AFTE Store - Consecutive Cuts By Bolt Cutters and Their Effect on Identifications

Bolt cutter jaws were studied to try to determine whether or not a bolt cutter could cut 25 similar shackles and still be identified as cutting the first shackle. Results showed that there was suffiecient detail left on the lead cuts to positively identify the first cut back to the last cut of each series; however, in only one case could the first cut shackle of a series be identified to the last cut. Intercomparisons of tests from the three consecutively assembled bolt cutters obtained were also made, confirming the previously known fact that bolt cutters differ microscopically. This project also showed that cuts occurring after each other or fairly close to each other are easier to identify to each other than cuts that occur much farther apart. This is an important fact that should be considered when preparing any toolmark proficiency test.