Onondaga County

Firearms

Justine Kreso, Senior Firearms Examiner

The Firearms section examines firearms to determine the operability status of submitted weapons. The Firearms section is also responsible for comparing projectiles, cartridge cases, and other fired components recovered at crime scenes to test fires from a weapon or other crimes scenes using a comparison microscope for the purposes of determining whether the recovered fired ammunition components were fired from the same firearm. Also, the Firearms section performs serial number restoration and gunshot residue muzzle to target distance determination. The CFS uses a computerized database called the National Integrated Ballistics Information Network (NIBIN) to aid in connecting shootings from different crime scenes.

Submission Guidelines

• All firearms (with the exception of “safekeeping” or pistol permit-related weapons) should be submitted for firearms analysis. This will include completion of a tracing form, operability/function testing to generate test fires, serial number restoration (if applicable), and open case file database searches with test fires (if applicable).
• Safe-keeping and pistol permit-related weapons may be submitted for tracing form data only unless prior approval is granted by the Firearms Section supervisor or their designee to complete a test fire.
• Fired ammunition components such as cartridge cases, shot shells, and bullets should be submitted as soon as possible for entry into the CFS open case databases (if applicable).
• Requests for gunshot residue analysis on victim’s clothing must be approved by the Firearms Section supervisor or their designee prior to the submission of the clothing.
• Suspect’s clothing is not routinely analyzed and will not be accepted for gunshot residue analysis without the approval of the Firearms Section supervisor or their designee.
• In distance determination submissions, the firearm and all associated ammunition components (both fired and unfired) should be submitted to determine the muzzle to target range. If a firearm is unavailable for submission, the analysis is limited to contact gunshots and the presence of residues.

Proper Collection / Proper Handling

Firearms and Ammunition:

• Do not place cable ties through trigger guards. This poses a safety hazard to those handling the firearm and packaging.
• Firearms must be rendered safe by securing the action open with a cable tie or by another mechanism. See How to Submit Evidence Page for proper submission of firearms. Make every effort to render a firearm safe without disassembling it as disassembly may affect the operability status of the firearm. Contact the Firearms Section directly if a firearm cannot be made safe without altering it.
• Weapons made in and imported to the United States pre-1968 may not have a serial number. The serial number is located on the frame or receiver of the firearm (not the barrel, cylinder, etc.).
• Each firearm should be packaged individually.
• No ammunition is to be submitted loose in the box or bag with the firearm.
• Magazines must be removed.
• Use a cardboard box if a latent print or biology/DNA exam is needed or if the firearm is wet. Paper bags are not recommended for firearms; they easily rip.
• If recovered in water, submit the firearm in the water it was recovered in to prevent further rusting (i.e. in a paint can), if possible.

Revolvers:

• When unloading a revolver, mark the cylinder along the back strap (i.e. with a Sharpie marker).
• Open the cylinder and note where cartridge cases or rounds of ammunition are in each cylinder chamber. Use a clock as a reference.
• Package each cartridge case or round of ammunition individually and mark the containers of the rounds recovered.

Projectiles and Fired Cartridge Cases:

• Package in a way that prevents damage such as an empty pill box.
• Package each cartridge case or projectile separately. Bullets and cartridge cases should not be submitted in the same packaging.
• If a biology exam is needed due to the possible presence of blood, be sure to use a breathable packaging such as a cardboard box or paper bag.
• Be sure to mark the container with a description of item.
• More than one cartridge case or projectile can be submitted as the same item; however, if there are both cartridge cases and projectiles in a case, the different types of evidence should have their own item number so the BEAST item type accurately reflects the contents of the packaging.

Muzzle to Target Distance Determination

The CFS conducts examinations for non-primer related gunshot residues on target materials. The purpose of these examinations is to evaluate muzzle to target distances. “Non-primer” residues include the physical effects and chemical deposits that may be placed on a target, especially those that are in close proximity to a discharging firearm. Initial target materials commonly encountered in criminal investigations include the clothing worn by the shooting victim. Observed physical effects on a close range target may be the result of the flame or hot gases exiting the muzzle, carbon/smoke deposits or high velocity unburned gunpowder grains striking the target. Observed chemical deposits may include lead and/or nitrite residue patterns that are the result of these chemicals being expelled from the muzzle.

Proper Collection / Proper Handling

• Air-dry clothing over paper prior to packaging in a secure area where clothing will not be disturbed.
• Submit clothing folded in the drying paper.
• Do not alter or disturb the item.
• Package items separately.
• Handle items minimally.