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Firearms and Toolmarks

An Open-Source Implementation of the CMPS Algorithm for Assessing Similarity of Bullets

In this paper, we introduce the R package cmpsR, an open-source implementation of the Congruent Matching Profile Segments (CMPS) method developed at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
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A Pipeline for Cartridge Case Comparisons

We introduce novel sub-procedures in the pre-processing, comparison and similarity feature steps. The sub-procedures result in an improved error rate compared to our implementation of the CMC method while also
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Affect of Manufacturer Finishing Methods on Subclass Characteristics Production on Breech Faces

The following is a presentation given at Association for Firearms and Toolmarks (AFTE) (2022).
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An Algorithm for Forensic Toolmark Comparisons

Forensic handheld toolmark examiners currently compare toolmarks (e.g. scratch marks on wire found as part of an explosive device, or on a door frame after someone broke into a house)
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Exploration of Subclass Characteristics Manufacturing

A webinar presented during the Forensic Technology Center of Excellence (FTCoE0 Firearm and Toolmark webinar series on the progress of our CSAFE project. This study assesses the production of subclass
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Surveying Practicing Firearm Examiners

A sample (n = 79) of practicing firearm and toolmark examiners was queried about casework as well as their views about the potential role that statistics might play in future
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Blind testing in firearms: Preliminary results from a blind quality control program

Open proficiency tests meet accreditation requirements and measure examiner competence but may not represent actual casework. In December 2015, the Houston Forensic Science Center began a blind quality control program
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Ruger LCP Study: a two-pronged approach

This study started as an attempt to take a closer look at the rifling observed in the 380 Auto Ruger LCP pistol
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Treatment of inconclusives in the AFTE range of conclusions

In the past decade, and in response to the recommendations set forth by the National Research Council Committee on Identifying the Needs of the Forensic Sciences Community (2009), scientists have
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Using Machine Learning Methods to Predict Similarity of Striations on Bullet Lands

Recent advances in microscopy have made it possible to collect 3D topographic data, enabling virtual comparisons based on the collected 3D data next to traditional comparison microscopy. Automatic matching algorithms
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