What is the purpose of comparing bullet markings?

• A. To match class characteristics and individual striations to link a suspect to a crime.
• B. To determine the shooter's height.
• C. To estimate the gun’s firing rate.
• D. To identify the type of powder used.

Answer: (A)

Bullet markings are compared to determine whether a firearm could have fired a particular bullet by examining the rifling impressions left on the bullet. The barrel’s rifling creates both broad, telltale features (caliber and rifling pattern) and unique, individual striations from manufacture and wear. By comparing a crime-scene bullet with bullets fired from a suspected gun, examiners look for a close alignment of those markings. When the markings match, it provides strong evidence that the same firearm produced the bullet, helping link the weapon to the crime and potentially to a suspect. This approach isn’t used to estimate a shooter’s height, determine firing rate, or identify the type of powder used; those require other analyses such as trajectory assessment, timing considerations, or chemical residue testing.