Forensic Ballistics in Court - Interpretation and Presentation of Firearms Evidence

Informationen zum Autor Brian J. Heard, Formerly of the Ballistics and Firearms Identification Bureau for the Royal Hong Kong Police. Klappentext Forensic Ballistics in Court: Interpretation and Presentation of Firearms Evidence is an accessible introduction to firearms and ballistics evidence and how this is analysed and presented as evidence in a court of law.The book approaches the subject in terms of the realities of case work, opening with a clear and illustrated explanation of the correct nomenclature for various weapon types and their parts. Ammunition is also extensively covered, again with annotated illustrations. Basic external and terminal ballistics, wounding capabilities are likewise covered to give an overview of the subject. A key aspect of the book covers the theory and philosophy behind striation matches and the associated statistics, how positive matches should be peer reviewed and the importance accreditation has on this subject.Gunshot residue formation and identification and the various methods used in its analysis are reviewed in depth. This includes a critical examination of the pros and cons of each type of examination and the evidential weight which can be applied to each method.* Accessible and reader-friendly introduction to firearms and ballistics.* Clarifies the limitations of firearms evidence.* Extensive use of global case-studies throughout.* Focus on the interpretation and assessment of the weight of firearms/ballistics evidence presented at court.* Covers the importance of witness and accused statements and their interpretation in relation to the investigation under review.* Includes coverage of gunshot residue collection, examination and interpretation and the potential for contamination of GSR samples.* Includes numerous real life case studies that the author has dealt with over the past 45 years.* Takes an applied approach to the subject. Zusammenfassung Forensic Ballistics in Court: Interpretation and Presentation of Firearms Evidence is an accessible introduction to firearms and ballistics evidence and how this is analysed and presented as evidence in a court of law.The book approaches the subject in terms of the realities of case work, opening with a clear and illustrated explanation of the correct nomenclature for various weapon types and their parts. Ammunition is also extensively covered, again with annotated illustrations. Basic external and terminal ballistics, wounding capabilities are likewise covered to give an overview of the subject. A key aspect of the book covers the theory and philosophy behind striation matches and the associated statistics, how positive matches should be peer reviewed and the importance accreditation has on this subject.Gunshot residue formation and identification and the various methods used in its analysis are reviewed in depth. This includes a critical examination of the pros and cons of each type of examination and the evidential weight which can be applied to each method.* Accessible and reader-friendly introduction to firearms and ballistics.* Clarifies the limitations of firearms evidence.* Extensive use of global case-studies throughout.* Focus on the interpretation and assessment of the weight of firearms/ballistics evidence presented at court.* Covers the importance of witness and accused statements and their interpretation in relation to the investigation under review.* Includes coverage of gunshot residue collection, examination and interpretation and the potential for contamination of GSR samples.* Includes numerous real life case studies that the author has dealt with over the past 45 years.* Takes an applied approach to the subject. Inhaltsverzeichnis About the Author xiii Introduction xv About the companion website xix 1.0 Firearms History 1 1.0.1 Introduction 1 1.0.2 The flintlock 1 1.0.3 The percussion system 3 1.0...

List of contents

About the Author xiii
 
Introduction xv
 
About the companion website xix
 
1.0 Firearms History 1
 
Further reading 8
 
2.0 Weapon Types and Their Operation 9
 
Further reading 24
 
2.1 Gas and Air Powered Weapons 25
 
Further reading 31
 
2.2 Rifling Types and Their Identification 33
 
Additional reading 42
 
2.3 Home-made, Improvised and Converted Firearms 43
 
Further reading 50
 
2.4 Antique Weapons 51
 
3.0 Proof Marks 55
 
Further reading 61
 
4.0 A Brief History of Ammunition 63
 
Further reading 66
 
4.1 Ammunition Components 67
 
Further reading 79
 
4.2 Bullet Types 81
 
Further reading 86
 
4.3 Headstamps and Other Identifying Features on Ammunition 87
 
Further reading 91
 
4.4 Non-toxic and Frangible Bullets 93
 
Further reading 96
 
4.5 Non-toxic Shot 97
 
Suggested further reading 100
 
4.6 A Brief History of Propellants 101
 
Further reading 108
 
4.7 Priming Compounds 109
 
Further reading 114
 
5.0 An Introduction to Ballistics 115
 
Further reading 116
 
5.1 Internal Ballistics 117
 
Further reading 121
 
5.2 External Ballistics 123
 
Further reading 135
 
5.3 Terminal Ballistics 137
 
Further reading 152
 
6.0 A Brief History of Forensic Firearms Identification 153
 
Suggested further reading 160
 
7.0 Basic Concepts of Striation Matching 161
 
Further reading 172
 
7.1 Basic Concepts in Comparison Microscopy 173
 
Further reading 181
 
7.2 The Concept of Consecutive Matching Stria 183
 
Further reading 187
 
7.3 A Statistical Model to Illustrate the Concept of Individuality in Striation Matches 189
 
References 193
 
8.0 Accidental Discharge 195
 
Further reading 204
 
9.0 Identification of Calibre from the Bullet Entry Hole 205
 
Further reading 208
 
10.0 Ricochet Analysis 209
 
Further reading 213
 
11.0 Bullet Penetration and Trajectory through Glass 215
 
Further reading and references 223
 
12.0 Range of Firing Estimations and Bullet Hole Examinations 225
 
12.1 Chemical Tests for Range of Fire Estimations and Bullet Entry/Exit Hole Identification 235
 
Further reading 239
 
12.2 Range of Fire Estimations for Shotguns 241
 
Suggested further reading 247
 
13.0 The Use of X-ray Photography for Projectile Identification 249
 
Further reading 254
 
14.0 Gunshot Residue Examination 255
 
References 275
 
15.0 Gun Handling Tests 277
 
Further reading 283
 
16.0 Laser-etched Serial Numbers and Bar Codes 285
 
Further reading 287
 
17.0 Classification of Firearms-related Death 289
 
References and further reading 293
 
18.0 Practical Considerations in a Firearms Case from a Legal Point of View 295
 
Further reading and references 300
 
19.0 Qualifying the Expert and Cross-examination Questions 301
 
Further reading 308
 
20.0 Chain of Custody 309
 
Further reading 311
 
Appendix 1 Standard of Review: 'Daubert Trilogy' 313
 
Appendix 2 Commercial and General Abbreviations for Bullet Configurations 317
 
Appendix 3 Some of the More Common Trade Names 323
 
Appendix 4 Important dates in the History of Firearms from 1247 335
 
Appendix 5 Dates for the Introduction of Various Cartridges by Calibre 341
 
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Product details

• Authors: Bbj Heard, Brian J Heard, Brian J. Heard, HEARD BRIAN J
• Publisher: Wiley, John and Sons Ltd
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 26.04.2013
• EAN: 9781119962687
• ISBN: 978-1-119-96268-7
• No. of pages: 400
• Subjects: Natural sciences, medicine, IT, technology > Biology > Miscellaneous; Chemie, Kriminologie, Forensik, Law, Criminology, Rechtswissenschaft, chemistry, Analytische Chemie / Forensik, Forensics