AFTE 2002 Tuesday

AFTE 2002

Meeting Daily Summaries

TUESDAY May 28, 2002

Day three of the AFTE Training Seminar consisted of a full day of papers. The abstracts of the paper presented can be found below. Meeting attendees were free Tuesday night to stroll through San Antonio's Riverwalk.

Technical Program

TECHNICAL PROGRAM, Morning Session

Moderator: Bob Poole, Dallas County Crime Lab

PROFICIENCY TEST OVERVIEW

George Stanley, GBI Crime Lab, Atlanta, GA

The results of the 2001 firearm and toolmark proficiency tests will be discussed, to include an overview of conclusions, response rates and error rates.

THE IDENTIFICATION OF BULLETS FIRED FROM 10 CONSECUTIVELY RIFLED 9MM RUGER SEMI-AUTOMATIC PISTOL BARRELS: AN UPDATE

Dr. Jim Hamby, Indianapolis-Marion County Crime Lab, Indianapolis, IN

Research was conducted to partially answer some legal questions such as Daubert, et al., by test firing bullets from 10 consecutively rifled 9mm pistol barrels to obtain best known 'match' and 'non-match' bullets. To date, some 242 examiners from several countries have examined the tests sets. An update of this ongoing research project will be presented and the results discussed. Additional test sets will be available for laboratories wishing to participate in this study.

5000 CONSECUTIVELY FIRED BULLETS AND CARTRIDGE CASES AFTER A QUARTER OF A CENTURY

Tsuneo Uchiyama, Nat’l Research Inst. of Police Science, Kashiwa, Chiba, Kashiwa, Japan

A quarter of a century has passed since six firearm examiners, including us, studied 5000 consecutively fired 45ACP bullets and cartridge cases. Some of these bullets and cartridge cases have been kept at NRIPS for these twenty-five years. These exhibits are considerably degraded because they were stored in safes on corridor without air conditioning for twenty years. It is an interesting subject whether we can obtain the same conclusion in identification with these items we studied twenty-five years ago.
Checking 5000 bullets and cartridge cases is still an important theme for all firearm examiners. We can now share the image data easily using digital technology. We prepared a CD-R of each land and groove mark, and marking on the case head. We can easily ascertain the changing process of the markings. In this paper, we show the degree of marking change and examples of comparison photos.

MISLEADING TOOLMARK ON ARMSCOR SEMI-JACKETED BULLET

Tsuneo Uchiyama, Nat’l Research Inst. of Police Science, Kashiwa, Chiba, Kashiwa, Japan

Serial bank robbery cases using handguns occurred in the Osaka area last year. In these cases, we encountered black colored semi-jacketed bullets. The jacket was made of aluminum and coated in black. Polygonal type rifling marks were impressed on these semi-jacketed bullets. The primer of the spent cartridge case had dropped out. The dropped primer was collected at only one crime scene. On the primer, a rectangular firing pin hole mark was impressed, and a Glock was an estimated firearm used in these cases.
Identification of marking on these bullets was very difficult not only because of the polygonal rifling but also because the bullets were badly damaged. In the process of identification, we found very good matched striae on the base area of bearing surface of these bullets. One and a half months after the first bank robbery case occurred in which this type of gun and cartridge were used, suspects were arrested and a Glock Mod 26 was confiscated. Several days later, Armscor cartridges with aluminum-jacketed bullets were also confiscated. The bullets in these cartridges had same type of toolmark on the base area of bearing surface.

IMPROVED METHODS FOR THE COLLECTION OF GSR AND A NEW CHEMOGRAPHIC TEST FOR LEAD-FREE SINTOX AMMUNITION

Dr. Ludwig Niewöhner, Bundeskriminalamt Wiesbaden, Germany

The forensic investigation of firearm incidents commonly involves the identification of the ammunition that has been used. Recent progress in collecting GSR from a shooter’s hand will be presented starting with the application of a viscose solution of polyvinyl alcohol (PVAL), a method that has been introduced to German forensic laboratories about 10 years ago. A much more convenient technique was developed using transparent adhesive film for the sampling process. Special emphasis will be laid on the chemographic handling of P-GSR originating from the lead-free SINTOX ammunition of the Dynamit Nobel AG. A new method will be presented to test for P-GSR sampled from a shooter’s hand by means of an acidic xylenolorange solution forming a colored zinc complex.

“INCAPACITATION ENERGY”- A BIZARRE DEATH CONFIRMS THIS IS A MEANINGLESS TERM

Sgt. Gerard Dutton, Tasmania Police, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia

A council worker was killed as a result of a freakish accident involving an industrial roadside slasher. His death was eventually found to be as a result of a small piece of fencing wire thrown from the cutting head of the slasher. The examination of the evidence revealed a number of fascinating ballistics issues which will be discussed. This death proved that the term "incapacitation energy" is a flawed concept as it fails to take into consideration many of the other factors which have a direct relationship on the wounding potential of projectiles.

ATF NATIONAL FIREARMS EXAMINER ACADEMY AND INTRODUCTION OF REPRESENTATIVE ACADEMY STUDENT

Glen Beach, ATF, Rockville, MD

The ATF NFEA graduated its third class in March 2002. The Class of 2001 consisted of ten entry-level firearm and toolmark examiners. Phase I included four months of 'pre-course' research papers and assignments at the students’ home laboratories. During Phase II, the students traveled to the ATF Forensic Science Lab - Washington for fourteen consecutive weeks of hands-on training. Each student was given per diem, individual hotel room housing, clothing/uniforms, books/reference material, use of laptops for assignments, to name a few. During Phase II the training covered eighteen different modules, ranging from lab protocols and administrative matters to trajectory and gunshot residues. The students traveled to ammunition and firearm factories for learning tours, and local DC area museums and laboratories. The students returned to their home labs for Phase III, research project and mock casework. During these four months, the students concentrated solely on pre-approved research projects and completion of assigned cases to prepare for Phase IV. Phase IV consisted of a two-week follow-up program where each student presented his/her research projects in front of fellow students and a panel of distinguished AFTE members. The second part of Phase IV consisted of moot court testimony. Each student testified to mock evidence cases that they completed during Phase III. Phase IV and the Academy concluded with a graduation ceremony for Class 2001. The three-member panel assembled for critique and review of the research project presentations was tasked to select one student to represent the NFEA at this years’ AFTE Seminar. The panel focused on presentation style, uniqueness of topic, use of audio/visual equipment and overall content.

A NEW DISTANCE DETERMINATION VARIABLE: COMPENSATED BARRELS

Lily Hwa, Houston Police Dept. Crime Lab, Houston, TX

The research project involves a new distance determination variable, the compensated barrel. This study proves that a compensated barrel has an impact on the gunshot residue patterns observed at certain distances when compared to its conventional barrel counterpart’s patterns. The reduction of vaporous lead, unburned gunpowder, and the smoke and soot pattern was more apparent at longer distances than at close range. During the study, it became apparent that a way to somehow standardize the data gathered from the test shots was needed. This study recognized the need for change due to the difference in attitude by society and legal forums on whether or not firearms/toolmark identification is truly a science. A new protocol was devised to allow the results of this study to be more scientific than subjective in nature. Instead of instituting only past proven methods of distance determination such as the measuring the different residue diameters, chemical testing, and counting particles, this study was open to trying new methods such as classifying the intensity of the pattern through visual comparison with a gray scale and a histogram generated by a computer program, Adobe Photoshop 5.5®.

Technical Program, Afternoon Session

Moderator, Terry Eaton, Prince Georges County, MD

EXAMINATION OF CONSECUTIVELY MANUFACTURED SLOTTED
SCREWDRIVERS

Susan E. Lee, Kansas Bureau of Investigation Kansas City, KS

The present study examined the identification of five consecutively manufactured slotted screwdrivers. Four variables were examined: tool, blade working surface, angle of tilt, and direction of movement. Test tool marks were generated and compared to each other, and were found to reproduce with significant agreement of individual characteristics. Pushed marks were compared with pulled marks, while keeping other variables constant, such as the tool, working surface, and angle, and were also found to reproduce with significant agreement of individual characteristics.

A FIREARMS EXAMINATION DATA MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

Mitch Rector, Birmingham Police Dept., Birmingham, AL

In August 2001, the Birmingham Police Department initiated a Firearms Identification Unit. A major concern was the management of the data generated by the routine examination of Evidence. “Microsoft Access” was used to create a database to manage the data and allow information to be retrieved based on multiple, searchable fields. Various worksheets can be generated as well.

STUDY OF SEMI-AUTO BREECHFACE CHANGE IN FIRST 300 ROUNDS

Richard D. Carter, Scott Milroy, and Nathan Nguyen, Alabama Dept. of Forensic Sciences, Mobile, AL

Christopher Lucki, formerly of the Alabama Dept. of Forensic Sciences, was doing a research paper at the Gadsden, AL, Walther factory as part of the requirements of the ATF Firearm/Toolmark Examiner Academy. During the research he fired a .380 Auto caliber Walther pistol 150 times. He kept cartridge cases 1 & 2, 100 & 101, and 149 & 150. It was later discovered that the breechface signatures had changed to the point where cartridge cases 1 and 2 could not be matched to the other cartridge cases using only the breechface signatures. Research is presently being conducted to determine the cause of the changes. New pistols are being acquired and are being fired a minimum of 300 times each and three cartridge cases out of every 25 are retained. At least two pistols will be fired 3000 times. Included in the study are also four Hi-Point 9mm caliber carbines.

ASSESSING THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE RESULTS OF COMPOSITIONAL ANALYSIS OF BULLET LEADS

Dr. Robert D. Koons and Dr. JoAnn Buscaglia, Counterterrorism and Forensic Science Research Unit, FBI Academy, Quantico, VA

Over 50 years of research studies, information-gathering trips to lead smelters and bullet manufacturers, and numerous testimonies presented in courts of law at all levels in the United States and abroad have established the validity of compositional comparison of bullet lead specimens. Despite this, there have been several legal challenges mounted recently concerning the acceptability of this examination. All courts have consistently ruled that comparative bullet lead examination meets the various requirements for the Frye, Daubert, and Federal Rules of Evidence standards. Therefore, the point of disagreement is not whether one can tell that two lead projectiles or fragments are analytically indistinguishable, but rather as to the level of significance that can be placed on a finding of indistinguishability, i.e., a question of weight rather than admissibility of an expert opinion.
The concentrations of seven elements that were precisely determined in research studies over the past several years will be used to discuss three aspects of the distributions of measured elemental concentrations in lead products.

DEVELOPMENT OF NIST STANDARD BULLETS AND CASINGS

Susan Ballou and Dr. Ted Vorburger, NIST, Gaithersburg, MD

Standard bullets and casings for calibration of optical ballistics identification systems are being developed under a Project of the NIST Office of Law Enforcement Standards funded by the National Institute of Justice. The first set of standard bullets, NIST Reference Material (RM) 8240 has been fabricated, is currently being tested, and is planned for distribution by the NIST Standard Reference Materials Program during Fiscal Year 2002. These bullets were machined by numerically controlled diamond turning. Prototype casings (RM 8250) have been fabricated by electroforming and are currently under test. In this talk, we emphasize the design and fabrication of both of these materials and briefly sketch out aspects of the testing and analysis. Details of the data acquisition and analysis procedures currently under development will be given in an evening workshop at this conference. In addition, a two-day hands-on workshop for implementing IBIS calibration procedures using the NIST Standard Bullets is anticipated for early 2003.

MEETING THE DAUBERT CHALLENGE

Doug Murphy and Stephen Bunch, FBI Laboratory, Washington, DC

The goal of this presentation is to address the current state of preparedness for a Daubert challenge in the field of firearms identification. The following topics will be addressed:

Legal background
Definition of science
The fundamental theory of firearms identification
The four Daubert guidelines
Identification standards
Quality assurance
CTS data
Methods and protocols
Numeric criteria

NIST STANDARD BULLET WORKSHOP

John Song (Establishing Ballistics Measurement Using NIST RM 8240 Standard Bullets) Alain Beauchamp and Danny Roberge (IBIS Calibrations with NIST RM 8240 Standard Bullets)

The NIST RM (Reference Material) 8240 standard bullets are being developed to support the traceability of ballistics measurements nationwide. Six master bullets from ATF and FBI are measured at NIST using a stylus measurement system. The resulting set of 2D profile signatures is used to produce 3D RM bullets. The RM Bullet images will be transferred to local IBIS sites thus allowing IBIS Site quality control.

SAVAGE ARMORERS COURSE

Carl Hildebrandt, Savage Arms, Inc.