- 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
AFTE Range of Conclusions
Home > Cartridge and Shotshell Examination > Identification of Impressed Toolmarks > AFTE Range of Conclusions
For purposes of this module, typical fired cartridge case and shotshell case comparisons fall into two broad categories:
- An evidence cartridge case or shotshell case from a crime scene is identified as having been fired in a particular evidence firearm.
- Evidence cartridge cases or shotshell cases recovered from the same or separate incidents are identified as having been fired in a single firearm (no firearm submitted).
Based on the AFTE Theory of Identification, there are four categories of examination outcomes (Range of Conclusions Possible When Comparing Toolmarks) typically used by firearm examiners in the microscopic comparison of fired cartridge cases and shotshell cases.
These categories are accepted for all types of toolmark comparisons:
- Identification
- Inconclusive
- Elimination
- Unsuitable for comparison
