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PUBLICATIONS

Topography measurements and applications in ballistics and tool mark identifications

Published

Author(s)

Theodore V. Vorburger, Jun-Feng Song, Nicholas D. Petraco

Abstract

The application of surface topography measurement methods to the field of firearm and toolmark analysis is fairly new. The field has been boosted by the development of a number of competing optical methods which has improved the speed and accuracy of surface topography acquisitions. We describe here some of these measurement methods as well as several analytical methods for assessing similarities and differences among pairs of surfaces. We also provide a few examples of research results to identify cartridge cases or bullets originating from the same firearm or tool marks produced by the same tool. Physical standards and issues of traceability are also discussed.
Citation
Surface Topography: Metrology and Properties
Volume
4
Pub Type
Journals

Download Paper

DOI Link

Keywords

ballistics, breech face, bullet, cartridge case, exclusion, firearm, identification, individual characteristics, standards, surface, tool mark, topography
Forensic Science and Firearms and toolmarks

Citation

Vorburger, T. , Song, J. and Petraco, N. (2015), Topography measurements and applications in ballistics and tool mark identifications, Surface Topography: Metrology and Properties, [online], https://doi.org/10.1088/2051-672X/4/1/013002 (Accessed October 1, 2025)

Issues

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Created December 16, 2015, Updated November 10, 2018
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