What do we look at to match a bullet to a gun?
The unique markings or striations on the bullets
How do you handle a bullet found at a crime scene?
Place a bullet in a container marked with its information.
What can we use to determine how far away a gun was shot from a victim?
The gunpowder present on the victim
How are firearms identified?
Serial Number
What is your first priority when recovering firearm evidence
Make sure that the gun is not loaded and safe
The bullets need to be removed from the gun
What area of a gun is most likely to contain fingerprints?
The grip of the gun
What is the muzzle of the gun?
The end of the gun barrel
How would you describe tool marks?
Marks that are left from a tool applying force to the surface of an object
Why should you always pick up gun evidence by the trigger guard
You are less likely to find/damage fingerprints here
What is the inside of the gun barrel called?
The bore
What is the caliber of the gun?
The diameter of the gun barrel
How should clothing evidence be handled at a crime scene?
Each piece of clothing should be carefully removed (if on the victim) and placed into individual paper bags
What is the most important thing someone can do to ensure that they get high quality firearm photos?
Use good lighting
Why should you mark the tip of a bullet with your initials rather than the sides?
To ensure that they none of the markings on the bullet are damaged
What produces the grooves and lands of a firearm
The rifling of the firearm
How do investigators test to see if bullets are a match to a gun
They will fire bullets from the guns to match with the found bullets
What does a star-shaped pattern around a bullet hole indicate?
What materials are used to make impressions of tool marks
Silicone Rubber
Where should a firearm tag be placed when a gun if found to be evidence
It should be placed on the trigger guard
The position of the guns safety and the position of the hammer
Describe the purpose of the Integrated Ballistic Identification System (IBIS).
A database of digital images that allows investigators to compare bullets and casings from various crime scenes
What is a Greiss test
A test to determine if there is gunpowder residue on a surface
If you find a small object with a tool mark on it how should that small object be handled ?
The whole object should be removed and taken to the lab
What is an etching agent
A chemical that is used to reveal serial numbers that have been filed off of a weapon