View Single Post
Old July 21, 2009, 02:25 PM   #5
NWPilgrim
Senior Member
 
Join Date: September 29, 2008
Location: Oregon
Posts: 2,340
Interesting question. You could further refine it to what percentage is "scientifically" able to be used for an ID to a specific firearm, and what percentage is usable to influence a jury?

I suspect a good portion of the "identification" performed is not to a specific firearm, but to narrow the possibilities down to an already suspected firearm: caliber, brand (e.g., distinctive Glock firing pin), rifling pattern (# lands/grooves, twist rate).

My sister was trying to convince me that at a local trial a "firearms expert" testified that a recovered bullet could tell whether the firearm was fired accidentally or on purpose?!?! Whether true or not, the "ballistic evidence" is used to influence a jury to somebody's benefit and another's detriment.
__________________
"The ultimate authority ... resides in the people alone. ... The advantage of being armed, which the Americans possess over the people of almost every other nation ... forms a barrier against the enterprises of ambition."
- James Madison
NWPilgrim is offline  
 
Page generated in 0.02105 seconds with 8 queries