The reality is that the markings left on bullets aren’t as unique as NCIS would have you believe. A lot of them DO change over time (or even just field stripping a gun).
But the key is that in those first N hours/days, it can be some very substantial evidence. 9 mm round was left embedded in the politician and the chief suspect has ten 9 mm PCCs? Let’s test all ten of those and see if we get a match. And so forth.
In that case: Assuming this holds true (I read the article a few days ago and it is currently very hazy), the same could be done with 3d printers. Ghost gun used in a case and the suspect has a 3d printer? Well… checking the print logs is probably still easier. But one could imagine a world where there is a court order to print a special benchy to compare tooling marks.
And… much like with guns, someone who is educated can take precautions.
The reality is that the markings left on bullets aren’t as unique as NCIS would have you believe. A lot of them DO change over time (or even just field stripping a gun).
But the key is that in those first N hours/days, it can be some very substantial evidence. 9 mm round was left embedded in the politician and the chief suspect has ten 9 mm PCCs? Let’s test all ten of those and see if we get a match. And so forth.
In that case: Assuming this holds true (I read the article a few days ago and it is currently very hazy), the same could be done with 3d printers. Ghost gun used in a case and the suspect has a 3d printer? Well… checking the print logs is probably still easier. But one could imagine a world where there is a court order to print a special benchy to compare tooling marks.
And… much like with guns, someone who is educated can take precautions.