- 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
Cataloging
Home > Characterization and Evaluation of Fired Projectiles > Manufacturer Determination > Cataloging
Standard Ammunition File
The optimum physical format for an standard ammunition file (SAF) is to acquire two examples of each cartridge. One is left intact and the second is disassembled into its components: cartridge case with primer, bullet, and powder stored in a clear container, envelope, or vial. These items are placed in another numbered plastic container suitable for easy viewing and reference. The SAF can then be physically arranged in numbered containers by caliber, bullet weight, bullet construction, manufacturer, or other criteria as designated by the laboratory. Map-type storage cabinets are ideal for storing the SAF.
Searchability
As an SAF grows, consistency of entry data and its impact of searchability must be addressed. Traditionally, information was entered into the SAF by using index cards arranged in a manner corresponding to the physical file. This search system, while adequate, cannot easily track the growing number of variables in the construction of bullets.
More laboratories are developing computer-driven search programs for the SAF. Accurate encoding of the physical features of bullets is critical to the establishment of an effective computer-based SAF. In some laboratories, a single experienced examiner is tasked with data entry to ensure continuity and consistency.
