Reading Assignment for Section 5.4

Read the following subsection from our online textbook: Section 5.4: Firearms and Toolmarks.

What You Will Learn

In this section, you’ll learn the procedures for safely handling, documenting, and packaging firearms as evidence, focusing on preserving trace evidence and maintaining a clear chain of custody. You’ll explore the specific steps involved in handling revolvers, including the careful recording of ammunition details and their significance in forensic investigations. Additionally, you’ll understand the methods for extracting and documenting embedded ammunition, and the importance of preserving both the ammunition and surrounding material. Finally, you’ll outline the procedures for collecting and packaging fired casings, wads, and loose unfired ammunition, and discuss the process of handling tool mark evidence, including creating silicone casts to preserve critical details for forensic analysis.

Student Learning Outcomes for Section 5.4

• SLO 1: Explain the procedures for safely handling, documenting, and packaging firearms as evidence, emphasizing the importance of preserving trace evidence and maintaining a clear chain of custody.
• SLO 2: Describe the specific steps involved in handling and documenting revolvers, including the careful recording of ammunition details and the significance of these procedures in forensic investigations.
• SLO 3: Identify the methods used to extract and document embedded ammunition, discussing the importance of maintaining the integrity of both the ammunition and the surrounding material for accurate forensic analysis.
• SLO 4: Outline the procedures for collecting and packaging fired casings, wads, and loose unfired ammunition, explaining how meticulous documentation and proper handling contribute to the reliability of forensic evidence.
• SLO 5: Discuss the process of handling tool mark evidence, including the creation of silicone casts for non-removable marks, and explain how these techniques preserve critical details for forensic comparison and analysis.