Provide Labs and Examiners a Capability to Match Infrared Images of Firing Pin Impressions, Deformed bullets matched to test fires, and the validated capability to match images to large data base.

The goal of the proposal is to develop tools for test and evaluation of infrared (IR) imaging to upgrade NIBIN performance. SED recently completed an NIJ cooperative agreement that investigated potential benefits of infrared imaging over visible light imaging for identification of toolmark evidence. SED proposes to expand on prior research by developing capabilities and procedures to image and compare details of firing pin impressions using IR (seven firearms fired 1000 times; after each 100th firing, the cartridge case will be tagged and imaged), establishing and demonstrating methods for IR imaging of water tank test fired bullets and deformed bullets, and generating a larger collection of infrared images of cartridge cases. The authors plan to build a database of 1,000 to 10,000 images that can be used to investigate accuracy rates (no mention of models or manufacturers). ca/ncf