ARES: New manual for the identification of weapons

Weapons and ammunition are pieces of evidence. Many weapons bear markings that, in combination with their physical characteristics, reveal important information about them, including manufacturer, age, and origin. This information, in turn, provides crucial clues about the sources and flows of weapons in the area where they were found.

ARES (Armament Research Services) personnel have collaborated with the Small Arms Survey to create a new handbook that helps readers identify small arms, light weapons, and related ammunition. ARES Director N.R. Jenzen-Jones served as the primary author for six of the nine chapters and as an expert on SALW (Small Arms and Light Weapons) topics and co-editor for the publication. ARES technical specialists Jonathan Ferguson and Anthony G. Williams also authored chapters, and many other ARES staff and advisors played important roles. The ARES team was supported by knowledgeable and dedicated colleagues from the Small Arms Survey.

The aim of the handbook is to provide the reader with a basic understanding of how to identify, analyze, and track the distribution of small arms and light weapons. The process of identifying weapons is complex, and no single guide can provide all the necessary information to identify every weapon or ammunition found at crime scenes or in conflict zones. Instead, this guide explains the process of identifying weapons and ammunition and tracking weapon flows. Reference material on specific small arms, light weapons, 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 common weapons and ammunition.

"This was a labor of love that unfolded over several years. Although there were hurdles along the way, I believe the end product is exceptional and will play a crucial role in assisting researchers, investigators, law enforcement and intelligence agencies, journalists, and others in fulfilling their important tasks. It will also serve as a valuable reference for historians, collectors, and enthusiasts.

I am particularly keen to get this new resource into the hands of practitioners now. I hope that this will help bring more of us onto the same page."

– Director Jenzen-Jones

The handbook consists of nine chapters and additional material, as follows:

• Introduction
• Chapter 1 - Marking Small Arms: An Introduction
• Chapter 2 - Understanding Small Arms Trade: Key Concepts
• Chapter 3 - Weapon Identification: Small Arms
• Chapter 4 - Weapon Identification: Small Caliber Ammunition
• Chapter 5 - Identifying Weapons: Light Weapons and their Ammunition
• Chapter 6 - Weapon Identification: Other Small Arms and Light Weapons
• Chapter 7 - Collecting Firearms and Ammunition Data in the Field: Advice for Researchers
• Chapter 8 - Weapons Flow Analysis: Authorized Transfers
• Chapter 9 - Weapons Flow Analysis: Illegal Weapons
• Bibliography

The handbook extensively draws on ARES research on the subjects at hand, including a range of SALW definitions developed by ARES, our Arms & Munitions Classification System (ARCS), our proprietary Conflict Material (CONMAT) database, and dozens of public and confidential reports. Many of these "ingredients" of the handbook are available to selected customers.

The handbook can be downloaded for free (in English) on the Small Arms Survey website. Specifically HERE.

ARES on the Internet: www.armamentresearch.com

SMALL ARMS SURVEY on the Internet: www.smallarmssurvey.org