Firearm identification

Firearms identification is undergoing a major change in capability with the adoption of optical topography, which provides a 3D view of the surface of a bullet or cartridge case to capture the full range of subclass and individual characteristics.

This webinar was presented by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence on January 10, 2018.
 

Forensic science research and development plays a key role in the advancement of the practice of forensic science, as noted by the 2009 National Academies of Science report “Strengthening Forensic Sciences in the United States: A Path Forward.”

This webinar was presented by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence on February 26, 2019.

This webinar will discuss the challenges and opportunities regarding the implementation of the NIBIN program. The NIBIN program has the potential to find links in cases involving firearms that can quickly assist in an investigation.

This webinar was presented by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence on January 24, 2019.

In this study, firearms examiners were asked to use traditional microscopic methods to identify unknown bullets to the appropriate barrels. Additionally, 3D scans of these bullets were used in a matching algorithm to find similarity scores between bullets. Error rates were determined and the potential for subclass carry-over among the barrels was evaluated. 

This webinar was presented by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence on December 16, 2021.

This webinar will expand examiners' awareness of additional areas of interest for identification purposes. Two previously undocumented toolmarks were observed in Glock pistols and could potentially be used for other make/model pistols. These new toolmarks will expand an examiner’s ability to compare fired and unfired ammunition components to each other or to a suspect firearm.

This webinar was presented by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence on December 12, 2021.

This study assesses the production of subclass characteristics during the manufacturing of breech faces. Observations on how well subclass characteristics persist on manufactured breech faces with and without any finishing methods as well as the effect of the primer on the quality/quantity of the breech face impressions will be discussed.    

This webinar was presented by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence on December 9, 2021.

This webinar will provide an overview of the validation, implementation of 3D  technology at the FBI Laboratory’s Firearms/Toolmarks Unit. This presentation will highlight the process, including Standard Operating Procedures, laboratory workflow, selection of casework, blind verification, reexamination of casework using light microscopy and Daubert preparation.

This webinar was presented by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence on June 2, 2021, as part of the 2021 ASCLD Train the Director Series.

This video is one of four from the Virtual Workshop Series: 3D Firearm Imaging, hosted by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence from August 21 to September 11, 2024. 

Throughout this workshop series, attendees hear from a range of presenters and subject matter experts.  

This video includes the presentation Integrating Cadre Forensic TopMatch-3D in NIBIN Workflows, Alexander Luby, Firearms Examiner at Unified Forensic Laboratory.

This video is one of four from the Virtual Workshop Series: 3D Firearm Imaging, hosted by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence from August 21 to September 11, 2024. Throughout this workshop series, attendees hear from a range of presenters and subject matter experts.  

This video includes a presentations by Todd Weller, Weller Forensics, and Rachael Gominsky, Federal Bureau of Investigation Session.

This video is one of four from the Virtual Workshop Series: 3D Firearm Imaging, hosted by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence from August 21 to September 11, 2024. Throughout this workshop series, attendees hear from a range of presenters and subject matter experts.  

This video includes the presentation" Instrumentation, and Measurement Practices," Xiaoyu Alan Zheng, National Institute of Standards and Technology, and Rachael Gominsky, Federal Bureau of Investigation.

This video is one of four from the Virtual Workshop Series: 3D Firearm Imaging, hosted by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence from August 21 to September 11, 2024. This series is intended for firearm examiners or soon-to-be firearm examiners working in laboratories that have recently adopted 3D Firearm Imaging or are considering its adoption soon.

This video includes two presentations - 

This video is one of 12 from the recorded at the Firearm and Toolmarks Policy and Practice Forum hosted by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence January 11–14, 2022. Panelists include:

This video is one of 12 from the recorded at the Firearm and Toolmarks Policy and Practice Forum hosted by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence January 11–14, 2022. This video includes -

This video is one of 12 from the recorded at the Firearm and Toolmarks Policy and Practice Forum hosted by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence January 11–14, 2022. Video includes welcome remarks and a keynote address by Erich Smith, FBI Laboratory. The symposium included presentations and panel discussions on topics relevant to recent advances in firearm and toolmark examination with a focus on the future. 

This video is one of 12 from the recorded at the Firearm and Toolmarks Policy and Practice Forum hosted by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence January 11–14, 2022. Presentations include - 

This video, a presentation by NIJ's Jonathan McGrath and Basia Lopez, is one of 12 from the recorded at the Firearm and Toolmarks Policy and Practice Forum hosted by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence January 11–14, 2022. The symposium included presentations and panel discussions on topics relevant to recent advances in firearm and toolmark examination with a focus on the future. 

This video is one of 12 from the recorded at the Firearm and Toolmarks Policy and Practice Forum hosted by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence January 11–14, 2022. This video includes welcoming remarks and the day keynote address by Thomas Chittum, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The symposium included presentations and panel discussions on topics relevant to recent advances in firearm and toolmark examination with a focus on the future. 

This video is one of 12 from the recorded at the Firearm and Toolmarks Policy and Practice Forum hosted by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence January 11–14, 2022. Day 3 focused on emerging technologies. Presentations include: