Firearms evidence is usually encountered in crimes against persons such as homicide, assault and robbery; but may also be found in other crimes such as burglary, rape, and narcotics violations. Bullets and cartridge cases to specific firearms are the most common examinations requested, there are other examinations requested also such as examination of firearms for functioning or modification, sequence of shots fired and trajectories, list of possible weapons used and serial number restoration and ownership tracing. The location and condition of firearms and related evidence at a crime scene should be diagramed and photographed before recovering and securing. Although physical evidence is important, safety must be the first consideration. Each …show more content…
If it doubt, do not dust for prints, submit in person to the laboratory and request that the firearm be processed for prints. After processing the scene, the evidence should be sent to the laboratory, personal delivery is preferred. A loaded handgun may be transported in a specially constructed box which has a means of securely holding the firearm and has a metal plate blocking the muzzle. If the firearm is to be sent by mail it must be unloaded and securely packaged. At the end, make a sketch of the area which shows the location of each evidence item collected. The sketch should contain location measurements which reference each evidence item to a fixed object or a reference point. Photographs should be used to supplement notes and sketches, but not as a substitute for them. For later identification the serial number of a firearm should be recorded. Some older rifles and shotguns, may not have a serial number. If the firearm is marked for identification by scribing, the marks should be placed in a location where they will not damage the appearance or value of the
Forensic ballistics and firearm investigation begin when the bullets, cartridges, a weapon, or any combination of the above found at a crime scene. With the evidence, a crime laboratory will explore for clues on some things that might cause a suspect or possible to prove that the things were used in the crime. By contrast, the markings on the bullets or cartridges found at the scene with those discharged from the suspect’s weapon, a ballistics expert will typically confirm if the rounds came from a similar weapon. Just the act of cycling a cartridge through the weapon without firing it will leave permanent scratches on the case that is distinctive to the weapon.
What do you think would be the most interesting aspect of working with firearm evidence? What do you think would be the most challenging part?
If I were in charge of retrieving bullets at a crime scene I’d first I would have to find a way to remove the bullet out while preserving any possible markings on the bullet. Then the bullets can be placed into a marked container for identification purposes. Then to transport the bullet to the crime laboratory, I’d wrap the bullet in tissue paper and placed in an envelope or pillbox. I would have to be careful with the handling and packaging of the bullet, because I would have to be careful to preserve any trace evidence that might be present on the bullet.
The gathering, protection and safeguarding of evidence is a crucial facet of evidence integrity, without accurate adherence to these processes, vital evidence that could possibly have significant influence on a court case could be deemed inadmissible. Therefore identifies the importance in establishing policy and procedure for law enforcement agencies in the identification, collection, and storage of evidence. Objects that constitute fruits, instrumentalities, or evidence of the crime or are contraband may be introduced in evidence and exhibited to the jury if it is proven that such objects offered as evidence relate to the crime charged (Garland, 2015, p. 417). Below is a procedure for handling physical evidence for presentation
We found a 40 caliber at the house that matched the casings from the scene, we diagramed the location and the condition as well as photographed before recovering and securing. I examined to see if the weapon was loaded and it was not. I marked the position of the cylinder, using two pen marks I put on the top of the cylinder alone each side of the top strap of the frame. I noted the loaded casings found in the box of ammunition in the field notes. It was then bagged and sent to the lab.
The miscellaneous ammunition was placed in a box, sealed and weighed. The box of ammunition weighed 10.8 pounds. A property receipt was completed. The box of ammunition and the original copy of the property receipt was placed in a Property Evidence locker located in District II. I forwarded copies of the property receipt to Records and CID.
During the trial the prosecution tendered evidenced in court which showed that the DNA of the accused on the revolver that was recovered at the scene of crime and also produced
The other end of the rope was still tied to the bottom of a metal shelving unit, which was fastened to the ceiling. The bottom shelving unit is approximately five feet above the floor. There was a Glock .380 semi-automatic handgun found lying under the victim’s right leg, just below his knee. There was what appeared to be blood on the slide of the Glock and the shell casing had not been ejected from the gun after being fired. There were five rounds still in the magazine of the weapon. The box for the weapon was found on a counter on the opposite side of the garage along with a box of Sig Sauer .380 100 grain / full metal jacket ammunition. There were six round missing from the box. There was a receipt found inside the gun case indicating both the firearm and ammunition had been purchased by the victim from Shooters World at 116 E. Fletcher Avenue on 05-28-2018 at 1307
In addition , they also have to investigate. When the FBI arrive to a crime scene, they first look to see if they can see the weapons. Finding the weapon is a crucial step to finding the killer. A gun leaves the same unique patterns of marks on every bullet it fires. If the crime scene is by a river then police divers search for missing weapons at the bottom of river, lakes, and ponds. There may, however, be more than one crime scene.
Do you know what the steps are when it comes to processing firearms evidence? The first step to processing a firearm as evidence is to put gloves on your hands. Then you should take pictures of the gun when you find it at the crime scene. Make sure the picture is as clear as possible because it will be used in the court room. Make sure you included some form of measuring the gun that is in the picture. Next, take the bullets out of the gun and put the bullets in a line. Take a picture of it so the court can see the amount of bullets that was found at the crime scene in each gun. You also need to take pictures of all of the empty bullet shells that you may
When evidence is gathered, different equipment and processes are used to determinate what it means. In 2011, the Federal Bureau of Investigation estimated that 8,583 murder victims, in the United States, died because of a firearm. Forensic scientist can use equipment, such as the Integrated Ballistic Identification System, to find what firearm was used (Bureau). "They used a shotgun loaded with double-O buckshot. Inside the casing for each shot are nine
The victim sustained a gunshot to the abdomen and in the head. After analysing photographs of the crime scene and the bullet entries in the body, the investigators were able to determine the trajectory of the bullet’s path and discovered that for the gunshot to the abdomen the assailant was approximately 2 feet away. After being shot in the abdomen, the victim attempted to distance herself when she fell and the assailant came closer and shot her in the head. The two bullets were retrieved from the body so they could examine the bullet’s tool marks and they discovered that the bullets are a .38 caliber. The bullet’s lands and grooves will later be used to match the bullets to the assailant’s
Firearms that are left behind at a crime scene can be extremely helpful. This evidence includes not only the firearm itself but also the ammunition used in the firearm, componets that make up the firearms, and the residue that comes out when the
In the event that any firearm is discovered at a crime scene there are certain steps that need to be done in order to properly collect any type of firearm evidence. If there is any kind of firearm found at the scene it should be rendered safe immediately. For safety is the first priority at any crime scene. Forensic technicians should assign an evidence number to the firearm, photograph orientation and close-up view’s, and take measurements of the firearm’s location prior to collecting it. In order to deem a semiautomatic pistol safe, the forensic technician should be wearing latex gloves an unload the weapon as follows; (Tina Young, 2011)
Firearm evidence is usually found and encountered in crime scenes against people. There could be many different circumstances like murder, homicide, assault, robbery, suicide just to name a few. So this is basically what firearm evidence