- 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
U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice ProgramsNational Institute of JusticeThe Research, Development, and Evaluation Agency of the U.S. Department of Justice
Objectives
Home > Bullet Comparison and Identification > Objectives
At the conclusion of this module the student will be able to do the following:
- Define the following concepts as they relate to the formulation of conclusions:
- Class characteristics
- Individual characteristics
- Subclass characteristics
- Pattern matching
- AFTE Theory of Identification
- Sufficient agreement
- Best known nonmatch
- Consecutive matching striae (CMS)
- AFTE Range of Conclusions
- Explain the differences between the following terms in regard to comparisons of bullets:
- Identification
- Inconclusive
- Elimination
- Unsuitable
- Describe the examination protocol for the microscopic comparison of the individual characteristics of fired bullets
- Define the contents of a typical bullet comparison worksheet for documentation of examination notes
- Discuss typical formats and content for reporting of results of fired bullet comparisons in terms of the conclusion categories
- Discuss in general terms the Integrated Ballistics Identification System (IBIS) in regard to preliminary remote comparisons (computer correlations) and case linkage
- Describe the rationale and procedures for replicating the surfaces of fired bullets using casting materials
