Drew McIntosh
Ballistics Identification: from discharge to conviction how CSI’s see the secrets
Firearm Identification
Topic#1: Gun
Focus#1: Touch DNA
Focus#2: CODIS
Focus#3: Fingerprints
Subtopic#1: Processing firearms
Topic#2: Bullet Comparison
Focus#1: Comparison Microscope
Focus#2: Bullet Manufacturing
Focus#3: Shell casings
Focus#4: Striations
Topic #3: Data Bases
Focus#1: Firing Pins
Focus#2: IBIS
Focus#3: Serial Numbers
Focus#4: Other data bases
Annotated Bibliography:
Inbau, F. E. (1999). Firearms identification--"ballistics". Journal of Criminal Law &
Criminology, 89(4), 1293-1314. Retrieved from
http://ezproxy.flsouthern.edu:2048/login?url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/218392
726?accountid=27315
A look at the status of criminal law concerning the admissibility of most of the numerous
contemporary classes of scientific evidence, with the added effort of briefly explaining
the various sciences themselves, is presented. Throughout the numerous decisions upon
the admissibility of scientific evidence there are many illustrations of both points of view.
Drew McIntosh
Loftus, P. (1999). DNA typing in corrections. Corrections Today, 61(4), 68-71. Retrieved from
http://ezproxy.flsouthern.edu:2048/login?url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/215700
633?accountid=27315
The typing of DNA from biological evidence is one of the most important developments
in forensic science. The FBI's Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) was developed to
help investigators identify suspects of violent crimes and increase the efficacy of forensic
laboratories
Bunch, S., Smith, E., Giroux, B., & Murphy, M. Federal Bureau of Investigation, Forensic
Science Communications. (2009). Is a match really a match? a primer on the procedures
and validity of firearm and toolmark identification (09-16). Retrieved from Association
of Firearm and Tool Mark Examiners website: http://www.bulletpath.com/wpcontent/uploads/2011/01/Bunch-et-al-Is-a-Match-Really-a-Match-A-Primer-on-FA-TMID-2009_FSC_FBI.pdf
Bunch et al. produced a paper that explains how a comparison match is made between
bullets and the markings on the projectile and whether of not the item is in fact a valid
test to identify firarms.
Doyle, J. S. (2011). Firearmsid.com. Retrieved from http://www.firearmsid.com/A_BulletID.htm
Doyle produces an education website that explains the striations on bullets and the types
of marks and groves that a firearm makes. This source will be used for a multiple topics
including shell casing, striations, firing pin impressions and barrel markings.
Hueske, E. (2006). The forensic laboratory handbook: Firarms and tool marks. (pp. 143-176).
Humana Press. Retrieved from http://dx.doi.org/10.1385/1-59259-946-X:143
Hueske discusses the field of firearms identification is typically associated with tool mark
identification in the context of two related but different entities. By definition, a tool
mark results from the contact of one surface with another, the harder of which is the
“tool.” In the case of a firearm and a bullet, the firearm (e.g., the interior of the barrel) is
the tool that produces tool marks on the surface of the bullet as it moves through the
barrel upon discharge of the firearm.
Drew McIntosh
Abstract.
From the time that a crime is committed every second counts while a suspect is on the loose.
With television shows exploiting law enforcement and science, criminals think that they are
capable of out thinking the police and crime scene investigators by attempting to leave no trace
evidence behind at a crime scene. Crimes that are committed with the use of guns are sometimes
hard to solve. The reason for this paper is to explain the process and what capability Crime Labs
have to link bullets and shell casing to guns and suspects. This paper will also go in depth on
bullet striation marks, how they are caused, and unique to each firearm. This paper will also look
at the process of comparing bullets using technology and databases that law enforcement have at
their disposal. This data is important information which can help investigators link criminals,
guns, and motives based on bullets found at crime scenes.