AFTE Store - Rivet Impression in Bullet Nose

A case recently submitted to our laboratory involved an armed robbery in which a store owner was shot multiple times. One of the bullets recovered at autopsy exhibited some unusual characteristics on the nose. Upon closer examination the peculiarities revealed themselves to be lettering from a pocket rivet that had been struck and driven into the victim. The lettering could clearly be seen to spell ‘Lauren Jeans’, the brand of the jeans. The rivet was also recovered at autopsy and submitted for examination. A physical fit between the rivet and the bullet was achieved.