What physical evidence can help establish the sequence of events at a crime scene?

Bullet casings provide important physical evidence that can help establish the sequence of events at a crime scene, particularly in the context of a shooting incident. When firearms are discharged, the bullet casings ejected from the weapon can indicate the type of firearm used, as well as the direction and location from which the shots were fired. Additionally, the position and number of casings found at the scene can help investigators understand the timing and order of events during the crime, such as whether multiple shots were fired and their trajectory. This physical evidence can be critical in reconstructing the incident, determining the actions taken by both the assailant and the victims, and corroborating other forms of evidence collected at the scene.

While testimonial evidence, surveillance footage, and online activity logs can also contribute relevant information, they often provide context or supplementary details rather than direct physical evidence tied to the crime. For example, surveillance footage can visually document what occurred, but it is not as conclusive as physical traces left behind by the crime itself, like bullet casings, to establish the sequence of events in a definitive manner.