AFTE Store - Empirically Determined Frequency of Error in Cartridge Case Examinations Using a Declared Double-Blind Format

Although the discipline of firearm and tool mark identification has been accepted by courts since the early 20th Century, it has come under serious criticism from scientific and legal experts over the past several years. One of these criticisms is that the forensic science community, and the field of firearm and tool mark examination in particular, has not done enough to control bias in empirical research, such as participating in blind testing. Numerous examples of firearm and tool mark validation studies can be found in the relevant scientific literature. Many of these are single-blind studies involving the use of consecutively manufactured tools. A literature search of the AFTE Journal archives revealed only two studies that involved declared double-blind testing of firearm and tool mark examiners. The goal of this study was to empirically determine the frequency of error in firearms identification results produced by qualified examiners who were presented with realistic samples using a declared double-blind testing format.