Characteristics Of Automated Fingerprint

An investigation involving a firearm is a specialty of forensic science which focuses on the examination of firearms linked to ballistics. Ballistics is related to finding out the exact flight path of projectiles. Ballistics is the area of study that examines the exact path of the bullet from the moment it leaves the muzzle of the firearm up until it hits the target. During examination many items are collected for evidence including the firearm, bullets, live ammunition, cartridge casings, trace materials such as powder residue, and anything damaged by the projectile. Firearms are often divided into three processes: Internal, External, and Terminal Ballistics. Internal refers to the inside of the firearm; the space of time in which the shooter pulls the trigger, and the when the bullet is exiting. External ballistics is the flight between leaving the muzzle of the firearm, and it striking its target. Terminal ballistics is the impact of ballistics that refers to the examination in which the projectile strikes a target. All firearms leave markings on the cartridge casings once expelled when firing. Ballistic identification and microstamping laws make it possible to link a cartridge recovered to the

Forensic ballistics and firearm investigation begin when the bullets, cartridges, a weapon, or any combination of the above found at a crime scene. With the evidence, a crime laboratory will explore for clues on some things that might cause a suspect or possible to prove that the things were used in the crime. By contrast, the markings on the bullets or cartridges found at the scene with those discharged from the suspect’s weapon, a ballistics expert will typically confirm if the rounds came from a similar weapon. Just the act of cycling a cartridge through the weapon without firing it will leave permanent scratches on the case that is distinctive to the weapon.

It’s important that all evidence is identified so that forensic scientist can examine it and take

Some of the challenges in analyzing tool marks is it is difficult to duplicate the marks left by tools through tests in the laboratory and tool marks may not always give individual characteristics.

C. Allowing the jury or expert to compare the object to an example and decide the authenticity.

Do you know what the steps are when it comes to processing firearms evidence? The first step to processing a firearm as evidence is to put gloves on your hands. Then you should take pictures of the gun when you find it at the crime scene. Make sure the picture is as clear as possible because it will be used in the court room. Make sure you included some form of measuring the gun that is in the picture. Next, take the bullets out of the gun and put the bullets in a line. Take a picture of it so the court can see the amount of bullets that was found at the crime scene in each gun. You also need to take pictures of all of the empty bullet shells that you may

When evidence is gathered, different equipment and processes are used to determinate what it means. In 2011, the Federal Bureau of Investigation estimated that 8,583 murder victims, in the United States, died because of a firearm. Forensic scientist can use equipment, such as the Integrated Ballistic Identification System, to find what firearm was used (Bureau). "They used a shotgun loaded with double-O buckshot. Inside the casing for each shot are nine

Firearms that are left behind at a crime scene can be extremely helpful. This evidence includes not only the firearm itself but also the ammunition used in the firearm, componets that make up the firearms, and the residue that comes out when the

As is with both the previous two types when collecting evidence for a shoulder firearm or a long gun, the forensic technician is to assign an evidence number, photograph orientation and close-up views of the long gun in place, and take measurements of the firearm’s location prior to collection. The forensic technician should hold the firearm by the grip or stock and avoid contact with any smooth surfaces that may yield latent fingerprints. As with any firearm, this should also be pointed downward and away from people. It is very important that nothing is put inside the barrel of the gun as it can scratch the barrel or contaminate trace evidence or DNA that may be inside the barrel. (Tina Young,

Firearm evidence is usually found and encountered in crime scenes against people. There could be many different circumstances like murder, homicide, assault, robbery, suicide just to name a few. So this is basically what firearm evidence

Let us start on how to collect and process expended projectiles and cartridge casings. When collecting expended casings, projectiles and remnants of shotgun ammunition each one should be numbered, photographed and measured for placement in a crime scene sketch (Tina Young, 2011). Each one collected should be placed in a pillbox or coin envelope then those should be placed into bigger envelopes or bags (Tina Young, 2011). If a projectile is stuck in a wall the section of the wall where the projectile is located should be removed (Tina Young, 2011). If a firearm found at a crime scene the best way to link it to the crime or other crimes is to test fire it into a water tank or ballistic gel. Once this has been done, the forensic tech can then compare the bullet and casing using a microscope. (Tina Young, 2011). If the firearm is not located then the casing or bullet can be ran through the National Ballistic Database. Now that we have talked about rendering firearms safe and also how they should be processed, now we can look at what information can be gained from the firearm and the cartridges and

Processing all different types of firearms is as important as lifting a fingerprint or packaging DNA as evidence. It must be done in a cautious, & safe manner so that fingerprints are not ruined, & safety of the investigator is insured. While using the proper techniques to processing firearms for evidence a case can be brought to closure quicker, & another criminal can be removed from the streets. The investigators must realize the importance of the firearm being processed in order to find clues that lead to a suspect, therefore collecting evidence should be error free for an example such as not having the correct bullet casing at a shooting, can be in favor of the suspect.

“A component of ammunition (casing and/or projectile) from the crime scene can be identified to the firearm that fired it to a reasonable degree of scientific certainty” Hernandez, G. (n.d.). At any given time that a weapon is fired, there is that natural tendency that a unique print is left on the fired weapon. This print appears in the form of unique impressions or striations also called tool marks. The Evidence of Casing or projectile from any crime scene would be traced to a firearm in the possession of a potential suspect, and would represent as an evidence against that suspect.

Cartridge casings can be found a various types of crime scenes. These cartridge casings are then examined to answer questions such as, what was the caliber of the firearm (i.e. 9mm, .308 Winchester), composition of the ammunition (i.e. brass, steel), shape (i.e. rimless, rimmed), the position of the shooter, etc. Individual characteristics on cartridge casings that are useful in forensic investigations include firing pin impressions, breech face marks, ejector marks, and extractor marks.

The forensic examinations I would perform are bullet stria examination, external ballistics, blackening, GSR testing, and ferrozine testing. Based on the stria of the rounds that can be recovered from the walls of the crime scene they can be matched to test rounds fired from the weapon to confirm they match. Stria can also be called striation marks. Stria or Striation marks are spiral lines left on the bullet and bullet casing. Stria on the bullet is formed by the barrel rifling when the weapon is fired.