2012
Alan Zheng & Robert Thompson
Buffalo, NY
In 2011 the Law Enforcement Standards Office (OLES) at NIST entered into technology transfer agreement with the German Bundeskriminalmt (BKA) whereby NIST could use their current polymer replication method to produce the next generation of NIST Bullets (SRM 2460). When a few months the NIST Project Team had adapted the process using polymer materials more easily obtained in the US. The replica bullet surface profiles were measured using the same exacting methods used to qualify the Bullet SRMs. Results of those comparisons reveal that the cast replicas are virtually identical to the original SRM bullet that was cast. Another casting procedure is being developed for cartridge cases, bullets, and tool marks that will be more "crime lab friendly" in material and hardware. In this way crime laboratories may have the options to make replicas of evidence using a tested and accurate process. These replicas could be shipped to another agency for analysis without the risk of losing the original evidence. Additionally, proficiency/training sets can be produced that are identical in quality to the original items. The European Network of Forensic Science Institute Expert Working Group on FIrearms and GSR (ENFSI EWG FGA/GSR) has sponsored proficiency test using the vacuum casting method with great success.