AFTE Store - The Production of Replicas of Bullets and Cartridges

In cases of international crimes it can be necessary to exchange information on bullets and cartridges. In the past the Police used photographs for this purpose. Further digital images are used for the comparison. Since there does not yet exist a digital system in every laboratory, it can be convenient to send a replica of the bullets and cartridge cases. The firearm examiner can compare the bullet or cartridge case with their own system or comparison microscope. A method has been developed for manufacturing replicas of bullets and cartridges. The main problem that appeared in the research is the fact that the material for casting might not duplicate exactly because of shrinkage. Further it was hard to find a material for the mold with good mechanical properties. Because of the use of addition reactive silicon material for casting and epoxy resins for moulding, the problems are now solved. With this method a good quality reproduction of the original bullet amd cartridge case can be made.