1. ACDLA SUMMER SEMINAR Joseph M. Saloom
FIREARMS/TOOLMARKS
ACDLA SUMMER SEMINAR
Joseph M. Saloom
J.M. Saloom

2. Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences Brief History

3. J.M. Saloom

4. Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences
Firearms / Toolmarks Laboratories:
Huntsville
Birmingham
Montgomery
Mobile
J.M. Saloom

5. FIREARMS/TOOLMARKS
The firearms / toolmarks examiner is responsible for comparing bullets and cartridge cases to a particular weapon or to each other. Examination of clothing for gunpowder residue, and comparing pry marks, cuts, impressions and saw marks back to a particular tool.
J.M. Saloom

6. The scientific theory/basis that we operate
under, is that no two items in nature are
microscopically identical. Therefore, it
follows that no two man-made items are
microscopically identical, and we may make
determinations based on microscopic
comparisons.
J.M. Saloom

7. Routine firearm examinations and results:
Caliber
Make of weapon
Weapon type and model
Safety features and whether they work
Capacity
Trigger pull
Proper function
J.M. Saloom

8. Cartridge

9. CARTRIDGE CASE PRIMER CUP BULLET POWDER ANVIL FLASH HOLE J.M. Saloom
Louise Walzer, JPSO Crime Lab

10. Rimfire Cartridge

13. BLANK DRILLED BARREL RIFLED BARREL
Cross Section of unrifled gun barrel
BLANK DRILLED BARREL
RIFLED BARREL
J.M. Saloom
Louise Walzer, JPSO Crime Lab

14. BROACH RIFLING METHOD CUTTING BLADES (note imperfections) J.M. Saloom
Louise Walzer, JPSO Crime Lab

15. Button Rifling The button is made of
Side view
The button is made of
solid carbide and is larger than the reamed bore of the gun barrel.
Front view
J.M. Saloom
Louise Walzer, JPSO Crime Lab

16. Rifling

17. -
J.M. Saloom
Louise Walzer, JPSO Crime Lab

18. -
J.M. Saloom
Louise Walzer, JPSO Crime Lab

19. J.M. Saloom
Louise Walzer, JPSO Crime Lab

20. Important information for the “no gun” case...
Winchester 38 special caliber lead bullet
Q-load
134 grains
six lands and grooves
right twist
(possible revolvers: Rossi, Taurus, Spesco)
(possible derringers: Excam, Hy-Hunter
F.I.E., E.I.G.)
bullet land
bullet groove
MEASURED WIDTH OF BULLET GROOVE
J.M. Saloom
MEASURED WIDTH OF BULLET LAND
Louise Walzer, JPSO Crime Lab

22. Comparison Microscope

23. BULLET COMPARISON

24. How marks get on the fired cartridge cases. J.M. Saloom
Louise Walzer, JPSO Crime Lab

25. - The firing pin is recessed
The firing pin strikes the primer, sending the bullet down the barrel.
The back of the primer is
slammed back onto
the breech.
J.M. Saloom
Louise Walzer, JPSO Crime Lab

26. Firing Pin
Striking
Primer
J.M. Saloom
Louise Walzer, JPSO Crime Lab

27. Firing Pin
Breech
J.M. Saloom

28. Breech
Extractor
Firing Pin
J.M. Saloom
Louise Walzer, JPSO Crime Lab

29. Rearward movement of Slide after cartridge has been fired
Ejection port
Breech
Slide
Extractor
Ejection of
Fired Cartridge
Case
J.M. Saloom

30. - R P 3 L 8 P S FIRED CARTRIDGE CASE BREECH MARKS FIRING PIN
IMPRESSION 3 L 8 P S
J.M. Saloom
Louise Walzer, JPSO Crime Lab

31. CARTRIDGE CASE COMPARISON

32. Cartridge Case Comparison

33. Shotshell

34. Shotshell components
J.M. Saloom

35. J.M. Saloom

36. Additional firearm related examinations
Clothing examination for gunpowder
Location of holes and other defects in clothing
Serial number restoration
Ballistic determinations
Fingerprints
J.M. Saloom

37. Gunshot Residue

41. Gunshot hole in shirt

42. Gunpowder Particles

43. J.M. Saloom

44. J.M. Saloom

45. J.M. Saloom

46. J.M. Saloom

47. J.M. Saloom

48. Toolmarks examinations and results
What type of tool was involved
Could the tool submitted make the mark in question
Comparison and determination of toolmark match
J.M. Saloom

49. Toolmark

53. J.M. Saloom

56. Additional toolmark related examinations
Wire striation matches
Fracture matches
J.M. Saloom

57. Wire cover extrusion marks