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PUBLICATIONS

Automatic Identification of Bullet Signatures Based on Consecutive Matching Striae (CMS) Criteria

Published

Author(s)

Wei Chu, Robert M. Thompson, Jun-Feng Song, Theodore V. Vorburger

Abstract

The consecutive matching striae (CMS) numeric criteria for firearm and toolmark identifications have been widely accepted by forensic examiners, although there have been questions concerning its observer subjectivity and limited statistical support. In this paper, based on signal processing and extraction, a model for the automatic and objective counting of CMS is proposed. The position and shape information of the striae on the bullet land is represented by a feature profile, which is used for determining the CMS number automatically. Rapid counting of CMS number provides a basis for ballistics correlations with large databases and further statistical analysis. Experimental results using bullets fired from ten consecutively manufactured barrels support this developed model.
Citation
Journal of Forensic Sciences
Pub Type
Journals

Keywords

forensic science, toolmark identification, consecutive matching striae (CMS), surface, profile, bullet
Metrology, Forensic Science and Firearms and toolmarks

Citation

Chu, W. , Thompson, R. , Song, J. and Vorburger, T. (2013), Automatic Identification of Bullet Signatures Based on Consecutive Matching Striae (CMS) Criteria, Journal of Forensic Sciences (Accessed October 8, 2025)

Issues

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Created September 9, 2013, Updated February 19, 2017
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