Forensic Firearm Examination Research

Williams & Bowes (2016) suggest that X-ray photography is useful when breaking down the bullet path and can also be used to determine the position of all pellets for the case of shotgun victims. Most importantly it helps identify bullet location in the body to determine if it can be removed or not as well as help identify the bullet caliber and type (Bukur & Green, 2017). The key aim of using this technology is to help identify the firearms used so as to find justice. Another purpose that firearm examiners use this technology is when trying to find out if blank firing weapons have been used to fire real bullets. Because blank firing weapons can be easily converted to real ones x-ray technology can be used to examine the weapon and determine if it has been used.

Therefore when a stellate tearing is found, investigators can assume that the firearm was held on, or within a few centimeters from skin contact during firing. However if not closely examined it may make investigators think of it as an exit wound hence ending up to wrong assumptions (Heard, 2011). GSR retention is a concern for investigators. How can GSR be preserved on the skin? Clothing? The retention of the Gunshot Residue is very important to investigators for by identifying and examining the residue, they have a better chance of determining the exact firearm used. According to Heard (2011), this gives investigators a better chance of linking the suspect to the weapon used in the crime by comparing the gunshot residue to that of the weapon.

The gunshot residue is composed of many components some of which include known metal elements like lead, barium, antimony, iron and such. Therefore investigators examine the presence of any remains of these metallic elements in the hands of the suspects that are believed to have fired the firearm. Investigators use a special spray in trace metal detection to visualize the presence of these traces in the suspect. However, this is not a reliable method in all instances for instance if the firearm had a slight rusted surface one can obtain a positive reaction from cotton gloves. Secondly, rain can easily tamper with this evidence for it most likely will wash away any remains if the weapon is fired during rain hence obtaining negative results.