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Forensic ballistics involves the scientific examination of firearms, bullets, and ammunition to solve crimes. It has several branches including internal ballistics which examines what happens inside the firearm, external ballistics which focuses on bullet flight, and terminal ballistics which analyzes the effects on a target. The history of forensic ballistics involved early pioneers attempting to individualize bullets to specific firearms in the late 1800s, and the development of comparison microscopy and databases in the 1900s to 2000s to match bullets to crime scenes.
Forensic ballistics involves the scientific examination of firearms, bullets, and ammunition to solve crimes. It has several branches including internal ballistics which examines what happens inside the firearm, external ballistics which focuses on bullet flight, and terminal ballistics which analyzes the effects on a target. The history of forensic ballistics involved early pioneers attempting to individualize bullets to specific firearms in the late 1800s, and the development of comparison microscopy and databases in the 1900s to 2000s to match bullets to crime scenes.
Forensic ballistics involves the scientific examination of firearms, bullets, and ammunition to solve crimes. It has several branches including internal ballistics which examines what happens inside the firearm, external ballistics which focuses on bullet flight, and terminal ballistics which analyzes the effects on a target. The history of forensic ballistics involved early pioneers attempting to individualize bullets to specific firearms in the late 1800s, and the development of comparison microscopy and databases in the 1900s to 2000s to match bullets to crime scenes.
Content: Branches of Ballistics, History of Forensic Ballistics, Firearms, Ammunition, Crime Scene Search, Gunshot Residue Analysis, Examination of Evidence, Ballistic Exhibit
I. Definitions and Branches (c) Trajectory- it is the actual curved path of
the bullet A. Definitions (d) Range- it is the straight distance between the muzzle and the target Forensic Ballistics is the science of 1. Effective range- the firearms identification which involves the distance in which the scientific examination of fired bullets, fired shells, shooter has total control of firearms, and other allied matters the target 2. Maximum range-the Ballistics- the study of motion of projectile farthest distance the bullet Forensic- application of science (knowledge and can travel technology) to law, to settle legal issues for the (e) Velocity- it is the speed of the bullet per administration of justice unit of time Science- it is the systematic body of knowledge (f) Air Resistance- it is the atmospheric Motion- it refers to movements of the bullet resistance encountered by the bullet during its flight Types of Motion (g) Pull of Gravity- it is the downward force Direct- it is the forward motion of the that let the bullet drops bullet caused by exploding force of (h) Penetration- it is the depth of entry of the gunpowder. bullet to the target Rotary/ Rotational- it is the spinning movement of the bullet during its flight 3. Terminal Ballistics- it is the branch of due to helical formation of rifling. ballistics that has attributes and properties Translational- it is the deflecting of when the bullet has strike the target. bullet from the target upon its strike to an (a) Terminal Accuracy- it is the grouping of object causing it to failure of hitting the the bullets to the target target. (b) Terminal Velocity- it is the speed of the bullet when it hit the target B. Branches of Ballistics (c) Terminal Energy- it is the energy of the 1. Internal Ballistics- it is the branch of bullet when it hit the target ballistics that have attributes and properties (d) Terminal Penetration- it is the depth of when the bullet is moving inside the firearm. the bullet when it penetrated the target Attributes (a) Firing pin hitting the primer 4. Forensic Ballistics- it is the study of firearm (b) Ignition of priming mixture identifications (c) Combustion of gunpowder (a) Field investigation- it is the branch (d) Expansion of heated gas of forensic ballistics that concerns on (e) Pressure develops the collection of physical evidence (f) Energy generated from the crime scene (g) Recoil of the gun (b) Technical Examination- it is the (h) Velocity of the bullet inside the barrel analysis, evaluation and comparison (i) Rotation of the bullet of the physical evidence submitted to (j) Engraving of cylindrical surface of the the crime laboratory bullet (c) Court Presentation- it is the presentation of ballistic exhibit to the 2. External Ballistics- it is the branch of court ballistics that has attributes and properties when the bullets is moving during its flight. 5. Shot Ballistics- it is the new branch of Attributes ballistics that deals with the study of smooth (a) Muzzle Blast- it is the noise created in bored firearms. the muzzle of the firearm (b) Muzzle Energy- it is the energy created in the muzzle of the firearm Classes of Shotgun Projectiles
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Birdshot- a projectile that are typically 1889- Alexander Lacassagne attempted to smaller and more numerous & individualize bullets to firearm; the basis of comparison commonly use for hunting is the lands and grooves marks found in the bullet Buckshot- a projectile that is larger than birdshot and commonly use in law 1898- Paul Jesrich–took microphotograph of two enforcement and home defense. Single Projectile (Rifled slug) – a slug bullets for comparison for shotgun. 1910- Victor Balthazard used enlarge photograph of Gauge bullets to determine the type of weapons Gauge is the nominal caliber of shotgun expressed in the ratio of weight of a lead ball 1920- Calvin Goddard, Charles Waite and Phillip to a pound whose diameter is equal to the bore. Gravell developed the bullet comparison microscope Grade of Barrel’s Choke and established the Bureau of Forensics on 1923 Unchoked Choked 1926- Goddard took over the Bureau and used the findings of ballistics examination by using the bullet 6. Wound Ballistics- it is the new branch of comparison microscope in the case of Saco and ballistics that deals with the study of the Venzetti effects of gunshot to human body 1991- Walsh Automation Inc. developed the Gunshot Wound- it is a wound incurred by a person Integrated Ballistics Identification System (IBIS) due to gunshot 1999- A memorandum of understanding between FBI Types of Gunshot Wound Entrance Wound- wound in which the and ATF to use the National Integrated Ballistics bullet has entered Network Exit Wound- wound in which the bullet went out Important Personalities in Firearms Types According to Range Contact discharge- pressed against the skin Col. Calvin H. Goddard MD - Father of Modern up to 2 inches Ballistics Close discharge- 2 to 6 inches Horace Smith – Founder of Smith and Wesson and Distant discharge- beyond 6 inches Pioneered the making id the Breech-loading rifles. Features of GSW Daniel B. Wesson – Partner of Smith in revolver Permanent Cavity- it is the damage in the making. skin incurred by the bullet John M. Browning – Wizard of modern firearms and Contact Ring- burns incurred due to the pioneered the breech-loading single shot rifle. contact of bore to the skin John T. Thompson – Pioneered the Making of Grey Ring- dirt deposits at the margin of wound composed of oil and scrape metals Thompson Submachine Gun. filing David “carbine” Williams – Maker of the first Micro Tears- small tears at the margin known carbine. usually caused by high velocity rifle Alexander John Forsyth – Father of the Percussion Branding- burning of wound caused by hot ignition gases from gunpowder Elisha King Root – Designed the Machinery for Tattooing- deposition of unburned making Colt firearms. gunpowder around the wound Samuel Colt – Produced the first practical revolver. Smudging- deposition of smoke around the Henry Deringer – He gave his name to whole class wound of firearms. Hiram Maxim – Automatic machine gun Factors that affect GSW James Wolf – Model 1885 rifle musket As to Target’s strength Density of organ III. Firearms Length of tissue A. Definition Nature of media (air or water) As to the Bullet Characteristic Firearm- an instrument designed to propel bullets Bullet Mass using the expansive force of gunpowder Energy & Speed of the Bullet Size and Shape of Bullet B. Typologies Movement ofBullet i. Two Groups of Firearms ii. Long Arms/ Shoulder Arms– firearms meant to be fired from shoulder II. History of Firearm identification (a) Rifles- firearms that have single chamber, rifled barrel and barrel
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length of at least twenty two inches are available ammunitions in stock and (22 inch.) the trigger is pressed. (b) Carbines- firearms that have specifications similar to the rifles C. Parts of Firearm except that the barrel length that does 1. Pistol not exceed more than 22 inches. i. Frame Assembly- this consists of main (c) Shotgun- a smooth bored firearm frame, hand grip, charging spring, that can propel pellets in one shot magazine well, hammer, main spring, (d) Machine Gun-a firearm that is trigger, trigger guard, thumb safety primarily used for military that can button, slide release button, magazine propel large amount of bullets release button, and side straps (e) Sub Machine Gun- a firearm that ii. Slide Assembly- it consists of top strap, has mechanical specification similar ejecting port, ejector, extractor, charging to machine gun but propels handgun grip, front sight, rear sight, breech, firing bullets pin and firing pin spring iii. Short Arms/ Hand Arms iii. Barrel Assembly- it consists of the barrel (a) Pistol- a single chambered, firearm tube, chamber, bore, muzzle and rifling with charging slide and magazine fed iv. Magazine Assembly- it consists of mechanism magazine case, ramp, spring, magazine (b) Revolver- a firearm with revolving lips and magazine butt cylinder containing chambers and the actuation of hammer and rotation of 2. Revolver cylinder i. Frame Assembly- it consists of frame, 2. General Classification (internal construction) hand grip, side strap main spring, i. Smooth bored firearm- firearms in hammer, trigger, trigger guard, top strap, which the muzzles have no rifling cylinder release notch, and rear sight ii. Rifled Arms- firearms in which the ii. Barrel assembly- it consists of barrel muzzles have rifling tube, bore, muzzle, rifling, and front sight 3. Main Types of Firearms (acc. to iii. Cylinder Assembly- it consists of caliber/projectile propelled) cylinder, chambers, ejector, ejector spring i. Artillery- firearms in which the caliber is and yoke greater than one inch ii. Small Arms- firearms in which the 3. Long arms caliber is less than one inch i. Frame Assembly- it consists of frame, 4. Classification according to Trigger shoulder butt, trigger, trigger guard, rear mechanism sight and fore handle i. Single Action- firearm in which the ii. Barrel Assembly- it consists of barrel trigger releases only the hammer tube, bore, muzzle, rifling, front sight and ii. Double Action – firearm in which trigger chamber both pulls and releases the hammer iii. Stock Assembly- it consists of bolt, 5. Types According to Mechanical Construction hammer, firing pin, firing pin spring. i. Single shot firearms- a firearm that can discharge one bullet per loading IV. Ammunitions ii. Repeating Arms- a firearm that can A. Definitions discharge several bullets per loading Ammunition- is the complete unfired iii. Bolt Action Type- a firearm that has unit composed of cartridge shell, bullet, primer and outside bolt that is being pulled manually gunpowder. to load and eject ammunitions iv. Lever Action Type- a firearm in which the loading and ejecting of ammunition is manipulated by moving the outside lever B. Parts of Ammunition placed adjacent to trigger and handle 1. Bullet- it serves as the projectile of the v. Slide Action Type- a firearm in which the ammunition loading and ejecting is performed by 2. Shell- it is the metallic case that holds the parts pulling the handle below the barrel line. into one complete unit vi. Semi Automatic Type- it is the firearm 3. Gunpowder- it is the propellant that moves that propels single bullet in one squeeze the bullet upon its combustion of trigger 4. Primer- it is the part of ammunition that vii. Automatic Type- it is the firearm that ignites the propellant continuously propels bullets while there
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C. Types 1. According to Power ii. Types According to Shape of Nose i. Low power-cartridge that has a muzzle (a) Round velocity of less than 1,850 fps. (b) Pointed ii. High Power- cartridge that has a muzzle (c) Flat velocity between 1,925 fps and 2,500 fps. (d) Hollow Point iii. High Intensity- cartridge that has a (e) Wad muzzle velocity of more than 2,500 fps (f) Semi Wad 2. According to Firearm where it is used i. Handgun Ammunition- these are iii. Types According to Shape of Base ammunitions used in handguns usually (a) Flat base with straight shaped shells (b) Round Base ii. Rifle Ammunition- these are (c) Hollow base ammunitions that are used in long arms (d) Boat tail with bottle necked shell and pointed/ or boat tail shaped bullets. iv. Other Types iii. Shotgun Ammunition- these are (a) Armor Piercing- a bullet designed to ammunitions for shotguns with straight penetrate armors shaped shells with wad inside the shell (b) Tracer bullet- bullet that illuminates that pushed the pellets upon combustion when discharge to guide the shooter of gunpowder. whether the bullets strikes the target or not D. Bullet (c) Incendiary bullet- bullet that 1. Definition explodes due to explosives in the core Bullet- it is the metallic or non metallic and fuse at the nose. cylindrical part of ammunition that serves as (d) Fragmentary Bullet- bullet that its projectile dismember when it strike the target (e) Soft Point- bullet that has a hollow 2. Parts point but has a rubber that expands to i. Base- it is the part of the bullet that avoid penetration beyond the receives the impact of explosion of targeted human gunpowder ii. Heel- it is the part of bullet where the heel E. Shell and bearing surface meet 1. Definition iii. Bearing Surface-it is the peripheral part Shell/ Casing- it is the container for the of bullet that encounters friction with the ammunition and holds all the parts together. muzzle surface when the bullet moves iv. Core- it is the mass part of the bullet 2. Parts v. Cannelure-a depression around the i. Mouth- it is the opening where the bullet bearing surface that locks the bullet to the is inserted during manufacturing process crimp during manufacture process ii. Crimp- the part of the mouth that locks vi. Shoulder- it is the meeting point between the bullet to avoid unnecessary movement ogive and bearing surface iii. Cannelure- it is the part inside the bullet vii. Head Height-it is the length of the head where the bullet is based to avoid between the bearing surface towards the shrinking inside the shell point iv. Neck- it is the part that holds the bullet viii. Ogive-it is the curved part of the bullet v. Shoulder- it is the part that supports the extending from shoulder towards the nose neck ix. Nose/Point- it is the most anterior part of vi. Brass case- it is the tubular metallic part the bullet that hits directly the target that covers the propellant x. Meplat- it is the diameter of the bullet’s vii. Extracting groove- a groove around the nose. anterior part of shell that is being held by the extractor of firearm for easy extraction 3. Types during unloading i. According to mechanical Structure viii. Rim- it is the part of shell that prevents (a) Lead Bullet- the type of bullet that is the shell from moving forward while made up of lead, tin and steel inside the chamber (b) Jacketed Bullet- type of bullet that is ix. Base- it is the part of shell behind the rim covered by copper/nickel strips that x. Shell head- it is the surface of the rim prevents it to be dismembered where stamps are located
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xi. Stamp- these are entries indicating the i. Berdan – primer that is large and anvil is brand and caliber of ammunition attached to shell of ammunition xii. Primer Pocket- it is the space at the base ii. Boxer- smaller primer in which the anvil where the primer shall be inserted is placed inside the cup xiii. Vent/Flash hole- it is the hole extending from primer pocket towards inside the 4. Types of Priming Mixture shell that allows flame to combust the i. Corrosive propellant. ii. Non corrosive
3. Classifications V. General Characteristics of Firearms
i. According to Shape (a) Straight- shell with no shoulder A. Definition (b) Bottle necked- shell with shoulder General Characteristics pertain to the set and neck is smaller than shell of indicators that comprises the identity of the (c) Tapered- an obsolete type used in Jet firearm. magnum .22 B. Types of General Characteristics 1. Class Characteristics- these are ii. According to Rim characteristics of firearms that is within the (a) Rimmed- the diameter of rim is will of manufacturer. larger than the diameter of the shell 2. Individual Characteristics- these are (b) Semi rimmed- the diameter of rim is characteristics of firearm that is beyond the quite larger than the diameter of the control of manufacturer shell (c) Rimless- the diameter of rim and of C. Class Characteristics the shell are equal 1. Parts of Class Characteristics (d) Rebated- the diameter of rim is i. Caliber smaller than the diameter of the shell ii. Number of land (e) Belted type- the shell has a ring iii. Number of groove above the extracting groove iv. Height of land v. Depth of groove F. Gunpowder vi. Twist 1. Definition vii. Pitch of rifling It is a solid powdered substance inside the shell that is combusted to propel the bullet 2. Common Class Characteristics i. Steyr Type 4R-GL 2. Types ii. Smith and Wesson Type 5R-GL i. Black powder-it is composed of the iii. Browning Type 6R-G2X following iv. Colt Type 6L-G2X (a) Potassium Nitrate (Saltpeter)75% v. Webley Type 7R-G3X (b) Carbon 15% vi. Army Type 4R-G3X (c) Sulfur 10% D. Individual Characteristics ii. Smokeless type 1. Sources i. Imperfection of Machine Tools G. Primer ii. Wear and tear of firearm parts 1. Definition It is the part of the ammunition that ignites 2. Striations- these are tiny scratches left by the the gunpowder by means of percussion firearm to shells and bullets it discharges; these markings are identical to all shell and 2. Parts bullets that were discharge from it i. Priming cup- the metallic container of sensitive material E. Marks left by the Firearm ii. Priming mixture- it is a sensitive 1. Bullet material that ignites by percussion i. Land mark- mark left due to friction that iii. Disc- it is a paper placed above the occurred between land and bearing mixture to avoid displacement surface iv. Anvil- it is a metal where the mixture was ii. Groove mark- mark left between crushed against to ignite landmarks
3. Types of Primer
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iii. Skid mark- marks left indicating the movement of bullet without spinning; it D. Recording of Evidence occurs usually on eroded muzzles 1. Photographs iv. Slippage mark- marks left usually to 2. Sketches over sized bullet 3. Evidence Log Sheet v. Shave mark- marks left to bullet in which 4. Report a part was sliced due to imperfect 5. Labels and Tags alignment E. Collection of Evidence 1. Firearms must be collected by inserting shoe 2. Shell lace/strings/ or handkerchiefs to trigger guard i. Firing pin mark- mark left by the firing for lifting. pin at the priming cup 2. Shells, bullets, and ammunition may be picked ii. Breech face mark- marks left by the using tweezers or thongs; hand picking is breech to priming cup due to pressure allowed provided that gloves are worn prior to against it during combustion collection. iii. Chamber mark- mark left by chamber to shell F. Marking of Evidence iv. Pivot mark- mark indicating the spin of 1. Place initials and date shell inside the chamber 2. Don’t use X v. Extractor mark- mark left by extracting 3. Place marks on barrel, slide, frame, and pin when the shell was pressed against it cylinder in case of firearm vi. Ejector mark- mark left by ejector to 4. Place marks on brass case and mouth in case shell head during automatic withdrawal of shell when it was discharge 5. Place marks on ogive and base of the bullet vii. Magazine lip mark- mark left by magazine lip during feeding process G. Preservation of Evidence 1. Place the firearm on envelopes or paper bags VI. Crime Scene Search 2. For bullets and shells, wrap each to a piece of cotton and place separately either in film caps A. Definition or coin/mail envelope. It is the act performed to identify, collect, record, mark and preserve physical evidence VII. Gunshot Residue Analysis found in the crime scene A. Definition B. Activities During the Search Gunshot residues are particles left in the 1. Identification- it is the recognition of objects hands after firearm discharge. in the crime scene that have evidentiary value. 2. Recording- it is the keeping of evidence’ data Gunshot residues analysis- it is the and information. evaluation made to a person to determine whether 3. Collection- it is the act of recovering physical such has discharged a firearm or not by evidence from the crime scene establishing the presence of gunshot residues in 4. Marking- it is the placing of marks to hands and other body parts. evidence for securing prior to storing in evidence room B. Types of Gunshot Residue Analysis 5. Preservation- it is the placing of evidence to 1. Dermal Nitrate Test (Paraffin Test)- a test container with proper tags and labels using paraffin wax as primary reagent and detects the presence of Nitrate Compounds C. Identification of Ballistic Relevant Items 2. Harrison and Gilroy Test- a test using Dilute 1. Types of Evidence Relevant to Ballistics Hydrochloric Acid, and other reagents to i. Firearm determine the presence of priming mixtures ii. Fired Bullet like lead, mercury, and barium. iii. Fired Shell iv. Ammunitions VIII. Technical Examination v. Gloves A. Laboratory Equipment vi. Magazine 1. Bullet Comparison microscope- a device vii. Silencer used to compare fired bullets and fired shells 2. Stereoscopic microscope- a device used to 2. Requirement for Evidence’ Admissibility determine the whether the serial number of i. It must be relevant firearm is real ii. It must be material
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3. Shadowgraph- it is used to determine the class characteristics of firearm 4. CP-6 Projector- it is a projector that displays the magnified images of bullets and shells that are being compared 5. Bullet Recovery Box- it is a box used in test firing 6. Helixometer- it is a device used to determine the pitch of rifling 7. Micrometer- it is used to measure the precise measurement of an object 8. Caliper- it is used to measure the accurate size of an object 9. Torsion balance- it is used to measure the weight of projectile 10. Onoscope- it is used to examine the internal muzzle of the firearm 11. Taper gauge- it is used to measure the caliber of firearm 12. Electric Gun Marker- it is used to place marks in the found specimen 13. Chronograph- it is used to measure the speed of the bullet
B. Problems Encountered in Ballistics Examination
1. Problem No. 1- the specimen is one piece of bullet; the purpose is to determine the firearm source of the found bullet 2. Problem No. 2- the specimen given is one piece of shell; the purpose is to determine the firearm source of the found shell 3. Problem No. 3- the given are one piece of firearm and one piece of fired bullet; the purpose is to determine whether the found bullet has came from the recovered firearm. 4. Problem No. 4- the given are one piece of firearm and one piece of shell; the purpose is to determine whether the found shell has came from the recovered firearm 5. Problem No. 5- the given are two or more pieces of fired bullets; the purpose is to determine whether the fired bullets are identical or not 6. Problem No. 6- the given are two or more pieces of fired shells; the purpose is to determine whether the fired shells are identical or not 7. Problem No. 7- the given is one firearm only and the purpose is to determine whether the firearm is serviceable or not.
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