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06 MAY 2014
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Ballistic evidence, both from ballistic experts
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from the prosecution and the defence, is
crucial in determining what exactly happened
on the day Reeva Steenkamp was shot four ADVERTISEMENT
times with a 9mm pistol by Oscar Pistorius.
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Just as in the case of something such as

blood spatter analysis, much can be
determined about a crime scene by looking at
bullet remainders, shell casings and angle of
entry wounds. Health24
336,266 likes
The word ‘ballistics’ comes from the Latin
ballista which is refers to an ancient military
machine for throwing stones.

Ballistics means the “art of throwing; the Like Page Sign Up

science of projectiles”.
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Read: What we know about Reeva's injuries
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But what exactly does a ballistics expert Oscar trial: Geology rocks?
do, and what are the things they look for? Do you hope Oscar is innocent, or do you need

• Ballistics experts mostly work with crime him to be innocent?

scenes and are forensic specialists who Did Reeva look like Oscar's mother?
collect, study and analyse all evidence Editor's Picks
available that is related to ammunition and
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• Ballistics experts can usually identify the type FOLLOW Health24 on Facebook »
of firearm that was used in a crime, where it
was fired from and also how many bullets were TEST Are you envirohealth savvy? »
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• The type of firearm used in a crime can
usually be identified by the bullet (if it can be
found) or by the casings left at the scene. 10 unusual New Year’s resolutions

• Every firearm leaves a unique set of

markings on a bullet fired from that weapon.
These markings are called striations. These Do diabetics really need to fast for
are unique to every weapon, as are blood tests?
fingerprints to humans.

• If a weapon, suspected of being used in a Man reveals how he lost 76kg after his
crime, is recovered, ballistic experts can fire girlfriend cheated on him
that weapon in a special laboratory, and Blood Lions: Bred for the The amazing mountains
compare the striations to those on the bullet Bullet movie trailer on Pluto
from the crime scene. If there is a match, they
can positively identify the weapon used in the
crime. Learn about medical conditions

Read: What happens to the body when you are shot

Arthritis
• The probable distance and angle of the gunshot can also be determined – a very important
Athlete's Foot
issue in the Pistorius case, as he claims he was not wearing his prosthetic legs when he fired four
shots through the bathroom door. His defence team has used this to try and prove that there was Cellulite
no premeditation. DVT
Foot Health
If he had been wearing his prostheses, the trajectory of the bullets would have been different.
Gout
Captain Christian Mangena, police ballistics expert, also testified that the shots were fired from
between 0,6 – 3m away, which supports claims made by Pistorius. Leg Health
Restless Legs Syndrome
• External ballistics is the study of the trajectory of the projectile after it leaves the shooting device. Tired Legs
Many things can influence this, such as gravity, weather conditions (if the gun has been fired
Varicose Veins
outdoors) or air drag.

• Terminal ballistics refer to the study of a projectile when it hits its target: the angle and depth of
the entry wound can tell ballistics experts much about a shooting incident.

• Forensic experts can also test for gunshot residue on the hands of a suspect. These particles
are emitted from the back and from the muzzle of the gun when it is fired. This residue, which
cannot be removed with normal hand washing, often contain the elements antimony, lead, barium,
and sometimes titanium and zinc.

• A lack of gunshot residue on the hands of someone who supposedly committed suicide would
indicate a likely murder to ballistic and forensic experts.

Read more: Latest Multimedia

Successful people vs. unsuccessful people
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Has the break helped or hindered Oscar's case?

Sources: Online Etymology Dictionary; wiseGEEK.org; crime-scene-investigator-network; bbc.com

Image: bullet from Shutterstock

Susan Erasmus, freelance writer

More: Environmental Health 21st Century Life

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