AFTE 2003 Tuesday

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2/13/2001

www.afte.org > Training Seminar > 2003 Tuesday

AFTE 2003 - Tuesday May 27

Technical Program | Workshops/Armorers Courses

Technical Program

Moderator: John Finor, Philadelphia Police, Firearms Identification Unit

PRELIMINARY RESULTS ON NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF JUSTICE SUPPORTED STUDY: A STATISTICAL VALIDATION OF THE INDIVIDUALITY OF GUNS USING 3D IMAGES OF BULLETS

Benjamin Bachrach, Ph.D. *
Mark K. Ensor, Corporal/Firearms Examiner **
Michael J. Thomas, Firearms Examiner **
Evan J. Thompson, Firearms Examiner***
Leonard Charles, Mechanical Technician *
Katherine Bogart, Research Assistant *

*Intelligent Automation, Inc., 7519 Standish Place, Suite 200, Rockville, MD 20855

** Baltimore County Police Department, Firearms Identification Unit, 700 East Joppa Road, Towson, Baltimore, MD 21286

*** WSP Crime Laboratory, 2203 Airport Way South, Suite 250 Seattle, Washington 98134-2028

Weapon identification procedures and methodologies have been developed over the past 100 years. These procedures are routinely used by firearms examiners and are the basis of their testimony in court. Because of the development of DNA matching techniques and the way such evidence is presented in court, and because of the 1993 Supreme Court decision in Daubert, it is becoming increasingly necessary to expand our understanding of the statistical aspects of firearms identification.

With the support of the National Institute of Justice, The National Science Foundation, and Forensic Technology Inc., Intelligent Automation Inc., has developed an automated system for comparison of microscopic firearms evidence. This system makes use of remarkably accurate depth measurements of a bullet’s surface to create a three dimensional (3D) profile of a bullet. These profiles are stored in a database, and can be compared in a completely objective manner. Such a system constitutes an ideal tool to study many of the statistical aspects of firearms identification, and to further validate the objectivity of the science. Intelligent Automation Inc. is conducting a National Institute of Justice supported study: "A Statistical Validation of the Individuality of Guns Using 3D Images of Bullets." In this presentation we will discuss the main objectives of this study, the methodologies followed, and preliminary results.

ISSUES FACING LARGE FIREARMS BALLISTIC IMAGING DATABASES

Frederic A. Tulleners, California Department of Justice

The recent Beltway Sniper incident renewed the debate about the utility of a "Ballistics Imaging Database" of all firearms that are sold. Based on the successful results that most agencies have had with their much smaller crime gun databases one might think that these result could be extrapolated to large databases. To look at these issues, a simulated large database from one model handgun was developed and various experiments where conducted on this simulated database. Frequently referred to as the California AB1717 study, this paper will discuss the results of these tests and their implications on a large "New Gun" database. A further discussion will bring up possible solutions and issues that have to be considered in the current crime gun databases.

ADDING UNIQUE PRECISION TOOLMARKS GENERATED BY NEW FIREARMS

NanoVia Ballistic ID Tagging^TM

Todd Lizotte and Orest Ohar, NanoVia, 4 Delta Drive, Suite 6, Londonderry, NH 03053, Phone: 603-421-0713, Fax: 603-421-0214

This presentation will present the Ballistic ID Tagging^™ technology as an alternative to utilizing the IBIS/NIBIN platform for tracking newly manufactured firearms. By focusing on improving the quality and precision of "Physical Evidence," instead of trying to create large volumes of "virtual evidence," NanoVia will show how a Ballistic ID Tag^™ can optimize the collection of crime scene evidence, and how it can greatly augment NIBIN by introducing the first truly unique tool marks as forensic data. The Ballistic ID Tag^™ was developed to dynamically mark cartridge casings at the instance of firing. A firearm with this tagging technology marks and ejects shells with an identifier that becomes a unique tooling mark embossed into the metallurgical surface of the case. This presentation covers the basic concepts and approaches to implementing this precision tool marking technology. Data will be presented on marking results and images showing how the technology performs. NanoVia will also provide information on future projects dealing with this technology.

3D CONCEPT

Serge Labrecque, IBIS Deputy Product Manager, Forensic Technology Inc.

The goal of this presentation is to show FTI’s cutting edge research in crime fighting technology. This presentation will specifically demonstrate the 3D concept research. The 3D concept applies to imaging correlation and analysis of bullet striation marks. The following points will be presented:

1. 3D concept definition

a. Quick animation

2. Reasons that justify the 3D concept research

a. Features

b. Benefits

3. Background 3D concept research

a. Prior research

b. Independent research

c. Joint research

4. Results of 3D concept research

a. Up to date results

b. Damaged versus pristine bullet

5. Future developments

6. Question and answer period

VICKERS HARDNESS TESTING OF SELECTED PRIMERS

Frederic Tulleners, California Department of Justice, Erik Randich, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, and Mike Giusto, California Department of Justice

A study was conducted to evaluate the Vickers microhardness of primers from five different brands of 40 S&W unfired cartridges from major manufacturers. Primer hardness is affected by the structure and the composition of the brass used in its manufacture and by the nickel plating if one is used. This study measured the Vickers microhardness and the thickness of the primers. Nickel platings increased the apparent microhardness of the primers. Differences were found in the average microhardness values of the underlying brass of the primers, and these differences were clearly attributable to the different grain sizes of the brass.

VIRTUAL SERIAL NUMBER TECHNOLOGY (VSN)

Tim Heaney, Forensic Technology Inc.

Afternoon Session

Moderator: Bill Morris, Arizona DPS Crime Laboratory

TOOLMARK IDENTIFICATION: 9; FILED TOOLMARKS

Dana Bonar, Firearm and Toolmark Examiner, Vermont Forensic Laboratory, Waterbury, Vermont

The long-held hypothesis that files always leave unique toolmarks has previously not been challenged through experimentation. At least, no papers exist in the AFTE Journal that address this topic. This presentation examines the possibility of identifying toolmarks made by filing tools.

Pairs of test toolmarks were made using eight different files. Marks were made in lead, aluminum, copper and steel stock metal in order to vary the hardness of the materials that would receive the test marks. Multiple methods of filing were also used to try to control the number of variables involved in creating marks.

The pairs of toolmarks that were made by the same file were compared in an attempt to establish an identification. Seven out of the eight files that were tested left reproducible toolmarks with sufficient microscopic markings for identification.

However, only the toolmarks that were produced under tightly controlled circumstances were suitable for identification. Additionally, future research would be necessary to determine if the marks left by the files are individual

BUNTER TOOLMARKS, SIGNIFICANT OR INSIGNIFICANT?

Jason W. Crafton, Missouri State Highway Patrol Crime Laboratory Division, 1510 East Elm St, Jefferson City, MO 65109

A cartridge case from a crime scene is submitted to the laboratory along with a half box of ammunition from a suspect's residence. The request made by the submitting agency is to compare the bunter toolmarks on the crime scene cartridge case to the cartridges in the box of ammunition.

What emphasis should be placed on the bunter toolmarks if they do match and what emphasis should be placed on the bunter toolmarks if they do NOT match?

Seven boxes of Winchester brand ammunition were purchased at different Wal-Mart store locations around the crime lab. The boxes were inter-compared and then the boxes with the same lot numbers were compared to each other. The results of the project show the evidentiary value placed on bunter toolmarks is limited in nature with regards to Winchester brand ammunition.

AN UPDATE ON THE IDENTIFICATION OF BULLETS FIRED FROM CONSECUTIVELY RIFLED 9MM RUGER PISTOL BARRELS

James E. Hamby, Ph.D.

Research was conducted to partially answer some legal issues, 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 294 examiners from several countries have evaluated the bullet test sets with no errors. An update will be provided on this research and remaining test sets will be available for distribution. The original limited study using these barrels was conducted by Dave Brundage and reported in our AFTE Journal in 1998. The expanded study has been reported on at past AFTE Seminars and it is my intention to publish the results of the expanded study in this year.

CRITERIA FOR IDENTIFICATION OF TOOLMARKS PART III: SUPPORTING THE CONCLUSION

Jerry Miller and Mike Neel, BATF Atlanta Forensic Laboratory, 2600 Century Parkway, Atlanta, GA, 30345-3100

In the first article, the criteria for an identification of striated toolmarks was examined using data collected from .38 caliber bullets in two dimensional and three dimensional images from single land impressions, comparing known matches with known non-matches. The data was used to evaluate the criteria for an identification within single land impressions based upon total matching lines; percent of matching lines; and consecutive groups of striae.

In Part II, additional data from the caliber's .25 ACP, .380 ACP, and 9mm was used to evaluate the consecutive group of striae concept as a criteria for an identification, and were compared with the previous results for the .38 special data. It was determined that a strict adherence to the CMS criteria excludes the possibility of a wrong identification, but may also eliminate some identifications where only one land impression is available for comparison. It was found that striations viewed in groups of consecutive striae and combinations of groups of consecutive striae as proposed by Biasotti and Murdock1 is a reliable criteria that excludes erroneous identifications.

In Part III, the consistency of determining what constitutes a "matching line" and in determining consecutiveness, between examiner trainees is studied. The scientific reliability of using CMS as a toolmark criteria for striated toolmarks is examined as well as how to apply it to evaluating patterns of toolmarks.

Evening Session

Panel Discussion: The Forensic Aspects of a Ballistic Imaging Database (Ballistic Fingerprinting) for all New Firearm Sales

Panel Members:

Dominic Denio, NIBIN Program Manager, FBI Laboratory

Dr. Jan De Kinder, Ballistics Section Head, National Institute for Forensic Science, Department of Justice, Brussels, Belgium

Joseph Kopera, Maryland State Police Crime Laboratory

Jerry Miller, BATF Atlanta Forensic Laboratory, Atlanta, GA

Frederic A. Tulleners, Laboratory Director, Sacramento and Santa Rosa Criminalistics Laboratory, Bureau of Forensic Services, Forensic Technology, Inc.

Richard Vaughan, Director Forensic Services, Forensic Technology, Inc.

Moderator: John Finor, Philadelphia Police, Firearms Identification Unit

Workshops/Armorers Courses

Hi Point Armorer’s/Familiarization Course

Time: 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Instructor: Tom Deeb

Basic Mathematics Applied to Shooting Scene Reconstruction
Objective: To determine angle and distance by using geometry and trigonometry.

Time: 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Instructor: Police Officer James Kwong, Philadelphia Police Department, Firearms Identification Unit

Savage Armorers Course

Time: 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM

Instructor: Carl Hildebrandt

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