PCAST

Introduction. In every kind of professional activities, and especially in the fields based on research, the exchange of information plays an important role. This article reviews publications in the journal and presentations at the conferences of Association of Firearms and Toolmarks Examiners (AFTE). AFTE – general information. Contains information about one of the leading professional associations of firearms examiners, speaks about the structure of the association and its professional activity. Review of recent publications. This part reviews the most important materials which have been published for the past two years. Among them publications discussing the results of the examination of historical cases such as the assassination of President J.F. Kennedy. Articles about scientific justification of methods applied to forensic examination of firearms, cartridge cases and bullets, and gunshot residues. Articles discuss PCAST (US President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology) report on Forensic Science in Criminal Courts. Review of articles dedicated to methods of ballistic examination, examination of gunshot residue and restoration of obliterated serial numbers. Review of articles about the development of methods of computer analysis of toolmarks observed on cartridge cases and bullets. Review of articles and presentations on the equipment and computer programs which can b e used by forensic investigators; databases used for determination of the weapon type based on toolmarks on the examined bullets. Conclution. Summarizes the review and describes the scientific work of AFTE.