NACDL

Most lawyers know what a bullet hole looks like.

Far fewer understand how chemical testing can confirm whether a defect is actually projectile-related.

In this clip from our 2026 Forensics Seminar, shooting reconstruction expert Dr. Amy Santoro explains one of the simplest but most powerful forensic techniques available: presumptive lead testing.

Key takeaways:
✔ A bullet can strike glass without shattering it.
✔ Visual examination alone is not always enough.
✔ Lead transfer testing can help distinguish projectile damage from other defects.
✔ Proper photographic documentation of positive reactions can become a critical issue in case review and cross-examination.
✔ Understanding substrate controls can help attorneys evaluate the reliability of an examiner's conclusions.

For criminal defense lawyers, these details matter.

Knowing what testing was performed, how it was documented, and whether investigators followed accepted forensic procedures can uncover weaknesses in the prosecution's reconstruction and provide valuable avenues for cross-examination.

This clip is just one segment from the full presentation on Shooting Reconstruction & Ballistics available through NACDL's on-demand learning platform, MyCLE.nacdl.org.

🎥 Get the full program here: https://bit.ly/4e81T92

Use code MYCLE to receive your first on-demand video free.

What forensic issue have you found most misunderstood by lawyers and juries?