- 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 > Characterization and Evaluation of Fired Projectiles > Objectives
At the conclusion of this module the student should be able to do the following:
- Discuss the preliminary considerations that must be addressed prior to performing examinations of fired bullets
- Describe the physical features of fired and unfired bullets resulting from design specifications and the manufacturing process
- Explain the use of bullet physical features in searching a standard ammunition file (SAF)
- Describe the concepts related to general rifling characteristics, including:
- What they are and where they are located
- Defining the dimensions to be measured
- Techniques for taking measurements
- Equipment options for taking measurements
- The FBI General Rifling Characteristics File
- Calculation of caliber from damaged bullets
- The evidentiary potential of fired bullets
- Describe the potential challenges in the determination of general rifling characteristics
- Describe the types of equipment necessary for performing examinations of fired bullets
- Provide an overview of the contents of worksheets used in the examination of fired bullets
- List the categories of possible conclusions in regard to fired bullets
- Describe the format and administrative contents of a formal report in regard to fired bullets
- Outline the formats for reporting technical results and conclusions in formal reports
- Discuss the forensic potential and probative value of fired shotshell wadding, pellets, buckshot, slugs, and buffer
- Describe the examination protocol for shotshell wadding, pellets, buckshot, slugs, and buffer
- Articulate the contents of a typical worksheet for fired wadding, pellets, buckshot, slugs, and buffer
- Discuss typical formats and content for reporting of results of the examination of shotshell wadding, pellets, buckshot, slugs, and buffer
- Describe the references available in regard to ammunition and bullets in the form of:
- Printed materials
- Physical files
- Reference data in digital form
- Internet accessed information
- Describe the recommendations of the Association of Firearm and Tool Mark Examiners in regard to the minimum requirements for the contents of laboratory bench notes for the examination of fired bullets
