Advancing Forensic Analysis of Gunshot Acoustics

摘要

This paper describes our current work to create the apparatus and methodology for scientific and repeatable collection of firearm acoustical properties, including the important direction-dependence of each firearm's sound field. Gunshot acoustical data is collected for a wide range of firearms using an elevated shooting platform and an elevated spatial array of microphones to allow echo-free directional recordings of each firearm's muzzle blast. The results of this proposed methodology include a standard procedure for cataloging firearm acoustical characteristics, and a database of acoustical signatures as a function of azimuth for a variety of common firearms and types of ammunition.