AFTE Store - Metal Chip Marks on Fired Cartridge Cases

This report presents a case in which a unique mark with a general imprint in the shape of a “half-moon” was found on the outside walls of 7.62×39 mm fired cartridge cases. These cartridge cases came from the test-firing of a seized Kalashnikov AK-47 assault-rifle, submitted to the Israel Police Firearms Identification Laboratory for examination. These marks had individual characteristics that were positively compared with each other, leading to the conclusion that the marks had the same source. This report will show that the source of the marks was not from an integral part of the weapon. The metal chip in the shape of a half-moon was present in the AK-47 assault-rifle chamber during firing, imprinting marks on test-fired cartridge cases in a different orientation every time the weapon was fired. The chip was finally ejected during one of the test firings and was compared to the marks found on the fired cartridge cases. The question then arose: Can a firearms examiner rely upon positive comparison of marks with individual charateristics which are not from an integral part of the weapon? This question will be discussed in this report.