Introduction

This module addresses forensic firearm examinations relating primarily to the following categories of firearm-related evidence:

Fired cartridge cases (the portion of a fired cartridge left behind after a bullet has been fired, often referred to as “brass” in a nonforensic context)
Unfired cartridges (unfired ammunition that is still complete, consisting of a projectile, propellant, primer, and a cartridge case assembled as a unit, often referred to as a “round” in a nonforensic context)

Shotshell-related evidence:
- Fired shotshells (shotshell cases that no longer contain propellant, pellets, buckshot, wadding, buffer, or a shotgun slug)
- Unfired shotshells (intact shotshells that consist of the shotshell case, primer, powder, pellets, buckshot, wadding, buffer, or a shotgun slug assembled as a unit)