Examining Significant Differences of Gunshot Residue Patterns Using Same Make and Model of Firearms in Forensic Distance Determination Tests.

<p>In many cases of crimes involving a firearm, police investigators need to know how far the firearm was held from the victim when it was discharged. Knowing this distance, vital questions regarding the re-construction of the crime scene can be known. Often, the original firearm used in commission of a suspected crime is not available for testing or is damaged. Crime laboratories require the original firearm in order to conduct distance determination tests. However, no empirical research has ever been conducted to determine if same make and model firearms produce different results in distance determination testing. It was the purpose of this study to determine if there are significant differences between the same make and model of firearms in distance determination testing. The findings indicate no significant differences; furthermore they imply that if the original firearm is not available, another firearm of the same make and model may be used.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

MA (Master of Arts)

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis - unrestricted

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Criminal Justice and Criminology

Year dc:date.issued

2007

Author dc:creator

• Lewey, Heather

• Forensics
• Ballistics
• Firearms
• Distance Determination
• Applied Statistics
• Physical Sciences and Mathematics
• Statistics and Probability

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright by the authors.

Repository record dc:identifier

https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/2064

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dc.etsu.edu:etd-3425