Considerations

When obtaining the remaining weight of a fired evidence bullet, the examiner should bear in mind the following considerations:

Laboratory safety protocols should be followed.
Laboratory trace evidence policies should be followed prior to and during removal of any material adhering to a bullet.
Bullets should be cleaned so as to not damage the surfaces potentially bearing microscopic marks.
- Soak in a mild detergent to loosen any adhering material. Gently scrub using a soft bristled toothbrush.
  
  -and/or-
- Use an ultrasonic cleaner and appropriate fluid.
  - Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.
  - Treat one bullet/fragment at a time.
  - Monitor and observe bullets during treatment; ultrasonic cleaning may alter the microscopic details on the surface of a bullet.
- Use appropriate tools to mechanically remove debris (e.g., embedded wood particles, bone, cartilage).
Weigh each bullet fragment separately because they may or may not originate from a single bullet. Individually weighed fragments can be regrouped later, if necessary.