In 1929, ballistic identification evidence from a comparison microscope — developed eight years earlier with the U.S. Army’s Col. Calvin Goddard — solved the case of the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre.
Barrett continues quest
In 1991, Canadian automated forensic ballistics pioneer Michael Barrett utilized electronic and optical science to digitally compare fired bullets (Bulletproof) followed by cartridge
cases (Brasscatcher). These systems came together as the Integrated Ballistics Identification System (IBIS) — a product that has solved thousands of firearm crimes worldwide. In 2007 Barrett decided to continue his quest to help firearms examiners and technicians achieve more convictions by assembling a team to take ballistics identification to the next level.
ALIAS – state of the art
The result is the Advanced Ballistics Analysis System (ALIAS). ALIAS is easier and faster to use, featuring a thoroughly modern hardware, software and database infrastructure. It offers law enforcement agencies true 3D ballistics imaging and correlation at a surprisingly affordable price. In an era where police systems interoperability is paramount to solving firearm crimes that span the globe, ALIAS efficiently exports cartridge and bullet image and case-related demographic data where and when it’s needed. The bottom line is that ALIAS offers a quantum leap in forensic ballistics — a 3D imaging, correlation, visualization and confirmation system that delivers an exponential increase in cartridge and bullet data available for investigation.
Micron-level accuracy ensures more convictions
A human hair measures approximately 100 microns wide. ALIAS’s 3D cartridge and bullet images are accurate at 2 microns, or 1/50 th the diameter of a single human hair. This unsurpassed level of accuracy produces infinitely better results that vastly reduce the time it takes firearms examiners and technicians to complete their analysis. To save even more time, ALIAS’s straightforward three-step (imaging / correlation / confirmation) protocol promotes simple operation, faster learning times, and less margin for error.
3-step imaging/correlation/confirmation process
How does ALIAS revolutionize the field of forensic ballistics? Michael Barrett and his partners have assembled a worldwide team of hardware, software and industrial design experts who have re-invented digital ballistics examination. The revolution starts with superior correlation technology that is compatible with existing 2D cartridge and bullet images. Then ALIAS’s Swiss-built, application-specific interferometer uses laser light to scan crime-scene cartridges and fired bulletss and add true 3D insight to new ballistic evidence.
The ALIAS system is protected by 10 patents with additional patents pending or in progress. ALIAS processes interferometer data to build a set of visually rich 3D images that firearms examiners and technicians can analyze with far greater accuracy — taking advantage of topographically sensitive colorization, moveable light sources, and infinitely adjustable axis orientation, among many other unique visualizations.
ALIAS’s confirmation tools then give everyone involved in a firearm crime case the confidence they require to request physical evidence that will lead to a conviction.
ALIAS also allows your department to export 3D data to other visualization packages or departmental systems to ensure maximum compatibility with present and future systems in use by law enforcement agencies around the world. Solve more crimes. Convict more criminals. Save more lives. Get the ALIAS advantage.