Guns are primarily carried as a status symbol in criminal circles. they indicate a lethal threat and induce fear in enemies and victims. occasionally they are used with deadly consequences. a bullet, however, creates a trail of subtle but persistent clues linking the victim, the weapon, and the shooter. and the trail begins at the crime scene.
To develop the science of firearms comparison, the most important tool was the microscope. The earliest crude microscopes were invented in the 1600s, allowing a magnification of ten to twenty times, but images were still blurred. The invention of the compound microscope that relied on multiple lenses fused together improved the situation, as optics magnification and clarity increased exponentially.
From years of data collection and experiments, firearms identification specialists can:
From years of data collection and experiments, firearms identification specialists can:
- Compare bullets and match them to a specific firearm
- Accurately estimate the distance of a shooting
- Detect gunpowder residue around wounds and on shooters
- Restore obliterated serial numbers
Firearms evidence submitted to a lab's Firearms Section will typically include:
- a firearm
- spent bullets
- spent cartridge cases
- spent shot shells and/or shot
- shot shell wadding
- live ammunition
- clothing