A Review of NIST Projects in Surface and Topography Metrology for Firearm Evidence Identification in Forensic Science

Published

February 10, 2016

Author(s)

Jun-Feng Song, Xianping Liu

Abstract

This is a review of the National Institute of Standards and Technology's (NIST) efforts in surface metrology and topography measurements for firearm evidence identifications in forensic science. Based on the research projects in surface metrology and standardization, NIST researchers have developed Standard Reference Material (SRM) Bullets and Cartridge Cases and established a 2D/3D Ballistics Topography Measurement System. They formulated a Traceability and Quality System to support nationwide ballistics identifications within the National Integrated Ballistics Information Network (NIBIN) in the U.S. They have recently proposed a Congruent Matching Cells (CMC) method for accurate ballistic identification and error rate estimation, which provides a statistical foundation and a practical method to promote firearm evidence identifications from qualitative image comparisons to quantitative topography measurements.

Citation

Measurement Science & Technology

Pub Type

Journals

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Keywords

Forensic science, firearm identification, surface metrology, error rate, congruent matching cells, CMC.

Citation

Song, J. and Liu, X. (2016), A Review of NIST Projects in Surface and Topography Metrology for Firearm Evidence Identification in Forensic Science, Measurement Science & Technology, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=919894 (Accessed October 16, 2025)