Evidence Submitted
Evidence submitted for analysis varies widely in firearm-related cases. Most commonly these include recovered rifles, shotguns, pistols, revolvers, cartridge magazines, and a variety of fired and unfired cartridges. Bullets, bullet fragments, shot wads, shot cups, and other firearms-related evidence are also received from submitting agencies across the state.
Each gun submitted is test fired, and the recovered bullets and cartridge cases are retained for use in further analysis.
Comparison and Identification
The foremost question asked in most shooting investigations is whether a questioned firearm was the gun that fired the bullets or cartridge cases recovered. To answer it, the questioned evidence is compared against test-fired bullets and cartridge cases from the submitted firearm.
Using the comparison microscope, the minute individual markings placed on a bullet as it passed down the barrel can be microscopically compared and an identification made.
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Office hours are 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday.