Interactive Visualization Framework for Forensic Bullet Comparisons

Fuente: arXiv
Salvato in:
Dettagli Bibliografici
Autori principali: Rethwisch, Nathan, Hofmann, Heike
Natura: Preprint
Pubblicazione: 2025
Soggetti:
Accesso online:
Tags: Aggiungi Tag
Nessun Tag, puoi essere il primo ad aggiungerne!!
_version_ 1866917948382248960
author Rethwisch, Nathan
Hofmann, Heike
author_facet Rethwisch, Nathan
Hofmann, Heike
contents The current method for forensic analysis of bullet comparison relies on manual examination by forensic examiners to determine if bullets were discharged from the same firearm. This process is highly subjective, prompting the development of algorithmic methods to provide objective statistical support for comparisons. However, a gap exists between the technical understanding of these algorithms and the typical background of many forensic examiners. We present a visualization tool designed to bridge this gap, allowing for the presentation of statistical information in a more familiar format to forensic professionals. The forensic bullet comparison visualizer (FBCV) features a variety of plots that will enable the user to examine every step of the algorithmic comparison process. We demonstrate the utility of the FBCV by applying it to data from the Houston Science Lab, where it helped identify an error in the comparison process caused by mislabeling. This tool can be used for future investigations, such as examining how distance between shots affects scores. The FBCV offers a user-friendly way to convey complex statistical information to forensic examiners, facilitating their understanding and utilization of algorithmic comparison methods.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2503_05910
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Interactive Visualization Framework for Forensic Bullet Comparisons
Rethwisch, Nathan
Hofmann, Heike
Applications
The current method for forensic analysis of bullet comparison relies on manual examination by forensic examiners to determine if bullets were discharged from the same firearm. This process is highly subjective, prompting the development of algorithmic methods to provide objective statistical support for comparisons. However, a gap exists between the technical understanding of these algorithms and the typical background of many forensic examiners. We present a visualization tool designed to bridge this gap, allowing for the presentation of statistical information in a more familiar format to forensic professionals. The forensic bullet comparison visualizer (FBCV) features a variety of plots that will enable the user to examine every step of the algorithmic comparison process. We demonstrate the utility of the FBCV by applying it to data from the Houston Science Lab, where it helped identify an error in the comparison process caused by mislabeling. This tool can be used for future investigations, such as examining how distance between shots affects scores. The FBCV offers a user-friendly way to convey complex statistical information to forensic examiners, facilitating their understanding and utilization of algorithmic comparison methods.
title Interactive Visualization Framework for Forensic Bullet Comparisons
topic Applications
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2503.05910