TECHNICAL PROGRAM
Moderator: Ed Love, Bexar County Crime Lab
The abstracts from all papers
presented can be found below.
NEW AMMUNITION
George Kass, Forensic
Ammunition, Service, Okemos, MI
This presentation will cover the latest updates in headstamps, new
calibers, and ammunition. The latest industry standards will be
discussed.
CONSECUTIVELY MANUFACTURED RUGER P89
SLIDES
Amy Coody, Kansas Bureau of
Investigation, Topeka, KS
Ten consecutively manufactured Ruger
P89 slides and one frame were acquired from the manufacturer for
examination and testing. The slides were mounted on the frame and
test-fired to obtain cartridge cases for comparison. Breechface marks
on the test-fired cartridge cases were compared for class and
individual characteristics that resulted from the manufacturing
processes. The parallel striations evident on each test-fired
cartridge case were a product of filing of the breechface. Granular
detail exhibited by some of the test-fired cartridge cases was a
result of bead blasting of the slide. Tests from two of the slides
display marks that correspond to burrs found around the periphery of
the firing pin aperture. It was found that the slides can be
identified based on these breechface marks.
REPRODUCIBILITY AND INDIVIDUALITY OF
STRIAE ON PLASTIC WAD COMPONENTS FIRED FROM A SAWED-OFF SHOTGUN
David C. Wright, Kansas Bureau
of Investigation, Kansas City, KS
A small number of published case
studies document the identifications of fired plastic wad components
to the barrels of sawed-off shotguns. These identifications are based
on striae located on the bearing surface of the wads as a result of
burrs left behind by the tool used to cut the barrel. This study
evaluates the reproducibility and individuality of these striations
through the microscopic examination of plastic wads fired from a
shotgun while using a hacksaw to cut off increments of the barrel.
Methods for testing, microscopic examination, and documentation were
developed that may aid examiners when faced with such evidence in
future casework.
RECONSTRUCTION OF A BULLET HOLE IN
TEMPERED AUTOMOBILE GLASS
David N. Santora, North Carolina
State Bureau of Investigation, Raleigh, NC
This paper describes a method for
reconstructing a bullet hole in tempered automobile glass. Shape and
thickness are used to locate the glass fragments that form the rim of
the bullet hole. Once these fragments have been located, a physical
match is easily accomplished. An ultraviolet light source and a glass
fragment removed from the doorframe are then used in conjunction with
the reconstructed bullet hole to determine whether the bullet entered
the glass from the inside or from the outside.
TASER REVISITED
Rick Wyant, Washington State
Patrol Crime Lab, Marysville, WA
The TASER M-Series is quickly
becoming the prominent less-lethal device preferred by law enforcement
and civilians. Within the past year, sales of the TASER have increased
dramatically including a mass purchase by a major airline.
Statistically, the TASER offers an exceptional incapacitation rate.
However, two officer involved shootings were submitted to our
laboratory over the last year where the TASER application failed to
properly stop the subject and lethal force was necessary. Certain
characteristics of the TASER components will often provide clues
helpful in the reconstruction of the event. It is important for the
forensic firearm examiner to understand the dynamics and limitations
of this device.
EVALUATION OF THE LYMAN DIGITAL
TRIGGER PULL GAUGE
Richard Ernest, Independent
Firearm Examiner, Ft. Worth, TX
This paper deals with an evaluation
performed by the author of the new Lyman digital trigger pull gauge.
This inexpensive device is relatively new to the marketplace, and
advertises an accuracy of 0.1 ounce using strain gauge technology.
Both the positive and negative aspects of this device are detailed and
compared with other trigger pull devices available on the market.
RBCD PERFORMANCE PLUS AMMUNITION
Richard Ernest, Independent
Firearm Examiner, Ft. Worth, TX
This paper outlines the performance
characteristics and forensic aspects of the RBCD Performance Plus
ammunition line. Of particular interest are several aspects including
the unique bullet construction, unusual bullet components, and high
stated velocities generated by this type of ammunition. An
accompanying high-speed film videotaped presentation illustrates the
unusually devastating effects this ammunition has upon certain types
of target materials.
AFTE BUSINESS MEETING (afternoon
session)
_small.jpg)
AFTE Board of Directors
After-Hour Activities
RANCH BBQ- Rio Cibolo
Ranch, Sponsored by Cybernational
Everyone climbed aboard buses and
traveled to the Rio Cibolo Ranch just outside San Antonio.
Arriving at the ranch the buses were met by outlaws who throughout the
night entertained the group. The food was excellent and everyone
had plenty to do. Activities at the ranch included horseshoe
pitching, cattle roping, petting longhorn cattle, dancing, and water
pistol wars!
www.afte.org
> Training Seminar
> 2002 Monday
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
