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Course Overview:

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This 5 day course covers the identification, interpretation and documentation of general bullet paths and other projectiles through the examination of projectile impact sites in a forensic context. 

 

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At course completion students will gain knowledge in the following areas:

• Safe handling practices and initial documentation for firearms at a scene

• Identification and proper description of fired ammunition components 

• Basic understanding of internal and external ballistics

• Recognize and interpret bullet damage on various types of materials (common building material and vehicles)

• Preparation and use of various chemical tests related to bullet impacts

• Documentation of bullet impacts

• Rudimentary bullet path analysis (general directionality, origin of shot)

• Photographic documentation of general directionality of a bullet path

• Interpretation of bullet damage/bullet path analysis and reporting wording

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Major Teaching Point: 

1. Firearm/ammunition basics

2. Characterization of bullet impact damage

3. Wound ballistics

4. Use of chemical spot tests

5. Documentation and reporting of bullet impact damage

6. Mock court presentations