An Introductory Guide to the Identification of Small Arms, Light Weapons, and Associated Ammunition

Weapons and ammunition are evidence. Many weapons carry markings which, in combination with their physical characteristics, reveal important information about them, including their manufacturer, age and origin. This information, in turn, provides essential clues to the sources and flows of weapons in the region where they were found. The objective of this manual is to provide the reader with a basic understanding of how to identify and analyze small arms and light weapons, and to monitor their proliferation. The process of identifying weapons is complex and no guide can provide all the information necessary to identify every weapon or round of ammunition that may be encountered at crime scenes or in conflict zones. Instead, this guide explains the process by which weapons and ammunition are identified and weapon flows are tracked. Reference material on specific small arms and ammunition is included throughout the guide. This material will help readers take the necessary steps to identify the make and model of the most commonly encountered weapons and ammunition.