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Investigations: Firearms

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Encyclopedia of Security and Emergency Management

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Definitions

Breech:

the rear end of the barrel where the cartridge is inserted

Class characteristics:

identifying features of an object based on comparison to known standards or an established set of criteria

Individual characteristics:

features of an object that distinguish it from objects in the same class

Muzzle:

the front end of the barrel from which the projectile emerges

Introduction

Investigations related to firearms include forensic firearms examinations, gunshot residue analysis, wound examinations, and shooting reconstructions. Forensic firearms examinations encompass the analysis of the firearm and ammunition, such as firearms operability testing, microscopical bullet and cartridge case comparisons, and serial number restorations. Gunshot residue examinations consist of the chemical, microscopical, and spectroscopic examinations of residues that result from discharge of the ammunition within the firearm, specifically the primer and gunpowder. Gunshot residue examinations are...

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References

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Further Reading

  • Association of Firearms and Toolmark Examiners (ATFE), AFTE Journal archives.

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  • Goddard, C. (1926). Scientific identification of firearms and bullets. Journal of the American Institute of Criminal Law and Criminology, 17, 254–263.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Farmingdale State College, The State University of New York, Farmingdale, NY, USA

    Michelle D. Miranda

Authors
  1. Michelle D. Miranda
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Michelle D. Miranda .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Dept of Security, Fire & Emergency Mgmt, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, New York, USA

    Lauren R. Shapiro

  2. Dept. of Security, Fire & Emergency Mgmt, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, New York, NY, USA

    Marie-Helen Maras

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Miranda, M.D. (2020). Investigations: Firearms. In: Shapiro, L., Maras, MH. (eds) Encyclopedia of Security and Emergency Management. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-69891-5_178-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-69891-5_178-1

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-69891-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-69891-5

  • eBook Packages: Springer Reference Law and CriminologyReference Module Humanities and Social SciencesReference Module Business, Economics and Social Sciences

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