AFTE Store - The Response of the Association of Firearm and Tool Mark Examiners to the National Academy of Sciences 2008 Report Assessing the Feasibility, Accuracy, and Technical Capability of a National Ballistics Database August 20, 2008

This response was written mainly to comment on three conclusions made in a March 2008 report issued by a National Academy of Sciences Committee whose main function was to study ballistics imaging technology. These conclusions addressed: 1) whether or not the validity of the fundamental assumptions of the uniqueness and reproducibility of firearms related toolmarks has been demonstrated; 2) whether additional general research on the uniqueness and reproducibility of firearm related toolmarks should be done; and 3) whether conclusions drawn in firearms identifications should be stated to imply the presence of a firm statistical basis. With regard to: conclusion 1; AFTE feels that the fundamental assumptions of the uniqueness and reproducibility of firearms related toolmarks has been demonstrated: conclusion 2; AFTE feels that while continuing research and empirical testing is a fundamental part of any scientific forensic discipline, sufficient basis currently exists to warrant conclusions of toolmark identification; and conclusion 3; while AFTE agrees with the conclusion that absolute statements of toolmark identification, to the total exclusion of all other tools is unwarranted, the implication that there is no statistical basis for toolmark identification is also unwarranted.