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PUBLICATIONS

Confocal Microscopy Analysis of Breech Face Marks on Fired Cartridge Cases from Ten Consecutively Manufactured Pistol Slides

Published

Author(s)

Xiaoyu Alan Zheng, Robert M. Thompson, Todd Weller

Abstract

Ten (10) pistol slides with consecutively manufactured breech faces, were obtained from Sturm, Ruger Co, Inc. A total of nine (9) test fires from each pistol, for a total of ninety (90) test fired cartridge cases, were compared using comparison microscopy. Additionally, the breech face marks on the cartridge cases were analyzed using confocal microscopy combined with three dimensional cross correlation analysis algorithms. There was no overlap of cross correlation scores between matching and non-matching test fires. This provides objective data that supports the theory that microscopic impression toolmarks produced on fired ammunition such as breech face toolmarks are reproducible and can be used to both distinguish and associate fired cartridge case evidence to particular firearms.
Citation
Journal of Forensic Sciences
Volume
57
Pub Type
Journals

Keywords

Confocal Microscopy, Ballistics, Breech Face, Toolmarks, Cross Correlation Function, Firearms
Metrology, Manufacturing, Law enforcement, Forensic Science and Firearms and toolmarks

Citation

, X. , Thompson, R. and Weller, T. (2012), Confocal Microscopy Analysis of Breech Face Marks on Fired Cartridge Cases from Ten Consecutively Manufactured Pistol Slides, Journal of Forensic Sciences (Accessed October 20, 2025)

Issues

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Created June 30, 2012, Updated February 19, 2017
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