Toolmark identification

The Effect of Time on Rusted Firearm Identification

January 2022

Although iron-based metals are popular for making critical parts of firearms, they are susceptible to corrosion or rust. There is currently little research on how long a firearm can be left to rust before an identification is no longer possible. This project evaluates the effects of rust on the common working surfaces of Glock and Smith & Wesson Sigma firearms.

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Impression Session: Firearms and Toolmarks

August 2023

Series

National Center on Forensics

This training was presented as a part of the National Center on Forensics Conference at George Mason University on August 10th, 2023. In this session, NIST Senior Forensic Science Research Manager Rob Thompson and FBI Supervisory Physical Scientist/Forensic Examiner Michelle Machalka introduce the concepts of firearm and fingerprint impressions.

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

GRANT14110035-B

Open

Funding First Awarded

2024

$130,000

Identifying Class and Individual Characteristics of Printer Marks on Additively Manufactured Firearm Components

DJO-NIJ-25-RO-0001

Open

Funding First Awarded

2024

$389,657

Impression Session: Firearms and Toolmarks

Event Dates

August 10, 2023

Location

Online

Event Type

Webinar

Registration Status

Not Required

Comparison of Examiner Conclusions with Score-based Likelihood Ratios for Cartridge Case Evidence

DJO-NIJ-24-RO-0002

Open

Funding First Awarded

2023

$409,578

Empirical Analysis of Saw Mark Characteristics in Human Bone: Meeting Forensic Standards in Dismemberment Cases

15PNIJ-23-GG-04215-SLFO

Open

Funding First Awarded

2023

$495,637

The Viability of Virtual Peer Review and Microscopic Verification versus Traditional On-site Review

NCJ Number

307114

Date Published

2023

Agencies

NIJ-Sponsored

Publication Type

Research (Applied/Empirical)

PDF

Conference Proceedings: 2022 Firearm and Toolmarks Policy and Practice Forum

NCJ Number

304821

Date Published

April 2022

Agencies

NIJ-Sponsored

PDF | HTML

Validating Conclusion Scales in the Forensic Sciences

NCJ Number

304758

Date Published

2022

Agencies

NIJ-Sponsored

PDF

Validating strength-of-support conclusion scales for fingerprint, footwear, and toolmark impressions

NCJ Number

304524

Journal

Journal of Forensic Sciences

Date Published

March 2022

Agencies

NIJ-Sponsored

Publication Type

Research (Applied/Empirical)

HTML

Development and Validation of a Virtual Examination Tool for Firearm Forensics

NCJ Number

304350

Journal

Journal of Forensic Sciences

Date Published

2017

Agencies

NIJ-Sponsored

Publication Type

Research (Applied/Empirical)

HTML

Automatic identification of bullet signatures based on consecutive matching striae (CMS) criteria

NCJ Number

304345

Journal

Forensic Science International

Date Published

2013

Agencies

NIJ-Sponsored

Publication Type

Research (Applied/Empirical)

HTML

An Empirical Study to Improve the Scientific Foundation of Forensic Firearm and Tool Mark Identification Utilizing 10 Consecutively Manufactured Slides

NCJ Number

304344

Journal

AFTE Journal

Date Published

2013

Agencies

NIJ-Sponsored

Publication Type

Research (Applied/Empirical)

HTML

Forensic Surface Metrology: Tool Mark Evidence

NCJ Number

304343

Journal

Scanning

Date Published

2011

Agencies

NIJ-Sponsored

Publication Type

Research (Applied/Empirical)

HTML

Statistical Confirmation of Empirical Observations Concerning Tool Mark Striae

NCJ Number

304341

Journal

AFTE Journal

Date Published

2007

Agencies

NIJ-Sponsored

Publication Type

Research (Applied/Empirical)

HTML

A Century of Ballistics Comparison Giving Way to Virtual 3D Methods

NCJ Number

304321

Date Published

March 2022

Agencies

NIJ

Publication Type

Research (Applied/Empirical)

HTML

Development of a Mobile Toolmark Characterization/Comparison System

NCJ Number

256054

Journal

Journal of Forensic Sciences

Date Published

January 2017

Agencies

NIJ-Sponsored

HTML

Quantification of Tool Markings

2004-IJ-R-088

Closed

Funding First Awarded

2004

$390,000

Addressing Quality Assurance Issues in 3D Firearm and Toolmark Imaging

NCJ Number

303991

Journal

Journal of the Association of Firearms and Toolmarks Examiners

Date Published

April 2018

Agencies

NIJ-Sponsored

Publication Type

Research (Applied/Empirical)

HTML

NIST Ballistics Toolmark Research Database

NCJ Number

254536

Journal

Journal of Research of the National Institute of Standards and Technology

Date Published

2020

Agencies

NIJ-Sponsored

Publication Type

Standard, Report (Technical Assistance), Report (Grant Sponsored), Program/Project Description

PDF

Just Science Podcast: Just Advanced Capabilities in Firearm and Toolmark Analysis

NCJ Number

303838

Date Published

December 2021

Agencies

NIJ-Sponsored

AUDIO

Implementation Strategies: 3D Imaging for Firearms and Toolmarks

NCJ Number

303669

Date Published

October 2021

Agencies

NIJ-Sponsored

Publication Type

Research (Applied/Empirical)

HTML | PDF

2022 Firearm and Toolmarks Policy and Practice Forum

Event Dates

January 11, 2022, 1:00 pm – January 14, 2022, 5:00 pm Eastern

Location

Online

Event Type

Webinar

Registration Status

Open

Exploration of Breech Face Subclass Characteristics 

Event Dates

December 9, 2021, 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm Eastern

Location

Online

Event Type

Webinar

Registration Status

Open

Series

Firearm and Toolmarks Webinar Series

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