Ballistics

Ballistics
the study of projectiles, trajectories, and the effect on the target

Internal

ballistics

What happens in the weapon

External

What happens after the bullet leaves the barrel

Terminal

ballistics

ballistics (wound ballistics)

What happens when the bullet hits the target

Components of typical round

Sequence of events

Firing pin or striker hits primer

Primer detonation
Ignition/deflagration* of powder
Increase pressure within casing d/t expanding
gases
Bullet forced from casing into rifling of barrel
Rifling imparts spin as bullet traverses barrel
length
Bullet leaves barrel, followed by hot, stillexpanding gases (creates muzzle blast and
muzzle flash)
* deflagration rapid burning (NOT explosion)

Forensic applications
strike firing pin toolmarks
Case head toolmarks
Primer

Breechface markings
Extractor markings
Ejector markings

Powder

types

Primer indentation

Physics of recoil
For

every action, there is an equal &

opposite reaction
Bullet travels forward, case is forced
backwards against the breechface or
breechblock, causing recoil
In an automatic or semi auto matic
weapon, this recoil is what drives the
action to cycle
http://www.firearmsid.com/A_featurevideo.
htm

http://www.glenbrook.k12.il.us/

Mechanics of projectile wounding

Location
Penetration
Temporary

wound cavity
Permanent wound cavity
Projectile deformation/fragmentation

Mechanic of projectile wounding

Physical

cutting/crushing of tissue

Caliber related

Kinetically

disrupting/stretching tissue that

is adjacent to the path of the projectile

Low velocity (most handgun rounds)

High velocity (rifle rounds & shrapnel from
explosions)
KE = m x v2

Permanent & temporary

wound cavities

GSR pattern

Shored contact wound