This lecture series is focused on building a coherent argument for the scientific foundations of firearm and toolmark identification. It does this by taking the simple question, "Was this toolmark produced by the submitted tool?" and dividing it into its two component issues. The first is similarity, e.g., "Do different tools create different toolmarks?" This has been demonstrated to be true by over 30 machine-based studies that have examined the question.
The second is discernibility, e.g., "Can a trained examiner, using accepted methods, procedures and controls, reliably discern differences and similarities and render accurate common source determinations?" This has been demonstrated to be true by over 25 studies that have examined that question.
It is hoped that this lecture series will cause us to look at our scientific foundations in a different way, one that allows the courts to have a better understanding of what we do, why we do it, how we do it and why it works.
Completion of the course provides the student with a certificate of completion, a resource list and an outline for motions in support of firearm and toolmark identification.
Course Curriculum
Hi, I’m Ron Nichols.
Since one of my earliest publications, I have recognized that the question of "Was this toolmark created by this tool?" is not as simple as it first appears. It does consist of two components and it is my belief that by addressing these two components separately, we can be far more effective in our evidentiary hearing presentations. This lecture series deals with that very strategy.