Weapon signature

A weapon signature was a specific energy reading that could be used to identify which species' technology produced a particle discharge. This could prove very useful in determining who was responsible for an attack.

The Romulan drone ship's disruptors utilized tri-phasic emitters, which allowed them to imitate the weapon signatures of various other species, including Tellarite disruptors, Andorian particle cannons, and Starfleet phase cannons. (ENT: "Babel One")

A Klingon weapon's signature was identifiable by a specific hadron count, particulate remnant, ion trace, atmospheric residue, and ENC ratio.

In 2154, Lieutenant Malcolm Reed identified a Klingon weapon signature when investigating the destruction of a Rigelian freighter, although he lied to Captain Archer, claiming that the weapon signature was actually Orion, under orders from Harris, his former commander in Section 31. (ENT: "Affliction")

In 2373, the Nasari ship had a distinct tetryon-based weapon signature. (VOY: "Favorite Son")

Later that year, the USS Voyager detected two residual weapon signatures in the space debris of 15 Borg cubes. One of these signatures was Borg and the other, initially unbeknownst to the crew, was Species 8472. (VOY: "Scorpion")