Firearms and Tool Mark Examination Section (FES) (MPDC)

Firearms and Tool Mark Examination Section
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Police Headquarters 300 Indiana Avenue, NW - Room 1064 Phone: 727-4416 Fax: 347-2857

The mission of the Firearms and Toll Mark Examination Section (FES) is to provide forensic support to the members of the Metropolitan Police Department and other law dnforcement agencies by performing chemical, functional, and microscopic analysis on tools, tool marks, firearms, and firearm-related evidence.

=Services and Operations=

Some of the key services provided by the FES include the following:

1. Test fires 2. Computer imaging 3. Serial number restoration 4. Crime case analysis 5. Trajectory analysis (in-house or on-site) 6. Pre-trial consultation 7. Expert course testimonies 8. Forensic research 9. Maintaining reference collection (firearms, ammunition, and literature) 10. Training
 * Firearm to bullet
 * Firearm to cartridge case
 * Bullet-to-bullet
 * Cartridge case-to-cartridge case

Other services offered:

1. Community Outreach

Members of the FES provide live demonstrations and informational seminars to churches, DC public schools and PSA meetings, upon request and based on availability. Lectures are routinely conducted to educate our internal and external customers on the myriad services provided by the FES.

2. Lectures

Lectures are given in conjunction with training courses at the Maurice T. Turner Jr., Institute of Police Science, including Homicide School, Basic Investigators Training, Crime Scene Search School, Force Investigation Training and Gun Recovery School. External training includes semi-annual lectures provided to the United States Attorneys Office, the Public Defender Service and the DC Attorney General's Office. Police officials, diplomats and dignitaries from all over the world tour the FES when visiting the Metropolitan Police Department.

3. Tours

Tours are given to many high school and college students, as well as to personnel from other forensic laboratories and the media.

=Comparisons=

Firearms examiners use a comparison microscope to determine whether or not a fired bullet, cartridge case or shotshell case was fired from or in a particular firearm, to the exclusion of all other firearms. The comparison is based on the individual marking left on fired ammunition components that is unique to a particular firearm.

=Conclusions=

Microscopic examination and chemical processing performed on ammunition components can determine whether or not:


 * Ammunition component was fired in/from the firearm/barrel
 * Ammunition component was not fired in/from the firearm/barrell
 * Cannot determine whether or not the ammunition component was fired in/from the firearm barrel.

=Gunshot Residue=

Microscopic examination and chemical processing performed on clothing can determine:


 * Presence or absence of gunshot residues
 * Whether its appearance is consistent with the passage of a bullet
 * Muzzle-to-garment distance
 * Testing for shot pattern

=Hours of Operation=

The Firearms and Tool Mark Examination Section is open, Monday through Friday, from 6:30 am - 3:00 pm.