Abstract
This is a review of the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST) efforts in surface metrology and topography measurements for firearm evidence identifications in forensic science. Based on the research projects in surface metrology and standardization, NIST researchers have developed Standard Reference Material (SRM) Bullets and Cartridge Cases (Certain commercial equipment, instruments, or materials are identified in this paper to specify adequately the experimental procedure. Such identification does not imply recommendation or endorsement by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, nor does it imply that the materials or equipment identified are necessarily the best available for the purpose) and established a 2D/3D Ballistics Topography Measurement System. They formulated a Traceability and Quality System to support nationwide ballistics identifications within the National Integrated Ballistics Information Network (NIBIN) in the United States. They have recently proposed a Congruent Matching Cells (CMC) method for accurate ballistic identification and error rate estimation, which provides a statistical foundation and a practical method to promote firearm evidence identifications from qualitative image comparisons to quantitative topography measurements.
Highlights
When bullets and cartridge cases are fired or ejected from a firearm, the parts of the firearm that make forcible contact with them create characteristic toolmarks on their surfaces called “ballistic signatures” [1]
The field of firearm evidence identification is more than 100 years old and the field of surface topography is at least 80 years old, but the combination of the two-using topography measurements and correlations for identification of fired bullets and cartridge
We review a series of National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) research projects addressing these challenges, which are aimed at providing scientific support to firearm evidence identification in the United States:
Summary
When bullets and cartridge cases are fired or ejected from a firearm, the parts of the firearm that make forcible contact with them create characteristic toolmarks on their surfaces called “ballistic signatures” [1]. We discuss challenges to firearm evidence identifications, followed by development of standard bullets and cartridge cases and a 2D/3D topography measurement system, and the formulation of a traceability and quality system and error Developing reference standards—NIST SRM (Standard Reference Material) 2460 Bullets and SRM 2461 Cartridge Cases for instrument calibration and establishing a measurement traceability and quality system to support nationwide firearm identifications [5].
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