PRESCOTT, ARIZONA
BALLISTICS EXPERT WITNESS FORENSIC SERVICES
TRAJECTORY ANALYSIS
CARTRIDGE CASE COMPARISON
TRAJECTORY ANALYSIS
Reconstruct bullet path using laser, inclinometer, trajectory rods, string.
GUNSHOT SEQUENCE
CARTRIDGE CASE COMPARISON
TRAJECTORY ANALYSIS
Gunshot sequence can be determined by the perforation characteristics, angle of incidence, location of shooter, reaction time, and movement of the object being targeted.
CARTRIDGE CASE COMPARISON
CARTRIDGE CASE COMPARISON
CARTRIDGE CASE COMPARISON
Identification/Elimination or Inconclusive to a specific firearm.
BULLET COMPARISON
DISTANCE DETERMINATION
CARTRIDGE CASE COMPARISON
Identification/Elimination or Inconclusive to a specific firearm.
DISTANCE DETERMINATION
DISTANCE DETERMINATION
DISTANCE DETERMINATION
Distance determination by replicating the pattern of stippling, soot, GSR, or thermal damage.
AMMUNITION ANALYSIS
DISTANCE DETERMINATION
DISTANCE DETERMINATION
Examination of the various components of ammunition.
SHOTGUN
FIREARMS & SILENCER EXAMINATIONS
FIREARMS & SILENCER EXAMINATIONS
Shotgun discharge with flame, heat, soot, wadding with pellets and sometimes polystyrene filler.
FIREARMS & SILENCER EXAMINATIONS
FIREARMS & SILENCER EXAMINATIONS
FIREARMS & SILENCER EXAMINATIONS
Function testing, mechanical safeties, test specimens, decibel levels, altered and full auto.
CRIME SCENE REVIEWS
FIREARMS & SILENCER EXAMINATIONS
CATASTROPHIC FAILURES
Interpretation of evidence present at the scene and determining evidence which should be present but is missing.
CATASTROPHIC FAILURES
FIREARMS & HUNTING SAFETY
CATASTROPHIC FAILURES
Spontaneous disassembly often results from either incorrect ammo, excessive pressure, plugged barrel, squib load, defective design, metal fatigue.
FIREARMS & HUNTING SAFETY
FIREARMS & HUNTING SAFETY
FIREARMS & HUNTING SAFETY
Best practices and methods when hunting and engaged in shooting events.
GUNSHOT WOUNDS
FIREARMS & HUNTING SAFETY
FIREARMS & HUNTING SAFETY
Characteristics of a gunshot wound
HOLSTER RETENTION LEVELS
FIREARM DISCHARGE DURING A STRUGGLE
HOLSTER RETENTION LEVELS
The number of active and passive retention devices determines the rating level of the holster.
REACTION TIME
FIREARM DISCHARGE DURING A STRUGGLE
HOLSTER RETENTION LEVELS
The number of gunshots fired within an elapsed timeframe can be estimated depending on the shooter's skill as published in peer reviewed treatises & testing.
FIREARM DISCHARGE DURING A STRUGGLE
FIREARM DISCHARGE DURING A STRUGGLE
INADVERTENT OR INVOLUNTARY DISCHARGE
Studies show that a struggle over a firearm can result in an involuntary discharge.
INADVERTENT OR INVOLUNTARY DISCHARGE
INADVERTENT OR INVOLUNTARY DISCHARGE
INADVERTENT OR INVOLUNTARY DISCHARGE
An involuntary or inadvertent discharge of a firearm begins with a failure to comply with safety protocols combined with one or more of the published scientific reasons for the discharge.
REVOLVERS HAVE SAFETIES
INADVERTENT OR INVOLUNTARY DISCHARGE
REVOLVERS HAVE SAFETIES
Most modern revolvers have either a hammer block safety or a transfer bar device that prevents a revolver from discharging unless the trigger is fully actuated, but some firearms do require being carried with an empty chamber.
BARREL-CYLINDER GAP GSR
INADVERTENT OR INVOLUNTARY DISCHARGE
REVOLVERS HAVE SAFETIES
The gap between the cylinder and barrel expels significant GSR under pressure along with thermal blast that can cause serious injury.
LESS LETHAL WEAPONS
BULLETS CANNOT STOP VEHICLES
LESS LETHAL WEAPONS
Less lethal ammunition can result in death or serious injury if not properly deployed.
FRIENDLY FIRE
BULLETS CANNOT STOP VEHICLES
LESS LETHAL WEAPONS
Mistakes in tactical positioning can result in injury from ricochets, fragmenting projectiles, and misdirected gunshots.
BULLETS CANNOT STOP VEHICLES
BULLETS CANNOT STOP VEHICLES
BULLETS CANNOT STOP VEHICLES
Firing at vehicles can result in death/injury to innocent occupants who do not control the vehicle. a 180 grain bullet will not stop a 4000 lb car.
CARTRIDGE CASE PATTERN
TYPICAL CONTACT GUNSHOT WOUND
BULLETS CANNOT STOP VEHICLES
Depending on several variables which must be considered, cartridge location may assist in providing where the shooter was located.
DEFORMED BULLETS
TYPICAL CONTACT GUNSHOT WOUND
TYPICAL CONTACT GUNSHOT WOUND
It is often possible to determine the basis for damage/deformation to a projectile. Trace evidence may also be present.
TYPICAL CONTACT GUNSHOT WOUND
TYPICAL CONTACT GUNSHOT WOUND
TYPICAL CONTACT GUNSHOT WOUND
Contact wounds typically produce stellate tearing from gas, heavy soot, and dense stippling with evidence normally found in the wound track itself.