Participants required - Examiner error rates for shotgun distance estimation

[Leah Tottey]

I am supervising a Master of Science candidate at the University of Auckland (New Zealand), who for part of her thesis is investigating the examiner error rate for shotgun distance estimation, specifically when no shotgun is recovered.

Participation is confidential, and all further communication will be through a third-party representative.  No participant identifying information will be passed onto the research team.

If you do not complete distance estimation for casework when a firearm is not recovered, please still take part, and just fill in the questionnaire that will be sent out to participants with your reasons for not completing distance estimations.

If you are interested in taking part, further details below and in documents attached.

Thank you!
Leah
***********************************SG_consent_form.pdf SG_organisation_CF.pdf SG_organisational_PIS.pdf SG_participant_information_sheet.pdf
Kia Ora,
My name is Skye Gallagher, and I am a Master of Science candidate at the University of Auckland in collaboration with the Institute of Environmental Science and Research Ltd (ESR). I am based in ESR's Mount Albert Science Centre, Auckland. I am being supervised by Leah Tottey, Senior Forensic Scientist (leah.tottey@esr.cri.nz); the principal investigator of this project is Dr. SallyAnn Harbison, Senior Science Leader (sallyann.harbison@auckland.ac.nz).  The title of my research project is "Investigation into error rates for distance estimation work".
My research project is focused on investigating the examiner error rates of distance estimation work involving shotgun pellet patterns. There is currently no literature (to the research teams' knowledge) regarding these error rates, which is an important way to measure the validity and reliability of the method. This Project aims to find out the examiner error rates for this kind of distance estimation work, based on data provided by practicing firearm examiners at ESR New Zealand, and other examiners internationally. Such data may be used to support an expert testimony and strengthen an examiner's confidence in their method.
Due to the nature of this research, the participant criteria requires that you must be a practicing firearm examiner (you may still be in training). We are asking participants to generate several test shots to obtain a reportable muzzle-to-target distance range, based on a physical shotshell pellet pattern provided by the research team.
Participation in this study is completely voluntary, and you may withdraw at any time during the study (before thesis submission in June 2025) without providing a reason. All participant identities will be unknown to the research team and will only be known by the third-party representative, Jessie Davys, Senior Forensic Technician (jessie.davys@esr.cri.nz). Your identity will not be disclosed in my master's thesis, subsequent publications, or conferences that may arise.
Those who wish to participate will need to read the Participant Information Sheet (PIS) and sign the consent form (CF) to give their full, free, and informed consent. Both the PIS and CF are attached to this email. If you wish to participate, please return the signed consent form to Jessie Davys (jessie.davys@esr.cri.nz), who will be your contact henceforth to maintain confidentiality.
You must also provide permission from your organisation or manager to participate in this project, as you may be required to participate during work hours. An organisation PIS and CF are also attached to this email. Please forward your organisation or manager these documents. You or your organisation need to return the signed organisation consent form to Jessie Davys (jessie.davys@esr.cri.nz) before you can participate.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me at skye.gallagher@esr.cri.nz, or any other members of the research team.

Many thanks,
Skye Gallagher

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Approved by the University of Auckland Human Participants Ethics Committee on 28/03/2025 for three years. Reference number UAHPEC28965.

For any concerns regarding ethical issues, you may contact the Chair, the University of Auckland Human Participants Ethics Committee, Office of Strategy Research and Integrity, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand.
Telephone +64 9 373-7599 ext. 83711.
Email: humanethics@auckland.ac.nz