Objectifying evidence evaluation for gunshot residue comparisons using machine learning on criminal case data.

Comparative gunshot residue analysis addresses relevant forensic questions such as 'did suspect X fire shot Y?'. More formally, it weighs the evidence for hypotheses of the form H: gunshot residue particles found on suspect's hands are from the same source as the gunshot residue particles found on the crime scene and H: two sets of particles are from different sources. Currently, experts perform this analysis by evaluating the elemental composition of the particles using their knowledge and experience.