Module 5 Discussion Questions

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.

“The examination process typically begins when an examiner receives a suspect firearm, along with bullets (the projectiles) and spent cartridge cases recovered from a crime scene.”

I think that the most difficult responsibility of a forensic scientist is being an expert witness. I think that it would be challenging because you’re testifying in a very important court case, you’re under pressure, and you cannot lie, leave out details, or stretch the truth. Whatever you say affects whether or not the criminal in the case is found guilty or walks free, which can be very stressful to think about.

Physical Evidence has always been a key factor in solving any crime scene. It is any evidence that could tell the investigators about the crime being investigated. Physical evidence which is found at the crime scene is good evidence to link the details on what occurred. It is also good evidence to find the suspect and also the victim in some cases. This paper will discuss a variety of physical evidence like DNA, firearms and ballistics, and also drug evidence. It will also discuss how they are collected, documented and preserved.

It is important for a forensic scientist to determine the distance from a gun to a shooter because in some cases a

The different types of specialists there are different types of specialists in forensic science like a ballistics specialists that specializes in firearms and things like that. Other types of specialists are like forensic anthropology that deals with bones and skulls. There is basically a different type of forensic scientists for every type of crime that there is. Ballistic specialists deal with firearms and they deal with collecting and analyzing firearms and ammunition. Some different types of things they’d deal with that have to deal with firearms and ammunition are like studying marks left on ammunition. Ballistic specialists have to have education is firearms and ammunition. Ballistic experts need at least a bachelor’s in forensic science. Some of the core requirements are

Do you know what the steps are when it comes to processing firearms evidence? Do you know what you should not do when picking up a firearm at a crime scene? Do you know what the steps are to safe handling of firearms found at crime scenes? Have you ever heard what information can be obtained from the analysis of firearms evidence? Do you know what data bases and technology can be used in processing a firearm? Have you heard what you can use to test bullets to see if they are a match to what has been used in a crime?

The book gives a general overview of the field of forensic science. The sections of the book include “The Scene of the Crime; Working the Scene--The Evidence; Working the Scene of the Body Human;

Firearm evidence consists of the discharged bullets, shot pellets, shotshell, shotshell components (case, shot, slug, wad, powder charge, brass head, and primer.), and cartridge cases. According to the Wisconsin Department of Justice when the firearm is sent into the lab the analyst looks at the “mechanical operability, including possible damage or alteration, trigger pull and physical features.” The firearm is then fired to see if it matches the bullets and cartridge cases. Another thing that is examined are the bullets to see if the markings match the ones that were test fired as each firearm produces it's own unique marking when fired. At the scene when the firearm has been shot it can pass through walls, furniture, windows, vehicles, doors, etc. this allows the analysts to to determine the diameter of the bullet,

Being in the forensic ballistics field it is very crucial for being highly educated on evidence handling and also documenting the evidence. In all forms of law enforcement it is mentioned on how important the care taking in evidence handling is but for forensic ballistic it is emphasized more than usual because the forensic ballistic experts can testify in court as an expert. In this field there are many different sorts of evidence that the expert may come across but majority of the evidence that revolves around them are related some way to firearms.

Firearms is a weapon from which a shot is being fired by the help of gunpowder, it could be Revolvers, Rifles (such as AK 47) and others. Deposits from residues, shell casing, fingerprints and guns are traceable by the help of forensic technicians. Investigators get help or clues through ballistic fingerprints at the scratches, dimples, bumps, and grooves that a gun leaves on a bullet and its shell casing. In terms of human fingerprinting, we could get each print by ballistics matching, finding whether two rounds came from the same gun. This method or technic can be a powerful tool for getting a good result when investigators have a suspect's weapon and can compare a slug from the crime with one test-fired from the gun. Failing that, investigators can use it to link separate crimes. Rae-Dupree, J. (2002). How bullets tell a

Rigorous and meticulous research be carried out in all forensic areas to provide the science that is needed to make forensic analysis a real science.

During my college career I was introduced to crime scene technology, procedures for sketching, diagramming and using casting materials. I was also taught the concepts of forensic chemistry, fingerprint classification/identification and latent techniques, drug identification, hair and fiber evidence, death investigation techniques, thin-layer chromatographic methods, and arson materials

According to Dror et al. (2006), contextual information is defined as, information that provides an understanding of the context of an event or issue. Contextual information unknowingly affects how opinions and perceptions are made; it is human nature to associate information with future perceptions, as a way to achieve a sense of security and predictability (Houck & Siegel, 2015). In forensic investigations, contextual information affects most areas of forensic science, from blood pattern analysis, to crime scene management; however, contextual information can produce a number of different outcomes from the exact same evidence, which leads to potential inaccuracies (Houck & Siegel, 2015). According to Bernstein et al. (2013), contextual information can lead to the complete disregard of any evidence that does not conform to the contextual information that was given prior to the collection of the evidence. According to Dror et al. (2006), the confirmation bias effect of contextual information, can render a lot of forensic disciplines inaccurate and prejudiced, which left unnoticed, can lead to the wrongful imprisonment of innocent people. This critical essay will show that contextual information leads to the formation of inaccurate and biased conclusions in forensic investigations. This essay will critically discuss the three areas of forensic science that are most susceptible to the formation of an inaccurate and biased conclusion, it will also highlight the issue of

I think all of the aspects of crime scene analysis are interesting and are valuable to law enforcement. Being able to tell whether an offender is an organized type versus a disorganized type based on a series of their crime scenes can be helpful in capturing the offender. Knowing what to look for in the offender’s post-behavior and knowing the best way to interview that type of offender can potentially result in an arrest.