- 01: Introduction
- 02: History
- 03: Propellants, Firearms, and Ammunition Development
- 04: Modern Firearms Manufacture
- 05: Small Arms Ammunition
- 06: Evidence Handling Procedures
- 07: Equipment and Instrumentation
- 08: Examination of Firearms
- 09: Cartridge and Shotshell Examination
- 10: Characterization and Evaluation of Fired Projectiles
- 11: Bullet Comparison and Identification
- 12: Gunshot Residue and Distance Determination
- 13: Toolmark Identification
- 14: Communicating Results
- Resources
Equipment
Home > Cartridge and Shotshell Examination > Identification > Equipment
Stereomicroscope
Although the comparison microscope is the basic tool of the trade for examination of evidence, there are a number of equipment items that may expedite the process, including
- range facilities,
- a variety of ammunition,
- appropriate containers for fired test standards,
- metal or electric scribes and permanent markers,
- stereomicroscope with a range up to approximately 30x,
- microscope lighting options,
- video monitor and live video/closed circuit television capability for the comparison microscope,
- imaging equipment to record and document areas of correspondence.
Imaging technology records a two-dimensional representation of a three-dimensional object and produces an image. However, an image alone does not constitute identification. Imaging remains the fastest and simplest method for documenting the examiner’s conclusion. Alternative techniques for documenting areas of correspondence include written narrative descriptions and hand-drawn sketches; these are time-intensive techniques.
A laboratory worksheet is used to record raw data contemporaneously as the examination progresses. This worksheet should document both class characteristic information and microscopic comparisons.
