I'm far from a ballistics expert. I would think that in some instances a determination can be made quickly, and in others, further analysis is required. And no, they've not released ballistics information from the murder.
It seems to me (in my OPINION) that the "we are checking out the gun" statement" came before the "nothing, nothing, nothing" one. I dunno. But honestly, I tend to agree that Riddle was growing frustrated with the hounding from reporters, and either didn't add, "at this time", or that part was left out in the report. What bothers me about that article is the "nothing, nothing, nothing" statement is the only direct quote. So we can't tell the context in which it was made.
In any case, I doubt that LE would make an official public statement on the spot, so to speak. :moo: :moo:
Hopefully, one of our members who is knowledgeable about weapons will come along and answer your question.
Recovered handgun may be linked to Amanda Blackburn murder case
Posted 4:42 PM, November 17, 2015,
by Zach Myers, Updated at 05:40pm, November 17, 2015
[...]
It certainly is of interest to our detectives to see if that weapon has any connection to any crime in that area, Riddle said. But most importantly the Amanda Blackburn case at this point.
[..]
Our detectives are looking at the caliber of the handgun recovered, to see if it does in fact match the caliber of the weapon used in the Amanda Blackburn case, Riddle said.
Police: Handgun not tied to Amanda Blackburn case
Michael Anthony Adams,
michael.adams@indystar.com
5:27 p.m. EST November 17, 2015
[...]
"There is nothing, nothing, nothing tying this gun to this case," said Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Lt. Rich Riddle.