Shooting Scene Reconstruction Flashcards
(35 cards)
What is shooting incident reconstruction?
The examination and analysis of physical evidence from a shooting scene, in an attempt to determine what may or may not have happened during the incident.
What four questions should be considered before reconstructing a scene?
- What are the issues?
- What do the witnesses say?
- Did the shooter provide explanations?
- Competing theories?
Is shooting incident reconstruction an exact science?
No, it is a consideration of a reasonable alternative explanation of an event
What are the 6 parts of the scientific method?
- Identify problem
- Form hypothesis
- Data collection
- Interpret data
- Draw conclusions
- Peer review
What are the 8 objectives for a shooting incident reconstruction
- Muzzle to target distance – range from which the firearm was discharged
- Position and orientation of Firearm to moment of discharge
- Position and orientation of Victim at moment of impact
- Number and sequence of shots in a multiple shooting incident
- Number and type of firearm(s) used in a multiple discharge shooting incident 6. Presence, nature and effect of any intervening material between the firearm
and victim or stuck object - Trajectory of the projectile
- Any other ballistic events that have significance to a particular case
Who is responsible for the shooting incident reconstruction?
- A qualified forensic investigator to process scene and collect data
- Forensic Pathologist
- Centre of Forensic science- firearms section, chemistry section, and biology section
What does reconstruction start with?
Notes, photos (distance, mid-range, and close-ups), video, measurements (manual, total station, 3D scan, and supporting documents
T or F
The shooting reconstruction is only as good as the documentation to support it?
TRUUUUUEEE
What are the 8 things you must consider about the firearm?
- Position/orientation of where located
- Manufacturer, calibre and model details
- Position of safety
- Position of cylinder
- Position of pump arm, bolt, lever
- Visible damage to firearm
- Sequence of cartridges in cylinder
- Position of hammer
What are they looking for on the firearm?
- Trace evidence
- Prints
- DNA
What must be done to a firearm when found?
- Remove magazine from firearm (don’t unload magazine)
2. Remove cartridge from breech
What must be noted about the cartridge and cartridge cases?
- Position located
- Head stamp details
- Visible damage (An expansion of the cartridge in a certain spot can indicate that its caliber did not match that of the firearm)
- Trace evidence • Prints
- DNA
What must be noted about the projectiles? (Bullets and Fragments)
- Position located
- Damage/deformation
- Visible transfer evidence (blood, drywall, glass)
- Type of bullet/fragment (lead, copper jacket)
○ Indicates type of ammunition, maybe where it came from, and maybe what kind of firearm fired it - Every fragment is of value • Trace Evidence
- DNA
What are the four impact sites?
- Clothing
- Human body/ tissue
- Vertical surfaces
- Entrance holes
Describe the clothing as an impact site.
○ Holes/defects-size/position ○ Gun powder residue/ gun shot residue ○ Blood staining ○ Trace evidence ○ Clothing must be carefully air dried ○ Packaged properly to protect trace evidence
What impact site is conducted under direction of forensic pathologist and describe?
Human body/ tissue
- X-rays must be taken
- Holes/ defects must be noted
- Gun powder/ gun shot residue must be searched/ tested for
- Describe wound track (entrance would is usually pretty circular while the exit wound is less)
- Note height of victim and any bruising, injuries or contusions.
How do you measure large areas/surfaces?
- Manual (good)
- Total Station (better)
- 3D scanner (best)
What are 6 things that are important to note on a vertical surface site?
- Holes/ defects (size/position/location)
- Gun powder residue/ gunshot residue
- Bullet wipe
- Trace material/ bloodspatter
- Directionality
- Rifling impressions
Describe the 3 entrance hole shapes.
- Bullets penetrating targets about 90 degrees producing circular holes
- Bullets penetrating on an angle (90 degrees or less) are more oval
- Lead-in mark-dark, elliptical mark made by the projectile as it enters a surface at an angle less than 90 degrees
- might be able to determine directionality
What are features indicative of a projectile impact site?
- Bullet wipe - discoloation of the immediate periphery of a bullet hole
- Can occur at any distance
- May not be noticeable if bullet has passed through other
things
What happens when bullet hits drywall? Glass/Bone?
Drywall: Defined sharp edge around hole
Glass/Bone: Defined sharp edge around hole; exit site will have a defined beveling
Describe exit holes of drywall.
- Jagged edge around hole and not as defined
- Particles and fibres pushed outwards from hole
- Typically larger than entrance
Describe exit holes of glass and bone.
- Rough, bevelled exterior edge
- Fragments pushed outwards from hole
- Typically larger than enterance
What does distance determination involve?
The examination of the scene/lab as well at partical testing in order
to determine the Muzzle to Target distance of the shot
