Law Enforcement Standards Office (OLES); Forensic Science

Program, and HD Laser Scanning System Accuracy-Traceability

Robert M. ThompsonProgram Manager – Forensic Data Systems

Law Enforcement Standards OfficeNational Institute of Standards and Technology

October 26, 2010San Ramon, California

Contents

1. Organizational Information

2. Description of OLES

3. Overview of Program Areas

4. Forensic Science Programs

5. HD Laser Scanning System and Dual Target Accuracy

Organizational InformationAgriculture

Commerce

Defense

Education

Energy

Health and Human Services

Homeland Security

Housing and Urban Development

Interior

Justice

Labor

State

Transportation

Treasury

Veterans Affairs

Office of the Secretary

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

International Trade Administration

Bureau of Industryand Security

National Institute of Standards and Technology

Economics and Statistics Administration

U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

Law Enforcement Standards Office (OLES)

National Institute of Standards & TechnologyU.S. Department of Commerce

OLES - Major Activities1. Maintain metrology activities and laboratories for

equipment unique to law enforcement and criminal justice agents and emergency responders.

2. Conduct applied research supporting development of technology and metrology.

3. Author user guides, minimum performance standards, and technical reports.

4. Design methods for examining evidentiary materials.5. Provide technical advice and assistance to criminal

justice, public safety, emergency responder and homeland security communities.

OLES - Metrology Activities Work with NIST technical divisions, manufacturers, user

communities, and Standards Development Organizations (if applicable) to: – Develop suitable metrics for device and system evaluation – Develop industry-standard test procedures and artifact standards– Design, develop, and maintain suitable test beds (including emulation

of probable scenarios, etc.)– Develop application-specific performance standards and user guides – Provide precision measurements support to NVLAP accredited

laboratories

OLES – Major Program Areas

Counterterrorism And Response Technologies

CBRNE equipment for security screening and first responder protection

Operational equipment, such as robots for search and rescue and bomb disposal

Biometric, cargo screening and RFIDtechnology for border and transportation

security

OLES – Major Program Areas

Counterterrorism And Response

TechnologiesLess-than-lethal technologies

Detection of trace explosives andchemical and biological warfare agents

Law enforcement PPE

OLES – Major Program Areas

Detection, Enforcement, and InspectionDetection of concealed conventional

and chemical weapons

X-ray to RF imaging metrology

Through-wall imaging

Highway traffic enforcement

OLES – Major Program Areas

Public Safety CommunicationPublic Safety CommunicationResearchResearch

Interoperable telecommunicationssystems and equipment

Interoperable informationtechnologies and equipment

OLES – Major Program Areas

Protective Systems ResearchProtective Systems ResearchBallistic and stab resistant armor

Ballistic materials and protective systems

Handguns

Metallic Handcuffs

OLES – Major Program Areas

Forensic SciencesForensic Sciences

Computer forensics tools andreference data sets

DNA analysis technologies and procedures

Trace drug detection

Fire analysis

Ballistic forensics

OLES – Major Program Areas

Accomplishments & Stakeholder ImpactsAccomplishments & Stakeholder Impacts

• Over 3,000 lives saved as a result of OLES body armor standards & test systems

• Over 300 standards, guides and technical reports published over 35 years

• Instituted nation-wide program to certify Personal Protective Equipment for CBRNE threats for 60,000 first responder agencies

• Pioneered standards in forensic sciences, including DNA, firearms and digital evidence

• Spearheading interoperable communications for 60,000 emergency responder agencies

The National Academies Report on Forensic Sciences

NIST was the primary author for a standard on the metrological traceability of dimensional measurements. The purpose of this report is to provide guidelines for demonstrating the traceability of dimensional measurements to the SI unit of length (the meter). Intended for design, drafting, mechanical, manufacturing, production, tool/gage, quality, process and project engineers, CAD/CAM/CAE specialists, inspectors and educators across a broad range of global manufacturing. Special emphasis on aerospace, automotive, medical device, precision instrumentation and related industries.

Laser Tracker Standards

NIST is also the primary author of the world’s first standard for laser trackers. The standard describes how trackers are specified for accuracy and how both tracker manufacturers and users can test the tracker to check the specifications.

The test positions are optimized to reveal errors associated with the optical-mechanical design of this class of insturments.

The Large-Scale Coordinate Metrology (LSCM) Group provides special tests on a fee for service basis of long length standards upon customer request. The group performs a feasibility study of all requests to determine if we can provide an appropriate calibration.In the past, the LSCM Group has provided special tests and length calibrations for fiber optic cables standards over 1 km in length, for special 5 m length rods used in the nuclear power industry, and for ball bars up to 3 meters in length.

Special Tests of Long Length Standards

A 3 m optic length standard under calibration.

Titanium Sphere Range65 m long array

Long Length Standards

Hand held laser scanners

Twin Target Rod System

Bullet Trajectory

Trajectory – The curved path of a projectile from muzzle to target

Ballistics – The study of a projectile in motion

Shooting Reconstruction & Trajectory

VERTICAL PLANE TRAJECTORIES

Fig. 1 Fig 2.

5'00"

Figure is approximatelysix feet tall

Trajectory Limited in Vertical Plane

Shooting Reconstruction and Trajectory• In many

investigations the examinations can be complex.

• Multiple firearms, distances, shooting location(s), and a “moving target”

Source: BorderlandBeat.com

Source: BorderlandBeat.com

TEAMWORK!

Contact: Robert Thompson

Program Manager - Forensic Data Systems

robert.m.thompson@nist.gov

301-975-2118

National Institute of Standards and TechnologyU.S. Department of Commerce