Two experiments investigating fingerprint development and tool mark evidence regarding 3D-printed firearms

This thesis will comprise two experiments using an FDM 3D printer; the first experiment will investigate how fingerprints develop on the initial and final layers of a 3D printed cube. The second experiment will investigate the traceability of 3D printed firearms to a specific printer based on imperfections of the build plate. This thesis aims to provide more research on how novel forensic techniques can be applied to 3D-printed firearms. Ultimately, the goal is to increase public safety and assist in criminal investigations. There is a growing threat to public safety with the growing rise of 3D-printed firearms, also known as “ghost guns,” being found in the hands of criminals all across Canada. It may be a matter of time until 3D-printed firearms are used to commit crimes. Currently, there is a lack of forensic techniques when handling 3D-printed firearms. This thesis made two findings. The first was discovering how to produce clearer fingerprint images from 3D-printed objects. The second finding demonstrated how imperfections on a build plate could create unique tool marks that consistently transfer to multiple 3D-printed firearms; this would allow a determination that a collection of firearms was made using the same printer.