NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES RELEASES FBI-COMMISSIONED STUDY ON BULLET LEAD ANALYSIS
Washington,
D.C. – Today, the National Research Council (NRC) of the National Academies
released a report regarding compositional comparisons of bullet lead performed
by the FBI Laboratory. In 2002, the FBI Laboratory contracted the National Academies
to conduct an independent study. The report released today revealed that the FBI
Laboratory’s current analytical instrumentation is appropriate and is the
best available technology with respect to both precision and accuracy for the
elements analyzed. Furthermore, the elements selected by the FBI for analysis
are appropriate. Recommendations by the NRC included suggestions to improve the
statistical analysis, quality control procedures, as well as expert testimony.
Bullet lead compositional comparisons use chemical analysis to determine the amount
of trace elements found within lead bullets. The FBI Laboratory asked the NRC
for recommendations on how they could improve the analysis, the statistical treatment
of the data, and the interpretation of results. To conduct the study, the NRC
formed a committee of 13 members consisting of chemists, metallurgists, statisticians,
forensic scientists, and attorneys. The FBI Laboratory did not have any input
in the selection of panel members and only participated in those sessions that
were open to the general public.
The NRC study is part of the FBI Laboratory’s ongoing efforts to answer
questions surrounding bullet lead compositional analysis. In 2000, the FBI Laboratory
contracted with the Department of Energy’s Ames Laboratory in Ames, Iowa
to conduct a statistical study of bullet lead data. Internal review teams were
formed in 2001 to identify any weaknesses that existed in bullet lead examinations.
Additionally, publications were written on the topic to explain the examination
to those unfamiliar with it. The basis of bullet lead compositional analysis is
supported by approximately 50 peer- reviewed articles found in scientific publications
beginning in the early 1970's. Published research and validation studies have
continued to demonstrate the usefulness of the measurement of trace elements within
bullet lead.
Since the early 1980's this technique has been used in approximately 2,500 cases
and in less than 20 % of those cases, bullet lead compositional analysis was presented
as circumstantial evidence in court. The science has continually withstood legal
challenges in federal, state, and local criminal courts.
“The FBI Laboratory remains a world-class facility, in part, because it
routinely seeks out and benefits from outside scrutiny and review” said
Laboratory Director, Dr. Dwight E. Adams. “The report issued today by the
National Academy of Sciences on bullet lead comparisons is no exception. We thank
the Academy and members of the committee for their hard work and we look forward
to reviewing their recommendations.”
####