- 01: Introduction
- 02: History
- 03: Propellants, Firearms, and Ammunition Development
- 04: Modern Firearms Manufacture
- 05: Small Arms Ammunition
- 06: Evidence Handling Procedures
- Introduction
- Objectives
- AFTE Knowledge and Ability Factors
- Types of Evidence
- Associative Evidence
- The Crime Scene
- Evidence Submission
- Laboratory Evidence Handling
- Case Tracking Within the Laboratory
- Firearm and Toolmark Examination Considerations
- Selected Bibliography
- 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
Trace Evidence
Home > Evidence Handling Procedures > Firearm and Toolmark Examination Considerations > Trace Evidence
Firearm/toolmark-related evidence containing small or degraded quantities of DNA were once considered outside the scope of DNA analysis. Since the mid-1990s, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis has been used effectively to analyze this type of evidence.
Some examples:
- Bone fragments and teeth – occasionally fragments may be observed on fired bullets and bladed instruments.
- Hair – may be transferred between individuals and found during microscopic examination of evidence (e.g., when examining a garment for visible gunshot residues). Hair may also be found adhered to or snagged on a firearm or other weapon.
- If a skin tag is attached to the hair, DNA analysis may be performed.
- If the microscopic characteristics of two hair samples are determined to be alike, mtDNA analysis may be done.
- Biological evidence – residues on bullets or clothing once considered too small or degraded to analyze can now undergo mtDNA analysis.
A single hair, found on a garment while
examining it for visible gunshot residues
