- 01: Introduction
- 02: History
- 03: Propellants, Firearms, and Ammunition Development
- 04: Modern Firearms Manufacture
- 05: Small Arms Ammunition
- 06: Evidence Handling Procedures
- 07: Equipment and Instrumentation
- 08: Examination of Firearms
- 09: Cartridge and Shotshell Examination
- 10: Characterization and Evaluation of Fired Projectiles
- 11: Bullet Comparison and Identification
- 12: Gunshot Residue and Distance Determination
- 13: Toolmark Identification
- 14: Communicating Results
- Resources
U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice ProgramsNational Institute of JusticeThe Research, Development, and Evaluation Agency of the U.S. Department of Justice
Microscopic Procedures
Home > Bullet Comparison and Identification > Microscopic Procedures
The following preliminary steps should be addressed prior to any of the case comparisons:
- Review laboratory protocols, as needed.
- Complete administrative requirements.
- Chain of custody.
- Marking of evidence.
- Laboratory case identifiers.
- Investigative file identifier.
- Examiner identity.
- Quality assurance.
- Follow laboratory safety protocols.
- Determine the presence of trace evidence and follow laboratory protocol for collection.
Examples of trace evidence include- paint,
- glass,
- blood,
- bone,
- soft tissue,
- hair,
- fibers,
- wood,
- metal smears,
- masonry,
- stone.
- Determine if latent fingerprint examinations should be performed prior to toolmark examinations.
- Determine if other examinations (not requested) should be performed. If so, coordinate with the investigator.
