AFTE Store - Reproducibility of Bullet Comparison Conclusions

Ten test kits, comprised of damaged and undamaged bullets fired from ten consecutively manufactured barrels, were evaluated by a total of 20 participants with each test kit being examined by two participants for a total of 300 comparisons. Two examiners of varying experience levels analyzing the same test kit reported the same conclusion in 77% (232/300) of the comparisons. Of the 68 differing conclusions between the two examiners for the same test kit, 76% (52/68) reported identification versus inconclusive, 21% (14/68) reported elimination versus inconclusive, and 3% (2/68) reported identification versus false elimination on individual characteristics. This shows that results were reproducible 77% of the time between two examiners.