WO1997026501A1

WO1997026501A1 - Bullet identification

Info

Publication number: WO1997026501A1
Application number: PCT/US1996/000688
Authority: WO
Inventors: William E. Collier
Original assignee: Collier William E
Priority date: 1996-01-17
Filing date: 1996-01-17
Publication date: 1997-07-24
Also published as: AU4964196A

Abstract

The present invention relates to identifiable bullets (9, 20, 30, 40, 50) and methods for identifying such bullets. In one form, bullet (9) comprises a bullet jacket (10), a main part or core (13) and an identification section (16) held therein. The identification section (60) can include an identification section core (64) and an outer protective coating (66). The identification section core (64) and outer coating (66) are heat-resistant. They are also preferably flexible to resist damage when the bullet is discharged from a firearm and impacts an object. The identification section (24, 34, 44, 54) can be mounted within a chamber (37, 81, 84, 85) formed in the projectile main portion. A plug or end cap (26, 36, 46, 56) is advantageously positioned to help hold the identification section in place and help resist damage to the identification section. The chamber or chambers (37, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85), identification sections, and any plug may be constructed to mechanically interlock such as with annular grooves (28, 29, 45, 47, 57, 58) in which projections of the identification section (24, 34, 44, 54) and/or end cap (26, 36, 46, 56) extend to help secure the respective components in place.

Description

DESCRIPTION BULLET IDENTIFICATION Technical Field

The present invention relates to a means for identifying individual bullets. Background Art

Over the past several years there has been increasing concern over the availability and use of firearms in society and the resultant increase in violence . These concerns have led to the introduction of legislation to limit access to firearms or for the registration and identification of such firearms. However, identification relating to firearms does not often lead to an identification of the firearm used in a violent crime since the firearm may not be left at the scene or may not be recovered. Therefore, the connection between the firearm used and the owner of the firearm cannot be made . In addition, even if the firearm is recovered it may have been stolen and identification of the firearm does not produce the user of the firearm. Also stolen firearms can be altered easily to remove forms of identification.

Therefore, to make identification of users of firearms more likely there is a need for a means of tying the user of a firearm to a crime scene . The means should be inexpensive, easy to implement and not easily removed. Attempts have been made to provide identification means in bullets.

However, such prior attempts at bullet identification have been difficult to incorporate into a bullet, have been subject to damage upon discharging the bullet from a firearm, and are difficult to recover from a discharged bullet .

Still another difficulty with respect to bullet identification systems is the susceptibility to fraud and counterfeiting. Traditional identification systems fail to even address this problem. Accordingly, it is possible for persons desiring to circumvent the bullet identification system by producing counterfeit bullets. A system is therefore needed to preserve and maintain the integrity of an identification system. This would be particularly important if bullet registration is required by law in the future . Brief Description of the Drawings

Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the following accompanying drawings, which are briefly described below. These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood by reference to the following description considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which are briefly described below. Fig. 1 is a schematic .view of one embodiment of a bullet according to the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a schematic view of an identification tag;

Fig. 3 is a partial sectional side elevation view of another embodiment of a bullet according to the present invention;

Fig. 4 is a partial sectional side elevation view of still another embodiment of a bullet according to the present invention;

Fig. 5 is a partial sectional side elevation view of yet another embodiment of a bullet according to the present invention; Fig. 6 is a partial sectional side elevation view of another embodiment of a bullet according to the present invention;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view, partly broken away, of an identification section to be incoφorated into a bullet according to the present invention; and

Fig. 8 is a sectional view, taken along the line 8-8 of Fig. 7, of the identification section.

Best Modes for Carrying Out the Invention and Disclosure of Invention

The present invention relates to an identifiable bullet and methods for identifying such bullets. In one form the bullet comprises a projectile having a projectile main portion, and a means of identification mounted in the projectile portion. The means for identification can include several different forms or aspects which individually or in combination provide an ascertainable or decipherable code which identifies the specific bullet, or more typically a batch or group of bullets.

In one form or aspect the means for identification comprises an identification section having a core or substrate. An exemplary core may be made from a variety of suitable materials, such as from metal, fibers or fabric identification section core . The identification section core can be provided with identification indicia such as in the form of an imprint, engraving, etching, fiber combination, coded fibers, woven fabric provided with a coded fiber combination or coded fibers, or other coding which provides indicia which can be used by police or other investigatory personnel in the identification of the bullet after it has been shot from the firearm. The core is preferably a heat resistant material to enable a variety of processes to be performed in isolation and analytical work which may be needed to assess the identification information contained in the bullet. The identification sect.ion is preferably mounted in the projectile main portion in such a way that the identification section is mechanically interlocked with the main part of the projectile . This construction helps to protect the identification section against damage, or at very least reduce the degree of damage so that coded identification indicia can be deciphered after impact.

Another aspect of the present invention involves a main projectile portion of a bullet having a front nose portion and a first rear wall, with a chamber extending rearwardly beyond the main wall. The chamber allows an identification section to be installed into the chamber, after which a plug is inserted to maintain the identification section in place and protect it from damage after the projectile portion has been discharged from a firearm.

Still another aspect of the present invention involves an identification section comprising a core that is marked with identification indicia, and a protective coating surrounding the core . Still another aspect of the present invention involves a color coding scheme whereby various colors are imparted to one or more of the components of the bullet . The color coded bullets can achieve a diverse range of color coding combinations. The color coding can be used alone, or more preferably, in combination with one or more of the other bullet identification coding techniques as described herein.

The color coding can be effected by adding one or more colors to one or more of the bullet components. Thus a component, such as the core can be provided with one or a number of identifiable colors. Additionally, one or more colors can be added to plural components to increase the identification coding combinations. For example, the core of the identification section may be made of one or more particular colors from numerous color possibilities, and the outer coating of the identification section can also be made with one or more colors from numerous color possibilities. Additional components of the bullet, such as the plug, wall septums, small inserts or pellets included in the matrix of the main part of the projectile, and fibers can be colored individually or specially color coded.

Fibers in particular can be easily color coded by utilizing different colored fibers woven or otherwise arranged into different fabric arrangements to increase the coding possibilities. Furthermore, each individual fiber can be provided with individual color segments which can be arranged and colored in a selected fashion to further increase the color coding possibilities and number of coded combinations.

The color schemes are matched or otherwise coded with the other identification indicia included in the core of the identification section or on other parts of the bullet to prevent counterfeiting of the bullet identification system and increase the ability to verify the identification of a particular set of coding information and have it indicate that it originated with a particular bullet or batch of bullets manufactured with such coding.

Still another aspect of the present invention involves providing additional coding capabilities using chemical tags or identifying constituents in the bullet or various components of the bullet. Such chemical coding can be imparted to one or more of the components of the bullet to achieve a diverse range of chemical coding combinations. The chemical coding can be used alone, or more preferably, in combination with one or more of the other bullet identification coding techniques as described herein. The chemical coding can be effected by adding one or more identifiable chemicals to a component or components. Thus a component, such as the identification section core can be provided with one or a number of identifiable chemical constituents. Additionally, one or more identifiable chemical constituents can be added to other components to increase the coding combinations. For example, the core of the identification section may be made of plural identifiable chemicals from numerous identifiable chemical labeling possibilities, preferably using identifiable coding chemicals not found in the bullet component as a contaminant. The plug can be made using a different identifying chemical or chemicals. This enables a large number of coding possibilities, by itself and when combined with other chemically coded bullet parts, color coding, fiber coding, and other coding techniques as described herein, the coding possibilities are more than sufficient to discriminate the large number of bullet batches being produced and used.

As another example, the outer coating of the identification section can also be made with one or more identifying chemical constituents from numerous possibilities. Additional components of the bullet, such as the plug, wall septums, small inserts or pellets included in the matrix of the main part of the projectile, and fibers can be colored individually or specially color coded. Fibers in particular can be easily chemically coded using particular chemical mixes in particular fibers. Thus upon impact the fibers will not be destroyed and can individually retrieved and analyzed. Fibers can also be woven or otherwise arranged into different fabric arrangements to further increase the coding possibilities. Such fabric arrangements can survive many or most impacts because of the mechanical flexibility and inclusion of the identification section within the bullet main part. The chemical codes are matched or otherwise coded with the other identification indicia included in the core of the identification section or coding provided by other parts of the bullet to prevent counterfeiting of the bullet identification system and increase the ability to verify the identification of a particular set of coding information and have it indicate that it originated with a particular bullet or batch of bullets manufactured with such coding.

Methods of the present invention comprises providing identification coding into a bullet, and packaging the bullet into a container. The container includes an identification code which corresponds to the identification code of the bullet. A catalog or listing is formed which comprises the identification code and the name or names of the purchaser or other user of the bullet or bullets. A spent bullet or bullets are retrieved and the identification coding is deciphered from the impacted bullet using one or more analytical techniques. The identification code deciphered from the impacted bullet is matched with the identification code in the catalog to thereby identify the purchaser or other user of the bullet.

Other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the detailed disclosure that follows.

The present invention involves a means for identifying bullets. The means of identification comprises identification indicia which can advantageously include a number or code . The number or code can is cataloged in association with the name of the purchaser. This allows the identification code to be retrieved from a spent bullet by analysis. This information is then used as a means of identifying the purchaser of the bullet and, presumably, the person who fired the bullet. Even in the purchased did not fire the bullet, the information obtained from the purchaser may facilitate solution of the crime being investigated. This may be particularly important since a firearm may not be left at a crime scene, and bullets usually are . Therefore, identification of the bullet makes a link to the purchaser of the bullet, and possible to the criminal.

Fig. 1 illustrates more specifically how bullets 9 are manufactured. In this example a die 1 1 is used to form a jacket 10 of a metal such as copper. The jacket encompasses a main bullet pan core, such as by filling the jacket with molten lead or other main pa.rt core material 12. Once the lead has hardened within the jacket, it forms a core 13. The bullet 9 is assembled with powder and a casing 14 (see Fig. 1) which is placed over the end of the bullet . In one preferred form of the present invention, an identification piece or section 16 is formed as part of the bullet, preferably by being placed inside the bullet during manufacture. This can be done while the lead or other core material is still molten. The identification section is prepared from a suitable material, for example: a metal such as copper, tin, aluminum or stainless steel; a plastic such as NOMEX® or KEVLAR® (both supplied by DuPont of Wilmington, Delaware); or other suitable thermal resistant materials which are capable of holding and retaining a number or code and which can withstand the temperature of the molten lead, about 330°C. The material may be in the form of a sheet, disc, cylinder, ball, micro-dot, fiber mass, fibers woven into a fabric, combinations of these or other suitable items which can be used to provide a code or other suitable form which provides coding.

In some forms of the present invention the material of the identification section or tag is imprinted with an identification number or code. On metals or plastics the number or code may be etched, engraved, or otherwise coded onto or into the identification section. With fabrics, the number or code may be printed thereon, or the fabric can be formed from different fibers which are each indicative of some or all of the coding information. The methods of etching, engraving or printing are well known in the art and any of the techniques known for imprinting which are suitable for the material chosen may be used. The size of the identification section onto which some or all of the identification number or code is imprinted is dictated by the size of the bullet into which the identification section is to be inserted. The identification section is preferably small enough to fit within the jacket of the bullet.

In another embodiment of the present invention the identification can include a chemical label or labels in one or more of the bullet components. In one form of this embodiment, different chemicals are mixed in different proportions. The combination of chemicals are unique for the bullets in which they are included. These chemicals are added to the molten lead, to the bullet casing, or to the identification section. When added to the identification section, the identifying chemical or chemicals can be added to the identification section core, encapsulating coating, or both. In further forms of the invention the identification can include fibers to which are added various chemical constituents which code for the identification of the bullet. After retrieval of a spent bullet the bullet or portions of the bullet recovered are analyzed in an effort to identify the bullet. In one embodiment of the invention the method of analysis comprises performing a spectra of the lead or other bullet main portion core sample to detect one or more chemical constituents which are variable in the type of chemical or chemicals included and/or are variable in the amounts concentrations or other aspects of the chemicals so that discriminating other chemical analysis means suitable for identifying the type or proportions of the chemicals used as the identification code. Such methods of chemical analysis are well known in the art.

Once the material is inserted into the bullet jacket the manufacture of the bullet is completed in the conventional manner. The bullets are then packaged. To minimize the labor involved in cataloging the identification numbers or codes with the bullets, bullets are preferably sold in a minimum sale lot, for example 50 bullets, which are packaged in a single packaging. All the bullets included in the packaging have the same identification number or code . A bar code or other machine readable code is placed on the exterior of the package . The code identifies the identification code used for the bullets included in the packaging. This allows easy input of the data into a computer by scanning the bar code on the exterior of the package with a conventional scanner and storing the accumulated data directly in a computer. The use of the bar code also reduces errors in inputting the data. The seller of the bullets then only has to input the name or other forms of identification for the purchaser. The data in the computer is then available for later retrieval and use to identify bullets recovered from a crime scene or wherever spent bullets are found.

For identification of a bullet at a crime scene, the remains of any bullet are recovered and the identification section is removed from the remains of the bullet. Various components of the bullet are also potentially analyzed to add to the identification coding or the reliability of the coding. In some embodiments this can easily be done by heating the lead core of the bullet, such as with a blow torch, or other suitable heating device, to melt the lead. The identification tag. which is of a thermal resistant material, remains intact and is retrieved from the molten lead. The number or code on the identification tag is then read and input into the computer to retrieve the name or identity of the purchaser of the bullets.

Example 1 The caps of 30 45-caliber bullets were removed and the lead cores of the bullets melted. Stainless steel sheets or stainless steel ball bearings were used as identification tags. In all 30 of the bullets stainless steel ball bearings were placed in the molten lead of the bullets. The caps were replaced in the bullets. The bullets were fired from a gun into telephone books. Each of the spent bullets was recovered. Fourteen of the recovered bullets were deformed from the impact and 12 bullets were fragmented. The lead from each of the bullets was separately melted and the stainless steel sheets or stainless steel ball bearings were recovered from the molten lead. In all cases the recovered identification tag was found to be intact and 100% recovery of the identification tag contained in the bullets was achieved.

Alternative Embodiments Another aspect of the present invention involves an identifiable bullet, comprising a main projectile portion having a front nose portion and a first rear wall opposite the front nose portion; a chamber extending from the first rear wall; an identification section mounted within the chamber adjacent the first rear wall of the main projectile portion having indicia affixed thereon for identification of the projectile portion after being discharged from a firearm; and a plug mounted within the chamber adjacent the identification section to secure and maintain the identification section within the chamber and protect the identification section from damage after the projectile portion has been discharged from a firearm.

Fig. 3 discloses an alternative embodiment of an identifiable bullet 20 according to the present invention. The bullet includes a main projectile portion 22 having a conically shaped front nose portion 21 and an opposing projectile rear portion 123. The projectile rear portion 123 has a projectile rear face 124.

The projectile main portion also includes a first rear wall 23 opposite the front nose portion. A first chamber 81 extends rearwardly beyond the first rear wall 23. In this particular embodiment, an identification section is disposed inside the first chamber. A second rear wall 25 seals the identification section 24 into the first chamber. Extending rearwardly from the second rear wall 25 is a second chamber 82 in which a plug or end cap 26 is disposed.

With reference still to Fig. 3, the chamber in which the plug 26 is disposed includes a pair of annular grooves 28, 29 which extend radially outward from the chamber to form receptacles. The plug and main part of the bullet are mechanically interlocked. This is preferably accomplished using a mating receptacle and projection. In the embodiment of Fig. 3, the mating receptacle and projection is in the form of a projection which extends into an annular receptacle or groove, more specifically the plug has annular extensions which extend into and engage the grooves to anchor and mechanically interlock the plug in position with respect to the main part of the bullet.

Fig. 3 also shows a third and final end wall 27 seals the combined identification section 24 and plug 26 against the second rear wall 25 and first rear wall 23, respectively, of bullet 20. Fig. 4 discloses another alternative embodiment of the present invention.

An identifiable bullet 30 comprises a main projectile portion 32 having a conically shaped front nose portion 31 at one end and terminating at a first rear wall 33 at an opposite end. The first rear wall defines a chamber 37 in which an identification section 34 is first inserted. A plug 36 is thereafter inserted to hold the identification section in place and protect it from damage. The embodiment of Fig. 4 is particularly suitable for manufacturing because the main projectile portion 32 can be manufactured before the identification section and the plug are installed therein.

Fig. 5 shows still another embodiment of the present invention which includes a bullet 40 including a main projectile portion 42 having a conically shaped front nose portion 41 at one end and a first rear wall 43 at an opposite end. A chamber 85 is formed rearwardly of first rear wall of the main projectile portion. An identification section 44 is mounted within the chamber, after which a plug or end cap 46 is inserted and secured to the chamber walls. The bullet is preferably constructed so as to include a mechanical interlock between the chamber and the identification section, and between the chamber and the plug. As shown, this is preferably accomplished using a first annular groove 45 and a second annular groove 47. Extensions or projections, such as the annular extensions 145 and 147 shown, extend from the identification section and plug into the grooves. This provides the desired mechanical interlocking engagement with the identification section 44 and end cap or plug 46 by which each are more securely retained.

Fig. 6 discloses yet another embodiment of the present invention. A bullet 50 comprises a main projectile portion 52 including a conically shaped front nose portion 51 at one end and a first rear wall 53 at an opposite end. A first chamber 84 is formed rearward of the first end wall 53. An identification section 54 is mounted within the first chamber. A second rear wall 55 divides the first chamber, which holds the identification section 54, from a second chamber 83 which holds an end cap or plug section 56. The second chamber defines a pair of annular grooves 57, 58. The plug extends into and engages the grooves to retain the plug in place against the second rear wall 55. A third rear wall 61 encloses the plug within the second chamber.

In instances where the weight and balance of the bullet 50 needs to be adjusted, the plug section 56 may include fragments of metal or other suitable weighted particles 59 to balance the weight of the bullet.

Fig. 7 shows one embodiment of an identification section 60, which has been partially broken away. The identification section 60 includes a core 64 to which indicia 62 are affixed. The core is preferably made of a flexible , resilient, heat-resistant fabric, such as KEVLAR®, NOMEX®, or any other suitable identification material.

The core 64 is protected by an outer protective coating or layer 66. The layer 66 may comprise a rubber or plastic material, or any other material suitable for protecting the core 64. The combined core and outer coating should preferably be flexible so that it is not destroyed or fragmented upon impact of the bullet after being discharged from a firearm. In addition, these materials should be heat-resistant to withstand the intense heat to which these elements are subjected upon discharging the bullet from a firearm.

The core 64 and the outer coating 66 preferably comprise particular first and second colors to establish a color scheme whereby the indicia of the identifiable bullets can be matched with the color scheme to prevent counterfeiting. In addition, the end cap or plug 26, 36, 46, 56 may also comprise a particular third color to further establish a color scheme to prevent counterfeit bullets from being manufactured. Any number of color schemes may be used in combination with the indicia on the identification section for anti- counterfeiting purposes. In each of the embodiments of Figs. 3-6, the identification sections 24. 34, 44, 54 may comprise a heat-resistant fabric, such as KEVLAR^® or NOMEX^®, or any other suitable identification material. The identification section can also be simply a collection of fibers each of which may have coded information therein. The collection of fibers can be formed from a number of different types of fibers each being an identifiable fiber type due to color, chemical, or other coding imparted to the particular fibers. This in combination with other coding techniques explained herein can provide an extremely large number of codings. Still further it is alternatively possible to use a micro-chip may be imbedded in the respective chambers or a plurality of micro-dots may be used as the identification section or as part of the identification section in combination with other identification section concepts as explained herein.

The plug or filler cap may be made of plastic, silicon, epoxy, metals, or any other suitable material to protect the identification section 24 from damage after the bullet has been discharged from a firearm. With respect to any marking used in the identification section; any suitable means, such as laser printing, chemical treatment, or any other suitable marking system may be used.

In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific as to structural and methodical features. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown and described, since the means herein disclosed comprise preferred forms of putting the invention into effect . The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted in accordance with the doctrine of equivalents.

Claims

1. An identifiable bullet, comprising: a projectile main portion having a front nose portion and a rear portion opposite the front nose portion; a chamber formed within the projectile main portion; an identification section mounted within the chamber; said identification section having identification indicia for at least partially serving as identification of the bullet after discharge from a firearm; a plug mounted adjacent the chamber to help secure the identification section within the chamber.

2. An identifiable bullet according to claim 1 wherein the plug is mounted near the rear of the bullet.

3. An identifiable bullet according to claim 1 and further comprising a wall disposed between the identification section and the plug.

4. An identifiable bullet according to claim 1 wherein the chamber is partially defined by a first rear wall; and further comprising: a second rear wall interposed between the chamber and the plug; a third rear wall interposed between the plug and a rear face of the projectile main portion.

5. An identifiable bullet according to claim 1 wherein said identification section and said chamber are constructed to mechanically interlock.

6. An identifiable bullet according to claim 1 wherein said identification section and said chamber are constructed to mechanically interlock using at least one projection which extends into at least one receptacle.

7. An identifiable bullet according to claim 1 wherein said identification section and said chamber are constructed to mechanically interlock using at least one projection which extends into at least one annular groove .

8. An identifiable bullet according to claim 1 wherein said identification section includes at least one projection which extends into at least one annular groove formed in the chamber.

9. An identifiable bullet according to claim 1 wherein said plug and said chamber are constructed to mechanically interlock.

10. An identifiable bullet according to claim 1 wherein said plug and said chamber are constructed to mechanically interlock using at least one projection which extends into at least one receptacle.

11. An identifiable bullet according to claim 1 wherein said plug and said chamber are constructed to mechanically interlock using at least one projection which extends into at least one annular groove .

12. An identifiable bullet according to claim 1 wherein said plug includes at least one projection which extends into at least one annular groove formed in the chamber.

13. An identifiable bullet according to claim 1 wherein said chamber includes at least one annular groove formed in the chamber for interlocking with at least one projection formed on said plug or said identification section.

14. An identifiable bullet according to claim 1 wherein: said identification section and said chamber are constructed to mechanically interlock; said plug and said chamber are constructed to mechanically interlock.

15. An identifiable bullet according to claim 1 wherein said chamber includes a plurality of annular grooves formed in the chamber for interlocking with at least one of said plug or said identification section.

16. An identifiable bullet according to claim 1 wherein the chamber further comprises a pair of annular grooves extending outward of the chamber, the plug extending into and interlocking with each of the grooves.

17. An identifiable bullet according to claim 1 wherein the identification section comprises at least one first color, the at least one first color and the identification indicia comprising a combined coding system.

18. An identifiable bullet according to claim 1 wherein the identification section comprises at least one first color, and at least one second color; the at least one first color, the at least one second color, and the identification indicia comprising a combined coding system.

19. An identifiable bullet according to claim 1 wherein the identification section comprises an identification section core which includes the identification indicia, and an outer coating encapsulating the identification section core .

20. An identifiable bullet according to claim 1 wherein the identification section comprises an identification section core on which the identification indicia is affixed, and an outer coating encapsulating the identification section core, the identification section core comprising at least one first color, the outer coating comprising at least one second color; the at least one first color, the at least one second color, and the identification section indicia comprising a combined coding system.

21. An identifiable bullet according to claim 1 wherein the plug includes a plurality of metal fragments for providing additional weight toward the rear portion of the projectile main portion.

22. An identifiable bullet according to claim 1 and further comprising at least one identification chemical added to the bullet to at least partially serve as identification.

23. An identifiable bullet according to claim 1 and further comprising at least one identification chemical added to the projectile main portion to at least partially serve as identification.

24. An identifiable bullet according to claim 1 and further comprising a plurality of identification chemicals added to the bullet to at least partially serve as identification.

25. An identifiable bullet according to claim 1 and further comprising a plurality of identification chemicals added to the bullet to at least partially serve as identification; said plurality of identification chemicals including at least one identification section chemical added to the identification section and at least one main portion identification chemical added to projectile main portion.

26. An identifiable bullet according to claim 1 wherein: the projectile main portion includes at least one identification chemical added to the projectile main portion to at least partially serve as identification; the identification section comprises at least one first color; whereby the at least one identification chemical, the at least one first color, and the indicia comprises a combined coding system.

27. An identifiable bullet according to claim 1 wherein: the projectile main portion includes at least one identification chemical added to the projectile main portion to at least partially serve as identification; the identification section comprises at least one first color and at least one second color; whereby the at least one identification chemical, the at least one first color, the at least one second color, and the indicia comprises a combined coding system.

28. An identifiable bullet, comprising: a projectile main portion having a front nose portion and a rear portion opposite the front nose portion; a chamber formed within the projectile main portion; an identification section mounted within the chamber; said identification section having identification indicia for at least partially serving as identification of the bullet after discharge from a firearm; said identification section comprising a core on which indicia is affixed, and an outer coating encapsulating the core .

29. An identifiable bullet according to claim 28 wherein the identification section core comprises at least one first color, and the outer coating comprises at least one second color; the at least one first color, the at least one second color, and the indicia comprising a combined coding system.

30. An identifiable bullet according to claim 28 and further comprising at least one identification chemical added to the bullet to at least partially serve as identification.

31. An identifiable bullet according to claim 28 and further comprising at least one identification chemical added to the projectile main portion to at least partially serve as identification.

32. An identifiable bullet according to claim 28 and further comprising a plurality of identification chemicals added to the bullet to at least partially serve as identification.

33. An identifiable bullet according to claim 28 and further comprising a plurality of identification chemicals added to the bullet to at least partially serve as identification; said plurality of identification chemicals including at least one identification section chemical added to the identification section and at least one main portion identification chemical added to projectile main portion.

34. An identifiable bullet according to claim 28 wherein: the bullet further comprises at least one identification chemical added to at least partially serve as identification; the identification section core comprises at least one first color; the outer coating comprises at least one second color; the at least one identification chemical, at least one first color, at least one second color, and the indicia comprising a combined coding system.

35. An identifiable bullet, comprising: a projectile mam portion having a front nose portion and a rear portion opposite the front nose portion; a chamber formed within the projectile main portion; a plurality of fibers held within the projectile main portion which provide at least a portion of an identification code used to identify the bullet .

36. An identifiable bullet according to claim 35 and further comprising at least one identification chemical added to the bullet to at least partially serve as identification.

37. An identifiable bullet according to claim 35 wherein the plurality of fibers is woven into a fabric.

38. An identifiable bullet according to claim 35 wherein the plurality of fibers are mounted within a chamber formed within the projectile main portion.

39. An identifiable bullet according to claim 35 wherein the plurality of fibers are woven into a fabric in an ordered arrangement which codes in part by the order of the arrangement .

40. An identifiable bullet according to claim 35 wherein said plurality of fibers is in the form of an identification section having a core of said fibers, and an outer coating encapsulating the core.

41 . An identifiable bullet according to claim 35 wherein said plurality of fibers is in the form of an identification section having a core of said fibers, and an outer coating encapsulating the core, the core comprising at least one first color, the outer coating comprising at least one second color; the first color, the second color, and the plurality of fibers being used to provide identification.

42. An identifiable bullet according to claim 35 wherein: the projectile main portion includes at least one identification chemical added to the projectile main portion to at least partially serve as identification; said plurality of fibers is in the form of an identification section having a core of said fibers, and an outer coating encapsulating the core , the core comprising at least one first color, the outer coating comprising at least one second color; the first color, the second color, and the plurality of fibers being used to provide identification.