NOTICE: Due to a lapse in annual appropriations, most of this website is not being updated. Learn more.

Form submissions will still be accepted but will not receive responses at this time. Sections of this site for programs using non-appropriated funds (such as NVLAP) or those that are excepted from the shutdown (such as CHIPS and NVD) will continue to be updated.

U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

PUBLICATIONS

A Metrology Foundation for 3D Ballistic Imaging - NIJ Final Technical Report

Published

Author(s)

Michael Stocker, Johannes Soons, Thomas Renegar, Xiaoyu Zheng, Robert Thompson

Abstract

Forensic laboratories considering optical 3D surface topography measurement for objective comparison and VCM face challenges with respect to cost, training, and quality assurance. The primary aim of this research was to address quality assurance issues that currently represent barriers to entry for these methodologies. 3D optical surface topography microscopes are complicated instruments and evaluating and validating their performance is not trivial. Understanding microscope performance is important in the selection, validation, and monitoring of these instruments. The two key research components of this project are: 1) the development of prototype physical reference artifacts for key metrological characteristics of 3D surface topography microscopes, and 2) establishing guidance on how to implement a quality assurance system to monitor and ensure the quality of topography data acquired for FATM analysis. The elements of the research presented below work towards establishing a necessary metrology foundation for implementing 3D methodologies in forensic case work.
Citation
NCJRS Virtual Library
Pub Weblink
https://www.ojp.gov/ncjrs/virtual-library/abstracts/metrology-foundation-3d-bal…
Pub Type
Websites

Download Paper

Local Download

Keywords

3D ballistic imaging , firearm and toolmark analysis, metrological characteristics, quality control, reference materials, topography, virtual comparison microscopy
Forensic Science and Firearms and toolmarks

Citation

Stocker, M. , Soons, J. , Renegar, T. , Zheng, X. and Thompson, R. (2021), A Metrology Foundation for 3D Ballistic Imaging - NIJ Final Technical Report, NCJRS Virtual Library, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=932914, https://www.ojp.gov/ncjrs/virtual-library/abstracts/metrology-foundation-3d-ballistic-imaging (Accessed October 28, 2025)

Issues

If you have any questions about this publication or are having problems accessing it, please contact [email protected].

Created September 1, 2021, Updated October 25, 2024
Was this page helpful?