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Schedule

Moderator: Dom Denio

General Session:  Salons D, E, F

8:00 AM		Forensic Entomology
		Dr. Gail Anderson, Simon Fraser University Forensic entomology is the study of the insects associated with a dead body in order to determine any aspects about the death of a person, in particular, the time since death.  Dr. Anderson will explain how insects can be used to determine time of death, in both the short and long term, as well as other factors about a crime scene such as position and presence of wounds etc., whether the body has been moved or disturbed.
8:45 AM		Limitations and Capabilities of Body Armor and Ammunition Issued For Law Enforcement Duty Carry
		Kristin Gerber, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Objectives: The purpose of this research was to gather preliminary information on the limitations and capabilities of the firearms, ammunition and ballistic body armor issued to ATF Special Agents for duty carry.  The tests also focused on the effects that different types of ammunition had on a particular ballistic resistant target medium, including vests and helmets.  The results will be used to educate field agents about safety as it relates to their issued firearms and body armor.  Methodology: The testing focused specifically on the effects of the ATF issued frangible and standard ammunition against the ballistic vest and helmet issued to field agents.   Two different target mediums were used to determine the level of performance of the firearms and ammunition and their potential for defeating the issued body armor. The testing environment was set up to parallel the NIJ testing procedures for their minimum performance requirements and target the concerns raised by ATF field agents.  The distances between the targets and firearms were predetermined by the ATF Agents based on NIJ standards and remained as consistent as possible for each test. Tests were completed using several different calibers of conventional non-frangible ammunition and frangible ammunition.  Results: The test results confirmed that the vest could not be perforated by any of the .40 S&W  caliber frangible or non-frangible bullets fired from the semi-automatic pistol.  The vest was not defeated by the 12 Gauge 00 buckshot or the rifled slug.  The helmet was not perforated by any of the .40 S&W, .38 Special, 12 Gauge Slugger or 00 buckshot caliber projectiles.  Furthermore, the vest and helmet were not defeated by any of the frangible or non-frangible 9mm Luger caliber bullets fired from the H&K, MP-5 submachine gun with an approximate velocity of 1000 ft/second.  All of the .223 Rem caliber projectiles test fired did perforate or pass completely through the helmet and vest.   Conclusions: The purpose of this research was to gather information on the functionality and capabilities of the specific firearms, ammunition and body armor that ATF Special Agents are issued for duty to ensure that the equipment utilized is safe and dependable.  The Type IIIA ballistic vests and helmets tested during this research protected against perforation or complete penetration of the calibers of ammunition, including frangible ammunition, for the level at which it was designed.  Although it was noted that some rounds penetrated the first few layers of the vest and helmet, the projectiles did not completely pass through the target mediums, even after multiple shots were fired into each vest and helmet.  The .223 Rem caliber bullets did perforate the armor, however the Type IIIA armor is not designed to protect against this caliber and velocity.  In conclusion, ATF issued Type IIIA body armor was determined to be safe and reliable.
9:00 AM		Identification of Non-Toxic Shot
		Kimberly Stevens, Maine State Police Crime Laboratory Objectives: To differentiate between the shot pellets, especially the non-toxic loads.  Methodology: The methods used to differentiate between the shot pellets will be visual, physical (magnetic and crush test), SEM/EDX and chemical spot tests. Results: The shot pellets can be differentiated visually, physically, with the SEM/EDX and with chemical spot tests performed directly on the shot pellets. Conclusions:  All of the shot can be field tested and examined in the laboratory using the methods described.  However, more tests need to be performed on shot pellet wipes before more conclusions can be formed.  All the manufacturers were contacted and the AFTE SHOT SIZES and WEIGHTS in the GLOSSARY can be updated with new information on the non-toxic pellets (Bismuth, Tungsten Iron, Tungsten Matrix and Hevi-shot)
9:30 AM		Break held in Exhibitor’s Area – Salons A, B
		Sponsored by Forensic Technology, Inc.
10:00 AM		Effect of Windshields on Bullet Trajectory
		Michelle Lea Dilbeck, Alameda County Sheriff's Office Objectives: The purpose of the study is to determine how much deflection in a bullet's trajectory is caused by striking the windshield of a vehicle.  Is there any reproducibility in the direction of deflection and the angle? Methodology: Four different pistols were used in different calibers.  Bonded ammunition and conventional jacketed hollow point ammunition were also used.  Each pistol was placed horizontally into a vice and fired at least six times into a windshield set at a 30-degree angle and later at a 0-degree angle with a foam board witness panel (one shot for each witness panel). A bore laser was used after each shot to determine the "expected" impact on the witness panel. Measurements were taken and the angle of deflection was calculated using simple trigonometry. Results: The angle of deflection was very small, less than 2-degrees in most cases.  The conventional jacketed hollow point bullets deflected more than the bonded bullets, but the largest angle was still around 6-degrees. There was no predictable pattern with any of the firearm-ammunition combinations.  Some bullets deflected up and some down.  The left-to-right deflection was also random and does not appear to be dependent on the direction of twist of the rifling. Conclusions: Windshields do have an effect on a bullet's trajectory.  This effect is minimal for the ammunition and firearms tested and the distances commonly encountered in a vehicle shooting reconstruction. You cannot predict the direction of deflection based on the rifling in the firearm used.
10:30 AM		Bullet Classification by Use of X-Rays
		Laurie Crutchfield, Orange County Sheriff-Coroner Forensic Science Services Objectives: This paper will present two case studies where a firearms examiner was asked to determine caliber and type of bullet remaining in a surviving victim, based on hospital X-rays. Methodology: Hospital X-rays of surviving victims were submitted as evidence.  The X-rays were useful for noting location and position of bullet or bullet components, but lacked sufficient information for a meaningful classification of those components.  Additional X-rays taken under controlled conditions, included bullet standards and measuring devices. Results: Although exact caliber and bullet style could not be determined in either case, a limited group of calibers or family of nominal caliber was determined.  One case permitted the determination of bullet style based on radiographic density.  This required comparing both known and questioned bullet X-rays, all of which had been taken through a constant body mass. Conclusions: The submitted hospital X-rays were found to be of limited value in caliber determinations.  Additional X-rays, that include bullet standards taken under the same conditions as the bullet remaining in the body, provided additional information that aided in the investigation.
10:45 AM		Evaluation of Trace Metal Chips and Their Toolmarks
		Cara Gomes, California Department of Justice, Sacramento The purpose of this research was to determine if any useful information could be gleaned from the careful examination of metal chips that were generated from different machining processes.  Different types of metallic chip samples were generated from several types of machining operations.  The metal chips were subsequently examined using a stereoscope and a comparison microscope.  The four primary areas of interest during the examination of these metal chips were:  The overall physical and morphological characterization of larger intact metal chips  The characterization of smaller chip fragments  The characterization of toolmarks left on the metal chips and The potential to identify chips to a particular tool.  A deliberate effort was made to compare a variety of conditions, including different types of metal (steel, copper, aluminum, and brass), machining processes (end mill, lathe, and drill), and tooling speed rates so that the influence of these variables could be determined. The results obtained included the following: chip formation is an ordered process tending to form chips of characteristic repeating shapes under a given set of conditions; there were significant differences observed in the overall morphology of intact chips produced from the mill, lathe, and drill operations; a chip’s morphology may be useful in determining the type of machining operation responsible for their production; the smaller chip fragments observed in the sample provided little information about the type of machining operation responsible for producing them; and that the toolmark striae on both intact and fragmented metal chips could be identified to a specific machining tool.  The results obtained in this study have inherent limitations, which are simply a product of the complexities involved in machining technology.  The possible variables and complications that can be introduced are enormous.  But such variables could potentially be useful to a forensic examination by encouraging particular features and characteristics to develop on the chip.  This study was a preliminary exploration into the implications of metal chip examinations, but there is still much to learn about its possible significance and limitations.
11:15 AM		IBIS Performance Reviews
		Céline Desmarais and Michael McLean, Forensic Technology Inc. This presentation will provide an overview of FTI’s current large database benchmark study. The study is being done to establish a baseline and review the current IBIS correlation algorithms against a large population of test data. The presentation will cover the testing process and preliminary results of a subset of the total data being evaluated. The second part of the presentation will review the performance increases of a new IBIS firing pin correlation algorithm that will be implemented in a future release of the IBIS software.
11:30 AM		The Influence Of The Rifling/Crown Intersection On Striae Production
		Debbie Chaklos, Allegheny County Coroner's Office It has been accepted that the striations found on discharged bullets are caused by microscopic imperfections on the internal surfaces of the barrel.  When rifled barrels are manufactured, the intersection of the crowned surface and the rifled surface provides a unique combination of characteristics that are generated by two or more tools acting on different planes at different angles.  It can be demonstrated in certain barrels that this intersection contributes a number of striae useful for the identification of bullets to the barrels from which they were discharged. For the purpose of evaluating this area and the effects that shortening the barrel has on striae production, seven (7) pistol barrels were recrowned and the similarities and differences between bullets fired before and after each recrown were evaluated.
12:00 PM		Lunch – Stanley Park Ballroom
1:15 PM		Correlation of Topography Measurements of Bullets by Four Techniques
		Susan Ballou, National Institute of Standards and Technology / Office of Law Enforcement Standards Objectives: In this work we are aiming to assess the accuracy of different techniques for measuring the surface topography signatures of fired bullets and casings.  Three optical techniques are being compared with each other and with the contacting stylus profiling technique. These techniques are interferometric microscopy, scanned laser confocal microscopy, and multi-pinhole confocal microscopy. Methodology: Our initial results have been measured on the land engraved area (LEA) of a Standard Bullet Reference Material, which has highly two-dimensional surface striations, thus enabling relocation of each instrument on the same surface topography. We have measured topographic images of the surface with each technique and compared profiles using the cross-correlation function, which quantifies the similarity of the profiles. In order to facilitate comparison, a Gaussian filter with the same long-wavelength cutoff of 0.25 mm is applied to the profiles of all four instruments.     Results: If two profiles were exactly the same and matched in phase, the cross-correlation function would reach a maximum value of unity (or 100%).  In this case, the profiles from each of the optical techniques yield a maximum cross-correlation value of about 92%, when correlated with the comparable, stylus-generated profiles.  This indicates substantial agreement in profiling accuracy between each of the three optical techniques and the stylus technique.  Conclusions: It is possible to reconcile topography measurements taken with widely different techniques if the surface is uniform and care is taken to measure the same areas and to filter the resulting profiles in the same way so that each instrument is sensitive to the same band of spatial wavelengths of the surface. So far, these optical instruments have about comparable profiling accuracy for bullets.  Ease of use and image stitching capability will likely be the driving criteria for selection of a topographic measurement technique, which we plan to use for further study of bullet and casing topography.
1:40 PM		The Virtual Comparison Microscope, One Year Later
		Scott Doyle, Kentucky State Police, Louisville, Kentucky Objectives: About one year ago, the Virtual Comparison Microscope was unveiled at the AFTE Training Seminar in Philadelphia, PA.  Methodology: The exercise has been completed well over 1000 times by individuals who have no prior knowledge of firearms identification to examiners with many years of experience.  Results: The score that each group has received and a statistical analysis will be presented. Conclusions: These results show the inherent and learned ability of individuals to do comparative analysis on striated marks that are the basis for the principles of Firearm Identification. Also, to be included is an announcement and demo of the new Virtual Comparison Microscope.
2:10 PM		A Study of the Correlation Capability of "Brasscatcher"
		William George, St. Louis County PD Crime Lab Objectives: to observe the correlation capability / limitations of "Brasscatcher". With the help of FTI, Inc., our demo-database file was opened to view 100% of exhibits entered in an effort to locate placement of matching entries. Earlier efforts failed to locate a significant percentage of matching cartridge casings in the viewable 20% of the correlated images.  Methodology: six consecutive test shots were fired using 3 brands of ammunition (R-P, FC, WIN) in 100 S&W .40 S&W caliber pistols. These cartridge cases were correlated against 800 + exhibits previously entered into the demo file using Smith & Wesson, .40 S&W caliber pistols. FTI, Inc. opened the database for viewing of 100% of the correlated images for study.  Results: the study is not fully completed at this time, however, a large number of matching exhibits fall outside of the 20% of viewable correlations.  Specific details shall be available for presentation at the meeting.  A significant point will be made regarding the ability to match correlated images using the 2nd breech face image. (The image which Brasscatcher does not use in the correlation process.)
2:45 PM		Break held in Exhibitor’s Area – Salons A, B
		Sponsored by Forensic Technology, Inc.
3:15 PM		AFTE Business Meeting Continues

		Evening Schedule			Location
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM				Hi Point Familiarization Course	Mackenzie
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM				Savage Armourer’s Course	Seymour
	NIBIN Town Hall Meeting Agenda
	Salons E, F
	Moderator:   John Ward, Virginia Division of Forensic Science
7:30 PM - 8:00 PM				NIBIN Users Congress: An Update Michelle Kuehner, Criminalist Allegheny County Coroner’s Office Pittsburgh, PA
8:00 PM - 8:30 PM				Open Forum:  Questions from the floor
8:30 PM - 9:00 PM				Assessing the Feasibility, Accuracy, and Technical Capability of a National Ballistics Database                            Daniel L. Cork, Study Director National Research Council National Academies Washington, D.C.

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Copyright © 2001 Association of Firearm and Tool Mark Examiners (AFTE).
All rights reserved.  Revised: May 19, 2004.