FBI Subaward to the NIST project "Identifying Class and Individual Characteristics of Printer Marks on Additively Manufactured Firearm Components"

In support of the NIST project, ""Identifying Class and Individual Characteristics of Printer Marks on Additively Manufactured Firearm Components,"" submitted as application GRANT14110035 to the NIJFY24FSCJPurposes solicitation, the FBI Firearm and Toolmark Unit will do the following:
The Firearms & Toolmark Unit (FTU) of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) will collaborate in NIST research on 3D printed firearm parts. While NIST has expertise in advanced surface measurements and analysis for objective comparisons, the FBI is directly involved in criminal casework related to 3D printed firearm parts. The FBI also has the legal ability to 3D print and test functioning firearm parts. This allows direct inspection of parts produced from digital part files (.stl & .gcode file formats) that are used in criminal activities, and will aid in identifying the types of printer marks present and where the marks are produced on the printed parts. They will also collaborate on the development of a website to disseminate information learned about 3D printed firearm parts to the law enforcement community.