- 01: Introduction
- 02: History
- 03: Propellants, Firearms, and Ammunition Development
- 04: Modern Firearms Manufacture
- 05: Small Arms Ammunition
- 06: Evidence Handling Procedures
- 07: Equipment and Instrumentation
- 08: Examination of Firearms
- 09: Cartridge and Shotshell Examination
- 10: Characterization and Evaluation of Fired Projectiles
- 11: Bullet Comparison and Identification
- 12: Gunshot Residue and Distance Determination
- 13: Toolmark Identification
- 14: Communicating Results
- Resources
Objectives
Home > Cartridge and Shotshell Examination > Objectives
At the conclusion of this module the student will be able to do the following:
- Describe the potential evidentiary value of reproducible striations and/or impressions produced during the normal functioning of a firearm
- Define the procedure for the microscopic comparison of the class and individual characteristics of firearms reflected on fired and unfired cartridge cases/shotshell cases
- List the equipment and facilities necessary to microscopically compare fired and unfired cartridge cases/shotshell cases
- Describe the marks that may be present on cartridges and shotshells as a result of being
- cycled through the action of a firearm,
- fired in a firearm.
- Articulate how the following concepts relate to the formulation of examination conclusions of fired and unfired cartridge cases and shotshell cases:
- Class characteristics
- Individual characteristics
- Subclass characteristics
- Pattern identification
- AFTE Theory of Identification
- Sufficient agreement
- Best known nonmatch
- Consecutive matching striae (CMS)
- Impressed marks
- AFTE Range of Conclusions
- Explain the differences between the following terms in regard to comparisons of fired and unfired cartridge cases and shotshell cases:
- Identification
- Inconclusive
- Elimination
- Unsuitable
- Define the contents of a typical fired cartridge case/unfired cartridge comparison worksheet for documentation of examination notes
- Describe the content and formats for reporting of results of comparisons of microscopic marks on fired and unfired cartridge cases/shotshell cases in terms of the AFTE Range of Conclusions
- Discuss in general terms the Integrated Ballistics Identification System (IBIS) in regard to preliminary remote comparisons (computer correlations) of cartridge cases/shotshell cases and case linkage in serial shooting cases
