Best examples of ballistic evidence lab report examples for students and labs

Before jumping into the specific examples of ballistic evidence lab report examples, it helps to understand the overall flow that most modern firearms reports follow. Whether you’re in a high school forensics class or a state crime lab, the basic sections usually look like this in prose form:

• Case and item information: agency, case number, examiner, date, and a short description of each item (for example, “One fired 9mm Luger cartridge case in sealed envelope”).
• Requests / purpose of examination: what the submitting agency wants to know (for example, “Determine whether submitted bullet was fired from submitted firearm”).
• Methods and equipment: microscopy, comparison microscope, test‑firing procedures, reference databases used (such as NIBIN), and any measurement tools.
• Observations and results: objective descriptions of class characteristics (caliber, number of lands and grooves, direction of twist) and individual characteristics (microscopic toolmarks).
• Interpretation and conclusion: clear, limited statements like “identified,” “elimination,” or “inconclusive,” following your lab’s policy.
• Limitations and notes: condition of evidence, possible sources of error, or factors that limit the strength of the finding.

The best examples of ballistic evidence lab report examples are not dramatic; they’re boring in the best way: clear, repeatable, and easy for a non‑scientist to follow.

Example of a basic classroom ballistic evidence lab report

Here is a streamlined example of a ballistic evidence lab report example you might see in an introductory forensic science course. You can adapt the headings and wording to your own template.

Case Information
Submitting agency: Central City Police Department
Case number: 24‑0315‑H
Examiner: J. Rivera
Date of examination: March 15, 2025

Items Received
Item 1: One semiautomatic pistol, marked “Glock 19,” serial number ABC123, 9mm Luger, in a sealed cardboard box.
Item 2: One fired 9mm Luger cartridge case, brass, headstamp “WIN 9mm LUGER,” in a sealed envelope.

Request
Determine whether the fired cartridge case (Item 2) was fired from the submitted pistol (Item 1).

Methods
The firearm was examined for safety and test‑fired in a bullet recovery tank using 9mm Luger ammunition. Test‑fired cartridge cases were recovered, labeled, and dried. Microscopic comparison of breechface marks, firing pin impressions, extractor marks, and ejector marks was conducted using a comparison microscope under variable magnification.

Results / Observations
The submitted cartridge case (Item 2) and test‑fired cartridge cases from Item 1 shared the following class characteristics:

• Caliber: 9mm Luger
• Firing pin shape: rectangular
• Ejection pattern: rear‑right, consistent with Glock‑pattern pistols

Under comparison microscopy, the following individual characteristics were observed:

• Breechface marks on Item 2 showed a parallel, curved ridge pattern that corresponded in location, orientation, and spacing to those on test‑fired cases from Item 1.
• Firing pin impression on Item 2 contained distinct striated marks and small pits that matched those observed on test‑fired cases.
• Extractor and ejector marks on Item 2 exhibited a high degree of agreement in pattern and microscopic detail with those from Item 1.

Conclusion
Based on the significant agreement of class and individual characteristics, with no unexplained differences, it is my opinion that Item 2, the fired cartridge case, was fired from Item 1, the submitted Glock 19 pistol.

Limitations / Notes
This conclusion is based on currently accepted practices in firearm and toolmark examination and reflects the examiner’s training and experience. No statistical probability is assigned. This report does not address who may have fired the weapon.

That’s a minimal but realistic example of ballistic evidence lab report examples that still follows modern expectations for clarity and transparency.

Real examples of ballistic evidence lab report examples from casework scenarios

To go beyond a single template, it helps to see how reports change with different evidence types and questions. The following real‑world‑style scenarios show the best examples of ballistic evidence lab report examples you can model for assignments or mock trials.

Example 1: Bullet‑to‑gun comparison with damaged bullet

A common example of ballistic evidence lab report example involves a deformed bullet recovered from a victim or wall, compared to a suspect firearm.

Scenario
Item 1: One .38 Special revolver, Smith & Wesson, serial number K123456.
Item 2: One deformed lead bullet, gray, with partial jacket remnants.

Key report language

The bullet (Item 2) exhibits six lands and grooves with a right‑hand twist, consistent with the rifling characteristics of the submitted revolver (Item 1). Due to deformation, continuous microscopic comparison of individual characteristics could not be obtained along the entire bearing surface. Limited areas showed some corresponding striated marks; however, these were insufficient in quality and quantity to support an identification or elimination. Therefore, the relationship between Item 2 and Item 1 is inconclusive.

This kind of example of ballistic evidence lab report example is important because it shows that “inconclusive” is a valid, scientifically honest answer—something courts and students both need to see.

Example 2: Multiple cartridge cases, one crime scene, no gun

Here’s another of the best examples of ballistic evidence lab report examples: linking several fired cartridge cases to one unknown firearm, even when the gun is never recovered.

Scenario
Items 1–5: Five fired 9mm Luger cartridge cases recovered from a parking lot after a shooting.

Key report language

Items 1 through 5 were compared to each other using a comparison microscope. All five cartridge cases share the same class characteristics and display a high degree of agreement in individual breechface, firing pin, extractor, and ejector marks. No significant, unexplained differences were observed. It is my opinion that Items 1 through 5 were all fired from one single firearm. The firearm itself was not submitted for examination.

This is one of the most practical examples of ballistic evidence lab report examples for teaching how examiners build links between scenes even without a recovered weapon.

Example 3: NIBIN hit confirmation report

In 2024–2025, many labs use the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) to link cartridge cases between cases. A modern example of ballistic evidence lab report example now often includes language about NIBIN leads and confirmations.

Scenario
Item A: Fired cartridge case from a 2024 robbery.
Item B: Fired cartridge case from a 2023 shooting.

Key report language

A NIBIN lead indicated a potential association between Item A and Item B. Both items were examined using a comparison microscope. The cartridge cases share consistent class characteristics and exhibit an extremely high degree of correspondence in individual breechface and firing pin marks, with no unexplained differences observed. It is my opinion that Item A and Item B were fired from the same firearm. This report confirms the NIBIN lead but does not identify any specific firearm or shooter.

If you’re writing about current trends, mentioning NIBIN and database‑supported work makes your examples of ballistic evidence lab report examples feel current and realistic. For background, you can review public information on NIBIN from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) at https://www.atf.gov.

Example 4: Distance determination (muzzle‑to‑target)

Ballistics is not just bullets and cartridge cases. One of the best examples of ballistic evidence lab report examples you can include in a lab course is a distance determination report.

Scenario
Item 1: T‑shirt with apparent bullet defect and surrounding staining.
Item 2: 9mm Luger pistol.

Key report language

Chemical tests for nitrite and lead residues were conducted on the area surrounding the bullet defect on Item 1. Microscopic examination revealed dense soot deposition and unburned powder particles. Test‑firing Item 2 using similar ammunition at various distances produced patterns most consistent with those observed on Item 1 at distances of less than 12 inches from the muzzle to the clothing surface. Therefore, the muzzle‑to‑target distance at the time of firing is estimated to have been within approximately 12 inches.

That kind of example of ballistic evidence lab report example shows how to phrase an estimate without pretending to offer an exact measurement.

Example 5: No identification possible due to poor evidence quality

Students often think every case ends in a match. Real examples of ballistic evidence lab report examples need to show the opposite.

Scenario
Item 1: One heavily fragmented copper‑jacketed bullet from a brick wall.

Key report language

The bullet fragments (Item 1) are too damaged to reliably determine the number of lands and grooves, direction of twist, or other rifling characteristics. No continuous areas suitable for microscopic comparison of individual characteristics were observed. As a result, Item 1 is unsuitable for comparison to any firearm. No further firearm identification work can be conducted on this item.

This is realistic, scientifically honest, and an important example of ballistic evidence lab report example when you want to teach limitations.

Example 6: Elimination (definite non‑match)

Another underused but very useful example of ballistic evidence lab report example is a clear elimination.

Scenario
Item 1: .40 S&W semiautomatic pistol.
Item 2: Fired 9mm Luger cartridge case.

Key report language

Item 1 is marked “.40 S&W” and is designed to fire .40 S&W cartridges. The submitted fired cartridge case (Item 2) is headstamped “9mm LUGER.” The dimensions and design of Item 1 prevent it from chambering or firing 9mm Luger ammunition. Therefore, Item 2 could not have been fired from Item 1.

This is one of the simplest examples of ballistic evidence lab report examples, but it’s powerful: you don’t even need a microscope to rule out a firearm in some situations.

Writing style tips drawn from the best examples of ballistic evidence lab report examples

If you study real examples of ballistic evidence lab report examples from public labs, a few stylistic patterns show up again and again.

Use neutral, testable language
Avoid dramatic phrasing like “this proves” or “this bullet definitely came from.” Instead, echo the language used by professional organizations such as AFTE and, more broadly, standards guidance from groups like the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), which publishes resources on forensic science methods at https://www.nist.gov.

Phrases that fit well in an example of ballistic evidence lab report example include:

• “Based on the observed agreement of class and individual characteristics…”
• “It is my opinion that…”
• “No statistical probability is assigned to this conclusion.”

Separate observations from opinions
In the better examples of ballistic evidence lab report examples, the examiner describes what they see first, then interprets it. That separation is not just good science; it makes cross‑examination easier to survive.

For instance, write:

“The bullet exhibits six lands and grooves with a right‑hand twist. Microscopic comparison showed a high degree of agreement in individual striations…”

before you ever say:

“Therefore, it is my opinion that the bullet was fired from…”

Acknowledge limitations and current debates
In the last decade, reports from bodies like the National Research Council and the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) have pushed forensic disciplines, including firearms examination, to be more transparent about uncertainty. Many 2024–2025 style guides encourage examiners to:

• Avoid overstating certainty.
• Avoid implying statistical precision when none is available.
• Mention that conclusions are based on training, experience, and current practices.

If you’re writing examples of ballistic evidence lab report examples for teaching, build that language in from day one.

2024–2025 trends that shape modern ballistic lab report examples

When you update or create examples of ballistic evidence lab report examples today, it’s worth reflecting current practice:

Greater transparency about methods
Labs are under more pressure to document exactly how they reached a conclusion. That means your example of ballistic evidence lab report example should:

• Name the type of microscope or at least say “comparison microscope under variable magnification.”
• Mention if test‑firing was done into a water tank or cotton box.
• Note whether any reference databases (like NIBIN) were used.

Standardized conclusion scales
Many labs now use structured conclusion scales (for example, identification, elimination, inconclusive, unsuitable). When you write examples of ballistic evidence lab report examples, stick to that kind of limited vocabulary instead of inventing your own.

For background on how forensic disciplines are updating their practices, the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) has accessible resources at https://nij.ojp.gov.

Digital documentation and 3D imaging
Some labs are experimenting with 3D surface topography tools and automated comparison systems. If you want your example of ballistic evidence lab report example to feel cutting‑edge, you can include language like:

“3D surface topography data were collected for Item 1 and Item 2 using a confocal microscope system. Automated similarity scores supported the visual comparison findings; however, the final conclusion is based on the examiner’s visual assessment in accordance with laboratory policy.”

You don’t have to go this far in a basic class, but mentioning digital tools shows you understand where the field is heading.

FAQ: examples of ballistic evidence lab report examples

Q1. What are some common examples of ballistic evidence lab report examples used in teaching?
In classrooms, instructors often use simplified scenarios: a single bullet and a single gun, a handful of cartridge cases from one scene, or a distance‑determination test on clothing. Each scenario becomes an example of ballistic evidence lab report example where students practice describing items, documenting methods, and writing a clear conclusion such as identification, elimination, or inconclusive.

Q2. What is a good example of language for an “inconclusive” firearms report?
A solid example of ballistic evidence lab report example for an inconclusive finding might say: “Due to the limited quality and quantity of individual characteristics, I am unable to determine whether the submitted bullet was fired from the submitted firearm. Therefore, the relationship between these items is inconclusive.” That wording is neutral, accurate, and consistent with many lab policies.

Q3. Do real examples include statistics or probabilities for matches?
Most real examples of ballistic evidence lab report examples do not include numeric probabilities. Current practice in firearms examination is largely opinion‑based, grounded in training, experience, and side‑by‑side comparison, not in validated probability models. Reports usually state that no statistical probability is assigned to the conclusion.

Q4. Where can I see real examples of ballistic evidence lab report examples from public agencies?
Some police departments and forensic labs publish redacted report examples or technical documents. While full case reports are rarely posted, you can often find policy manuals, reporting guidelines, and research papers through government and university sites such as NIJ (https://nij.ojp.gov) or NIST (https://www.nist.gov). These documents are excellent references when you’re building your own example of ballistic evidence lab report example for school or training.

Q5. How detailed should a student ballistic lab report be?
For a student assignment, you don’t need every administrative detail that a real crime lab uses, but your examples of ballistic evidence lab report examples should always include: a clear description of items, a short but specific method section, objective observations, and a conclusion written in plain language. If you mirror the tone and structure of the examples above, you’ll be in good shape for most forensic science courses.