NCJ Number
74807
Journal
Journal of the Forensic Science Society Volume: 20 Issue: 3 Dated: (July 1980) Pages: 153-162
Date Published
1980
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This paper presents the procedure used in the Wyoming State Laboratory for the preparation and examination of badly damaged bullets and the evaluation of the obtainable marginal evidence. It is suggested that photographic records be more widely used for this purpose.
Abstract
Methods of restoring a badly damaged bullet to its original shape if the bullet jacket is not folded too sharply and if a segment of jacket is intact from base to tip are detailed. Techniques of removing corrosion from bullets are then described, focusing on chemical dissolution as the preferred method of cleaning a lead bullet. The same techniques are suggested for use in removing dried blood and tissue. Recommendations are offered for evidence examination procedures which rely on a best-match orientation where a comparison is made to locate the areas of greatest similarity between an evidence bullet and test bullets. It is shown that after such evidence examinations, the medical examiner makes a subjective opinion of identification or elimination, based solely on the qualitative surface features of contour, depth, and spacing of striae. It is then suggested that the medical examiner rely to a greater extent on photographs to support the presentation of his opinion. Seven references are included.