The size and density of the pattern of residues on the object can vary with distance, allowing a firearm examiner to determine the proximity of the shooter to the target when the gun was fired. Comparison of the test targets to the evidence allows the examiner to determine a distance range.

Law enforcement investigators test the clothing and skin of people for gunshot residue to determine if they were near a gun when it discharged. Gunshot residue can travel over 3–5 feet (0.9–1.5 meters) from the gun. At the farthest distance, only a few trace particles may be present.

The correct answer would be ensuring safety as first step. Safety should always be the first consideration when in a crime scene, before taking any evidence, or any photos.

I would consider a 4 to 5″ group at 25 yards reasonably good for standing and unsupported. On some days, with real accurate guns I’ve done much better than that, but on other days I’ve done worse. Here’s some of the best shooting I’ve done at 25 yards.

At 10 yards, 2-3″ is good, but 4-5 is nothing to be ashamed of. Most people can’t stay on paper at 25 yards. If all your shots are on an IPSC/IDPA target at 25, you’re better than most. If 4 of 5 are inside the A zone, you’re way better than most.

comparison microscope

INTERVIEW, EXAMINE, PHOTOGRAPH, SKETCH and PROCESS.

Magalong said the ‘Golden Hours’ or the first 72 hours of the initial phase of investigation of a major case such as murder, homicide or kidnappings/abduction is really crucial.

Following are the basic search methods, usually commissioned on the crime scene:

• Zonal Method.
• Strip Method.
• Line Search.
• Grid Method.
• Spiral Method (Outward Spiral & Inward Spiral)
• Wheel Search Method.
• Random Search.

Specific examples of sources that often result in pattern evidence include blood splatters (such as from a bullet’s exit wound), fire burns (such as from accelerant residue), footwear, furniture positions (such as what results after a fight between victim and assailant), projectile trajectories (such as a bullet’s path …

The major types of impression evidence are shoeprints, tire tracks , tool marks and the marks that are found on a fired bullet.

This form of physical evidence requires the analyst to recognize and interpret patterns to determine how those patterns were created. Bloodstain pattern analysis (BPA) is the interpretation of bloodstains at a crime scene in order to recreate the actions that caused the bloodshed.

Which of the following CANNOT be determined by observing blood spatter? The DNA of the victim. The position of the assailant at the time of the spatter.

Bloodstain pattern analysts, also known as blood spatter experts, collect and analyze physical evidence—specifically, blood. They are specialists in forensic science and crime scene investigation and examine the location and shape of blood drops, stains, puddles, and pools.

Associative evidence, in a nutshell, ties a suspect to the crime scene, the victim, or some other bit of evidence. Fingerprints, footprints, hair, fibers, blood and other bodily fluids, knives, bullets, guns, paint, and many other objects and substances, even soil, can link a suspect to the scene.

The different types of evidence also have different ways in which they are presented, so that the evidence may be considered by the judge or jury. These are testimonial, documentary, demonstrative, and what’s called real evidence. Testimonial evidence is the type that you generally see on television.

Blood Spatter Analyst Jobs Also known as bloodstain pattern analysts, you may be able to find an entry-level position working with blood as a forensic technician. In this position, you may collect more samples from crime scenes than just blood, but you will perform many of the same job functions.

Dexter Morgan works as a bloodstain pattern analyst (or “blood spatter analyst,” as he calls it) for the Miami-Dade Metro Police Department. This is indeed a real job. These patterns are often called “passive spatters” (Freeman).

around $42,000 a year