FORENSIC BALLISTIC

Prepared by
MELANIE DELA CRUZ, MSCRIM
 What is Ballistic?
• ORIGIN:
1. Greek word “Ballo” or “Ballein”which means to
THROW or to PROPEL
2. “ BALLISTA”- a gigantic blow or catapult which
was used to hurl missiles or large objects such as
stones at a particular distance to deter animals or
enemy forces.
• DEFINITION:
BALLISTIC is the science of the motion of projectiles.
• What is PROJECTILE?
refers to the metallic or non-metallic objects
propelled from a firearm.
It can be in the form of
BULLET
PELLETS
MISSILE
SLUG ( in the Police Parlance)
 What is FORENSIC BALLISTIC?
• Refers to the investigation and identification of
firearms by means of ammunition fired through
them. This involves the following:
– Field Investigations
– Technical examination of the Ballistics
exhibits.
– Legal Proceedings (court trials)
 TERMS TO PONDER
• GUNPOWDER - PROPELLANT/CHARGE
• AMMUNITION - CARTRIDGE/ ROUND/ 1
COMPLETE ASSEMBLY
• PROJECTILE - BULLET/ PELLET/ SLUG/ MISSILE
• CARTRIGE CASE - SHELL/ CASING
• FIREARMS/ARMS
• CALIBER - BORE DIAMETER (RIFLED BORE)
• GUAGE - BORE DIAMETER (SMOOTH BORE)
 What are the BRANCHES OF
BALLISTIC?
• INTERNAL BALLISTIC
• EXTERNAL BALLISTIC
• TERMINAL BALLISIC
• FORENSIC BALLISTIC
 What is INTERNAL BALLISTIC?

• Refers to the properties and attributes of

the projectile (bullet) while still inside the
gun. This extends from the “breech” to the
“muzzle” of the gun.
• It involves all reactions that take place
while the bullet is still in the gun.
 What is EXTERNAL BALLISTIC?

• Refers to the attributes and movements

of the bullet after it has left the gun
muzzle.
– MUZZLE BLAST - RANGE
– MUZZLE FLASH - PULL OF
– VELOCITY GRAVITY
– TRAJECTORY
Machinegun Barbie
meets
Benny “the chimp”
Gambino
 Muzzle flash
the light or flame associated with the round
being fired
 What is TERMINAL
BALLISTIC?
• Refers to the effect of the impact of the projectile on the
target. This involves the following:
– TERMINAL ACCURACY – size of the bullet grouping on the
target.
– TERMINAL ENERGY – energy of the projectile when it
strikes the target. Also striking energy.
– TERMINAL VELOCITY- speed of the bullet upon striking the
target.
– TERMINAL PENETRATION – depth of entry of the bullet in
the target.
QUESTIONS
• What metallic object is attached to
the free end of the cylindrical tip of
the cartridge case, propelled by the
expansive force of the propellant and
is responsible in damaging the target?
A. Projectile
B. Bullet
C. Slug
D. Any of these
• It refers to the movement of the
bullet from the breech to the
muzzle point of the gun.
A. Interior Ballistics
B. Exterior Ballistics
C. Terminal Ballistics
D. Forensic Ballistics
• It refers to the movement of the
bullet during its flight.
A. Interior Ballistics
B. Exterior Ballistics
C. Terminal Ballistics
D. Forensic Ballistics
• It refers to the movement of the
bullet and its effect to the body
of the person.
A. Interior Ballistics
B. Exterior Ballistics
C. Terminal Ballistics
D. Forensic Ballistics
• What is the total failure of
a cartridge to discharge
called?
A. Hangfire
B. Misfire
C. Rim fire
D. Centerfire
• What is that actual pattern
or curved path travelled by
a bullet in flight?
A. Pressure generated
B. Penetration
C. Trajectory
D. Velocity
It is the elongated appearance of
the gunshot wound due to the
tumbling of the bullet in its flight
and hitting the target sideways as
a result of not spinning on its axis.
a.Key Hole Shot
b.Yaw
c.Gyroscopic Action
D.DeflectioN
TRAJECTORY means-
a.Pressure generated
b.Speed of the bullet per unit of
time
c.Actual curve path of the bullet
d.Depth of entry of the bullet on
the target
The noise created at the muzzle of
the gun due to the sudden escape
of the expanding gas coming in
contact with the air in the
surrounding atmosphere at the
muzzle point.
a.Muzzle Energy
b.Trajectory
c.Velocity
d.Muzzle Blast
The following are attributes of
the bullet while still inside the
muzzle of the gun except-
a.Velocity
b.Firing pin hitting the primer
c.Ignition of the priming mixture
d.Combustion of the gunpowder
 NOTABLE
PERSONALITIES
& DATES
 PERSONALITIES CONTRIBUTION DATE
ROGER BACON GUNPOWDER 1248
(BLACK)
BERTHOLD APPLICATION OF 1300
SCHWARTS GUNPOWDER AS
PROPELLANT
ALEXANDER JOHN FATHER OF 1807
FORSYTH PERCUSSION
SYSTEM
(PRIMER)
SAMUEL COLT FIRST PRACTICAL
REVOLVER

CALVIN GODDARD Father of BAllistic

Vielle Smokeless
DATE
1313 Gunpowder as a propellant.
1350 Small Arms
1498 Rifling
1575 Cartridge
1807 Percussion System
1836 Pin fire Cartridge
1845 Rimfire Cartridge
1853 Samuel Colt patented the first practical revolver
1858 Center-Fire Cartridge
1884 Automatic Machine Gun. Hiram Maxim built the
first fully automatic gun

1885 Smokeless Powder. In France, Vieille

He is credited as the father of
Percussion Ignition.
–a.Calvin Goddard
–b.Alexander john Forsyth
–c.Smith
–d.Wesson
 What is a Firearm?
• LEGAL DEFINITION (Sec. 877 of RAC)
– FIREARMS or ARMS - includes rifles, muskets, carbines,
shotguns, pistols, revolver, and all other deadly weapons from
which the bullets, balls, shots shells, or other missiles maybe
discharged by means of gunpowder or other explosives.
– The barrel of the firearms shall be considered a complete
firearm for all purposes hereof.
TECHNICAL DEFINITION
– A FIREARM is an instrument used for the propulsion of
projectiles by means of the expansive force of gases coming
from the burning gunpowder.
 2 General Classification of
Firearms
• According to the Gun Barrel Internal
Construction
SMOOTH-BORE FIREARMS – firearms that have
no rifling (land & groove) inside their gun barrel. Ex.
Shotguns and muskets.
RIFLED-BORE FIREARMS – firearms that have
rifling (land & groove) inside their gun barrel. Ex.
Pistols, revolvers and rifles.
 MAIN TYPES OF FIREARM
• According to the Caliber of Projectiles Propelled
ARTILLERY – those types of firearms that propel
projectiles more than one inch in diameter.
SMALL ARMS – those types of firearms that propel
projectiles less than one inch in diameter. This type of
weapon can be handled, moved and operated by one
man. Ex. Machine guns, shoulder arms and hand
arms.
 Example of Small Arms
• Machine Guns – a type of weapon which fire or is
designed to fire, automatically or semi automatically,
more than one shot, without manual reloading, by a
single press of the trigger. Ex. Thompson submachine
gun and grease gun cal. 45.
• Shoulder Arms – those types of firearms that are
normally fired from the shoulder. Ex. Rifles and
shotguns.
• Hand Arms – those types of firearms that are designed or
intended to be fired using one hand- either the right or
left hand. Ex. Pistols and revolvers.
Types of Firearm According to Mechanical
Construction
• SINGLE SHOT FIREARM – type of firearm
designed to fire only one shot every loading. Ex.
Pistol, rifle, shotguns
• REPEATING ARMS – type of firearms designed
to fire several shots in one loading. Ex.
Automatic Pistols, Revolvers, rifles.
 MUSKET
• It is ancient smooth-bore and muzzle loading
military shoulder arm designed to fire a single
round lead ball.
 CARBINE
• A short barrel rifle, with its barrel measuring not longer
than 22 inches. It fires a single projectile through a
rifled-bore, either semiautomatic or full automatic, for
every press of the trigger.
• This weapon fires a bullet lighter (110 grains) than that
of other caliber.
• The carbine has a range greater than that of the pistol or
revolver.
 SHOTGUN
• A smooth-bore and breech loading shoulder arm
designed to fire a number of lead pellets or shots
in one charge.
• This is the type of weapon that the army, prison
authorities, banking institutions and industrial
firms are using for guard duty and special
training purposes.
QUESTIONS
He is a forensic expert and ballistic pioneer,
who first used the comparison microscope to
analyze bullets recovered in a murder case
of allessandro Berrardelli.
• a.Alfred Krupp
• b.Calvin Goddard
• c.Benjamin Robins
• d.Roger Bacon
Who espoused the idea that “when two
things come in contact with each other,
there will be exchange of properties”?
a.Calvin Goddard
b.Edmond Locard
c.Hans Gross
d.None of these
He is the maker of the first
known carbine.
a.David Williams
b.Alexander Forsyth
c.John m.Browning
d.Eliphalet Remington
He produced the first
practical revolver.
a.Samuel Colt
b.John Garand
c.John M. Browning
d.Remington
It is the elongated appearance of the
gunshot wound due to the tumbling of
the bullet in its flight and hitting the
target sideways as a result of not
spinning on its axis.
a.Key Hole Shot
b.Yaw
c.Gyroscopic Action
d.Deflection
Rifling in the barrel refers to
a.The grooves made in the barrel
b.The Stria in the barrel
c.The lands in the barrel
d.The lands and grooves in the barrel
The marks left on a bullet by a gun
barrel are different from those left by
any other gun barrel. This fact is most
useful in directly identifying the:
a.Direction from which a shot was fired
b.Person who fired a particular gun
c.Gun from which a bullet was fired
d.Bullet which caused a fatal wound
In Ballistic, the wounding power of
a bullet is due to the mass or to its
velocity. Which is very important?
a.Weight
b.Mass
c.Velocity
d.All of these
HANGFIRE means-
a.Failure of the bullet to explode
b.Delayed reaction of the firearm
c.Delayed reaction of the ammunition
to explode
d.Failure of the ammunition to explode
It is a metallic unit propelled or
projected from the barrel of the
gun.
a.Cartridge case
b.Shell
c.Propellant
d.Pellets or bullets
It is a metallic or non-metallic cylindrical
projectile propelled from a firearm by
means of the expansive force of gases
coming from the burning gunpowder.
a.Cartridge
b.Bullet
c.Primer
d.Gun powder
BALLISTIC means
a.Science of lie detection
b.The study of disputed documents
c.The study of the motion of the firearms
d.The study of the motion of the projectiles
It refers to the identification and
investigation of firearms by means
of ammunition fired through them.
a.Terminal Ballistic
b.Exterior Ballistic
c.Forensic Ballistic
d.Interior Ballistic
It is an ancient smooth-bore
and muzzle loading military
shoulder arm designed to fire a
single round lead ball.
a.Musket
b.Machine guns
c.Shoulder Arms
d.Revolver
This is a part of the
firearm which causes
firing mechanism.
a.Hammer
b.Trigger
c.Barrel
d.Ejector
Shotgun – intermediate
distance
Which among the following
mechanism is present when the
empty cartridge case is
withdrawn or ejected from the
firing chamber?
a.Extractor
b.Ejector
c.Breechblock
d.cylinder
Ejector (illustration)
• It refers to firearm whose
projectile is a collection of lead
pellets which varies in sizes with
the type of cartridge applied.
– a.Single Action Firearm
– b.Double Action Firearm
– c.Rifle
– d.Shotgun
The two classification of firearm
according to the gun-barrel internal
construction is the Rifled-bore
firearm and the ___________.
– a.Single Shot firearm
– b.Repeating Arms
– c.Smooth Bore Firearm
– d.Repeating Arms
 HAND ARMS
• REVOLVER – a hand firearm equipped with a
rotating cylinder, serving as magazine,
successively places a cartridge into position for
firing.
• PISTOL – a short barrel hand arm designed to
fire a single projectile through a rifle-bore for
every press of the trigger. It is usually applied to
semiautomatic loading.
PISTOL REVOLVER
Parts of the Firearm
 Classification of firearm based on
trigger mechanism (Trigger pressure)

• Single Action Firearm – the firearm is

first manually cocked then followed by
pressure on the trigger to release the
hammer.
• Double Action Firearm – a pressure is
applied on the trigger will both cock and
fire the firearm by release of the
hammer.
 TRIGGER PRESSURE
• It is the amount of force (pressure) on
the trigger necessary to fire a gun.
• Its determination is necessary in the
assessment of whether the firing can
possibly be accidental.
 HAIR TRIGGER
• Hair Trigger is a vague term used when
the firearm trigger pressure is 1.0 lb. or
less. It is intrinsically unsafe and should
only be used under rigorously controlled
situations because of the possibility or
unintended or accidental fire.
 TRIGGER PRESSURE
• Shotgun………………………………4 lbs.
• Self-loading Pistol……………3 to 4 lbs.
• Revolver……………………………..3 to 5 lbs.
• Service Rifle……………………..6 to 7 lbs.
 Table (lands, Grooves &
Direction of Rifling)
• Revolvers

Grooves Direction of Rifling

Webley , 455, .38, .32 7 Right
Colt, All Calibers 6 Left
Smith & Wesson . 45, .32 5 Right
J.T. & S.W. Model 4 Right
 Table (lands, Grooves &
Direction of Rifling)
Automatic Pistols Grooves Direction of Rifling
Webley , 455, .32, .25 6 Right
Browning 6 Right
Mauser, .25 6 Right
Colt .45, .38, .25 6 Left
Delta 6 Left
Victoria (Spanish make) 6 Left
Luger, 9mm (German) 6 Right
9mm (Belgian) 6 Right
 CHAPTER III
• AMMUNITION
– Definition
– Origin
– Parts of Cartridge
– Classification of Cartridges
– Modern Ammunition
– Its component and Manufacture
Caliber: the diameter of the gun
barrel.
• Caliber is recorded in
– hundredths of an inch (.22 & .
38)
– millimeters (9mm)
Ammunition Anatomy
Anatomy of an Ammunition
 AMMUNITION
• Legal Definition: (Chapter VII, Sec 290
of the National Internal Revenue Code as
well as in Sec. 877 of the Revised
Administrative Code)
– AMMUNITION refers to a “loaded shell” for
rifles, muskets, carbines, shotguns, revolvers
and pistols from which a ball, bullet, shot or
other missile may be fired by means of a gun
powder or other explosives.
• Technical Definition:
– AMMUNITION refers to a group of cartridge
or to a single unit or single cartridge-meaning
a complete unfired unit consisting of a bullet,
cartridge case, gunpowder and primer.
– The term may also refer to a single round.
– The general term ammunition also refers to
metallic cartridges or shot shells.
 ORIGIN
• The term cartridge is derived from the
word “charta”, the Latin word for paper.
• Later on, it came through the French word
“cartouche”, meaning a roll of paper, which
indicates that the original cartridges were
not the brass gliding-metal tipped units
which we are familiar today.
 PARTS OF A CARTRIDGE
• BULLET – the projectile propelled through the
barrel of a forearm by means of the expansive
force of gases coming from burning gunpowder.
• CARTRIDGE CASE – the tabular metallic
container for the gunpowder. Sometimes called
“shell” or “casing”.
• GUNPOWDER – the powder charge which,
when ignited by the primer flash, is
converted to heated gas under high
pressure and propels the bullet or shots
charge through the barrel and to the
target.
– Sometimes called “propellant” or “powder
charge”.
• PRIMER – the metal containing the highly
sensitive priming mixture of chemical
compound, which when hit or struck by the
firing pin would ignite.
– Such action is called PERCUSSION.
 Classification of Cartridge according to the
location of the primer.
• PIN-FIRE CARTRIDGE
• RIM-FIRE CARTRIDGE
• CENTER-FIRE CARTRIDGE
 PIN-FIRE CARTRIDGE
• The first cartridge of a self-exploding type
which enjoyed any real general use was the type
called the “pin fire” commonly attributed to
MONSIEUR Le FACHEUX of Paris, around 1836.
• The percussion had a pin resting on its
detonating compound.
• The end protruding of the pin is hit by a hammer
coming down vertically from the side of the
cartridge instead of penetrating horizontally
from its rear.
 RIM-FIRE CARTRIDGE
• The most simple form of modern cartridges is
the “rim-fire cartridge”.
• The name rim-fire is derived from the fact that
this type can be fired only if the cartridge is
struck by the hammer or firing pin on the rim of
the case.
• In this type, the “priming mixture” is contained
or located in a cavity inside and around the rim
of the cartridge which is a very sensitive area.
• Can generally found in Caliber .22.
 CENTER-FIRE CARTRIDGE
• In modern center-fire ammunition the firing pin
blow on the cartridge, in the center of the
primer, crushes the priming mixture between
the primer cup and the anvil of the primer. The
resulting flame passes through the “vent” or
“flash hole” and this ignites the powder charge
or the propellant.
• In this center-fire cartridge, the priming
mixture is contained in the primer cup which is
located on the central area of the base of the
cartridge.
 SHOTGUN SHELL
• Is a single unit of ammunition for shotguns.
• It consists of a tabular case, either paper, plastic or metal,
with a metallic base, containing the primer, powder or
propellant, wads, and shots or pellets.
• Shotgun shells may have an all metal case, but generally
these are made of a paper or cardboard tube and metal
case.
• A center-fire type.
 BULLETS
• A Bullet is a metallic or nonmetallic, cylindrical
projectile propelled from a firearm by means of the
expansive force of gases coming from burning
gunpowder.
• Under this definition, the term may also include
projectiles propelled from shotguns, although strictly
speaking these projectiles designed for shotguns are
called “shot”, “slug”, or “pellets”.
• In a layman’s viewpoint a projectile fired from a firearm
is called “slug”, although what he actually means is a
bullet.
 ORIGIN

• The term BULLET originated from

the French word “boulette”, a
small ball.
• In a common police parlance, a
bullet may be called “slug”, which
is a colloquial term.
 MODERN CONCEPT
• A BULLET is a cylindrical projectile
propelled from a rifled firearm.
• The core is a slug of an alloy of lead,
antimony and sometimes tin.
• Armor-piercing bullets for small arms have
a jacket of similar material to the
standard bullet, but have, in addition to
the lead and antimony filler.
 LEAD BULLETS

• Those made of lead or alloys of

this metal (Lead, tin and
antimony), which is slightly harder
than pure lead.
 JACKETED BULLETS
• Those made of a core of lead covered
by a jacket of harder material such
as gilding metal, a copper-alloy of
approximately 90% copper and 10%
zinc.
• To prevent adherence of metal into
the gun barrel.
 RIFLE BULLETS
• BALL BULLETS – have soft lead cores inside a
jacket and are used against personnel only.
• ARMOR PIERCING BULLET – have hardened
steel cores and are fired at vehicles and other
armored targets in general.
• TRACER BULLETS – contain a compound at the
base usually similar to barium nitrates, which is
set on fire when the bullet is projected. The
flash of smoke from this burning permits the
flight of the bullet to be seen, especially at
night time.
• INCENDIARY BULLETS – contain a mixture,
such as phosphorous or other material, that can
be set on fire by impact. These are used on
targets that will readily burn such as aircrafts
or gasoline depot.
• EXPLOSIVE (FRAGMENTARY) BULLETS –
contain a high charge of explosive. Because of
their small size, it is difficult to make a fuze
that will work reliably in small arms ammunition.
 CARTRIDGE
• A cartridge case is a tabular metallic or
non-metallic container which holds
together the bullet, gunpowder and
primer.
• Another term for a “cartridge case” is
“shell” or “casing”.
• Cartridge cases of all types are made by
machine operation known as “drawing”.
• Rimmed Type is generally designed for revolvers
and carbines. The diameter of the base of the
cartridge is bigger than the body of the cartridge.
These are found in calibers .30 (carbine), .32, .38,
and .357.
• Semi-Rimmed – designed for automatic weapons
such as pistols and submachine guns like the
Super .38 s and UZI submachine guns, caliber
9mm. They are normally found at the crime
scene, because these are automatically ejected
from every firing of the firearm.
• Rimless Type – the diameter of the base of the
cartridge case is the same as the diameter of the
body of the cartridge case or shell.
– Automatically ejected from the firearm after every
shot.
 PRIMERS
• Primer – is that portion of the cartridge which
consists of a brass or gilding metal cup. The cup
contains a highly sensitive mixture of chemical
compound, which when struck by the firing pin
would detonate or ignite. Such action is called
percussion.
• It is used for igniting the gunpowder or the
powder charge.
 ORIGIN
• ALEXANDER JOHN FORSYTH is credited
with being the first to conceive the idea
of using detonating compounds for igniting
powder charges in small arms by
“percussion” and in 1807 he obtained a
patent for this idea.
• His first successful priming mixture was
composed of Potassium Chlorate, Charcoal
and Sulphur in powdered form.
 Parts of the PRIMER (Center-
Fire Cartridge
• Four Basic Parts
– PRIMER CUP
– PRIMING MIXTURE
– ANVIL
– DISC
 POWDER GRAINS
• This consists of unburned, burning and
partially burned powder together with
graphite which come out from the muzzle.
• It is responsible to the production of
tattooing around the gunshot wound of
entrance.
 Types of Gun Powder
• Black Powder – the oldest of the
propellant. It is loaded in some cartridge
types on a limited commercial basis. When
fired it produces large volumes of smoke.
• Smokeless Powder – It is the most powerful
of propellants.
– Single Base Propellant / Nirocellulose – contains purely
nitroglycerine
– Double Base Propellant – contains nitrocellulose and
nitroglycerine
 BLACK POWDER
• Ingredients:
– Potassium Nitrate……75 %
– Sulphur………………….10%
– Charcoal………………..15 %
Types of Characteristics in Firearms
1. Class Characteristics – Characteristics that are determinable even
prior to the manufacture of the firearms. These are factory
specifications and within the control of man:
1. Bore Diameter (caliber or gauge)
2. Number of Lands and Grooves
3. Width of Lands
4. Width of Grooves
5. Direction of Twist
6. Pitch of Riflings
7. Depth of Grooves

2. Individual Characteristics – are those characteristics markings

peculiar and not found in all other firearms. These characteristics are
determinable only after the manufacture of the firearm.
 CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

• Class Characteristics are those characteristics that

are determinable even prior to the manufacture of
the firearms.
• These characteristics are factory specifications
and within the control of man.
 Example of Class Characteristics

• Bore Diameter ( caliber)

• Number of Lands and Grooves
• Width of Lands
• Width of Grooves
• Direction of twist
• Pitch of Rifling
• Depth of Grooves
 BORE DIAMETER (Caliber)

• BORE DIAMETER – (caliber) the diameter

in which bore was reamed. It is the
distance measured between two opposite
lands inside the bore.
 NUMBER OF LANDS &
GROOVES
• The number of lands and grooves inside the bore
of a fired firearm are always the same.
• If a bore has six lands, it will also have six
grooves.
• The grooves number may run form three to eight
or more, but most modern firearms have five or
six.
• LANDS – the elevated portion
• GROOVES – the depressed portions
 DIRECTION OF TWIST
• The rifling inside the gun barrel may twist
to either to the right or left. The twist of
the rifling cause the bullet to “rotate” as
it passes through the bore, for the bullet
to have “gyroscopic its stability" during
flight from the muzzle to target.
INDIVIDUAL CHARACTERISTICS

• Individual characteristics are those

characteristics makings peculiar and nor
found in all other firearms.
• They serve as basis to identify a
particular firearm.
• Determinable only after the manufacture
of the firearm.
 CHAPTER VIII
• Generally, the marks
found on “fired bullets”
are:
– Land Marks
– Groove Marks
– Skid Marks
– Stripping Marks
 RIFLING MARKS
• Land & Groove Marks are called “RIFFLING
MARKS.
• These are found on the cylindrical or peripheral
surface of the fired bullets and caused by the
rifling inside the gun barrel.
• These are distinct and clear on the cylindrical
surface of the fired bullets.
 SKID MARKS
• Skid Marks are found more or less on the anterior
portions of the fired bullets and caused by the
forward movement of the bullet from the
chamber before it initially rotates due to the
rifling inside the gun barrel.
 STRIPPING MARKS
• Stripping Marks are generally found on bullets
fired through “loose fit” barrels wherein the
rifling is already worn out.
Marks Found on “FIRED SHELL”

• Firing pin Mark

• Breech face Marks
• Extractor Marks
• Ejector Marks
• Shearing Marks
• Chamber Marks
• Pivotal Marks
• Magazine Lips Markings
 Cartridge Case
Impressions
• Highly distinctive signature used for
individualization for cartridge cases
– The firing pin
– The breechblock
– The ejector
– Extractor mechanisms
• The firing pin’s shape will be impressed in the
relatively soft metal of the primer on the
cartridge case
Breechface Marks
Actual Breech Marks
Firing Pin Marks
Chamber Marks
Ejector Marks
 Equipments in Firearms
Identification
• Bullet Comparison Microscope
• Stereoscopic Microscope
• Onoscope
• Shadowgraph
• Bullet Recovery Box
• Caliper
• Helixometer
• Micrometer
• Analytical Balance/Torsion Balance
• Magnifying Glass
• Taper Gauge
• Gunsmith Tools
Bullet Comparison Microscope

• This is a piece of an optical equipment frequently used

by an expert in firearms identification.
• This is especially designed to permit the firearm
examiner to determine the similarity and dissimilarity
between two fired bullets or slugs or projectiles, or two
fired shells, by simultaneously observing their
magnified image in a single microscopic instrument.
• The first comparison microscope was introduced in
April 1925 by Dr. Calvin C. Goddard.
 Stereoscopic Microscope

• Unlike the Bullet Microscope, the Stereoscopic

microscope has no camera attachment and no
photomicrograph can be taken for court presentation.
• It is generally used in the preliminary examination of
fired bullets and shells for the purpose of determining
the relative distribution of the class characteristics.
• It can be used in the close up examination of tampered
serial numbers of firearms.
 ONOSCOPE
• This is a battery operated instrument generally for the
examination of the internal surface of the gun barrel to
determine the irregularities that cause microscopic markings on
the peripheral surface of the fired bullets.
• It has a long tube, more or less six (6) inches, containing a
small pilot lamp at the end which is inserted into the bore of the
firearm during the process of internal examination.
• It has a small camera attachment and if desired, a small
photograph of the inside of the bore can be taken.
 Shadowgraph
• This contains a series of microscopic lenses of
different magnification that can be used in examining
fired bullets and fired shells to determine their class
characteristics.
• This instrument also has a large circular ground glass,
14 inches, the comparison made in the ground glass.
 Bullet Recovery Box
• This consists of a wooden box, rectangular in shape with a
dimension of 12” x 96” with hinged top cover and a small hole
at the center for test firing suspected firearms.
• This is filled with ordinary cotton and separated into sections by
cardboard partitions.
• The use of the cardboard partitions is to facilitate recovery of
the fired bullets.
• Normally, the number of test shots made is from three (3) to
five (5), depending upon the number of evidence fired bullets
and evidence fired shells involved in any shooting.
 Caliper
• This is an instrument used for making
measurement such as bullet diameter,
bore diameter, barrel length and others of
importance in firearms identification.
 Helixometer
• This is used primarily for the examination of the interior
surface of gun barrels. With this instrument, it is
possible to measure the angle of twist in a rifled pistol
or revolver barrel.
 MICROMETER
• This has the same use as the caliper.
 Analytical Balance
• This is used in determining, more or less,
weights of bullets and shotgun pellets to
determine probably the type of caliber,
and make of firearms from which they
were fired.
 Magnifying Glass
• This is very handy in making preliminary and close-up
examinations of fired bullets and shells.
 Taper Gauge
• This is used primarily in determining the bore diameter
of firearms.
 Gunsmith Tools
• Generally used in the repair of firearms
and also for marking physical evidence like
firearms, fired bullets, and fired shells.
Marking of Evidence
 Bullet’s base

never on the body

On the nose
Marking a pistol
On the barrel,
(example: engraved
marked “ABC” 10-14-08)

Slide, and
(example:
engraved
Frame or receiver marked
(example: engraved “ABC” 10-
14-08
marked “ABC 10-14-08”
 Marking a revolver

Barrel, “ ABC” “10-25-

04”

Cylinder, “ABC” “10-25-

04”
Frame, “ABC” “10-25-
04”
 Marking a rifle
Upper receiver,
(example: engraved Barrel, (example:
marked “ABC” “10- engraved marked
25-04” “ABC” “ 10-25-04”

Lower receiver,
(example: engraved
marked “ABC” “10-25-
04” Bolt, (example: engraved
marked “ABC” ”10-25-
04”
 TRANSMITTAL OF THE RECOVERED EVIDENCE
TO CRIME LAB:
1. All collected evidence must be transmitted to the Firearms
Identification Division and concerned CL offices for
examination as soon as possible.
2. All evidence must be photographed for future identification.
3. Take precautions to preserve the evidence.
4. Wrap and seal each item of evidence separately to avoid
contamination.
5. Pack live ammunition in a clean, dry cardboard container
separately from firearms.
6. Stabilize the evidence to avoid movement or friction during
shipment.
7. Seal the container with tape.
8. If any of the evidence needs to be examined for latent prints,
label LATENT on the container.
9. Label the outer container with “Evidence” label.
10. Always observe the Chain of Custody.
Evidence Tag
RELATED LABORATORY
EXAMINATIONS
 for GPR examination by
Chemistry Division
for SEROLOGY examination by Medico Legal Division
Fuming Box (for developing latent prints)
 Defaced Serial number

for Macro-Etching examination by Physical

Identification Division
Bullet Recovery Tube
PROCEDURES IN REQUESTING FOR LABORATORY EXAMINATIONS

1. Letter requests for examinations - should be addressed to the

Director, Crime Laboratory (D, CL), attention: Chief, Firearms
Identification Division (C, FAID).

The requests must contain the following information:

a. The submitting contact person’s name, agency, address, and

telephone number.
 
b. Nature and the basic facts of the case.
 
c. The name(s) and descriptive data about the individual(s)
involved (subject, suspect, victim, or a combination of those
categories) and the unit-assigned case identification number, if
there is any.
 
d. List of the evidence being submitted or under separate cover.
 
 PROCEDURES IN REQUESTING FOR
LABORATORY EXAMINATIONS

2. Physical examination of the evidence being referred to for examination

 
3. Referral of the evidence to other Technical divisions:
 
a. Fingerprint Division - for possible recovery of latent prints.
 
b. Photography Division – for documentation through photography.
 
c. Medico Legal Division - for possible Serology on evidence
firearms.
 
d. Physical Identification Division – responsible in the examination
of allied examination, like; Bullet Trajectory Analysis and Serial
Number Restoration
 
e. Chemistry Division – for Gunpowder Residue Analysis
 
 PROCEDURES IN REQUESTING FOR LABORATORY EXAMINATIONS

4. Test firing of evidence of the evidence firearm.

 
5. Microscopic examination of the evidence bullet/cartridge
cases
 
6. Preparation of worksheet
 
7. Preparation of Laboratory report
 
8. Retrieval of related laboratory reports
 
9. Turn-over of evidence to the evidence custodian for
safekeeping
 
10. Release of laboratory report.
When collecting a suspected firearm/s, the ff. precautions
should be taken into consideration:

1. Inserting a rod or pencil or any other object into the bore of the
firearm might:

a. Introduce foreign matters into the bore that caused

contamination; Disturb or remove the powder foulings inside
the bore;

b. Cause scratches inside the bore of the suspected firearm.

2. The used of handkerchief to pick up firearm on its handle or its barrel

is not advisable.
 When picking a suspected firearm, the investigator should:

1. Use a small string or small wire to be inserted through the

“trigger guard” of the firearm.
2. Be sure that the “muzzle end” of the barrel is not pointed
towards the person picking it up, or to anyone in the vicinity.
3. If the firearm is in “full cocked” position place a crumpled paper
or carton just in front of the hammer to prevent accidental or
unnecessary firing.
MARKING OF PHYSICAL EVIDENCE/S
The Importance of Marking Ballistic Exhibits:
1. The investigating officer can readily identify these exhibits
when called to testify in court at the witness stand.
2. The officer cannot completely rely on his memory because
of several other cases in between; and
3. Defense counsels may and sometimes require the
complete “Chain of Custody or possession” of Ballistic
exhibits be established.
1. How to Mark Fired Bullets
 2. How to Mark Fired Shells

3. How to Mark a Suspected Firearm

Preservation of Physical Evidence/s

1. Fired Bullets and Fired shells – should be wrapped in

tissue paper and sealed in pill box, match box, vial or any
similar container. (These container should be labeled or
sealed in such a way that it cannot be easily open without
breaking the seal)

2. Suspected Firearm – should be properly wrapped and

placed in a container, box or envelope to prevent lost or
tampering. (These container or envelope should also be
properly labeled by the investigating officer.)
Some Scientific Equipment Generally Used
in F.A. Investigation and Identification

Bullet Comparison Microscope

Bullet Recovery Box
“JUXTAPOSITION” – This is the actual appearance of an evidence
bullet and a test bullet under examination in the eyepiece of the
Bullet Comparison Microscope. The two bullets are so arranged that
they are examined at the same level, same direction, same
magnification, same time, and same image.
 A photomicrograph of an
evidence bullet and a test
bullet as compared and seen
under the eyepiece of Bullet
Comparison Microscope.

EVIDENCE BULLET TEST BULLET

A photomicrograph of the
striations found on the
comparison made between
an evidence bullet recovered
from the body of a shooting
victim and the striations
found on a test bullet fired
from a suspect’s firearm.
 A photomicrograph taken
under a Comparison
Microscope wherein the
EVIDENCE SHELL TEST SHELL “striations” on the primer
cup of an evidence shell
were compared with the
striations on a test shell.
A photomicrograph of the bases of two fired shells, showing the
breechface (web-like) markings of primer of the two shells. The
congruencies of the markings indicates that they were fired in one
and same firearm.
Example of “Ballistic Report”
 Results of GSR Hand
Test
• Negative results may be caused by:
– Washing the hands
– Shooter may have been wearing
gloves
– Lead free ammunition

• A rifle or shotgun may not deposit

GSR on hands
GSR on the hand of a suicide victim,
proving he was holding the weapon
when it was fired.
DANGER

GRAPHIC
IMAGES!
Contact Gunshot wound
This is a contact
gunshot entrance
wound.

Since the barrel

contacts the skin, the
gases released by the
fired round go into the
subcutaneous tissue
& cause the star-
shaped laceration.
 Abrasion Ring
The abrasion ring, and
a very clear muzzle
imprint, are seen in
this contact range
gunshot wound.

An abrasion ring, formed when

the force of the gases entering
below the skin blow the skin
surface back against the
muzzle of the gun, is seen here
in this contact range gunshot
wound to the right temple.
 Displayed here is an entrance at the left
and an exit at the right.
Exit wounds vary considerably in size and
shape because the bullet can be
deformed in its transit through the body.
There may be no exit wound at all if the
bullet's energy is absorbed by the
tissues. Some bullets (such a a
"hollowpoint") are designed to deform so
that all their energy will be converted to
tissue damage and not exit.
This is a contact
range gunshot
entrance wound
with grey-black
discoloration from
the burned powder.
• Powder tattooing
is seen in this
intermediate
range gunshot
wound. The
actual entrance
site is somewhat
irregular,
because the
bullet can tumble
in flight.
• The surface of
the skull
demonstrates
the heavy soot
in this contact
range entrance
wound, as well
as radiating
fracture lines.
The direction of
fire was thus
toward the
back of this
picture.
With a contact or very close range
gunshot wound, it is possible to have
blood spatter as well as GSR on the
hand of the person firing the weapon.
 END
GRAPHIC
IMAGES!
 Clinical Evaluation of G.S.W.

1. Entrance Wounds – Contact wounds

-All material (bullet, gases, soot,
metal
fragments) is driven into the
wound

-Muzzle contusion
• 2. Entrance Wounds – Close Range
-Distance of less than 6
inches

-Dispersion of soot
(which can be wiped
away)
• 3. Entrance Wounds – Intermediate range

-Generally found at distances

of 60 cm or less.
-Tattooing is
pathognomonic
Tattooing cannot be
wiped away. (soot can)
Density of tattooing
is dependent on the
distance & caliber
 4. Entrance Wounds – distant range

-No tattooing or deposition of soot

-Indentation of skin creates

Abrasion collar
friction b/w bullet and skin
(not caused by heat of bullet.
palms and soles won’t have
abrasion collars.
Angle of impact depends on
shape
Cannot determine distance
 Exit Wounds

Skin edges are generally averted

Abrasion collars and soot are not

usually associated with exit wounds

Tattooing is never seen at an exit wound

Are NOT always larger than its

corresponding entrance wound

May not appear directly opposite

the entrance wound.
Trajectory
 SERIAL NUMBER
RESTORATION

– When a serial number is stamped

into a gun, the metal underneath the
number is compressed & hardened.
– If the number is filed-off, the
hardened area may still be present.
– By using an acid solution the metal
can be slowly eaten away.
• In this process the softer metal will be
eaten away first and the number may
reappear.
 Before & After

– Historically, serial numbers are

successfully restored 63% of the
time on steel & 54% of the time for
aluminum or zinc.
 FIREARMS EVIDENCE
COLLECTION

• Make sure it is unloaded!!!!!

• DO NOT put a pencil into a barrel
• REVOLVERS
– Indicate location of fired & unfired
ammunition
• AUTOMATICS
– Check magazine for number of rounds
– Fingerprint magazine
• Place ID tag on trigger guard
 FIREARMS EVIDENCE
COLLECTION

• AMMUNITION
– Write on base or nose
– Package in pill box or envelope
– Wrap in tissue to protect
 FIREARMS EVIDENCE
COLLECTION

• CLOTHING
– Protect &
preserve any
residue
– Air dry if wet
– Package
separately in
paper bags

• Establish CHAIN
OF CUSTODY