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Preservation Of Firearms Evidence

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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

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