Carly Smith (Menifee, CA) began at WVU in the fall of 2019 as a freshman. She graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Forensic and Investigative Science with an emphasis in examiner in the spring of 2023. As an undergraduate, Carly did four years of undergraduate research in the Morris research group. Her first two years she assisted with documenting breech face impressions on 9 mm cartridge cases using confocal microscopy and comparing scans with NIST's CMC algorithm. Her final two years, she and another undergraduate student completed a study that was assessing which cleaning solvent and cleaning tool combination allowed for best visualization of breech face impressions. The results of the study showed no statistical difference between the various solvents and cleaning tools examined.
She continued her education at WVU and began her Masters degree in the fall of 2023. Her research is focused on determining the variability present in breech face impressions on fired shot shells using three-dimensional microscopy. As far as can be determined, there have been no studies conducted on fired shot shells using three-dimensional microscopy. NIST's CMC algorithm will be used to assess the degree of similarity between the scans of the fired shot shells.
Why did you choose WVU?
I chose WVU for my undergraduate and graduate education as the university is FEPAC
accredited for both programs. I liked the fact the program(s) offered classes in
various forensic disciplines (latent fingerprints, firearms examination, crime
scene, etc.). My dad's side of the family is also from the area and I thought it
would be a good opportunity to get to know them better.
Why did you choose to work with Dr. Morris?
I have been shooting competitively, specifically in the SASS organization, since I was 9. I wanted to learn how firearms were used in a forensic capacity since I had only ever used them for sport.