Development of forensic methods for the comparison of metal 3D printing illicit and counterfeit goods

Day, Phillip (2020) Development of forensic methods for the comparison of metal 3D printing illicit and counterfeit goods. Masters by Coursework thesis, Murdoch University.

Abstract

Three-dimensional (3D) printing is the manufacturing of objects in a layer-by-layer technique, utilising Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software and a variety of engineering processes and materials. The recent advancements and increases in the application of 3D printing have been substantially attributed to the expiry of earlier patents, resulting in new devices and processes. Criminals and organised crime groups are continually seeking new methods for the illicit manufacturing of firearms, their components and counterfeit goods, and the recent advancements and cost reductions in 3D printing technology has provided them with the means. To date, there are no published forensic studies on the assessment of the engineering features of metal 3D printing, or the application and development of forensic techniques to compare and identify the source printer and generated materials in criminal investigations. This review seeks to address this by evaluating the manufacturing and engineering features of powder bed fusion-based 3D metal printing and generated materials, and how this might assist the forensic community to apply and develop chemical and physical methods of forensic analysis.

Item Type:	Thesis (Masters by Coursework)
Murdoch Affiliation:	Medical, Molecular and Forensic Sciences
United Nations SDGs:	Goal 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
Supervisor(s):	Speers, James, Parlevliet, David, Pitts, Kari, Mead, Robert and Berryman, David
URI:	http://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/56978

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