Loading press and forensics

[BKinzey]

The prosecutor would have to convince the court that loading die scratches are unique enough to convict someone. That groundwork has been done with fingerprints but probably not reloading dies.

You're not shooting caseless yet?

That's already been done and settled. I saw evidence in a case where there was a screwdriver used to gain entry. Forensics matched the screwdriver to marks left on the door jamb. Anything that leaves marks on something else has the potential to be matched.

[IntoForever]

Use a revolver and then throw down brass you picked up from the police range. Another option is to invent frangible cases.

[hambam105]

Shouldn't this forensics question be properly addressed to the experts?

Someone contact CBS. Assign CSI Agent Scully to the case if you please. Thank You.

[Fishslayer]

Yea, I don't use case lube and it comes out shiny enough

The lube is to make the sizing process easier, especially with 9mm. Try it. Not much. Just a quick spritz with One Shot. You might be surprised.

[RandyD]

I would assume that if a sizing die left a distinctive mark, then yes, a case could be traced to a particular sizing die. I would make the same comment regarding the bullet seater in the seating die. The reloading dies would have to make a mark to be traceable, but I have never read of a study done to determine if these reloading accessories leave unique and distinctive marks.

[everyreggie]

I was under the impression that it's dangerous to tumble live rounds. School me.

[Noonanda]

I was under the impression that it's dangerous to tumble live rounds. School me.

Considering that Ammo manufacturers do this exact thing to shine up and final clean the ammo prior to boxing it up, I'd say its safe.

It is an old reloaders tale about blown up guns due to the change in powder compisition from tumbling. If you think a 1-2 hours in a tumber is enough to do it, well think about the truck or train that hauled the ammo you are now shooting across all those miles of bumpy potholed highways or railroad tracks from the manufacturer to where ever you bought it.

If you have even been on a Navy transport, the entire ship vibrates and rocks, yet I have never had an issue shooting ammo hauled 1/2 way across the world by navy transport.

[binarybro]

Tumble a loaded round

I was under the impression that it's dangerous to tumble live rounds. School me.

I've often wonder how safe this practice is or is not. As a result of this unanswered question I've not tried it. Lemme know if there is no static electricity problem or perhaps the powder might not like the vibration.

[CaliforniaLiberal]

Finger Prints, tracing bullets to the guns that fired them, DNA, eyewitnesses, tire tracks, etc, etc.

All are fallible, all have a high potential for error. Sometimes you can get good data and a good match, but more often there are imperfections in the process.

Great ideas in theory, only sometimes accurate in practice.

All the crime dramas on TV make it look like it's a simple sure fire process every time. And then the perp breaks down and confesses everything. Cause there are no screwups at TV crime labs. Severely distorted view of reality.

How many local police or even state police have the resources for multi-million dollar crime labs staffed by skilled and trustworthy staff that can investigate every crime?

Never heard of any experts in tying reloaded ammo to a reloading press.

Did you know that Sherlock Holmes had a collection of dirt specimens from all over London? And a catalog of cigar ashes too. Just a little pinch of cigar ash and he could tell you in five minutes exactly what brand cigar it came from.

A lot of criminologists believe in Sherlock Holmes deep in their hearts, they're sure that if they just get the science right they can solve every crime with perfect certainty.

Typewriters, forgot typewriters...

[Anti-Hero]

The shell plate, sizing die, etc. all leave tool marks. Not to mention the plethora of other items, traces and residues of forensic value.

If you want bullets that can't be traced. Pay cash from an unknown private party.

[64physhy]

Seems like if it was reloaded ammo, they would have a hard time proving anything based on a spent casing, since by thern, it will have been in at least two different reloaders (unless you used brand new unfired brass) and possibly 2 different weapons, so there would be marks all over it.

[stilly]

That's already been done and settled. I saw evidence in a case where there was a screwdriver used to gain entry. Forensics matched the screwdriver to marks left on the door jamb. Anything that leaves marks on something else has the potential to be matched.

So after each batch, get rid of those dies and get some new ones... Maybe OP should start shopping for dies at Costco...

I've often wonder how safe this practice is or is not. As a result of this unanswered question I've not tried it. Lemme know if there is no static electricity problem or perhaps the powder might not like the vibration.

It is fine. School is out on it, it does nothing. Feel free to do it all you want to.

[drdarkness]

From what I know and have seen, powder even from the same manufacturer and type has distinct differentiation characteristics to them that can be traced to a specific lot, your sizing dye can also leave specific scarring marks, your fingerprints left on the brass although wiped away if left there for a while would leave microscopic rust marks that can also be lifted and identified, as well as the strike mark on the primer from the firing pin can also be verified that it was shot from your rifle. I am sure there are many more identifying marks that i haven't touched upon so if you are going to be doing something it would depend upon what you did and if it is enough trouble to go looking for you.

Shooting somebody in a high crime area probably would not have them go to extreme measures, shooting at or against something that the public is alarmed at such a crime would trigger it.

Yup, what he said.

[SonofWWIIDI]

For those who don't want fingerprints on their cases, and tumble their brass to remove them, do you also load all your mags while wearing gloves?

[CBR_rider]

Sure, if somehow your brass ended up somewhere where it was analyzed, determined to have been reloaded by you, your reloading equipment is seized during a search warrant, and they determine that the markings created during the process are fairly unique and match those created on the brass that they have located.