NCJ Number
221667
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 52 Issue: 6 Dated: November 2007 Pages: 1314-1318
Date Published
November 2007
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This paper reports on the development of a classification system and identification key for .177 caliber air-gun pellets based on a five-class characteristic criterion.
Abstract
After subdividing the pellets, the largest category was the wadcutter type. This subdivision contained 10 (17 percent) of the pellets. Although individual pellets could not be identified in this wadcutter group, 58 (83 percent) of the other pellet types could be eliminated. The smallest category was the hollow-point pellet. This subdivision contained seven (10 percent) of the pellets. Of the 68 pellets examined 12 (18 percent) had unique class characteristics that permitted individual identification based on visual comparison with known pellets. Of the pellets with unique class characteristics, three were domed, three wadcutter, five pointed, and one a hollow-pointed pellet. In an examination of 100 unidentified pellets, 98 percent were correctly identified based on an examination of the head type, skirt type, length, and weight. The classification and identification of a pellet into a specific group limits the number of possible pellet matches and eliminates a portion of other pellets that do not match. Even though all product brands cannot be identified, various brands of pellets can be eliminated based on a pellet's class characteristics. The producers of the pellets used in this study were located in China, the Czech Republic, England, Korea, Spain, and the United States. 5 tables, 17 figures, and 5 references