Firearm and Toolmark Examination and Identification (Advanced Forensic Science Series)

The Advanced Forensic Science Series grew out of the recommendations from the 2009 NAS Report: "Strengthening Forensic Science: A Path Forward." This volume, Firearm and Toolmark Examination and Identification, will serve as a graduate-level text for those studying and teaching firearm and toolmark examination and identification. It will also prove an excellent reference for forensic practitioner's libraries or use in their casework. Coverage includes a wide variety of tools and toolmarks, analysis of gunshots, ammunition, gunshot wounds and professional issues they may encounter. Provides basic principles of forensic science and an overview of firearms and toolmarks Contains information on a wide variety of tools and toolmarks Covers the analysis and interpretation of gunshots, ammunition and gunshot wounds Includes a section on professional issues, such as: from crime scene to court, lab reports, and health and safety Incorporates effective pedagogy, key terms, review questions, discussion question and additional reading suggestions 1 online resource CIP data; item not viewed Front Cover; FIREARM AND TOOLMARK EXAMINATION AND IDENTIFICATION; Copyright; CONTENTS; EDITOR: BIOGRAPHY; LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS; FOREWORD; Reference; PREFACE; Reference; OVERVIEW; Further Reading; 1. Introduction; Basic Principles of Forensic Science; What Is Forensic Science?; The Trace As the Basic Unit of Forensic Science; Two Native Principles; Nonnative Principles; Further Reading; Relevant Websites; Forensic Classification of Evidence; Introduction; Methods of Classification; Class Level Information; Uniqueness and Individualization; Relationships and Context; Further Reading Interpretation/The Comparative MethodIntroduction; Analogy and Comparison within a Forensic Process; The Comparative Method within Forensic Science; Further Reading; Key Terms; Review Questions; Discussion Questions; Additional Readings; 2. Analysis; Laboratory Analysis; Examination of Firearms; Uncertainties and Limitations; Examination of Fired Ammunition Components; Level-One Analysis: Class Characteristic Marks; Level-Two Analysis: The Microscopic Comparison; Recent Developments; Further Reading; Relevant Websites; Analysis, Comparison, Evaluation, and Verification (ACE-V); Introduction History and EtiologyThe Process; Quality and Quantity of Detail; Testing; Forensic Disciplines that Have Not Adopted ACE-V; Conclusion; Further Reading; Range; Introduction; Further Reading; Shotgun Ammunition on a Target; Introduction; The Shot Shell; The Barrel; Shooting Range Estimation; Adaptations; Some Misconceptions; Further Reading; Physical Match; Introduction: What Is a "Physical Match"?; The Uniqueness of a Fracture Line; Obstacles to Performing a Physical Match; Mathematical and Statistical Evaluation; On "Identification" and "Degree of Certainty"; Summary; Further Reading; Tools IntroductionDefinitions; Brief History of Toolmark Identification Applied to Forensic Science; Application of Toolmark Identification in Forensic Science; Important Considerations; Casework Examples; Future of Toolmark Identification; Further Reading; Relevant Websites; Humane Killing Tools; Introduction; Captive-Bolt Humane Killers; Injuries from Captive-Bolt Narcotic Devices; Fatalities from Humane Killers; Stud Guns; Further Reading; Key Terms; Review Questions; Discussion Questions; Additional Readings; 3. Interpretation Sequential Unmasking: Minimizing Observer Effects in Forensic ScienceThe Concept of Sequential Unmasking; The Foundational Basis for Cognitive Effects; Support for Blind Testing in Forensic Science; Arguments against Blind Testing in Forensic Science; Sequential Unmasking in Forensic Science; Domain-Relevant (and Domain-Irrelevant) Information; Exemplar Lineups; Conclusion; Further Reading; Overview and Meaning of Identification/Individualization; The Identification Process: A Reduction Process to a Single Source; The Inferential Schemes; Relationship with Probabilities "The Advanced Forensic Science Series grew out of the recommendations from the 2009 NAS Report: "Strengthening Forensic Science: A Path Forward." This volume, Firearm and Toolmark Examination and Identification, will serve as a graduate-level text for those studying and teaching firearm and toolmark examination and identification. It will also prove an excellent reference for forensic practitioner's libraries or use in their casework. Coverage includes a wide variety of tools and toolmarks, analysis of gunshots, ammunition, gunshot wounds and professional issues they may encounter." -- Publisher's description