What type of evidence can be gathered from a firearm's firing pin?

The firing pin of a firearm can yield both class and individual evidence. Class evidence refers to characteristics that can be associated with a particular group or category of items, such as the make and model of a firearm, which can be determined through the firing pin's design and dimensions. These attributes allow forensic experts to narrow down the type of firearm that may have fired a particular cartridge.

Individual evidence, on the other hand, refers to characteristics that can be traced to a specific item, such as unique markings or imperfections on the firing pin that occur during its use. These individualized markings can leave distinctive impressions on the fired cartridge, which can then be matched back to the specific firearm responsible for discharging the round. If the firing pin exhibits such unique features, it can serve to link a bullet or cartridge case back to the firearm, providing crucial evidence in forensic investigations.

The combination of these two types of evidence allows forensic experts to form a more comprehensive understanding of the circumstances surrounding a shooting incident, which makes the ability to gather both class and individual evidence from a firearm's firing pin particularly valuable in criminal investigations.