Researchers from Curtin University in Perth have developed a forensic method that can match 3D-printed PLA parts to their original filament product, correctly identifying 26 out of 28 samples in a study published in Forensic Science International, offering a potential new tool to trace 3D-printed ghost guns.
The study, published on October 22 in the journal Forensic Science International, reports research by Dr. Georgina Sauzier and colleagues from Curtin University's School of Molecular and Life Sciences, along with forensics experts from ChemCentre. It uses differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), a thermoanalytical technique that measures how heat flows through a sample as it undergoes temperature changes, to produce a graph of its thermal properties. By cross-referencing the thermal properties of a printed object with those of its unprinted filament, researchers can create an association between them, down to the brand and type.
3D-printed firearms have become a problem worldwide as they are untraceable and, in the case of PLA, even compostable. The research potentially provides police with a way to link seized 3D-printed ghost guns to other seized filament, helping to form a clearer network of the manufacturing and distribution of these weapons.
So far, the technique has only successfully identified PLA products. PETG and ABS did not provide enough information to link them to their filament product. Sauzier attributed this to the amorphous nature of those filaments, which give very similar results with no clear identifiers. PLA has a semi-crystalline molecular structure, providing clearer temperature transition points as the crystalline structures break down and rearrange under testing. However, ABS and PETG showed some promise when tested using ATR-FTIR (Attenuated Total Reflectance-Fourier Transform Infrared), which uses infrared to identify chemical bonds and material composition. The team found differences in additives using this method, but still not enough to link them back to their filament products.
The research is still early. The team printed using only one machine, printed small sample tiles cut with scissors, and left them for a year in monitored office conditions before testing. Properties could further change as cooling rates vary greatly depending on what the printer is printing, and different printers may also affect the physical properties.
When the research matures and can reliably identify a broad range of materials, it could potentially trace 3D-printed firearms to the printer and filament, creating a list of where they were purchased and who purchased them.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- Offers law enforcement a new forensic method to trace untraceable 3D-printed firearms, potentially disrupting manufacturing and distribution networks.
- Addresses a growing security challenge as 3D printing technology makes firearm production more accessible and harder to regulate.
- Early success with PLA suggests potential for broader application once the technique is refined for other materials.
Background
3D-printed firearms, often called ghost guns, lack serial numbers and are not registered, making them difficult for authorities to trace. PLA filament is a common material for such weapons because it is cheap and can be easily composted or melted down to destroy evidence. The Curtin University research is among the first forensic methods specifically aimed at linking printed components to their source material.
Key Perspectives
Dr. Georgina Sauzier (Curtin University): Blames the amorphous nature of PETG and ABS filaments for giving very similar results with no clear identifiers linking them to their respective filament products.
What to Watch
- Expansion of testing to different 3D printers and print conditions to validate the method's reliability.
- Further research into ATR-FTIR for identifying additives in PETG and ABS that may allow tracing.
- Potential adoption of the technique by police forensic units for use in investigations involving 3D-printed firearms.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 11 supported.
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- Partly supportedCurtin researchers have developed a method to trace 3D-printed ghost guns to their filament source.Latest from Tom's Hardware: “A study published on October 22 in the journal Forensic Science International reports that researchers from Curtin University in Perth, Australia, have developed a forensic method to analyze 3D-printed PLA parts and match them to their respective filament”
- SupportedThe technique uses thermal analysis to match printed PLA parts to filament products and could help police build a clearer manufacturing and distribution network for untraceable firearms.Latest from Tom's Hardware: “This potentially provides a way to link seized 3D-printed “ghost-guns” with other seized filament, allowing police to form a clearer network for the manufacturing and distribution of the 3D-printed firearms.”
- SupportedThe method correctly identified 26 out of 28 PLA samples.Latest from Tom's Hardware: “match them to their respective filament, correctly matching 26 out of 28 samples of PLA.”
- SupportedThe study was published on October 22 in Forensic Science International.Latest from Tom's Hardware: “A study published on October 22 in the journal Forensic Science International”
- SupportedThe research was by Dr. Georgina Sauzier and colleagues from Curtin’s School of Molecular and Life Sciences, with forensics experts from ChemCentre.Latest from Tom's Hardware: “this research, by Dr. Georgina Sauzier et al. from Curtin University's School of Molecular and Life Sciences, along with forensics experts from ChemCentre”
- SupportedThe method uses differential scanning calorimetry to measure heat flow through a sample as its temperature changes and produce a graph of its thermal properties.Latest from Tom's Hardware: “the instrument measures how heat flows through the sample. It measures how much energy or power is used to keep the sample at a certain temperature or to change its temperature, giving us a graph of its thermal properties.”
- SupportedThe method can associate a printed object with its unprinted filament down to the brand and type.Latest from Tom's Hardware: “has devised a way to trace a printed object to a specific filament product, down to the brand and type.”
- Supported3D-printed firearms are a worldwide problem because they are untraceable, and PLA firearms are even compostable.Latest from Tom's Hardware: “3D-printed firearms have become a big problem worldwide, as they are untraceable and even compostable in the case of PLA”
- SupportedOnly PLA products have been successfully identified so far; PETG and ABS did not provide enough information to link them to their filament products.Latest from Tom's Hardware: “As of now, the tested PLA products are the only successfully identified material, with PETG and ABS not providing enough information to link them to their filament product.”
- SupportedSauzier attributed the difficulty with PETG and ABS to their amorphous nature, which produces similar results without clear identifiers.Latest from Tom's Hardware: “Sauzier blames the amorphous nature of those filaments, giving very similar results with no clear identifiers linking them to their respective filament products.”
- SupportedThe team found differences in additives with ATR-FTIR, but not enough to link ABS and PETG to their filament products.Latest from Tom's Hardware: “The team did find differences in additives using this method, but still did not give enough information to link them back to their respective filament products.”
- SupportedThe team used one printer, made small sample tiles cut with scissors, and left them for a year in monitored office conditions before testing.Latest from Tom's Hardware: “the team printed using only one machine, printed small sample tiles cut with scissors, and left them for a year in monitored office conditions before testing.”
