title: The use of near-infrared photography to image fired bullets and cartridge cases.
abstract: An imaging technique that is capable of reducing glare, reflection, and shadows can greatly assist the process of toolmarks comparison. In this work, a camera with near-infrared (near-IR) photographic capabilities was fitted with an IR filter, mounted to a stereomicroscope, and used to capture images of toolmarks on fired bullets and cartridge cases. Fluorescent, white light-emitting diode (LED), and halogen light sources were compared for use with the camera. Test-fired bullets and cartridge cases from different makes and models of firearms were photographed under either near-IR or visible light. With visual comparisons, near-IR images and visible light images were comparable. The use of near-IR photography did not reveal more details and could not effectively eliminate reflections and glare associated with visible light photography. Near-IR photography showed little advantages in manual examination of fired evidence when it was compared with visible light (regular) photography.
authors.affiliation: Crime Laboratory, Houston Police Department, 1200 Travis Street, Houston, TX, 77002.
authors.forename: Darrell
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Stein
authors.affiliation: Department of Forensic Science, College of Criminal Justice, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX, 77341.
authors.forename: Jorn Chi Chung
authors.initials: JCC
authors.lastname: Yu
keywords: bullet; cartridge case; firearms; forensic science; infrared photography
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