Cartridge Case Signature Identification Using Topography Measurements and Correlations. Unification of Microscopy and Objective Statistical Methods

A comparison microscope employing the standard optical comparison method and confocal microscopy with subsequent cross correlation topography analysis were used to correctly identify cases fired from a set of ten (10) consecutively made pistol slides. The mathematical identifications were based on the breech face impression without the firing pin aperture shear marks. Fifteen (15) unknown cartridge cases were compared to test fired cartridge case sets from the consecutively manufactured slides.