Practical Analysis And Reconstruction Of Shooting Incidents

The ultimate goal of collecting, preserving, and examining physical evidence is individualization - associating each piece with its responsible source. Firearms evidence in particular has the potential to individualize its source. Accessible and comprehensive, Practical Analysis and Reconstruction of Shooting Incidents provides the foundation necessary to develop and sharpen the skills used to investigate shooting incidents. It provides an explanation of what constitutes pertinent evidence and appropriate results pertaining to autopsies, forensic laboratory analysis, and reenactments. The text also reviews basic firearm design, function, ammunition components, and the terminology required for understanding evidence encountered at the scene. The book explains the basic mathematics of shooting reconstruction and includes sample problems at the end of each chapter. It presents case studies that feature those involving the John F. Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy assassinations. It also details proper photographic documentation and effective courtroom techniques used to present the results of shooting reconstructions to juries, with examples of acceptable demonstrative evidence. Arming the investigator with the means to successfully examine and evaluate what transpired at the scene, Practical Analysis and Reconstruction of Shooting Incidents is an important resource to have accessible at all times.

The book explains what constitutes pertinent evidence and appropriate results relative to autopsies, forensic laboratory analysis, and reenactments. The book reviews basic firearm design, function, and ammunition components and presents the terminology required for understanding evidence encountered at the scene. It explains the mathematics of shooting reconstruction and provides sample problems at the end of each chapter.

Practical Analysis and Reconstruction of Shooting Incidents, Second Edition presents a holistic approach to shooting incident analysis and reconstruction, covering the entire spectrum of related sub-disciplines of forensic science. The book reviews basic firearm design and function, ammunition components, and terminology, explaining what constitute

Shooting Incident Reconstruction, Third Edition, offers a thorough explanation of matters from simple to complex to help the reader understand the factors surrounding ballistics, trajectory, and shooting scenes. Forensic scientists, law enforcement, and crime scene investigators are often tasked with reconstruction of events based on crime scene evidence, along with the subsequent analysis of that evidence. The use and misuse of firearms to perpetrate crimes from theft to murder necessitates numerous invitations to reconstruct shooting incidents. The discharge of firearms and the behavior of projectiles create many forms of physical evidence that, through proper testing and interpretation by a skilled forensic scientist, can establish what did and what did not occur. Written by the world's most well-respected shooting scene and ballistics experts, the book addresses the terminology, science, and factors involved in reconstructing shooting incident events to solve forensic cases. It covers the full range of related topics including: the range from which a firearm was discharged; the sequence of shots in a multiple discharge shooting incident; the position of a firearm at the moment of discharge; and the position of a victim at the moment of impact. The probable flight path of a projectile and the manner in which a firearm was discharged are also discussed. Case studies illustrate real-world application of technical concepts, supported by over 200 full-color diagrams and photographs. This book will be of value to practicing forensic scientists (firearm and toolmark examiners), ballistics experts, crime scene personnel, police departments, forensic consultants (generalists), attorneys and judges, medical examiners (coroners), and forensic pathologists. New chapters on special reconstructive properties and value of shootings involving sub-machine guns or pseudo automatic firearms, rate of fire with special attention on shot-to-shot time intervals, human factors in shooting incidents Updated and revised glossary terms to fit with new technology and the emergence of standardization of terms by groups such as the Organization of Scientific Advisory Committees Provides clear practice standards and ethical guidelines for those involved in reconstructing shooting scenes

Every action performed by a crime scene investigator has an underlying purpose: to both recover evidence and capture scene context. It is imperative that crime scene investigators must understand their mandate—not only as an essential function of their job but because they have the immense responsibility and duty to do so. Practice Crime Scene Processing and Investigation, Third Edition provides the essential tools for what crime scene investigators need to know, what they need to do, and how to do it. As professionals, any investigator’s master is the truth and only the truth. Professional ethics demands an absolute adherence to this mandate. When investigators can effectively seek, collect, and preserve information and evidence from the crime scene to the justice system—doing so without any agenda beyond seeking the truth— not only are they carrying out the essential function and duty of their job, it also increases the likelihood that the ultimate goal of true justice will be served. Richly illustrated—with more than 415 figures, including over 300 color photographs—the Third Edition of this best-seller thoroughly addresses the role of the crime scene investigator in the context of: Understanding the nature of physical evidence, including fingerprint, biological, trace, hair and fiber, impression, and other forms of evidence Assessing the scene, including search considerations and dealing with chemical and bioterror hazards Crime scene photography; scene sketching, mapping, and documentation; and the role of crime scene analysis and reconstruction Bloodstain pattern analysis and discussion of the body as a crime scene Special scene considerations, including fire, buried bodies, and entomological evidence Coverage details the importance of maintaining objectivity, emphasizing that every action the crime scene investigator performs has an underlying purpose: to both recover evidence and capture scene context. Key features: Outlines the responsibilities of the responding officer, from documenting and securing the initial information to providing emergency care Includes three new chapters on light technology and crime scene processing techniques, recovering fingerprints, and castings Addresses emerging technology and new techniques in 3-D Laser scanning procedures in capturing a scene Provides a list of review questions at the end of each chapter Practice Crime Scene Processing and Investigation, Third Edition includes practical, proven methods to be used at any crime scene to ensure that evidence is preserved, admissible in court, and persuasive. Course ancillaries including PowerPoint® lecture slides and a Test Bank are available with qualified course adoption.

All too often, the weakest link in the chain of criminal justice is the crime scene investigation. Improper collection of evidence blocks the finding of truth. Now in its second edition, Practical Crime Scene Processing and Investigation presents practical, proven methods to be used at any crime scene to ensure that evidence is admissible and persuasive. Accompanied by more than 300 color photographs, topics discussed include: Understanding the nature of physical evidence, including fingerprint, biological, trace, hair and fiber, and other forms of evidence Actions of the responding officer, from documenting and securing the initial information to providing emergency care Assessing the scene, including search considerations and dealing with chemical and bioterror hazards Crime scene photography, sketching, mapping, and notes and reports Light technology and preserving fingerprint and impression evidence Shooting scene documentation and reconstruction Bloodstain pattern analysis and the body as a crime scene Special scene considerations, including fire, buried bodies, and entomological evidence The role of crime scene analysis and reconstruction, with step-by-step procedures Two appendices provide additional information on crime scene equipment and risk management, and each chapter is enhanced by a succinct summary, suggested readings, and a series of questions to test assimilation of the material. Using this book in your investigations will help you find out what happened and who is responsible.

Early in the investigation of a shooting incident, proper crime scene work is critical to the final outcome. Whether the shooting is ruled to be an accident, a homicide, or suicide often depends heavily on the initial on-scene work-up. What photographs and which measurements will one need to thoroughly reconstruct the event? What information, if any, can be learned from the physical evidence and surrounding objects in a shooting crime? Beginning with the basic tools and terminology, the book explains what a crime scene investigator needs to look for and document in the quest for the truth.

This workbook is designed to assist the Crime Scene Analyst, Technician or Investigator in documenting any bullet holes and or indentations that may be present at the crime scene. This documentation could be accomplished with overall, midrange and close-up photographs, rough sketches with the required measurement and notes. The workbook is also designed to assist the Crime Scene Analyst, Technician or Investigator in understanding the different ways of determining: a. The upward (inclined) or downward (sloped) bullet impact angles to the horizontal plane and the horizontal bullet impact angles, to the left or right when facing the surface with the bullet hole, that would be needed to reconstruct the shooting incident. b. The approximate location(s) of the muzzle of the gun at the time of the shooting. The determined or calculated bullet impact angle(s) to the horizontal plane could be used by the Crime Scene Analyst, Technician or Investigator to determine the horizontal distance(s) below the path of the bullet and the distance(s) the bullet(s) traveled from the muzzle of the gun to the hole(s) in the victim or object. These distances could then be used to determine / calculate the location of the shooter for any known or assumed muzzle height(s) based on the orientation of the shooter. Also, having the horizontal bullet impact angle the Crime Scene Analyst, Technician or Investigator could determine the perpendicular horizontal distance(s) from the muzzle of the gun to the surface with the bullet hole(s) and or indentation(s). A trajectory or shooting reconstruction could be accomplished by the utilization of one or more of the following methods. The emphasis of this workbook would be on the reconstruction of crime scene shooting incidents utilizing these methods: Strings and dowels rods Scaled drawings Calculations using the trigonometric ratios Computers programs The workbook would also provide the Crime Scene Analyst, Technician or Investigator with an opportunity to reconstruct and review fifteen real cases. More emphasis was placed on solution of these cases (which are located in the back of the book) by calculations using the trigonometric ratios and the Pythagorean Theorem since this method could be utilized to verify the accuracy of the other methods. Potentially, very valuable investigative information could be developed through a trajectory or shooting reconstruction of the crime scene that would assist the Analyst, Technician or Investigator when interviewing a subject to determine if he or she is truthful in the sequence of events or the manner in which the incident took place. Specific information may be logically inferred if the Crime Scene Analyst, Technician or Investigator is knowledgeable about trajectory or shooting reconstruction.