Cover -- Title page -- Copyright page -- Table of contents -- List of Color Plates -- Introduction -- 1 Case Approach, Philosophy, and Objectives -- Why This Book? -- Reconstruction„The Ultimate Goal of Criminalistics -- Basic Skills and Approach to Casework -- Qualifications -- General Philosophy -- The Scientific Method -- Specific Considerations -- Concluding Comments -- Case Decisions Related to the Admissibility of Scientific Evidence -- References and Further Reading -- 2 The Reconstructive Aspects of Class Characteristics and a Limited Universe -- Bullet Design and Construction -- Hypothetical Case Examples -- Propellant Morphology -- Analytical Approach -- The Worth of Weight -- Derivation of Sphere Diameter from Weight -- Summary -- References and Further Reading -- 3 Is it a Bullet Hole? -- The Question of Bullet Holes in Common Materials -- Empirical Testing -- An Example of a Bullet Hole Issue„Bullet Holes in Wood -- Considerations and Solution -- Bullet Holes in Some Typical Materials -- Bullet Holes in Fabrics and Garments Made of Nylon and Polyester -- Summary -- References and Further Reading -- 4 Some Useful Reagents and their Application -- Dithiooxamide (DTO) Test for Copper Residues -- Dithiooxamide Procedure for Copper Residues -- 2-NN Procedure for Copper Residues -- Sodium Rhodizonate Test for Lead Residues -- Theory -- Sodium Rhodizonate Test Procedure for Lead Residues -- Direct Application Methods -- LiftingŽ or Transfer Method -- Dimethylglyoxime (DMG) Test for Nickel Residues -- Chemistry of the Nickel-DMG Reaction -- DMG Test Procedure -- Barrel Residues -- Summary and Concluding Comments -- References and Further Reading -- 5 Distance and Orientation Derived from Gunshot Residue Patterns -- The Production of Gunshot Residues -- Target Materials -- Interpretation and Reporting of Results -- Revolvers.

The Modified Griess Test for Nitrite Residues -- The Preparation of Reagents and Materials -- Gunshot and Primer Residues on the Hands -- Summary -- References and Further Reading -- 6 Projectile Penetration and Perforation -- Overview -- Sheetrock/Wallboard -- Wood -- Sheet Metal -- Glass -- Rubber -- Plastics -- Summary -- References and Further Reading -- 7 Projectile Ricochet and Deflection -- Introduction -- Definitions -- Some General Principles, Observations, and Comments -- Factors Controlling or Affecting Projectile Ricochet -- Factors Controlling or Affecting Lateral Projectile Deflection during Ricochet -- Projectile Impacts to Hard, Unyielding Surfaces -- Projectile Impacts to Frangible Materials -- Projectile Impacts to Semi-Hard or Semi-Yielding Materials -- Projectile Impacts to Yielding Surfaces -- The Post-Impact Flight of Ricocheted and Deflected Bullets -- Gunshot Wounds from Ricocheted and Deflected Bullets -- Shotgun Discharges and Pellet Ricochet -- Approach to Casework Involving the Issue of Ricochet -- Summary and Concluding Remarks Regarding Ricochet -- Perforating Projectiles and Perforated Objects -- Concluding Comments -- References -- 8 The Principles of "Trajectory" Reconstruction -- Bullet Paths in Fixed Objects -- The Location of the Bullet Hole and Angular Components of the Projectile's Path -- The Use of String Lines -- The Use of Probes and TrajectoryŽ Rods -- Procedures„Vertical Angle Determination -- Procedures„Azimuth Angle Determination -- Non-Perforating Bullet Paths -- The Use, Advantages, and Limitations of Lasers -- Some Thoughts on the Reconstructed Angles -- Techniques, Tools, and Supplies used in Trajectory Reconstruction -- Summary and Concluding Comments -- References and Further Reading -- 9 The Shooting of Motor Vehicles -- Vehicles at a Scene -- Frames of Reference and Squaring the VehicleŽ.

Perforating Projectile Strikes to Vehicles -- Penetrating Projectile Strikes to Vehicles -- Ricochet Marks, Graze Marks, and Non-Penetrating Strikes -- Summary -- References and Further Reading -- 10 Bullet Track ("Trajectory") Determinations in Gunshot Victims -- Introductory Comments -- Entry and Re-Entry Wounds -- Shored Gunshot Wounds -- Projectile Path Determinations for Gunshot Wounds -- Survivors of Gunshot Wounds -- Summary and Concluding Comments -- References and Further Reading -- 11 Trace Evidence Considerations Associated with Firearms Evidence: Evidentiary and Reconstructive Aspects -- Introduction -- Locards Principle Revisited„Some Examples of Trace Evidence Transfers and Deposits -- Common Examples of Trace Evidence on or Embedded in Recovered Bullets and Applicable Analytical Methods -- Examination Protocol and Common Analytical Techniques -- Sequence of Events Through Trace Evidence„Three Case Examples -- Summary and Concluding Comments -- References and Further Reading -- 12 Cartridge Case Ejection and Ejection Patterns -- Overview -- Scene Work„Terrain/Substrate Considerations -- Relocated Cartridge Cases -- Firearm„Ammunition Performance -- Review of Markings on Fired Cartridge Cases -- Laboratory Examination of Ejected Cartridge Cases -- General Protocol for Ejection Pattern Testing -- Cartridges Ejected from Moving Vehicles -- Additional Considerations -- Manually Operated Firearms -- Summary and Concluding Comments -- References and Further Reading -- 13 True Ballistics: Long Range Shootings and Falling Bullets -- Introduction -- The Basics of Exterior Ballistics and Their Forensic Application -- Case Situations„An Overview -- Maximum Range Trajectories -- Lagtime -- Penetration and Projectile Deformation as an Expression of Range of Fire -- Bullets from the Sky -- Summary -- References and Further Reading.

14 Shotgun Shootings and Evidence -- Introduction -- Shotgun Design and Nomenclature -- Choke and Patterning -- Shot Charges and Dram-Equivalents -- Wads and Shotcups -- Powder, Gunshot Residue, and Buffer Material -- The Exterior Ballistics of Shotgun Pellets -- Summary and Concluding Comments -- References and Further Reading -- 15 Ultimate Objectives, Reports, and Court Presentation -- Explaining What We Do -- Legal Challenges and the Role of Shooting Incident Reconstruction in Litigation -- Reports and Report Writing -- Concluding Comments -- References and Further Reading -- Appendix -- Shooting Incident Evaluation and Reconstruction Documents Sought or Requested -- Materials Checklist for Shooting Scene Examination -- Vehicle Data, Measurements, and Behavior with Occupants and/or Movement -- Vehicle Diagrams -- Logsheet for Projectile Strikes to Vehicles -- Shooting Reconstruction Checklist -- Suggested Guidelines for Reconstruction and Reenactment of Shooting Incidents -- Coat Worksheet -- Long Sleeved Shirt Worksheet -- Under Shirt/T-Shirt Worksheet -- Pants Worksheet -- Some Cyclic Rates of Fire for Recoil-Operated Semiautomatic Pistols -- Reference -- Conversion and Computational Factors -- Table of Common Bullet Weights -- Some General Guidelines for Laser Photography -- Digital Photography of Laser Paths -- Some Bullet Core and Jacket Weights -- General Foundational Questions -- Specific Foundational Questions -- Glossary -- Index -- Color Plates.