What evidence does an investigator study to make a distance determination? How can test-firing a suspect weapon help the investigator make a distance determination?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

The distribution of gunpowder particles and other discharge residues around the bullet hole permits an assessment of the distance from which a handgun or rifle was fired. To determine the precise distance from which a gun has been fired requires a comparison of the powder-residue pattern on the victim’s clothing or skin against patterns made from test-firing the suspect weapon. By comparing residue patterns from test firings to those found at the crime scene, the examiner may find enough similarity in shape and density on which to base an opinion as to the distance from which the shot was fired.