COLLECTION OF FIREARMS EVIDENCE
On popular crime-based TV programs, a detective finds a handgun at the crime scene, picks it up by sticking a pencil down the barrel (or with bare hands, or with gloved hands by the grip, or…), and says to her partner, “Hey, Charlie, I think this is what we’re looking for…” There is hardly a more enduring, or inaccurate, image in the visual lexicon of police dramas. Although TV and movie dramas are hardly the place to learn the proper methods of evidence collection, they can provide a good way to learn what not to do. Firearms are a durable piece of evidence, subject to analyzes beyond the standard forensic irearms examinations, such as latent prints, ibers, and hairs. Additionally, safety is a primary concern when collecting firearm evidence because any firearm could be loaded. After photography and documentation of the location of allfirearms, they should be secured in packaging that prevents shifting during transit and that locks the trigger into َplace (see Figure 1). In shooting reconstructions, it is vital to locate, photograph, and measure the location of all bullets, bullet holes, and spent cartridges. This information will be used later to generate three-dimensional data about the shooting, possibly for court demonstrations (see Figure 1َ).
FIGURE 1 It is important to properly package firearms when submitting them to the laboratory. Companies that sell crime scene materials usually offer special packaging for firearms that prevent them from accidentally discharging during shipment or transport. This type of packaging is critical to preserve evidence and keep forensic professionals safe. Only unloaded firearms should be shipped.
FIGURE 2 In shooting reconstructions, it is vital to locate, photograph, and measure the location of all bullets, bullet holes (a), and spent cartridges. This information provides the data for reconstructing the bullet pathways (b).
