Firearms forensics is becoming more quantitative

Feder discusses firearms forensics, which is becoming more quantitative. Firearms forensics is an important field in criminal investigations, as matching bullets and casings to specific guns is a primary source of evidence in many cases. However, the current methods of toolmark analysis used by exam...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Physics today 2024-06, Vol.77 (6), p.26
Main Author: Feder, Toni
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Casings
Firearm laws & regulations
Firearms
Forensic sciences
Law enforcement
Reliability
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:Feder discusses firearms forensics, which is becoming more quantitative. Firearms forensics is an important field in criminal investigations, as matching bullets and casings to specific guns is a primary source of evidence in many cases. However, the current methods of toolmark analysis used by examiners are subjective and lack scientific rigor. To address this issue, researchers are working on improving toolmark analysis by using 3D imaging and algorithms to quantify the similarities between bullets and casings. This approach aims to provide more objective comparisons and increase the confidence of juries in gun identification. The development of a database by organizations such as NIST, the FBI, and the Netherlands Forensic Institute will further aid in determining the likelihood that a bullet or casing was fired by a specific gun. While there are challenges in implementing these new methods on a large scale, the potential benefits include faster analysis, improved accuracy, and increased certainty in nonmatches. Ultimately, the goal is to enhance the reliability and objectivity of firearms forensics.
ISSN:0031-9228
1945-0699
DOI:10.1063/pt.drnu.eip