To study the accuracy and reproducibility of projectile comparisons by forensic firearm examiners
Ended Cooperative Agreement Awarded Last action
- Award ID
- 70NANB23H011
- Recipient
-
Noblis, Inc. UEI NPJ9GV7K4CL1
- Awarding agency
-
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Department of Commerce
- Obligated
- $314,608
Award facts
- Assistance listing
- 11.609 Measurement and Engineering Research and Standards
- Completion date
- Place of performance
- Reston, VA 20191, USA
Award details come from USAspending.gov.
Description
- Activities
- This study is a full evaluation of the conclusions made by firearms examiners in comparing bullets. The accuracy and reproducibility of bullet comparisons by firearms examiners have never been established in a rigorous study. Because bullet evidence is of such high probative value, this is a notable GAP in forensic science. A bullet black box study rigorously assesses the accuracy, reproducibility, and repeatability of conclusions made by firearms examiners in comparing bullets. The objective of this study is to complete the first black box study of projectile comparisons, in order to establish the scientific basis of bullet comparisons, and to provide necessary information about the discipline to laboratory managers, to practitioners, and to the legal system. The 2016 president's council of advisors on science and technology (pcast) report on forensic science stated that black box evaluations are necessary to establish the validity of forensic examination methods that rely on human judgment. Although black box evaluations of forensic examination of cartridge cases have been and are being conducted, there has been no large-scale assessment of bullet comparisons.
- Expected outcomes
- This study will provide essential information to laboratory managers, practitioners, and the legal system, including a detailed understanding of the capabilities, variability, and limits of firearms examiners; 1) the associations between firearms examiners' abilities and their training and experience; 2) the extent to which a single firearms examiner's conclusion is likely to be accurate and reproduced by a second firearms analyst; and 3) the extent to which firearms examiners concur on whether the information in a given pattern is sufficient to render a conclusive opinion. By the completion of the grant's period of performance, the research team will deliver a final research report to NIST that details the results and findings. The report will be written to be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal. Results and findings will be presented at appropriate venues such as the association of firearm and toolmark examiners and the american academy of forensic sciences.
- Intended beneficiaries
- Forensic laboratory managers, forensic practitioners, the academic research community, officers of the court, the US public, and the legal system.subrecipients: no subrecipients are planned for this project.
Transactions
| Action | Obligated | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Amendment | $100,461 | |
| Original award | $214,147 |
Quick answers
Who received award 70NANB23H011?
70NANB23H011 was awarded to Noblis, Inc. by National Institute of Standards and Technology (Department of Commerce) on August 1, 2023.
How much is award 70NANB23H011 worth?
$314,608 has been obligated on 70NANB23H011.
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