AFTE 2003 Wednesday

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2/13/2001

www.afte.org > Training Seminar > 2003 Wednesday

AFTE 2003 - Wednesday May 28

Technical Program | Workshops/Armorers Schools | After-hour activities

Technical Program

Moderator: Pete Striupaitis, ISP Forensic Science Center, Chicago, IL

THE BIZARRE AND PUZZLING DEATH OF SGT. "C"

Lucien C. Haag, Criminalist / Firearms Examiner, Forensic Science Services, Carefree, AZ

The solution to this baffling case involves the use of trace evidence, gunshot residue, exterior and terminal ballistics, elemental analysis and acoustics.

The tragic affair arose from the firearms fatality of a SWAT team sergeant during a standoff situation in a major southwest city. The victim sustained a perforating gunshot wound of the head while positioned with fellow SWAT team officers near a window of a suspect’s house. The fatal shot also perforated the back of the sergeant's Kevlar helmet. The fatal bullet was never found but two small copper jacket fragments were recovered from the victim’s brain and the large defect in the helmet. The incident was captured on videotape by a TV news organization. Potential sources of this fatal shot consisted of the suspect in the residence or one of several SWAT team officers who fired their guns at the time the sergeant sustained his wound. Initial evaluation of the wound, the damage to the Kevlar helmet and the position of the potential shooters excluded all of these men as sources of the fatal wound unless one is prepared to set aside the laws of physics in this city. No mystery shooter on some grassy knoll was ever developed during the subsequent investigation.

A methodical use of the Scientific method coupled with certain aspects of exterior ballistics provided the singular solution to this puzzling and tragic fatality.

BULLET TRAJECTORY RECONSTRUCTION UTILIZING TRACE EVIDENCE

John M. Finor, Philadelphia Police Department, Firearms Identification Unit

This incident occurred in Philadelphia and involved numerous high-speed vehicle pursuits, a foot pursuit, the discharge of forty-four shots by police, the shooting of a police officer and an arrest involving alleged brutally of a car jacking suspect. One of the pursuits terminated with the suspect being involved in an automobile accident which left his stolen vehicle immobile. A foot pursuit of the suspect resulted in an officer being shot and an escape being made in a stolen police car. It was purported that the suspect discarded the firearm that he shot the officer with during this pursuit prior to his arrest. The injured officer had a perforating gunshot wound and no evidence was recovered from him. A search of the pursuit path resulted with no firearm being recovered and all of the other evidence that was submitted revealed nothing conclusive that anything other than police issue ammunition was used. This event culminated with a controversial arrest alleging police brutally, which was captured on film by a news helicopter.

This investigation involved numerous aspects of forensic science including firearm identification, gunshot residue examination, bullet trajectory reconstruction, trace, instrumental and DNA analysis to reconstructing the event surrounding the shooting of the police officer.

SHOOTING RECONSTRUCTION: THRU THE DOOR

Alexander Jason, SCSA, Shooting Incident Reconstruction

A SWAT raid resulted in the firing of 129 rounds by six police officers. Many of the rounds perforated a bedroom door. A suspect was killed. Two questions became primary: Was the door open or closed? & Did the suspect fire at police?

This paper demonstrates a comprehensive approach to shooting reconstruction utilizing 3D computer modeling, photographic analysis, bullet trajectory determination, along with the conventional examination of the projectile evidence, gunshot residue, and other physical evidence -- all of which were utilized to reconstruct the complex incident.

THE SVD (DRAGUNOV) SNIPER RIFLES: FEATURES OF FORENSIC INTEREST

Lucien C. Haag, Criminalist / Firearms Examiner Forensic Science Services, Carefree, AZ

Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, these exotic-looking rifles have been legally imported into the United States.

Developed as a Russian military sniper rifle in the early 1960s, other Com-Block countries ultimately copied the design with some modifications including a few caliber variations.

Their considerable expense and substantial size along with their chambering in a full-powered battle cartridge probably explains their very infrequent use in crimes and the minimal entries in the FBI’s GRC database.

With some lowering of the cost of these interesting rifles and the attendant increase in the number in circulation, the likelihood for their use in a criminal enterprise will increase.

This presentation will illustrate the features of forensic interest for these rifles to include boltface appearance, extractor and ejector positions, markings produced on fired cartridge cases, rifling characteristics for 7.62x54R, 7.62NATO and 7.9x57mm Mauser chamberings and the basic features of the special optical sight supplied with these rifles.

SHOOTING RECONSTRUCTION: THRU THE DOOR, PART II - TRACE EVIDENCE #9; CONSIDERATIONS

Richard N. Ernest, Independent Firearms Examiner, Fort Worth, Texas

This paper focuses on the importance of the role of trace evidence found on the fired projectiles involved in the Miami SWAT case - ( US v. Jesus Aguero, et al. - victim: Richard Brown) to a proper interpretation of the various proposed shooting scene reconstruction scenarios proffered before and during the trial. In this particular case, a detailed consideration of the meaning of the trace evidence found (and not found) on the fired projectiles weighed heavily in the decision of the jury to acquit the accused law enforcement officers. Methodologies used in this case will be discussed as well as a general discussion of the vital importance of trace evidence considerations in shooting scene reconstructions & normal casework.

PENETRATION OF WINDSHIELDS BY .223 AMMUNITION

Alexander Jason, SCSA, Shooting Incident Reconstruction, Pinole

This paper will present the results of a comprehensive experiment which tested the performance of various forms of commonly available .223 (5.56x45mm) rifle ammunition when fired through vehicle windshields.

Of particular interest was the amount of deflection in the bullet trajectory and the morphology of the bullet holes. Specific bullet performance is discussed as well as considerations for both forensic and tactical practitioners.

IDENTIFIABLE BULLETS FROM GLOCKS IN 60 SECONDS

Lucien C. Haag, Criminalist / Firearms Examiner, Forensic Science Services, Carefree, AZ

It is well known among firearm examiners that bullets fired from any of the various calibers of Glock pistols can seldom be matched back to the firearm from which they were discharged. This appears to be due to the mirror-like finish of the hammer forged polygonal bores in these pistols.

The author gave a presentation on LBT’s "Fire Lapping" compound and procedure at the 1994 AFTE seminar in Indianapolis. This product, designed to polish rough or pitted barrels, is virtually the same as Permatex valve grinding compound. Both contain finely dispersed silicon carbine in a liquid medium. One or two drops of either product placed on the nose of a full metal jacketed bullet and fired in a Glock will produce fine striae the full length of the barrel. Subsequent test fired bullets discharged through treated Glock barrels are easy to match as will be illustrated in this short presentation.

BULLET EJECTION MARKS

John Finor, Philadelphia Police, Firearms Identification Unit

A bullet was removed from the leg of a shooting victim 18 months after the shooting. It was identified as a 9mm caliber, having polygonal type rifling. The nose area was slightly distorted and it had a wood-like substance and fibers embedded in the hollow point area. The exterior surface of the bullet was eroded, consistent with being in a body for over 18 months. This bullet was compared to test fires from a suspect Glock pistol with inconclusive results as to it being fired from this pistol. However, further testing disclosed that this bullet prior to being fired was chambered, extracted and ejected in the suspect Glock pistol twice.

Afternoon Session

Moderator: Christopher Faber, Philadelphia Police, Firearms Identification Unit

THE RECONSTRUCTION OF AN OFFICER INVOLVED SHOOTING: AN APPROACH USING COMPUTER AIDED DIAGRAMMING AND 3D MODELING

Bruce Moran, Sacramento County District Attorney, Laboratory of Forensic Services

This paper will discuss approaches to the extensive examination of a suspect vehicle struck multiple times by police officer (and suspect) projectiles in an officer involved shooting. The presentation will focus on 1) documentation of bullet holes, impact and ricochets sites, 2) employment of sodium rhodizonate, dithiooxamide (DTO) and griess reagents in the field, 3) use of computer aided diagramming (CAD) to "back extrapolate" bullet paths, 4) reconstruction of suspect shooting position(s) in the vehicle, 5) integration of CAD vehicle diagrams with CAD diagrams of the overall shooting scene produced by other agencies (in an attempt to cooberate or refute "officer statements"). An animated 3D model of the shooting scene using Canoma© imaging software will also be demonstrated.

KIP (KNIFE IDENTIFICATION PROJECT)

&#Evan J. Thompson, B.S., Richard Wyant, M.S.,Washington State Patrol, Marysville, WA 98271

Test cuts made from ten consecutively made knives can be identified.

Examiners from around the world have participated in a toolmark study by microscopically examining test cuts from ten consecutively made knife blades and reporting back their conclusions. The majority of examiners were able to distinguish cuts made by these consecutively made blades.
Results of this study will be published in the 2003/2004 AFTE Journal to aid examiners in answering challenges to the individuality of toolmarks and the significance of what they examine on a day to day basis.

CONSECUTIVE MATCHING STRIATIONS (CMS): ITS DEFINITION, STUDY AND APPLICATION IN THE DISCIPLINE OF FIREARMS AND TOOLMARK IDENTIFICATION

Ronald G. Nichols, Department of Justice, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Forensic Science Laboratory, Walnut Creek, CA

The concept of consecutive matching striations (CMS) has been met with aggressive opposition and suspicion within the discipline of firearms and tool mark identification. It is believed that this is due to a lack of a fuller understanding as to its definition and application within the field. The purpose of this presentation is to help resolve some of the persistent issues that critics of CMS have consistently presented throughout the years. To fulfill that purpose, this presentation will articulate a definition of CMS that helps to demonstrate that it is not in conflict with what has been referred to as the traditional pattern matching approach, but is simply a means of describing the observed pattern. In addition, the presentation will critically evaluate and summarize those articles that have had as their basis the intent to invalidate the conservative minimum criteria for identification, but were not successful. Finally, this presentation will ! address frequently expressed concerns in an effort to put them to a final rest.

PROFICIENCY TEST OVERVIEW

George W. Stanley, Division of Forensic Sciences, Georgia Bureau of Investigation

The results of the 2002 firearm and toolmark proficiency tests will be discussed, to include an overview of conclusions, response rates and error rates.

Workshops/Armorers Schools

Hi Point Armor’s /Familiarization Course
Time: 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Instructor: Tom Deeb

Savage Armorers Course

Time: 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM

Instructor: Carl Hildebrandt

After-Hour Activities

Coming Soon! Pictures from the Atlantic City trip will be posted later in the week.

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