AFTE Store - Shotgun Firing Pin and Extractor Altered After a Shooting Incident

The parts of a firearm which can leave marks on cartridge cases and bullets are vitally important for assessing whether or not those items have been fired in a particular gun. This knowledge is often known to criminals who go on to deliberately alter parts of a firearm after it has been used in a crime. In this case study a wounding event is discussed involving a 12 bore Vursan Arms semi-automatic shotgun. Upon examination, it appeared that various parts of the firearm had been altered. Despite these changes, it was still possible to connect the fired cartridge cases from the scene to the recovered shotgun.