Standard Practice for the Documentation and 

Processing of Shooting Scenes 

1

 OSAC 2021-N-0019

2 Standard Practice for the

3 Documentation and

4 Processing of Shooting

5 Scenes

6 Crime Scene Investigation & Reconstruction Subcommittee

7 Scene Examination Scientific Area Committee

8 Organization of Scientific Area Committees (OSAC) for Forensic Science

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Standard Practice for the Documentation and 

Processing of Shooting Scenes 

9 Draft OSAC Proposed Standard

10 OSAC 2021-N-0019

11 Standard Practice for the

12 Documentation and Processing of

13 Shooting Scenes

14 Prepared by 

15 Crime Scene Investigation & Reconstruction Subcommittee 

16 Version: 1.0 

17 March 2021 

18 Disclaimer:

19 This OSAC Proposed Standard was written by the Crime Scene Investigation & Reconstruction 

20 Subcommittee of the Organization of Scientific Area Committees (OSAC) for Forensic Science 

21 following a process that includes an open comment period . This Proposed Standard will be 

22 submitted to a standards developing organization and is subject to change. 

23 There may be references in an OSAC Proposed Standard to other publications under 

24 development by OSAC. The information in the Proposed Standard, and underlying concepts and 

25 methodologies, may be used by the forensic-science community before the completion of such 

26 companion publications. 

27 Any identification of commercial equipment, instruments, or materials in the Proposed Standard 

28 is not a recommendation or endorsement by the U.S. Government and does not imply that the 

29 equipment, instruments, or materials are necessarily the best available for the purpose. 

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Standard Practice for the Documentation and 

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30 Foreword 

31 This standard is meant for scene investigators who are responsible for the documentation of a 

32 shooting scene and for shooting reconstructionists performing the on-scene documentation. It

33 is recognized that some shooting scenes are processed and documented by scene investigators

34 who will not be performing the final reconstructive analysis. However, their work is critical to

35 any subsequent reconstructive efforts. This standard provides guidance for shooting scene

36 preservation and minimum documentation requirements for projectile impacts and

37 trajectories. This standard cannot replace knowledge, skills, or abilities acquired through

38 appropriate education, training, empirical testing, and experience and should be used in

39 conjunction with sound professional judgment.

40 Keywords: Crime scene investigation, crime scene reconstruction, shooting reconstruction,

41 projectile impact, trajectory analysis

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Standard Practice for the Documentation and 

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42 Table of Contents

43 1 Scope 5

44 2 Normative References 5

45 3 Terms and Definitions 5

46 4 Procedure 8

47 4.1 Shooting Scene Preservation 8

48 4.2 Projectile Impact Documentation 9

49 4.3 Trajectory Measurement 10

50 4.4 Projectile Recovery 11

51 5 Examples of Additional Relevant Evidence Types and Examinations 11

52 6 Recording and Reporting Observations 12

53 7 Commonly Used Equipment 12

54 Annex A (informative) Bibliography 13

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55 Standard Practice for Documentation and Processing of Shooting

56 Scenes

57 1 Scope 

58 This document provides minimum standards and recommendations for the documentation 

59 and processing of shooting scenes that may be subject to shooting reconstruction. This 

60 document covers generally accepted professional principles and operations, shooting scene 

61 documentation, and shooting scene preservation. This document does not provide 

62 complete protocols for conducting a full shooting reconstruction. 

63 2 Normative References 

64 ASTM Practice E620-18 Standard Practice for Reporting Opinions of Scientific or 

65 Technical Experts 

66 OSAC proposed standard: “Guiding Principles for Scene Investigation and 

67 Reconstruction” 

68 ANSI-ASB Best Practice Recommendation 068: “Safe Handling of Firearms and 

69 Ammunition”, 1st Edition 2020. 

70 3 Terms and Definitions 

71 For purposes of this document, the following definitions and acronyms apply. 

72 3.1 

73 ammunition 

74 Unfired cartridges designed to be discharged in a firearm. 

75 3.2 

76 ballistics 

77 The science and study of projectiles in motion, which is usually divided into three 

78 parts: interior ballistics, exterior ballistics, and terminal ballistics. 

79 3.3 

80 bullet 

81 A projectile designed specifically to be fired from a firearm. 

82 3.4 

83 caliber 

84 The nominal diameter of a projectile or the nominal inner diameter of a barrel, or a 

85 term also used to designate the specific cartridge(s) for which a firearm is chambered. 

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86 3.5 

87 cartridge case / casing 

88 The fired or unfired component of metallic ammunition, the purpose of which is to 

89 hold the primer, propellant, and projectile. 

90 3.6 

91 cartridge case ejection patterning 

92 The use of the spatial relationship between a firearm and ejected cartridge 

93 cases/cartridges in order to approximate gun location in a scene at the time of 

94 ejection. 

95 3.7 

96 defect 

97 A generic term for any surface damage. 

98 3.8 

99 directionality 

100 The property of a trajectory that describes which way a projectile was traveling. 

101 3.9 

102 distance determination 

103 The process of determining how far away the muzzle of a firearm was from a target at 

104 the time a shot was fired, based on one or more methods such as gunshot residue, 

105 petal slap, pellet patterning, or buffer patterning. 

106 3.10 

107 exterior ballistics 

108 The branch of ballistics that deals with a projectile’s flight in air. 

109 3.11 

110 firearm 

111 Any weapon designed to expel a projectile with the energy generated by combustion. 

112 3.12 

113 gunshot residue 

114 GSR 

115 The total of all residues resulting from the discharge of a firearm, typically constituted 

116 of nitrites and lead, as well as unburned and partially burned gunpowder particles, 

117 primer residues, carbonaceous material plus metallic residues from projectiles, 

118 fouling, and any lubricant associated with the projectiles. 

119 3.13 

120 horizontal angle 

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121 The angle in a horizontal plane typically between the path of a bullet and an object 

122 that was struck, also known as azimuth angle. 

123 3.14 

124 interior ballistics 

125 The study of a projectile’s initial acceleration and performance in the weapon and the 

126 related processes. 

127 3.15 

128 non-penetrating impact 

129 Projectile damage where the projectile strikes but does not penetrate a target. 

130 3.16 

131 pellet patterning 

132 The distribution of shot fired from a firearm that may be used to estimate the 

133 muzzle-to-target distance. 

134 3.17 

135 penetrating impact 

136 Projectile damage where the projectile entered and did not exit a target. 

137 3.18 

138 perforating impact 

139 Projectile damage where the projectile entered and exited a target. 

140 3.19 

141 primer residue 

142 A subcategory of gunshot residue considering only chemicals generated from the 

143 priming mixture. Typically composed of very small particles containing lead, barium, 

144 and antimony, and detected using scanning electron microscopy. 

145 3.20 

146 projectile 

147 An object propelled with an initial velocity then acted upon by gravity, air drag, and 

148 other outside forces. 

149 3.21 

150 projectile fragment 

151 Any portion of a projectile that retains characteristics permitting it to be identified as 

152 having been part of a projectile. 

153 3.22 

154 projectile impact , noun 

155 Surface damage determined to have been caused by a projectile. 

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156 3.23 

157 range 

158 The distance from a firearm to the initial projectile impact. 

159 3.24

160 scene reconstruction

161 The utilization of information gathered from the investigative process to develop or eliminate 

162 possible explanations for how an incident occurred. 

163 3.25 

164 shooting reconstruction 

165 A scene reconstruction focused on the discharge of a firearm(s). 

166 3.26 

167 target , noun 

168 Any object struck by a projectile, regardless of whether it was struck intentionally. 

169 3.27 

170 terminal ballistics 

171 The branch of ballistics that deals with the projectile’s impact with a target. 

172 3.28 

173 trajectory 

174 The arched path that a projectile follows in flight, typically modeled as a straight line 

175 for short-range paths. 

176 3.29 

177 trajectory analysis 

178 The determination of a projectile’s flight path. 

179 3.30 

180 vertical angle 

181 The angle in a vertical plane typically between the path of a bullet and level, also 

182 known as elevation angle. 

183 3.31 

184 wound ballistics 

185 A subset of terminal ballistics that considers projectile impacts to tissue and tissue 

186 simulants. 

187 4 Procedures 

188 This standard establishes the minimum requirements to document a shooting scene 

189 for reconstruction. As established in the Guiding Principles for Scene Investigation and 

190 Reconstruction, the specific circumstances at a scene may require deviation from 

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191 established standards. Deviations from this standard shall be based on specific 

192 articulable circumstances and shall be documented. 

193 4.1 Shooting Scene Preservation 

194 This section applies specifically to shooting incidents and should be blended with 

195 other scene processing procedures, as necessary. 

196 4.1.1 The location of firearm evidence in a scene can have critical implications to a 

197 shooting reconstruction, for example: impact sites, fired cartridge cases, firearms, 

198 and/or other ammunition components. Proper location documentation of these 

199 specific type(s) of evidence shall be conducted. 

200 a) Each fired cartridge case shall be individually labeled, headstamps described or 

201 photographed, and its location documented. If cartridge cases of the same type 

202 are commingled, they may be documented and collected together. 

203 b) Firearm conditions shall be documented to include safety position, cylinder 

204 position for revolvers, loaded status, damage, evidence of malfunction, and 

205 trace evidence. 

206 4.1.2 Alterations to the scene that occur after an incident (e.g., first responder 

207 involvement, animal activity, weather, time), can greatly affect shooting scene 

208 reconstruction and any known or suspected alterations shall be documented. 

209 4.1.3 In the course of shooting scene processing, it may be necessary for the 

210 investigator to move objects within the scene in the interest of the investigation (e.g., 

211 search, body movement). This is permissible, but actions shall be taken first to record 

212 the object’s location to allow the object to be properly replaced for analysis, if 

213 necessary. 

214 4.2 Projectile Impact Documentation 

215 All projectile impacts shall be documented to include photography, labeling, projectile 

216 impact characteristics, and 3-dimensional location. 

217 4.2.1 Photography 

218 Projectile impacts shall be photographically documented to record their location, 

219 scene context, and physical characteristics. 

220 a) In addition to standard scene photography, photography of projectile impacts 

221 shall include sufficient overall and mid-range images to establish the 

222 relationship of projectile impacts with each other and other objects in the scene 

223 and close-up images taken with the sensor plane parallel to the impact. 

224 b) Photographs shall be taken with and without a scale/label. 

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225 4.2.2 Labeling 

226 Projectile impacts shall be given a unique identifier and that shall be recorded in 

227 photographs, notes, and sketches/diagrams. 

228 4.2.3 Projectile Impact Characteristics 

229 Projectile impacts shall be examined and their characteristics documented. These 

230 should include, but are not limited to: 

231 a) Physical Characteristics 

232 i) size (width, length) 

233 ii) as non-penetrating, penetrating, or perforating 

234 iii) target material 

235 iv) specific features or characteristics of the impact that are used to further 

236 evaluate the projectile impact (e.g., depth) 

237 v) any other observable forensic evidence present (e.g., trace evidence) 

238 b) Chemical Characteristics 

239 i) if a projectile impact is suspect, the use of chemical testing techniques 

240 for traces of bullet metals should be employed 

241 ii) copper and lead tests (e.g., dithiooxamide (DTO) & sodium rhodizonate 

242 tests, respectively) are commonly used field tests 

243 4.2.4 3-Dimensional Location 

244 The 3-dimensional location of each projectile impact shall be measured using a 

245 coordinate system that is clearly defined and recorded in the notes or data collected. 

246 4.3 Trajectory Measurement 

247 In order to measure a trajectory, the following parameters, when practicable, shall 

248 include: 

249 4.3.1 Directionality 

250 A trajectory is often represented by a line traveling in only one direction. When 

251 possible, the direction of travel shall be documented. 

252 4.3.2 Impact Site(s) 

253 a) each trajectory shall be associated with at least one reliable projectile impact 

254 b) if more than one projectile impact is associated with a single, defined trajectory 

255 (e.g., primary, secondary, etc.), all the projectile impacts that can be tracked 

256 along that trajectory and their sequence shall be documented 

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257 4.3.3 Path 

258 The projectile’s path can be described with either of the following: 

259 a) Horizontal Angle and Vertical Angle 

260 i) angles are commonly reported to a degree (not tenths or hundredths of 

261 a degree) 

262 ii) for both horizontal and vertical measurements, zero (0) must be defined 

263 and documented 

264 iii) the horizontal angle is typically measured relative to the object that was 

265 struck 

266 iv) the vertical angle is typically measured from level relative to gravity 

267 b) Three-Dimensional Representations 

268 i) photographs of visual representations of the trajectories from which 

269 horizontal and vertical angles can be measured 

270 ii) three-dimensional survey data of the trajectories 

271 4.4 Projectile Recovery 

272 After all other on-scene documentation and analysis is complete, every reasonable 

273 effort shall be made to locate and recover projectiles or projectile fragments from 

274 impacted objects. 

275 a) All reasonable efforts shall be made to minimize damage to projectiles or 

276 projectile fragments during this process. 

277 b) When a projectile or projectile fragment can be associated with a projectile 

278 impact and/or trajectory, this shall be documented in the notes. 

279 c) The section of a target containing an embedded projectile may be collected for 

280 a more comprehensive attempt for recovery in a controlled environment. 

281 d) If a projectile cannot be found or physically recovered, the reasons shall be 

282 documented. 

283 e) An accounting of the relative numbers of projectile impacts, projectiles, and 

284 cartridge cases shall be completed when feasible. 

285 5 Examples of Additional Relevant Evidence Types and Examinations 

286 5.1 Scene investigators shall be aware of other types of forensic evidence that can 

287 yield reconstructive value to later shooting reconstructions. Appropriate development, 

288 documentation, and collection techniques shall be applied for all evidence discovered 

289 at shooting scenes. 

290 5.2 Additional relevant evidence types can include, but are not limited to: 

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291 a) Firearms Identification. The identification of ammunition components as 

292 having been fired from a particular firearm can allow that firearm to be 

293 associated with a specific trajectory and/or location in the scene. 

294 b) Gunshot Residue (GSR) Distance Determination. GSR patterns can be used to 

295 determine a muzzle-to-target range at the time a shot was fired, which can 

296 further help to place a firearm in the scene. 

297 c) Pellet Patterning. Pellet patterns can be used to determine a muzzle-to-target 

298 range at the time a shot was fired, which can further help to place a firearm in 

299 the scene. 

300 d) Primer Residue Analysis. Primer residues deposited on objects near a 

301 discharged firearm, most notably the shooter, can be used to associate an 

302 individual as having been in the vicinity of a firearm discharge. 

303 e) Cartridge Case Ejection Patterns. A cartridge case pattern analysis can be used 

304 to position a firearm within a scene. 

305 f) Exterior Ballistics. Analysis of the long-range reconstruction of a bullet’s path 

306 through the atmosphere. 

307 g) Terminal and Wound Ballistics. Analysis which can include bullet deformation, 

308 penetration depth, and wound profiles. 

309 h) Trace Evidence. Trace evidence can indicate the type of projectile or the 

310 presence of an intervening target. Intervening targets can have a destabilizing 

311 effect on the bullet’s trajectory and shall be considered when drawing 

312 conclusions from an evaluation of the ballistic evidence. 

313 i) Bloodstain Pattern Analysis. A bloodstain pattern analysis is a type of scene 

314 reconstruction that can be helpful in locating individuals in the scene and 

315 associating them with movements or firearms events. 

316 j) Audio and Video Recordings. Audio and video recordings of a shooting can be 

317 used to establish specific timelines, relative chronologies, and the positions and 

318 movements of individuals in the scene. 

319 k) Fingerprint Examination. Latent prints processing can reveal an association to 

320 individuals who have handled some part of the evidence or scene in a shooting 

321 reconstruction. 

322 l) DNA Analysis. DNA analysis can reveal an association to individuals who have 

323 handled some part of the evidence or scene in a shooting reconstruction. 

324 6 Recording and Reporting Observations 

325 6.1 Notes shall be taken contemporaneously with the examination, which records 

326 pertinent observations and measurements. Notes shall: 

327 a) provide the basis for conclusions and opinions 

328 b) be in a common format (e.g., written, typed, diagrammed, photographed, 

329 scanned, audio recorded, video recorded) 

330 c) be retained such that a peer or reviewer can thoroughly understand what was 

331 done 

332 d) contain relevant observations regarding factors that may affect uncertainty or 

333 confidence in a measurement or conclusion 

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334 6.2 When a report is prepared, guidance on report preparation may be found in 

335 ASTM Practice E620-18. 

336 7 Commonly Used Equipment 

337 a) cameras/imaging equipment 

338 b) trajectory rods/probes 

339 c) lasers 

340 d) strings 

341 e) protractors 

342 f) inclinometers 

343 g) plumb bobs 

344 h) 3D scanners 

345 i) total stations 

346 j) laser measurement tools 

347 k) micrometers 

348 l) calculators 

349 m) levels 

350 n) tripods 

351 o) compass 

352 p) tape measures/scales 

353 q) chemical reagents 

354 r) carpenter’s square 

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355 Appendix A

356 (informative)

357 Bibliography

358 This is not meant to be an all-inclusive list as the group recognizes other publications on this

359 subject may exist. At the time this document was drafted, these were some of the publications

360 available for reference. Additionally, any mention of a particular software tool or vendor as

361 part of this bibliography is purely incidental, and any inclusion does not imply endorsement by

362 the authors of this document.

363 1] Baxter, Everett. Complete Crime Scene Investigation Handbook (Chapter 18). Taylor &

364 Francis, 2015.

365 2] DeFrance, Charles S. and Rosati, Carlo J. A Practical Guide to Shooting Scene Preservation for

366 Crime Scene Investigators. Journal of the Association for Crime Scene Reconstruction, 2009.

367 3] DiMaio, Vincent J.M. Gunshot Wounds: Practical Aspects of Firearms, Ballistics and Forensic

368 Techniques. 2nd Edition. CRC Press, 1999.

369 4] Gardner, Ross. Practical Crime Scene Processing and Investigation (Chapter 10). 2nd Edition.

370 CRC Press 2012

371 5] Gardner, Ross and Bevel, Tom. Practical Crime Scene Analysis and Reconstruction (Chapter

372 7). CRC Press, 2009.

373 6] Garrison, Dean H. Jr. Practical Shooting Scene Investigation: The Investigation and

374 Reconstruction of Crime Scene Involving Gunfire. Universal Publishers, 2003.

375 7] Haag, Michael and Haag, Lucien. Shooting Incident Reconstruction. 2nd Edition. CRC Press,

376 2011.

377 8] Haag, Lucien C. The Construction of an Inexpensive Portable Laser for Use in Shooting

378 Reconstructions. Association of Firearms and Tool Mark Examiners Journal, 1987.

379 9] Haag, Michael. The Accuracy and Precision of Trajectory Measurements. Association of Firearms

380 and Tool Mark Examiners Journal, 2008.

381 10] Hueske, Edward E. Practical Analysis and Reconstruction of Shooting Incidents. CRC Press, 2006

382 11] Petraco, Nicholas and DeForest, Peter. Trajectory Reconstruction I- Trace Evidence in Flight.

383 Journal of Forensic Sciences,1990.

384 12] Priest, Jon. Subchapter 9.5 Photographic Documentation of Shooting Incidents in Robinson,

385 Edward M. Crime Scene Photography. 3rd Edition. Elsevier, 2016.

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386 13] Roberts, James. Reconstruction of a Shooting to Disprove/Prove Trajectory. Association of

387 Firearms and Tool Mark Examiners Journal, 1985.

388 14] Rose, D. Establishing a Maximum Ef ective Range for String Shooting Reconstructions. Journal of

389 Forensic Identification, 2005.

390 15] Scientific Working Group for Firearms and Toolmarks (SWGGUN). Guidelines for Gunshot

391 Residue Distance Determinations: processing, determination, distance tests. SWGGUN, 2013.

392 16] Scientific Working Group for Firearms and Toolmarks (SWGGUN). Projectile Path

393 Reconstruction -- Essential Elements. SWGGUN, 2012.

394 17] Trahin, Jimmy L. Bullet Trajectory Analysis. Association of Firearms and Tool Mark Examiners

395 Journal, 1987.

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