Criminalist Ben Baldazana is collecting evidence from the scene of a shooting. After locating the revolver suspected of firing the shots, Ben picks the gun up by the grip, unloads it, and places the ammunition in an envelope. He then attaches an identification tag to the grip. Searching the scene, Ben finds a bullet lodged in the wall. He uses pliers to grab the bullet and pull it from the wall, then inscribes the bullet with his initials and places it in an envelope. What mistakes, if any, did Ben make in collecting this evidence?
Sample Answer
While Ben Baldazana was diligent in securing the scene, he committed several critical errors that could compromise the integrity of the evidence and its usefulness in court. In forensic ballistics, the physical preservation of minute markings is just as important as the evidence itself.
Unloading the Ammunition
The Mistake: He immediately unloaded it and placed the ammunition in a single envelope.
Why it’s a mistake: The position of the cartridges in a revolver’s cylinder is vital information. It tells investigators which chambers were fired, the order of firing, and how many rounds remain.
The Correct Way: He should have photographed and documented the position of each cartridge and casing relative to the hammer before unloading.