U.S. flag
      An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.
        Here's how you know
      Here's how you know**Official websites use .gov**
            
            A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
      **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
            
            A **lock** (
            A locked padlock
            ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Menu

      
        close

            
            
                                              About NIJ
        
                    
  
          About NIJ
      
    
          The NIJ Director
          How NIJ Is Organized
          Mission and Guiding Principles
          Research and Development Process
          Strategic Framework
          Assessments of NIJ
          Annual Reports & Reports to Congress
          Staff Directory
          Funding & Awards
        
                    
  
          Funding & Awards
      
    
          Current Funding
          Forthcoming Funding
          Expired Funding
          Awards: Listing of Funded Projects
          Guidance for Applicants and Awardees
          Fellowship & Student Programs
          Travel Scholarships
          NIJ Challenge Program
          Library & Multimedia
        
                    
  
          Library & Multimedia
      
    
          NIJ Journal
          Podcasts
          Publications Listing
          Multimedia Listing
          Rated Practices on CrimeSolutions
          Rated Programs on CrimeSolutions
          Software & Databases
          Datasets
          Patents
          Topics
        
                    
  
          Topics
      
    
          Article Listing
          Corrections
          Courts
          Crime Prevention
          Crimes
          Drugs and Crime
          Equipment and Technology
          Forensic Sciences
          Youth Justice
          Justice System Reform
          Law Enforcement
          Tribal Crime and Justice
          Victims of Crime
          Events
        
                    
  
          Events
      
    
          NIJ 2024 Research Conference
          Scheduled Events
          On-Demand Events
          Research Meetings & Workshops
          NIJ-Hosted Online Training

                            
                                About
          Contact Us
          Subscribe
          Topics A-Z
                  Share
FacebookXLinkedInRedditPinterestEmail Home
                            Funding & Awards
 3D Characterization and Comparison of Fracture Surfaces
Award Information
Awardee
              Ames Laboratory (DOE)
Award #
              2011-DN-R-0230-1

Status
              Closed
Funding First Awarded
              2011
Total funding (to date)
              $355,000
Original Solicitation
              NIJ FY 11 Basic Scientific Research to Support Forensic Science for Criminal Justice Purposes
Description of original award (Fiscal Year 2011, $355,000)
"As New Investigators; we propose to investigate the underlying scientific basis for forensic analysis of fractured and torn surfaces, by employing the fundamentals from the field of fracture mechanics and the nature of the material behavior. This quantitative approach has the potential to enhance the ability of forensic scientists to capture, visualize and analyze fracture patterns, and possibly provide new methodologies for trace evidence. The project will employ spectral analysis of 3D fracture surface topography-measurements to associate or to differentiate fracture surfaces in the performance of physical comparisons. We will utilize an understanding of material failure mechanisms (developed in the field of fracture mechanics), with digital image analysis, to construct protocols for the association (or exclusion) of pairs of surfaces. A material’s fracture surface consists of 3-D features, with associated spatial frequency signatures, that are dictated by the material’s intrinsic microstructure and external loading history. The topography of a fracture surface is dependent on the ratio of the local material resistance to fracture vs. the local stress state (i.e. load severity), and this relationship can be used to forensically compare fracture surfaces. The quantitative expression of complex microstructural details, combined with the quantitative characteristics of applied load, have the potential to provide quantitative signatures for fracture surfaces, expressed as distributions of the spatial sizes and orientations of the features of a fracture surface. These, then, can be used to support the discriminant analysis of fracture match, yielding a statistical expression of fracture match. A 3D spectral analysis of fracture surface, based on the use of white light non-contact surface profilometers, will be evaluated to provide fracture surface measurements. The proposed analysis will be self-calibrated for fracture-feature-characteristics identification. This self-calibration should strengthen the methodology, and should expand its potential application across a broad range of fractured materials, with diverse textures and mechanical properties. Moreover, it would provide ease of use for forensic examiners, especially when a user-friendly interface with the analysis tools is developed. The analytical protocol will be examined to access fracture-match threshold(s), reliability and uncertainty(ies) of measurement. Successful preliminary work supported by the USDOE Ames Laboratory-Midwest Forensic Resource Center suggests a two-year development. First phase, Year1, a detailed validation study will be conducted on controlled laboratory samples from prey tool steel, with focus on analysis tool assessment and improvements. Efforts will focus on morphological measurement practices, development of a mathematical framework for describing non-continuous fracture events, and establishment of measurement uncertainties. Second phase, Year-2, a broader range of materials class such as metals, glass and plastic fragments will serve as the subjects for further protocol applicability and evaluation. We will explore the role of environmental degradation effects (moisture, heat/cold and corrosives) on the topology of fracture surfaces, to ascertain the applicability of the technique to weathered specimens. Our forensic collaborator will examine the testing protocol to identify its shortfalls and possible improvements. Assuming developmental success, the proposed technique may be utilized in; (i) Evaluating the 3D surface characterization for representative metal, glass and plastic fragments, (ii) analysis of fracture fragments or torn sections where a visual jig-saw match between fragments cannot be established, (iii) understanding the role of environmental deterioration of fracture surfaces, and (iv) possible expansion to address fibrous materials and torn taps. A detailed report with the scientific findings and implications will be generated, for forensic analysts’ use of spectral analysis of 3D fracture surface topography-measurements to associate, or differentiate, metal, ceramic and plastic fracture surfaces. This research will be conducted in response to the NIJ’s expressed need for knowledge underlying forensic science disciplines, and in collaboration with forensic scientists working in a forensic laboratory."

  
Date Created: January 10, 2022
    
          Side navigation
  

        

  
  
              Current Funding
    
      
            
            
            
      Forthcoming Funding
    
      
            
            
            
      Expired Funding
    
      
            
            
            
      Awards: Listing of Funded Projects
    
      
            
            
            
      Guidance for Applicants and Awardees
    
      
            
            
            
      Fellowship & Student Programs
    
      
            
            
            
      Travel Scholarships
    
      
            
            
            
      NIJ Challenge ProgramSimilar Awards
        
                      Strengthening Scientific Foundations for Advancing Best Practices in the Collection, Storage, Analysis, and Interpretation of Organic and Inorganic Gunshot Residues
                  Improving methods for fingerprint development on hand-guns
                  Deep Learning to Enhance Investigative Lead Information for Automotive Clear Coats
 Top

      National Institute of Justice

        
        
                        About NIJ
                    About NIJ
      
    
                  How NIJ Is Organized
      
    
                  NIJ Director
      
    
                  Research Disclaimer
      
    
                  Funding & Awards
                    Funding & Awards Home
      
    
                  Awards Listing
      
    
                  Current Funding
      
    
                  Guidance for Applicants and Awardees
      
    
                  Resources
                    Events
      
    
                  Podcasts
      
    
                  Publications
      
    
                  Topics
      
    
                  Multimedia
      
    
                  Reuse Policy
      
    
                  Contacts
                    Contact NIJ
      
    
                  Staff Directory
      
    
                  Submit a FOIA Request
      
    
                  File a Civil Rights ComplaintFacebook
          
                      X
          
                      YouTube
  

      810 7th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20531
      
              Secondary Footer link menu
            Accessibility
              Plain Language
              Privacy Policy
              Legal Policies and Disclaimer
              No FEAR Act
              Freedom of Information Act
              USA.gov
              Justice.gov