Sharing ballistic data across Europe: A prototype network between France and Switzerland using Evofinder®

• Main Authors: Cédric Sautier, Stephan Christen, Fayçal Chidiac
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier 2021-01-01
• Series: Forensic Science International: Synergy
• Subjects: European ballistic database; Ballistic evidence sharing; Cross-border data exchange; Firearm identification; Open case file; Evofinder
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589871X21000164

Today, there is a real political urge to see the sharing of ballistic data intensify across Europe mostly due to recent events such as terrorist attacks. However, technical constraints remain and two main options are being discussed. The first one relies on a centralized common database, implying a vendor monopoly for all Europe and a unified protocol among member states. The second one advocates for a distributed framework relying on existing national infrastructures and leaving each country responsible for its own protocols. This article describes a prototype network linking Switzerland and France using the Evofinder® system by ScannBI. We will first focus on how this network was set up, and then report some results from tests conducted to assess the viability of the concept. These results demonstrate that the second option cannot be discarded and pave the way for a distributed network. This solution appears to be cheaper, more adaptable and answers the practical needs of member states.