Under the Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects (UN 2001 PoA), governments are encouraged to implement effective measures for and cooperate in tracing illicit small arms and light weapons, exchanging relevant information, and using technologies to improve the detection and tracing of these weapons.
In efforts to enhance tracing capabilities, UNLIREC works with States to reinforce national forensic procedures for tracing illicit small arms and prosecuting criminals and traffickers through increasing the capacity of states to:
- trace 100% of illicit firearms
- restore serial numbers obliterated on firearms
- connect previously unknown firearm crimes
- identify and prosecute firearm offenders
- present reliable ballistic evidence in courts of law
- reduce backlog of firearms-related open cases.
- improv ballistic information sharing among States
- uncover, investigate and prosecute firearms trafficking cases
- interdict illicit firearms shipped via postal cargo
- improve maritime trafficking interdiction