AFTE Store - Scene Reconstruction using a Ballistic Alignment Laser

Crime scene reconstruction can often resolve some of the many unanswered questions presented with crimes toda. Recently, our laboratory was involved in several criminal cases which required crime scene reconstruction where we used a Ballistic Alignment Laser. The Ballistic Alignment Laser was primaril designed to aid in the detection of the source of a bullet’s trajectory. With the use of this laser, we were requested to perform trajector analysis in several shooting cases in an attempt to identif the position of the shooter and rule out any improbable angles. These particular cases included an automobile shooting and an apartment complex shooting. When presented with this type of analysis, an exact or near exact reconstruction of the crime scene is the primary goal. In the cases discussed in this presentation, the original crime scenes were visted videos and photographs produced by crime scene specialists at the scene were viewed, medical examiner reports read, and the use local salvage resources were used to duplicate the automobile shooting. With each individual shooting, our crime scene reconstruction allowed us the opportunity to offer our detectives valuable information on the probable angles of bullet trajectory. Our reconstruction also allowed us to better define the position of the shooter. This paper will discuss the value of reviewing all aspects of a crime scene (videos, photographs, statements, etc.) prior to actual reconstruction attempts. We will also discuss the operation and features of the Ballistics Alignment Laser and it’s possible used in crime scenes reconstruction.