Machine Learning and Possibility of its Application for Forensic Researches on Firearms

Abstract

Role of machine learning in modern society cannot be over-estimated, especially given its steadily increasing importance in recent years. Various machine learning models are applied not only in everyday life but also in solving practical, engineering, and scientific challenges. However, the methods and capabilities of machine learning remain relatively obscure to most professionals across various fields of knowledge, including specialists in forensic firearm examination. The article discusses basic tasks that machine learning methods can facilitate and provides examples of tasks faced by forensic experts during firearm examinations that can be solved utilizing these methods. The article purpose is to familiarize professionals in the field of forensic science with be-sic capabilities of machine learning methods. The research paper demonstrates which specific types of tasks in forensic firearms examination it is advisable to apply these methods to, and what is required for this purpose. In order to achieve this goal, general scientific methods (dialectical, comparative, analysis, synthesis, induction, deduction) and special scientific methods (formal-logical, systemic-structural) have been employed. Specific expertise and skills in forensic identification methods (including ballistics, microscopic comparative analysis of traces on bullets and casings, detection and examination of gunshot residue to estimate shooting distance, etc.), principles of machine learning, and mathe-matical algorithms used to construct various models have been applied.