Firearms and Toolmarks NIBIN Plan

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Questions and Answers

What is the main purpose of the Administrative NIBIN Sampling Plan?

To examine projectile evidence routinely

To analyze all submitted firearm evidence without screening

To eliminate the need for comparative examinations

To reduce the time it takes to provide investigative leads (correct)

How are submitted cartridge cases and shotshell cases handled under the sampling plan?

All cases are examined comparably

They remain unprocessed until further notice

They are screened and grouped based on similar characteristics (correct)

They are grouped based on dissimilar characteristics

What will happen if a potential association is made with the database?

The association will be ignored

A Certificate of Analysis will be issued (correct)

No documentation is required

The evidence will be archived indefinitely

Which firearm types are specifically mentioned for test fires in the NIBIN sampling plan?

Semiautomatic pistols and rifles, long guns firing handgun ammo, and self-ejecting shotguns Signup and view all the answers

What can class characteristics of ammunition components reveal?

The brand and type of firearm in which the component was fired Signup and view all the answers

In the absence of a firearm, what can be identified from firearm parts found at a crime scene?

The type of firearm from which they originated Signup and view all the answers

Which action will NOT be routinely performed according to the sampling plan?

Performing comparative examinations on submitted cases Signup and view all the answers

What should an officer do if they need confirmation of an association made by the NIBIN system?

Consult with laboratory personnel for resubmission of evidence Signup and view all the answers

What is necessary to do with firearms prior to delivery to the laboratory?

Unload them Signup and view all the answers

When submitting cartridges for DNA or Latent Print examinations, how should they be packaged?

In a separate rigid or padded container Signup and view all the answers

What should be done if a firearm is found in water?

Place it in fresh water immediately Signup and view all the answers

What tool should be used to recover bullets, shot pellets, and slugs to avoid contamination?

Rubber tipped forceps or gloves Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended action if firearms cannot be unloaded prior to submission?

Call the Firearms Section for advice Signup and view all the answers

When packaging projectiles, how should they be labeled?

On the packaging, not on the evidence Signup and view all the answers

To preserve the integrity of the firearm during packaging, what should be minimized?

Contact with the evidence itself Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of documenting the cylinder in a revolver?

To determine the sequence of events Signup and view all the answers

What is required for a bullet to be linked to a specific firearm?

Presence of sufficient marks Signup and view all the answers

How can cartridges be associated with a specific firearm?

Through markings left during cycling Signup and view all the answers

What can indicate that a cartridge case was fired from a particular firearm?

Presence of sufficient marks Signup and view all the answers

What is true about shotshells in relation to firearms?

They may be associated similarly to cartridges Signup and view all the answers

What component can be identified in shotshells?

Type of projectile and/or gauge Signup and view all the answers

What type of ammunition involves a plastic enclosure around the bullet?

Saboted ammunition Signup and view all the answers

What is necessary before submitting evidence for a distance determination examination?

Consulting the Firearm Section Supervisor Signup and view all the answers

Which residue is confused with gunshot residue but is distinct?

Primer residue Signup and view all the answers

What should bullets collected in the emergency room or at autopsy be washed with?

Water Signup and view all the answers

What should investigators consider regarding saboted ammunition?

The sabot may separate from the projectile Signup and view all the answers

What should be done to maintain the integrity of fingerprint evidence on cartridge cases?

Use rubber tip forceps or gloves to recover them Signup and view all the answers

How should cartridges or shotshells be packaged for comparison examination?

In a separate rigid or padded container Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the cartridge or shotshell should never be marked?

The headstamp area Signup and view all the answers

What may happen if body fluids come into contact with evidence items?

They may destroy microscopic markings Signup and view all the answers

What is the best way to handle bullets to protect trace evidence?

With gloves and careful handling Signup and view all the answers

When is it acceptable to submit cartridges in a magazine without unpacking?

When DNA or Latent Print examinations are being requested Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of toolmark identification?

To determine if a toolmark was produced by a particular tool Signup and view all the answers

What should be done when collecting clothing for distance determination exams?

Completely air dry the clothing and place it on butcher paper Signup and view all the answers

What is the consequence of using plastic to package biological material on clothing?

It may cause biological material to deteriorate Signup and view all the answers

What should be examined on a suspect tool to aid in toolmark identification?

Foreign deposits such as paint or metal Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended action for collecting toolmarks from a mobile object?

Bring the entire object to the laboratory Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the critical steps in preparing clothing for evidence collection?

Rolling or folding the clothing to avoid openings Signup and view all the answers

In which types of cases might toolmark examination be utilized?

In various criminal activities including burglary and homicide Signup and view all the answers

What should a forensic expert NOT do when dealing with clothing that might contain gunshot residues?

Keep it in a moist environment while transporting Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Firearms and Toolmarks Section - Administrative NIBIN Sampling Plan

For cases with two or more cartridge cases or shotshell cases, submitted evidence will be screened and grouped based on similar characteristics.
At least one cartridge case or shotshell case representing each determined group will be imaged.
NIBIN system searches will be conducted.
Comparative examinations will not be performed routinely, and projectile evidence will not be examined routinely when submitted with cartridge case or shotshell case evidence in the absence of a firearm.
Test fires from submitted semi-automatic pistols, semi-automatic rifles, long guns chambered to fire handgun ammunition, and self-extracting/ejecting and slide action shotguns are searched against the database.
Notifications regarding potential associations will be issued to the agencies that originally submitted the associated evidence.

Ammunition Components

Bullets, wad components, cartridge cases, and shotshell cases recovered from a scene or a body may be identified by brand.
Class characteristics may provide information about the brand and type of firearm in which the component was fired.

Bullet Examination

A bullet or bullet fragment can be identified as having been fired from a particular firearm if sufficient marks are present.

Cartridge Examination

Markings left from cycling a cartridge through the action of a firearm may be associated with a particular firearm.
Markings left on cartridges may be associated with a particular magazine.
Markings on cartridges may be associated with cartridge cases if no firearm is recovered.

Cartridge Case Exam

A cartridge case may be identified as having been fired from a particular firearm if sufficient marks are present.

Shotshell Exam

Shotshells may be associated with a firearm in the same manner as cartridges.

Shotshell Case Exam

A shotshell case may be identified in the same manner as a fired cartridge case.
Components commercially loaded into the shotshell may also be identified.

Firearm Not Recovered

Upon request, bullets and cartridge/shotshell cases recovered from the same or different incidents can be compared to determine if they were fired from the same firearm.

Saboted Ammunition

A sabot is a plastic enclosure around a bullet/projectile allowing a smaller diameter and lighter weight projectile to be fired.
The microscopic markings from the barrel may be imparted onto the sabot rather than the bullet/projectile.
A sabot may be identified as having been fired from a particular firearm if sufficient marks are present.

Distance (Proximity) Determination

Contact the appropriate Firearm Section Supervisor for consultation and approval before submitting evidence for a distance determination examination.
The approximate distance the muzzle of a firearm was from an object at the time of firing may be determined by examining clothing or other materials for the presence of gunshot residues.

Packaging Guidelines

Firearms should be unloaded prior to delivery to the laboratory. If not possible, call the Firearms Section prior to submission and mark the packaging material as LOADED FIREARM.
Package firearms in a manner that minimizes contact with the packaging material to avoid destroying latent prints.
Firearms found in water should be placed in a container of the same water and immediately submitted to the laboratory.
Recovered bullets, shot pellets, slugs, and shotshell wads should be recovered using rubber-tipped forceps or gloves to avoid contaminating or adding trace or other biological evidence.
Place projectiles in a separate, clearly labeled, and properly sealed plastic evidence bag.
Do not mark directly on evidence with item numbers, initials, date, or other information. Place the necessary information on the packaging.
Bullets collected in the emergency room or at autopsy should be washed off with water (not disinfectants) and air dried before packaging.
Cartridge cases and shotshell cases should be recovered using rubber-tipped forceps or gloves to avoid obliterating fingerprints or damaging trace evidence.
If latent prints are not a concern, cartridge cases and shotshell cases may be placed in a plastic evidence bag.
If latent prints are a concern, package in a small rigid container in a manner that minimizes friction between surfaces.
Never mark the headstamp area or other portions of the cartridge case or shotshell case.
In order to submit cartridges or shotshells for a comparison examination, do not submit them in the same package as the firearm. Package them in a separate rigid or padded container.
It is not necessary to submit cartridges or shotshells when only NIBIN and/or function exams are being requested.
It is acceptable to leave cartridges in a magazine, packaged in a separate rigid or padded container, especially if DNA or Latent Print examinations are being requested on the cartridges or the magazine itself.
Never mark the headstamp area or other portions of the cartridge or shotshell.
Completely air dry clothing for distance (proximity) determination exams.
Place clothing items flat onto a clean piece of butcher paper sufficiently larger than the item itself.
Place additional paper inside the article of clothing to separate the layers.
Place another piece of paper that is slightly smaller than the first, but still covers the entire item, over the item and roll or fold it over onto itself so no openings are exposed.
Properly label and seal the container.

Toolmark Identification

The primary function is to determine if a toolmark was produced by a particular tool.
Toolmark cases may involve any type of criminal activity, ranging from burglary to homicide.
Toolmarks may be encountered on many varied surfaces including wood and metal.

Examination of Suspect Tool with a Toolmark

The tool will be examined for foreign deposits such as paint or metal for comparison against the marked object. This trace evidence may help to associate the tool with the marked surface.
Test marks are made with the suspect tool. The test marks are microscopically compared to the questioned toolmark to determine if the suspect tool produced the questioned toolmark.

Collection Guidelines

If the object bearing the toolmark is reasonably mobile, bring the entire object to the laboratory.

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Description

This quiz explores the administrative aspects of the NIBIN sampling plan for firearms and toolmarks. It covers the procedures for grouping evidence, imaging cartridge cases, and conducting NIBIN system searches. Additionally, it addresses the criteria for comparative examinations and handling of projectile evidence.