Abstract: There is provided a method for generating a 3D representation of an object, comprising: acquiring 3D topographic data representative of at least one portion of the object having a macroscopic form and microscopic features; separating the 3D topographic data into microscopic data representative of the microscopic features and macroscopic data representative of the macroscopic form; independently scaling one of the microscopic data and the macroscopic data in order to enhance the microscopic features with respect to the macroscopic form, thereby obtaining scaled topographic data; and generating a 3D image using the scaled topographic data, thereby obtaining a modified representation having enhanced microscopic features for the at least one portion of the object.

Abstract: There is described a method for positioning an object on an optical sensor system for acquiring a surface thereof, the sensor system having a set of motors for rotating the object around a motor axis perpendicular to an optical axis of the sensor system and for translating the object in X, Y and Z directions, the method comprising: (a) acquiring a relief map of an area in a field of view of the sensor system; (b) computing a normal representative of a topography of the relief map of the area; (c) determining an angle difference between the normal and the optical axis of the sensor system; (d) comparing the angle difference to a threshold angle to determine if the surface of the area is perpendicular to the sensor axis; (e) if the angle difference is greater than a threshold angle, rotating the object to obtain a new difference angle less than the threshold angle; and (f) translating the object to reposition the area in the field of view after the rotating has displaced the area.

Abstract: There is provided a method for analyzing at least one object under a first microscope and a second microscope concurrently by linking the two microscopes together. Movement of one microscope will result in movement of the other. This is done by computing a transformation to link a first coordinate system and a second coordinate system and generating guidance data when one of the two microscopes is displaced, the guidance data corresponding to a set of operations to be applied to the other microscope to follow movement of the microscope that is displaced.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus to obtain a surface mapping of a ballistic piece of evidence (BPOE) under examination, such as a bullet or a spent cartridge case, that can be used thereafter as a 3D signature for identifying purpose during ballistic test comparison. The method comprises providing a measurement unit adapted to acquire a relief map of the surface of the BPOE and acquiring with the measurement unit the relief map of the surface to thereby obtain the mapping of the surface of the BPOE. Preferably, the measurement unit of the present invention comprises a confocal sensor such as confocal microscope. Also, the present invention includes acquiring the relief map of the bullet surface or of the cartridge case surface by acquiring and assembling a mosaic of regional reliefs that are partly overlapping with their surroundings regional reliefs.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for an automated system to extract a high quality signature from an image having areas not relevant for specific identification purposes which can lead to misleading image signatures, the method comprising: identifying at least one region of interest within the image by determining local orientation information at each pixel position in the image, the at least one region of interest comprising elements useful for the specific identification purposes; creating and applying a mask for the image wherein only the at least one region of interest is exposed; extracting a signature for the image taking into account the at least one region of interest exposed by the mask.

Abstract: A system and method for identifying, test firing, marking, and imaging firearm cartridge cases and firearms for use by firearm manufactures. The system and method includes five subsystems, which work in the following sequence: a firearm serial number recognition sub-system; a cartridge case recovery sub-system; a cartridge case sorting sub-system; a cartridge case marking sub-system; and an image acquisition sub-system (108). The firearm serial number recognition sub-system (130) reads the serial number of a firearm and stores it in a database. The cartridge case recovery sub-system recovers fired cartridge cases and transports them to the sorting sub-system. The cartridge case sorting sub-system identifies the orientation of the cartridge cases and reorients them, if necessary, for marking. The cartridge case marking sub-system stamps the firearm serial numbers on the cartridge cases. The serial number is encrypted in a 2D matrix (barcode) form on the casings.

Abstract: A firearm identification kit is provided including a data storage media bearing ballistics information and other indicia that may be useful in matching a fired spent cartridge case or bullet to the firearm that fired it.

Abstract: A firearm identification kit is provided including a data storage media bearing ballistics information and other indicia that may be useful in matching a fired spent cartridge case or bullet to the firearm that fired it.

Abstract: An interface apparatus for use with a computer system. The apparatus in the preferred embodiment having three concentric annular rings. The outer most of which is a solid ring, the two inner rings each being segmented into for equal arcs, which arcs form four pairs of two buttons each. The interface also has at its center two buttons. The interface is used to position an object for imaging and also to manipulate and position the image of an object for comparison and analysis. The two center buttons and the outside annular ring are used to generate signals to rotate an object or the image of the object in a common reference frame. The four pairs of arcs of the two inner concentric rings are used to generate signals for translational motion of the object or the image of the object. The four pairs of arcs being positioned to move the object or the image of the object in one of four perpendicular directions within the common reference frame.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and method for imaging markings on cartridge cases. It provides for the taking of two images of the cartridge case with light for illumination projected at the cartridge case from two different predetermined angles. In a first version, two different light sources are set at the two different predetermined angles. In a second version, one light source is moved between two different positions to project light at the two different predetermined angles. In a third version, the device holding the cartridge case is rotated between two different positions so light projects at the cartridge case from the two different predetermined angles. In a fourth version, the holding device rotates the cartridge case between two different positions so that light projects at the cartridge case at the two different predetermined angles. In another aspect, the invention provides diffuse light for the taking of the images.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.