Forensic Firearms Analysis and Gun Identification Expert

Did the suspect in the surveillance video cock his gun?
What is the gun’s make and model?
Is that sound gunfire we hear on the police dash camera?
Is there a gun in the suspect’s pocket?

Attorneys call NCAVF to help them answer questions like these.

Thurman Blevins is seen turning while holding a gun as he runs down an alley, away from two police officers in a residential neighborhood of Minneapolis, Minnesota. NCAVF was tasked by Minnesota state investigators and their police oversight commission with synchronizing, stabilizing, zooming, analyzing, and creating sequences for considering whether criminal prosecution was warranted.

When a case involves a firearm, you need an expert. And when it also involves video or audio evidence, you probably need the help of NCAVF. NCAVF has experts in firearms forensics to help discern details. 

Firearms and gunshots are seen and heard in digital files such as 911 calls, home surveillance video, police worn body camera and car dash cam video, and cell phone videos.

Forensic Firearms Identification

It may be important to know the exact make and model of a subject’s firearm visible in video evidence, particularly when there is a discrepancy between witnesses, reports, and details of a case. Once the video evidence has been enhanced, a firearms forensic expert can utilize his tools and training in determining what firearm is visible. Important details to identify:

Due to slow frame rates, surveillance video will often not capture the flash when a gun is fired.
  • Style of firearm (automatic, revolver, striker fired, hammer fired)
  • Make and model
  • Calibur
  • Colorization (bluing, parkerized, stainless steel, bitonal, FDE)

Field Testing with both audio and video analysis

NCAVF brings evidence to gun ranges to conduct test fires and to record the audio and video results for use in our investigations.

Firearm Discharge Recognition

Audio can be crucial to a full analysis of your evidence. NCAVF was asked to investigate whether sounds heard in the officer body camera audio were gunshots. Critical listening and sound waveform analysis was used to compare and make determinations.

It may be important to know exactly how many times a firearm was discharged in a case. Determining this requires careful analysis, combining video and audio evidence. A forensic firearms expert can recognize details such as muzzle flash, recoil, audible gunshots, smoke, and the stance and position of the suspect. Details can be analyzed to give your case the best assessment of how many shots were fired and who discharged each of them.

Standard Firearms Operations

It is common in cases for one side to claim the presence or use of a firearm when the other side maintains no firearm was used. Proving whether or not an individual’s movements are consistent with the handling or use of a firearm may be crucial. If your case involves the accusation that a firearm was used, an expert can be brought in to explain to the court the functionality of firearms, such as:

  • How a firearm functions when fired and effects of recoil or kickback
  • How firearms are carried
  • How a firearm is drawn drawn from a holster, pocket, or waistband
  • How a firearm is cocked
  • The different types of firearms (revolvers, automatics, bolt action, semi automatic, fully automatic, single or double action, gas operated)