal axis with the primer surface of the cartridge being substantially perpendicular to the axis, and an imaging system consisting of a cartridge microscope, camera, and light source are solidly interconnected with the mounting device to form a unit which is connected to the lid such that when the lid is open, the unit is substantially vertically disposed, while being at least partially received by the base of the case when the lid is closed for safe storage. The microscope has an adjustable magnification and focus adjustment mechanism for adjusting a magnification of the microscope and a focus of the microscope between two settings to image a breech face impression on the primer surface and a firing pin impression surface in the primer surface so that full images of the breech face and the firing pin impressions can be obtained with good focus using a single adjustment. The apparatus is designed for field use by a police officer having limited training in spent cartridge casing examination imaging, and the images obtained are to be sent to a forensic spent cartridge casing examination center where forensic experts can carry out proper examination of the spent cartridge casing images.

Portable fired cartridge imaging apparatus

An apparatus and method for imaging fired bullets and/or cartridges for forensic examination, which facilitate mounting of the ammunition to be imaged. The apparatus comprises a mounting support including a fired bullet holding device and a fired cartridge holding device, a microscope, an illumination device and a mechanical device for selectively aligning the optical axis of the microscope with a bullet section or the longitudinal axis of the cartridge showing its head surface. The bullet holding device comprises a rotary member extending through a mounting support and ending with an adjustable bullet holder for maintaining the bullet in a desired angular orientation with respect to a transverse reference plane aligned with the optical axis of the microscope, while the rotary member is being rotated about its rotation axis to scan the imaged surface area. According to a preferred embodiment, the adjustable bullet holder includes a bullet mounting ball for attaching thereto the bullet and being received in a socket portion of the rotary member, and a retaining device for maintaining the mounting ball and the attached bullet in the desired angular orientation. The retaining device preferably comprises a magnetic source using ferromagnetic properties of the mounting ball to provide retaining thereof, while providing mechanical coupling for imparting rotation to the rotary member as desired. The apparatus and method according to the invention are particularly useful in connection with an automated ammunition examining system.

Apparatus and method for imaging fired ammunition

A method for obtaining a signature from a fired bullet is obtained by mounting the bullet to turn substantially about a longitudinal axis of the bullet, illuminating a surface of the bullet, obtaining and storing a frame image at a given position of the surface portion using microscope optics, the frame image having a transverse extent substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis, advancing the frame image position by an amount less than a transverse extent of the frame image, repeating the last two steps a plurality of times to obtain a plurality of overlapping frame images, combining the frame images to form a continuous composite image having a transverse extent much greater than the transverse extent of the frame images, and computing a signature of the composite image along a line extending in the transverse extent of the composite image. The points of the signature are determined from image data along a direction of striations in the composite image which is at an angle with respect to the transverse line and the longitudinal axis.

To image a surface of an object more efficiently using automatic positioning of the object with respect to the optical axis of a camera while keeping the surface of the object at a predetermined angular orientation with respect to the optical axis, a general shape of the object is first measured and a mathematical function approximating the surface is determined. Relative displacements and orientations for an imaging path are then calculated and the object is manipulated along the imaging path while being imaged with the surface of the object being at the predetermined angular orientation. The speed and accuracy of surface imaging is improved.

Method for monitoring and adjusting the position of an object under

An elevated, closed loop, conveyor arrangement defines a closed loop conveyor path, and a plurality of carriers are operatively connected to the conveyor means for movement around the path. At least one loading station is located on the path, and an identification station, disposed after the loading station in the direction of movement of the carrier means, is also located on the path. A plurality of unloading stations are located on the path after the identification station in the direction of movement of the carrier, and each unloading station receives a different type of the class of articles so that only one type of the class of articles is unloaded at each unloading station. In operation, a single article of the class is mounted on each carrier at the loading station. The type of each article is identified at the identification station, and each article is unloaded at the unloading station for receiving the type of article identified at the identification station. The articles rest on the carriers without clamps, and the carriers are so constructed that they do not provide an obstruction between the cameras and the articles at different camera angles.

Apparatus for identifying and sorting different types of a class of

The apparatus analyzes and compares surfaces of fired bullets. A microscope obtains and amplifies optical signals representative of the characteristics of the surfaces, and the optical signals are converted, first to electrical signals and then to electrical coded digital representations. The coded digital representations are stored in an electronic memory. The coded digital representations of one bullet can then be computer compared to the coded digital representations of another bullet to determine if there is a match between the bullets.

Computer automated bullet analysis apparatus

Planar light sources are directed at an article on either side of the optical axis so that the trace of each light beam defines a line, on either side of the optical axis, whose form is dependent on the shape of the surface of the article. To determine whether the article is in focus, the distance between the two lines is measured. To determine whether the article is in correct pitch, the distance between each line and the optical axis is measured and compared. To determine whether the article has drifted, the distances between the ends of the lines and the optical axis are measured and compared.

Method and apparatus for monitoring and adjusting the position of an

The disclosure describes a chamber for use in immunizing chickens or the like fowls by treating them with a vaccine which is sprayed in the chamber. Inside an enclosure where the chickens are loaded, there is created a continuous flow of air into which is sprayed a vaccine. A deflector cone is used to make sure that the vaccine-loaded flow of air circulates uniformly throughout the enclosure. Furthermore, the pressure inside the enclosure is maintained negative, i.e. it is at a lower level than the outside atmosphere, to make sure that viral particles do not leak outside the vaccination chamber. Finally, means are provided for flushing the chamber and a system such as a filter or/and an incinerator or the like is used to prevent the escape of viral particles to the outside atmosphere. Vaccination with this chamber is safe, economical and does not pollute the environment.

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Baie d'Urfe, Canada

Roman Baldur