AFTE Store - A Review of “The Forensic Buddy” Bullet Trap System

This article provides an evaluation of the Forensic Buddy bullet trap system from an examiner’s point of view. In this study, tests were fired from five weapons of various calibers into the Miami-Dade Police Department Crime Lab’s water tank and into the Forensic Buddy. Observations were made of the unit’s operations and the physical and microscopic comparisons of the tests retrieved by the two methods above. Results found the Forensic Buddy’s tests to approximate the quality of those from the water tank using copper-jacketed ammunition; however, similar results were not observed when using lead ammunition. Overall the system performs as claimed and provides a good alternative for those labs or agencies that need an affordable and practical means for test firing weapons and recovering bullets.