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| List of Color Plates | |
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| Introduction | |
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| Case Approach, Philosophy, and Objectives | |
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| Why This Book? | |
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| Reconstruction-The Ultimate Goal of Criminalistics | |
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| Basic Skills and Approach to Casework | |
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| Qualifications | |
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| General Philosophy | |
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| The Scientific Method | |
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| Specific Considerations | |
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| Concluding Comments | |
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| Case Decisions Related to the Admissibility of Scientific Evidence | |
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| References and Further Reading | |
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| The Reconstructive Aspects of Class Characteristics and a Limited Universe | |
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| Bullet Design and Construction | |
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| Hypothetical Case Examples | |
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| Propellant Morphology | |
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| Analytical Approach | |
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| The Worth of Weight | |
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| Derivation of Sphere Diameter from Weight | |
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| Summary | |
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| References and Further Reading | |
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| Is it a Bullet Hole? | |
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| The Question of Bullet Holes in Common Materials | |
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| Empirical Testing | |
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| An Example of a Bullet Hole Issue-Bullet Holes in Wood | |
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| Considerations and Solution | |
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| Bullet Holes in Some Typical Materials | |
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| Bullet Holes in Fabrics and Garments Made of Nylon and Polyester | |
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| Summary | |
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| References and Further Reading | |
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| Some Useful Reagents and Their Application | |
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| Dithiooxamide (DTO) Test for Copper Residues | |
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| Dithiooxamide Procedure for Copper Residues | |
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| 2-NN Procedure for Copper Residues | |
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| Sodium Rhodizonate Test for Lead Residues | |
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| Theory | |
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| Sodium Rhodizonate Test Procedure for Lead Residues | |
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| Direct Application Methods | |
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| "Lifting" or Transfer Method | |
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| Dimethylglyoxime (DMG) Test for Nickel Residues | |
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| Chemistry of the Nickel-DMG Reaction | |
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| DMG Test Procedure | |
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| Barrel Residues | |
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| Summary and Concluding Comments | |
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| References and Further Reading | |
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| Distance and Orientation Derived from Gunshot Residue Patterns | |
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| The Production of Gunshot Residues | |
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| Target Materials | |
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| Interpretation and Reporting of Results | |
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| Revolvers | |
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| The Modified Griess Test for Nitrite Residues | |
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| The Preparation of Reagents and Materials | |
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| Gunshot and Primer Residues on the Hands | |
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| Summary | |
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| References and Further Reading | |
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| Projectile Penetration and Perforation | |
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| Overview | |
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| Sheetrock/Wallboard | |
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| Wood | |
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| Sheet Metal | |
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| Glass | |
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| Rubber | |
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| Plastics | |
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| Summary | |
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| References and Further Reading | |
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| Projectile Ricochet and Deflection | |
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| Introduction | |
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| Definitions | |
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| Some General Principles, Observations, and Comments | |
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| Factors Controlling or Affecting Projectile Ricochet | |
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| Factors Controlling or Affecting Lateral Projectile Deflection during Ricochet | |
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| Projectile Impacts to Hard, Unyielding Surfaces | |
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| Projectile Impacts to Frangible Materials | |
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| Projectile Impacts to Semi-Hard or Semi-Yielding Materials | |
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| Projectile Impacts to Yielding Surfaces | |
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| The Post-Impact Flight of Ricocheted and Deflected Bullets | |
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| Gunshot Wounds from Ricocheted and Deflected Bullets | |
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| Shotgun Discharges and Pellet Ricochet | |
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| Approach to Casework Involving the Issue of Ricochet | |
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| Summary and Concluding Remarks Regarding Ricochet | |
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| Perforating Projectiles and Perforated Objects | |
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| Concluding Comments | |
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| References | |
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| The Principles of "Trajectory" Reconstruction | |
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| Bullet Paths in Fixed Objects | |
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| The Location of the Bullet Hole and Angular Components of the Projectile's Path | |
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| The Use of String Lines | |
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| The Use of Probes and "Trajectory" Rods | |
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| Procedures-Vertical Angle Determination | |
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| Procedures-Azimuth Angle Determination | |
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| Non-Perforating Bullet Paths | |
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| The Use, Advantages, and Limitations of Lasers | |
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| Some Thoughts on the Reconstructed Angles | |
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| Techniques, Tools, and Supplies used in Trajectory Reconstruction | |
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| Summary and Concluding Comments | |
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| References and Further Reading | |
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| The Shooting of Motor Vehicles | |
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| Vehicles at a Scene | |
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| Frames of Reference and "Squaring the Vehicle" | |
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| Perforating Projectile Strikes to Vehicles | |
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| Penetrating Projectile Strikes to Vehicles | |
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| Ricochet Marks, Graze Marks, and Non-Penetrating Strikes | |
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| Summary | |
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| References and Further Reading | |
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| Bullet Track ("Trajectory") Determinations in Gunshot Victims | |
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| Introductory Comments | |
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| Entry and Re-Entry Wounds | |
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| Shored Gunshot Wounds | |
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| Projectile Path Determinations for Gunshot Wounds | |
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| Survivors of Gunshot Wounds | |
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| Summary and Concluding Comments | |
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| References and Further Reading | |
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| Trace Evidence Considerations Associated with Firearms Evidence: Evidentiary and Reconstructive Aspects | |
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| Introduction | |
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| Locard's Principle Revisited-Some Examples of Trace Evidence Transfers and Deposits | |
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| Common Examples of Trace Evidence on or Embedded in Recovered Bullets and Applicable Analytical Methods | |
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| Examination Protocol and Common Analytical Techniques | |
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| Sequence of Events Through Trace Evidence-Three Case Examples | |
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| Summary and Concluding Comments | |
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| References and Further Reading | |
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| Cartridge Case Ejection and Ejection Patterns | |
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| Overview | |
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| Scene Work-Terrain/Substrate Considerations | |
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| Relocated Cartridge Cases | |
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| Firearm-Ammunition Performance | |
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| Review of Markings on Fired Cartridge Cases | |
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| Laboratory Examination of Ejected Cartridge Cases | |
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| General Protocol for Ejection Pattern Testing | |
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| Cartridges Ejected from Moving Vehicles | |
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| Additional Considerations | |
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| Manually Operated Firearms | |
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| Summary and Concluding Comments | |
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| References and Further Reading | |
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| True Ballistics: Long Range Shootings and Falling Bullets | |
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| Introduction | |
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| The Basics of Exterior Ballistics and Their Forensic Application | |
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| Case Situations-An Overview | |
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| Maximum Range Trajectories | |
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| Lagtime | |
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| Penetration and Projectile Deformation as an Expression of Range of Fire | |
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| Bullets from the Sky | |
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| Summary | |
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| References and Further Reading | |
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| Shotgun Shootings and Evidence | |
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| Introduction | |
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| Shotgun Design and Nomenclature | |
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| Choke and Patterning | |
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| Shot Charges and Dram-Equivalents | |
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| Wads and Shotcups | |
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| Powder, Gunshot Residue, and Buffer Material | |
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| The Exterior Ballistics of Shotgun Pellets | |
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| Summary and Concluding Comments | |
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| References and Further Reading | |
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| Ultimate Objectives, Reports, and Court Presentation | |
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| Explaining What We Do | |
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| Legal Challenges and the Role of Shooting Incident Reconstruction in Litigation | |
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| Reports and Report Writing | |
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| Concluding Comments | |
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| References and Further Reading | |
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| Appendix | |
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| Shooting Incident Evaluation and Reconstruction Documents Sought or Requested | |
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| Materials Checklist for Shooting Scene Examination | |
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| Vehicle Data, Measurements, and Behavior with Occupants and/or Movement | |
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| Vehicle Diagrams | |
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| Logsheet for Projectile Strikes to Vehicles | |
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| Shooting Reconstruction Checklist | |
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| Suggested Guidelines for Reconstruction and Reenactment of Shooting Incidents | |
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| Coat Worksheet | |
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| Long Sleeved Shirt Worksheet | |
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| Under Shirt/T-Shirt Worksheet | |
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| Pants Worksheet | |
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| Some Cyclic Rates of Fire for Recoil-Operated Semiautomatic Pistols | |
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| Reference | |
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| Conversion and Computational Factors | |
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| Table of Common Bullet Weights | |
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| Some General Guidelines for Laser Photography | |
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| Digital Photography of Laser Paths | |
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| Some Bullet Core and Jacket Weights | |
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| General Foundational Questions | |
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| Specific Foundational Questions | |
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| Glossary | |
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| Index | |