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Schedule

TUESDAY, JUNE 21st

Moderators

 

(AM): John Finor Golden Ballroom   (PM): Pete Striupaitis

7:00 – 8:00 AM

Continental Breakfast – (Fortune Square A – D)

 

8:00 – 8:30 AM

BATF Firearms Training Academy Overview

Glen Beach, BATF, Ammendale, MD

Objectives: This presentation will include an overview of the graduating class of 2004 and acknowledgment of students. It will also mention the upcoming class and the delay in start times. The student selected by the NFEA Staff to represent the NFEA Class 2004 will be introduced

 

8:30 – 9:00 AM

Silencer Testing and Protocol

Eric Freemesser, Monroe County Public Safety Lab, Rochester, NY

Objectives:

• Examine silencer design principles and construction.

• Develop silencer testing protocol that can be used in most laboratory situations.

• Comparison of testing in "ideal" and "not ideal" areas.

• Marks on a firearm that could be left by a suppressor

• Silencer effects on Gunshot Residue Testing. (Used Ruger 10/22

Methodology: Built two homemade suppressors of different design and purchased one Gemtech suppressor which was tested using the developed protocol in an ideal and not ideal testing area. Performed Gunshot Residue tests for copper, lead and nitrites using the firearm unsuppressed and using the three suppressors then comparing the results.
Results: Using an inexpensive sound meter the three suppressors were all comparable in effectiveness. The ideal test area provided lower and more consistent sound measurements than the not ideal test area. The GSR tests show a remarkable difference in the residue found between unsuppressed and suppressed shots as well as a difference due to the designs of the suppressors. The suppressed tests from 1-3 inches from target were comparable to unsuppressed shots taken farther than 12 inches from target.

Conclusions: A standard testing protocol is needed to ensure consistent testing measurements. The environment where the testing is performed can affect the test results. When GSR tests are performed it is important to examine the firearm for the possible use of a suppressor to ensure an accurate distance determination.

9:00 – 9:30 AM

How ‘Unique’ Are Impressed Toolmarks? An Empirical Study of 20 Worn Hammer Faces

Eric Collins, Contra Costa County Laboratory, Martinez, CA

Objectives: The examination of impression evidence has long been based upon the assumptions that a particular impressed mark may show uniqueness due to its physical characteristics and position relative to other marks or some point of reference. Traditionally, firearm and toolmark examiners have had to rely upon the criteria of whether or not the appearance of an impressed toolmark exceeds the “best known non-match” when drawing conclusions of identity or non-identity. Until now, no study has been performed or attempted to quantify the uniqueness of impressed marks based upon their observable physical characteristics. This has presumably been due to the difficulty with which impressed (or compressed) marks lend themselves to the characterization of their individuality. Rocky Stone recently authored an article in the AFTE Journal in which he provided some theoretical probabilities associated with “idealized” impressed toolmarks that might be found on a hypothetical hammer face. Stone’s work also established a model on which an empirical study could be based. This research project represents such a study, the purpose of which was to test the applicability of Stone’s conclusions to real toolmarks by examining the nature of actual impressed marks found on the faces of twenty (20) hammers that had been subjected to various degrees of wear and abuse through normal use. In addition, this presentation will establish a foundation for evaluating the practical statistical uniqueness of impressed toolmarks on not only hammer faces, but any given surface.

Methodology: Twenty used and worn sample hammers were solicited from the author’s coworkers and acquaintances. A Mikrosil cast of each hammer face was made and subsequently examined at 40X magnification using a Leica DMC macroscope. Any observed impressed defects were counted and classified according to a modified scheme based on Stone’s idealized model for impressed characteristics.

Results: A total of nearly 7,200 impressed characteristics were documented from the twenty hammers. Based on the collected data, Stone re-evaluated some of his probability formulae and calculated conservative but realistic probabilities associated with the combinations of defects observed in this study.

Conclusions: Based on the presented data and calculations, combinations of even low numbers of simple impressed defects are, on a practical level, unique. This research not only verifies what examiners have always “known” to be true on an intuitive level, but also provides one possible means with which to evaluate the “uniqueness” of impressed marks. These findings also support the underlying principle of the AFTE Theory of Identification, which states: “The theory of identification as it pertains to the comparison of toolmarks enables opinions of common origin to be made when the unique surface contours of two toolmarks are in ‘sufficient agreement’…The statement that “sufficient agreement” exists between two toolmarks means that the likelihood another tool could have made the mark is so remote as to be considered a practical impossibility.” The empirical research of this study provides, for the first time, evidence as to what this “likelihood” for impressed marks might be an example of how this research may be applied to the evaluation of firing pin impressions is also presented.

9:30 – 10:00 AM

Comparing Bullets Fired From Consecutively Manufactured Barrels Using a Comparison Microscope, IBIS™ and BulletTRAX 3D™

Danny Roberge and John O’Neil, Forensic Technology, Inc., Montreal, Canada, and Evan Thompson, WA Patrol Crime Lab, Seattle, WA

Outline of Objectives: The primary objective of this research is to demonstrate how different methods and technologies can influence the comparison of bullets fired from consecutively made barrels.

Brief Methodology: With access to bullets from Hi-Point barrels provided by firearms examiner Evan Thompson of the Washington State Police, Forensic Technology has used three different methods; a comparison microscope, the IBIS^TM system and its newest 3D technology BulletTRAX-3D^TM.

Summary of Results: Results will be provided upon completion of the presentation

General Conclusions: A conclusion will be provided upon completion of the presentation

Brief Biography of FTI: Forensic Technology pioneered automated ballistics identification more than a decade ago and continues to be a leader in technologies that promote a safer society. Forensic Technology partners with hundreds of public safety agencies in over 30 countries, developing and providing cost-effective and sustainable solutions that meet ISO quality standards. With vast experience in scalable-networked solutions, Forensic Technology employs a dedicated team of engineering, forensic, and law enforcement professionals around the world.
 

10:00 – 10:30 AM

Break - In the Exhibitor’s Area (Fortune Square A – D)

     

 

10:30 – 11:00 AM

A Curious Case

Dr. Jan De Ceuster, National Institute of Criminalistics and Criminology, Brussels, Belgium

Objectives: When a cartridge case is one of the only useful clues in a "murder or suicide" case, a lot of effort is invested to exhaust all possible indications. Besides ejection pattern and ejection frequency tests, this paper examines the feasibility of absorption spectroscopy and LC-MS/MS of GSR in order to distinguish between cartridge cases, which have or have not been ejected from the firearm.

Methodology:

• crime scene survey

• Cartridge case ejection pattern in comparable circumstances as the crime scene: which is the most plausible orientation of the firearm?

• Ejection frequency tests at the shooting range: will the gun eject the empty cartridge case if the trigger was manipulated with the thumb?

• Ejected or non-ejected cartridge case: can we distinguish between them, based on the amounts of GSR found. To examine lead-containing particles, chemical color tests and absorption spectroscopy were used; the organic stabilizers were investigated by means of LC-MS/MS.
  Results: - The ejection pattern tests shows that the gun was not held as according to the witness' statement.

• Ejection frequency tests shows that ejection is very unlikely to occur when the trigger is manipulated with the thumb. Only once, the cartridge case was ejected. This phenomenon is strongly depending on the type of ammunition used.

• Absorption spectroscopy shows no difference in the amount of lead-containing particles, found in ejected and non-ejected cartridge cases. The method might need some more elaboration.

• LC-MS/MS tests generally showed that there are less particles found in the ejected than in non-ejected cartridge cases. The five species of organic molecules that are researched, behave differently. This can indicate different persistence properties of the molecules in the cartridge case.

Conclusions: When ejection pattern and ejection frequency of the spent cartridge cases are not in agreement with the witness' statements, the feasibility of two other techniques was researched in order to distinguish between ejected and non-ejected cartridge cases on the basis of the amount of GSR. The absorption spectroscopy tests should be further elaborated for this purpose whereas LC-MS/MS shows promising results.
 

11:00 – 11:30 AM

Fabrication, Measurement and Acquisitions of Standard Bullets

Dr. Theodore Vorburger, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Gaithersburg, MD

Objectives: To develop physical standards for verifying the operation of optical ballistics identification systems. We have developed 40 standard bullets with nearly identical signatures by diamond turning the land engraved areas (LEAs). The uniaxial marks on the LEA surfaces were machined using numerically controlled profiles derived from topography measurements of actual fired bullets. A stylus instrument was used to measure the master bullets and the replica bullets and to verify that the profiles on the replica bullets closely matched those of the master bullets. We are in the process of making IBIS* acquisitions of all LEAs on the standard bullets and aim to release the bullets for distribution by May 2005. Highly reproducible prototype casings are also being developed using an electroforming technique.

Results: The surface profile measurements of the bullet LEAs obtained with the stylus instrument indicate high reproducibility from bullet to bullet. Similarly, the IBIS acquisitions of the bullets show high reproducibility and correlation among them. The similarity of the bullets is demonstrated by the maximum of the cross correlation function comparing pairs of profiles measured from different LEAs. When testing the bullet acquisition process with these standards, the key measurable parameter will be the IBIS correlation score rather than the rank.

Conclusions: The high reproducibility makes the bullets useful for comparing the performance and the operator's acquisition procedure of different systems. The machining marks on the standard bullets are closely spaced, and the surface reflectivity shows a relatively high variation as the bullets are rotated. These surface characteristics make the standard bullets useful 1) for verifying that the acquisition process works correctly under non-ideal conditions of brightness, focus, and contrast, and 2) for testing the image stitching capabilities of the automated microscopes performing bullet acquisitions.

*The identification of any commercial product or trade name does not imply endorsement or recommendation by the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
 

11:30 – 12:00 AM

Tales from the Bench: The Rookie Year

Charles Clow, Southwest Institute of Forensic Science, Dallas, TX

Objectives: Agencies spend a large sum of money on the training of a new Firearm and Toolmark Examiner. A new examiner's rookie year can be grueling as agencies try to justify the price tag of their new examiner. With no time to produce research, this examiner's "rookie year" did, however, produce several interesting cases. This presentation is a review of a few of those cases.

 

12:00 – 1:15 PM

Lunch (Ticket Required)

 
 

1:15 – 1:30 PM

New Ammunition from Pakistan

Axel Manthei, Bavarian State Bureau of Investigation / Firearms Section 

 

1:30 – 1:45 PM

Homemade Firearms of Southern Ontario

Shane Staniek, Centre of Forensic Sciences, Ontario, Canada

 

1:45 - 2:15 PM

Comparison of 100 Consecutively Fired Bullets and Cartridge Cases from a Hi-Point C9 Pistol

Tsuneo Uchiyama, National Research Institute of Police Science, Chiba, Japan

Objectives: Marking on fired bullets and expended cartridge cases will change greatly when large numbers of rounds are fired. In fact, marking change appears on a constant basis even in successive firing. The objective of this study is to clarify the extent of marking change within a hundred rounds of mixed ammunition.

Methodology: One hundred 9X19mm rounds were fired from a caliber 9mm HI-POINT C9 semi-automatic pistol. Cartridges used were 115gr, 124gr and 147gr Speer Gold Dot, 124gr Remington FMJ and 115gr DFA frangible. One round from each cartridge and total five rounds were loaded in a magazine and fired into a water recovery tank. Twenty sets of these five shots semi-automatic firing were repeated. Four rounds of Federal 124gr FMJ cartridges were included because of shortage of Gold Dot ammunitions. All the hundred bullets and expended cartridge cases were examined using comparison microscope. Digital photographs of nine landmarks and marking on primer were taken and analyzed.

Results: GRC of Hi-Point C9 examined was left hand twisted nine lands. Landmark width was 1.4mm and angle of twist was 4.7 degree. The shape of rifling marking changed greatly even in a hundred rounds test firing. Gold Dot bullets had wide skid marking on right side of trailing edges of lands. Reproducibility of minute striation was rather low even in successive firing. Reproducibility of deep striation was also low among the bullets of different make ammunition. Breech face markings on primer were rather consistent through hundred rounds because of rough marking came from sanding belt finish. Size of firing pin indentation was large on Remington and Winchester (Frangible) cartridges and was small on Speer cartridges. Many shallow lines were observed on large size indentation and small number of deep lines were observed on small seize indentation.

Conclusions: Marking on bullets changed greatly when different make cartridges were used, therefore identification among different make ammunition was very difficult. Marking change resulted from wearing of the bore existed during a hundred rounds shooting. Marking on primer was rather consistent even among different make of cartridges, however marking within the same make of cartridge was more consistent.
 

2:15 – 2:30 PM

Recall /Safety Warning Update

Dom Denio, FBI Laboratory, Quantico, VA

2:30 – 2:45 PM

Toolmarks on Unfired Ammunition and It’s Effects on Identification

Gerard Petillo Former supervisor NYPD Firearms Analysis Section

From 1969 to the present there have been many publications in the AFTE journal regarding tool marks on unfired ammunition and its potential effects on an identification or elimination. This article addresses marks found on ammunition not previously reported and that is uniquely different from marks previously reported. This article also tests the effects of these marks on identification and elimination in different firearms and in the same firearm with different ammunition

Methodology: The ammunition in question is fired in different firearms of the same model, firearms with different barrel lengths, and firearms of different manufacturers. This ammunition is also fired in the same firearm along with ammunition that has no marks. The cartridge casings are compared under the comparison macroscope.

Results: The tool marks that were the result of the ammunition manufacturing process have the potential to create an incorrect identification or inconclusive when fired from two different firearms when considering breech face only. The same ammunition with manufacturing marks, when fired in the same firearm along with different ammunition (no marks) have the potential to create an incorrect elimination or inconclusive.

Conclusions: Firearms examiners need to be aware of these pre-discharge marks that may be misinterpreted as post discharge marks.
 

2:45 – 3:15 PM

Break – In the Exhibitor’s Area (Fortune Square A – D)

 

3:15 – 3:45 PM

Training Challenges Facing Law Enforcement in Modern Laboratory’s

Det. James Gannalo (Ret.), New York Police Laboratory, New York, NY

To present to the AFTE community an overview of training goals and accomplishments within the NYPD Lab. In addition, discuss the transitional problems facing this major Lab as it attempts to maintain ASCLD/LAB standards, encourage motivation of both senior and newly trained examiners, professional interaction between sworn and civilian examiners and the relationship between the administration and the firearms unit.

Methodology: Using my personal experiences since 2000, interviews of both uniformed and civilian staff combined with extensive knowledge of the existing training program, I will illustrate the present training complexities and professional climate within the NYPD Firearms Analysis Section.

Results: Discussion of the following:
1) Formal training program as opposed to loose apprenticeship
2) Pros - Cons Sworn vs. Civilian examiners from management, retention, training, motivation points of view.
3) Cross training - operability and microscopic examiners
4) Leadership by both civilian and uniformed lab management to embrace change, training challenges and professional development.
5) Ethical and Professional responsibilities of the firearm examiner relating to both trainees and senior examiners.

Conclusions: Forensic laboratories are facing a number of problems relating to training professional firearm examiners. The NYPD Lab, due to its unique separation of operability and microscopic units, shared leadership by a uniformed and civilian administration and the recent introduction of civilian examiners to the firearms unit, faces additional challenges. This paper will illustrate the training successes, setbacks and future goals of the NYPD Lab.
 

3:45 – 4:15 PM

Validation of Toolmark Individuality Using 3D Images of Toolmarks

Dr. Benjamin Bachrach, Electro-Mechanical Systems, Rockville, MD

Objectives: The ability to validate that a particular tool was used to create a particular tool-mark found in a crime scene is of significant importance for the presentation of evidence in court. Such association hinges on the premise that the microscopic marks found on the tool's working surface (and transferred to the tool-mark) are sufficiently unique to enable a one-to-one association between the tool and the tool-mark. Under the support of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Intelligent Automation Inc. is currently conducting a study aimed at the validation of the degree to which a one-to-one identification of a tool and the tool-mark is possible for a set of tools of interest.

Methodology: The approach taken in this study combines two main elements: The characterization of a tool-mark as a three-dimensional (3D) object, and the use of statistical methodologies applied to a well defined similarity metric to quantify the statistical difference between known matching and known non-matching tool-marks for a set of tools of interest. Five different tools have being considered (bolt cutters, screwdrivers, diagonal cutters, tongue and groove pliers and aviation snips). For each of these tools, striated and/or impressed tool-marks have been created (depending on the tool and its use), and each of these tool-marks have been acquired, processed, and compared using a 3D-based comparison system. The result of each of these comparisons is a similarity measure which quantifies of the degree of similarity between the given tool marks.

Results: For each tool under consideration, a set of matching similarity measures (resulting from the comparison of matching tool-marks), and a set of non-matching similarity measures (resulting from the comparison of non-matching tool-marks) were obtained. Of particular interest to this study are the statistical characteristics of these sets. Based on these characteristics, it is possible to evaluate the extent to which a one-to-one association between tools and tool-marks is possible. The results of this study have so far been very encouraging for the tools under consideration.

Conclusions: The results of our preliminary study show that a one-to-one association between a tool and a given tool-mark can be statistically quantified and validated for the tools and tool-marks under consideration. Currently, we are expanding our study to a broader set of conditions.
 

4:15 – 5:00 PM

Plastic Cased Ammunition and 223 AK Type Rifles

Erica Lawton-McWhite, Miami-Dade Police Laboratory, Miami, FL

Objectives: From previous study, military weapons such as the Norinco and other AK-47 type rifles are known to leave identifiable marks on the body of the casings caused by the dust cover of the weapon. NATEC’s polymer cased ammunition was first made available to the public in December 2003 in 223 Remington and they plan to market a 308 cartridge as well. Tests were conducted to see if the identifiable marks would be produced on the body of this new type of ammunition.

Methodology: Three different 223 AK-type rifles were used in this experiment as well as one Colt Sporter. The AK-type rifles used were the Norinco BWK-92 Sporter, the Norinco 84 S, and the Norinco Mak 90. Two different types of NATEC polymer-cased ammunition in 223 Remington were used for the experiment: the 55 grain Sierra Blitzking and the 69 grain Sierra Matchking HPBT. Other ammunition that was used included Wolf 62 grain Copper FMJ steel case, Winchester 53 grain hollow point, Remington 55 grain metal case, and Federal Classic 55 grain Hi-Shok FMJ boat-tail. All test firing was done on an indoor range.

Results: After all tests were fired, the casings were viewed under the microscope. The plastic casings did not mark well enough to leave identifiable marks on the body of the casings. However, all of the AK-type rifles used slam fired with the NATEC ammunition and not with the traditional brass or steel cased ammunition. Furthermore, one of the rifles double fired occasionally with the last round firing out of battery. The Colt Sporter used to test fire the polymer ammunition did not have any such malfunction.

Conclusions: The interesting aspect of this experiment was the double firing and slam firing that occurred when using the polymer ammunition with the Norinco rifles. A NATEC representative at the SHOT Show was asked if they have had any problems with military weapons and their ammunition. They said that while their ammunition was not marketed for military use, they have tested it in military weapons with success. There are several possibilities that could have causes this. The first is that the primers were softer than traditional ammunition that was used. When the round was chambered, the firing pin hit the primer hard enough to ignite the cartridge. There is also evidence that the shoulders of the plastic casings get caught on the edge of the chamber when they are being chambered and the cartridge has a tighter fit in the chamber. When the bolt carrier is pushing the cartridge forward the change in bolt carrier speed causes the firing pin to overcome the spring tension and hit the primer, firing the cartridge whether it is in battery or not.
 

5:30 – 7:30 PM

Social Gathering in Quincy’s (Sponsored by Armor Forensics)
 

 

6:00 – 9:00 PM

GSR Workshop (Off Site at the International Forensic Science Laboratory and Training Centre – Meet In Lobby for Transportation)

Hosted by Robert J. Shem, Alaska Department of Public Safety, Anchorage, Alaska

This workshop offers a simplified alternative protocol to established procedures for the analysis of gunpowder residue patterns.  This simplified protocol is desirable for several reasons:

• Time Saving - A reduction in the number of procedural steps saves time and tedium.
   

• Less Wasteful - The reagent-treated test papers are prepared one at a time immediately prior to use, so there is no waste due to pretreated papers degrading over time in storage.
   

• Less Preparation (Lead-Time) Required – The test papers do not need to be dried prior to use.
   

• One Protocol for all Target Materials - This method is applicable to both porous and nonporous materials, so a consistent methodology is followed, instead of switching between a “reverse” method for nonporous items and a traditional “steam-through” method for porous items.
   

• Fewer Opportunities for Human Error – The reduction in procedural steps provides fewer opportunities to introduce human error.

Plus, the application of a single protocol for all target materials provides a greater familiarity with the procedures due to that fact that one would get more “practice” when employing a single methodology.

The workshop attendees will focus on the hands-on application of the Simplified Protocol in addition to a comprehensive approach to the processing of items suspected to possess gunshot discharge products.
 

6:00 – 9:00 PM

Non-Firing Marks Workshop (Director’s Row 3)

Instructor: Beta Tam

 

The workshop consists of three parts:

1. Variations in Firing Marks for cartridge case
   Structured on the three presentations on variations in Firing Marks from the same firearm by Beta Tam in New Port Beach, Philadelphia and Vancouver, discuss possible explanations about the formations of such variations by the use of cross-sectional sketches. The objective of this part is to provide participants a chance to familiar themselves with a number of possible variations in a relatively short period of time.
    

2. Manufacturing Marks on cartridges
   Based on the papers published in the AFTE Journal and other manufacturing marks collected, show the actual or published pictures of these non-firing marks and discuss possible technique to tackle the problem.
    

3. Other discussions
   Sub-class characteristics and firearm model recognition will be discussed with an intention to develop into a longer workshop in the future.

 

6:00 – 7:30 PM

Gradient Lens Workshop (Director’s Row 2)

Gradient lens will present a hands on application oriented workshop for examiners who want to enhance the documentation of evidence using the Hawkeye Borescope. It will include digital camera utilization of the borescope along with other applications.

 
 

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