In this opinion, the court addresses the novel issue of whether a firearms toolmark identification expert's use of untested three-dimensional (3D) computer imaging technology known as BULLETTRAX, in conjunction with the traditional technique of comparing evidence and test bullets using a comparison microscope, requires that a Frye1 hearing be held to establish the scientific reliability of the BULLETTRAX machine and related software.
Following an evidentiary hearing, the trial court concluded that the State's expert relied upon the BULLETTRAX technology and the images it produced in concluding that a bullet fragment taken from the murder victim likely came from a handgun later seized from defendant. In so ruling, the trial court made extensive factual and credibility findings pertaining to the expert's testimony about his use of the images, and its findings are entitled to deference on appeal.
Under these circumstances, the court holds that a Frye hearing was necessary to demonstrate the reliability of the computer images of the bullets produced by BULLETTRAX before the expert would be permitted to testify at trial.
