Firearms Reference Collection
The firearm reference collections at the BCA Laboratories in St. Paul and Bemidji have a variety of pistols, revolvers, rifles and shotguns. Firearm examiners use reference firearms in
function testing to evaluate the condition of similar evidence firearms. Examiners also use the reference firearms to supply missing or damaged parts to non-functional evidence firearms so they can
create test specimens. The reference firearms also help in
serial number restorations. The firearms show the serial number locations and numbering conventions used by the manufacturers, allowing firearm examiners to identify partially obliterated or restored characters in a firearm’s serial number. Additionally, firearm examiners will use reference firearms for exemplars in court proceedings, for training exercises and to conduct research experiments.
The BCA Firearm Section’s firearms collection consists of seized firearms donated by local law enforcement agencies.
Ammunition
The BCA Laboratories in St. Paul and Bemidji have a large supply of ammunition including cartridges and shotshells for pistols, revolvers, rifles and shotguns. This ammunition can be used to
create test specimens similar to the evidence ammunition. The laboratories also have a Standard Ammunition File, a cataloged reference collection of ammunition of known brands and types, that can be used to help examiners determine information such as manufacturer, cartridge type or bullet style.
The BCA Firearm Section’s ammunition collection consists of purchased ammunition or boxed ammunition donated by local law enforcement agencies.
