A Statistical Validation of the Individuality of Guns Using High Resolution Topographical Images of Bullets

This project will add to the body of knowledge that was gained during a previous study that investigated whether features transferred from a barrel to a bullet are sufficiently unique to allow for a one-to-one association between the barrel and the bullets. As part of this study, over 2800 bullets were fired, retrieved and compared using an automated ballistic analysis system developed by IAI for this study. The statistical analysis of the results of these comparisons demonstrates that the premise of firearms identification can be validated in a quantitative manner. This award will continue this work by focusing on associating barrels of very poor and very good manufacture quality to both pristine and damaged fired bullets. ca/ncf