|
Warfare relies on effective, accurate and timely intelligence an especially critical task
when conducting a counterinsurgency operation [1]. Simply stated counterinsurgency is
an intelligence war. Both insurgents and counterinsurgents need effective intelligence
capabilities to be successful. Insurgents and counterinsurgents therefore attempt to create
and maintain intelligence networks and fight continuously to neutralize each other's
intelligence capabilities [1][2]. In such an environment it is obviously an advantage to
target or proactively create opportunities to track and map an insurgent movement.
Quickly identifying insurgency intelligence assets (Infiltrators) within a host
government's infrastructure is the goal. Infiltrators can occupy various areas of
government such as security personnel, national police force, government offices or
military units. Intentional Firearm Microstamping offers such opportunities when
implemented into firearms. Outfitted within firearms purchased and distributed to the
host nation's security forces (civilian and military), Intentional Firearm Microstamping
(IFM) marks bullet cartridge casings with codes as they are fired from the firearm. IFM
is incorporated onto optimum surfaces with the firearm mechanism. The intentional
microstamp tooling marks can take the form of alphanumeric codes or encoded geometric
codes that identify the firearm. As the firearm is discharged the intentional tooling marks
transfer a code to the cartridge casing which is ejected out of the firearm. When
recovered at the scene of a firefight or engagement, the technology will provide forensic
intelligence allowing the mapping and tracking of small arms traffic patterns within the
host nation or identify insurgency force strength and pinpoint firearm sources, such as
corrupt/rogue military units or police force. Intentional Firearm Microstamping is a
passive mechanical trace technology that can be outfitted or retrofitted to semiautomatic
handguns and military rifles to assist in developing real time intelligence providing a
greater level of situational awareness. Proactively Microstamping firearms that are
introduced and distributed to the host nation's security forces, it will become easier to
track the firearms if they go missing or end up on the black market in the hands of an
insurgency. This paper will explain the technology and key attributes of microstamping
technology, test data showing its ability to identifying a specific firearm, examples of
implementation strategies and to what extent data could be utilized in war zone security
and counterinsurgency intelligence operations.
|
