Tools in Firearms Identification Flashcards
Most important tool of a firearm examiner
Comparison Microscope
2 microscopes connected together with an optical bridge allowing one to view 2 objects side by side under the same magnification
With this microscope, the firearm examiner can take [BLANK] of his observation and findings under the eyepiece of the comparison microscope
photomicrographs
Used in the preliminary examinations of fired bullets and fired shells for class characteristics for orientation purposes
Stereoscopic Microscope
It can be used also in the close-up examination of tampered serial numbers. No photomicrograph can be take in this equipment
This determines the bullet diameter and barrel length
Vernier Caliper
Determines the weights of the bullets, shots and pellets for possible type, caliber and make of firearm from which they were fired
Analytical Balance
Used for determining the bore diameter of firearms
Taper Gauge
Determines the speed of the bullet or the muzzle velocity of the bullet
Chronograph
Similar to the comparison microscope. Two fired bullets or shells can be compared in one setting
CP-6 Comparison Projector
Used for marking fired bullets, fired shells and firearms submitted for examination
Electric gun marker
Determines the width of lands, width of grooves, diameter and twist of fired bullet
Measuring Projector MP-6
It is a measuring tool frequently used for measuring class characteristics such as thickness, width, or diameter
Micrometer
Used for examining the interior surface of the gun barrel
Onoscope
For measuring the pitch of rifling
Helixmeter
Bullet Recovery Equipment
4
- Bullet Recovery Box/ Cotton Box
- Bullet recovery capsules/tubes
- Water recovery tank
- SnailTrap Forensic Buddy
Bullet Recovery Alternatives
5
- Wet telephone books
- Oil or water-soaker sawdust
- Ballistic gelatin
- Plastic milk jugs
- Blocks of ice
Developed by Forensic Technology, Incorporated (FTI) of Montreal. This technology can be configured according to the needs of an individual law enforcement agency
Integrated Ballistics Identification System (IBIS)
After images have been uploaded into IBIS, the examiner can use this to perform correlations and on-screen preliminary side-by-side comparisons of images that are stored in the centralized IBIS database
MatchPoint+
Is designed to address the comparison needs of the forensic firearms examiner.
BulletTrax-3D
When paired with MatchPoint+, it allows the examiner to personally conduct preliminary correlations prior to actual microscopic comparison
