Author: John H. Dillon, Jr.

Jack Dillon earned a B. S. from the United States Naval Academy and an M. Ed. from the University of Virginia. Commissioned in the United States Marine Corps in 1964, he attained the rank of Captain of Marines. Appointed a Special Agent, FBI, in 1970, he investigated diverse criminal violations, including organized crime, bank robberies, extortions, and kidnappings. In 1976 he received orders to the Firearms/Toolmarks Unit of the FBI Laboratory for training as an examiner, where he evaluated evidence and provided on-site field support in domestic cases, as well as abroad. He also designed and taught basic- and management-level forensic courses at the FBI Academy, Quantico, Virginia, 1982-1988. Jack retired from the FBI as Chief of the Firearms/Toolmarks Unit in 1994, and continues to consult in forensic firearm cases and in training design and delivery.

Introduction

Bullets and shotshell projectiles may be the only firearms-related evidence recovered from a crime scene or from the body of a shooting victim. Even when no firearm is recovered, significant information may still be obtained from examination of the projectile. This module addresses the evidentiary potential of bullets, pellets, shotgun slugs, or wadding recovered from a crime scene or the body of a victim.

Objectives

At the conclusion of this module the student should be able to do the following:

• Discuss the preliminary considerations that must be addressed prior to performing examinations of fired bullets
• Describe the physical features of fired and unfired bullets resulting from design specifications and the manufacturing process
• Explain the use of bullet physical features in searching a standard ammunition file (SAF)
• Describe the concepts related to general rifling characteristics, including:
  • What they are and where they are located
  • Defining the dimensions to be measured
  • Techniques for taking measurements
  • Equipment options for taking measurements
  • The FBI General Rifling Characteristics File
  • Calculation of caliber from damaged bullets
  • The evidentiary potential of fired bullets
• Describe the potential challenges in the determination of general rifling characteristics
• Describe the types of equipment necessary for performing examinations of fired bullets
• Provide an overview of the contents of worksheets used in the examination of fired bullets
• List the categories of possible conclusions in regard to fired bullets
• Describe the format and administrative contents of a formal report in regard to fired bullets
• Outline the formats for reporting technical results and conclusions in formal reports
• Discuss the forensic potential and probative value of fired shotshell wadding, pellets, buckshot, slugs, and buffer
• Describe the examination protocol for shotshell wadding, pellets, buckshot, slugs, and buffer
• Articulate the contents of a typical worksheet for fired wadding, pellets, buckshot, slugs, and buffer
• Discuss typical formats and content for reporting of results of the examination of shotshell wadding, pellets, buckshot, slugs, and buffer
• Describe the references available in regard to ammunition and bullets in the form of:
  • Printed materials
  • Physical files
  • Reference data in digital form
  • Internet accessed information
• Describe the recommendations of the Association of Firearm and Tool Mark Examiners in regard to the minimum requirements for the contents of laboratory bench notes for the examination of fired bullets

AFTE Knowledge and Ability Factors

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