Topic: books / litarature to read

[jglass]

I'm new to the board.  I am an investigator for the Colorado State Public Defender.  I am interested in learning all I can about firearm examinations/ tool mark indentification.  Please refer books or other publications plus agencies or groups that may teach basics to non- professionals like me.  I am a member of the NRA.  I know they teach various classes. Do they have any that would fit into this catogory?  Thanks.

Jim G

[Alison Quereau]

Jim,

I don't believe the NRA has any classes pertaining to FA/TM identification.   A great place to start is a website run by Scott Doyle, the webmaster of this AFTE site: FIREARMSID.COM

[Jerryp]

Hey Jim;
These are some of my favorites:
-AFTE Glossary
-Firearms Investigation, Identification, and Evidence, 1st ed by J. Hatcher
-Firearms Investigation, Identification, and Evidence, 2nd edition, 1977. Hatcher, Jury , and Weller
-Heard, Brian. Handbook of Firearms and Ballistics, 1st edition, 1997.
-Mathews, J. Howard. Firearms Identification,

These will get you started
Good Luck

[Jill Therriault]

Hi Jim,

Brian J. Heard's book, "Handbook of Firearms and Ballistics" is an excellent reference.  Well written and easy to understand.  A useful resource, although not exactly devoted to FA/TM ID, is the NRA Firearms Fact Book.  In my training, I found it very very useful.  You can order it from NRA's website.

Hope this helps!  
Jill

[jglass]

Everyone,

Thanks for all the replies and suggestions!

Jim G