BALLISTICS

Forensic Ballistics
⦿ Forensic Ballistics is
the science of
analyzing firearms,
bullets and bullet
impacts.
⦿ Ballistic fingerprinting
is analyzing firearm
evidence to determine
if that particular
firearm was used in
the crime.
⦿ The field of forensic firearms identification, sometimes
called ballistics, is at its heart the ability of a firearms
examiner to determine if a particular bullet or cartridge
case was fired from a specific firearm.
⦿ This determination can be made thanks to small, often
microscopic markings on bullets or cartridge cases
that are unique to ammunition fired from that firearm.
⦿ Although the examiner cannot determine who actually
fired a weapon, matching the ammunition to a weapon
provides vital facts for the investigation
⦿ In conjunction with this, the examiner has the ability to
explain how a firearm functions and what safety
features a firearm might have. This can have an
impact on investigations of suicides, unintentional
shootings and accidental firearm discharge
Parts of a Handgun
⦿ An understanding of
the parts of any gun
is essential in
forensic ballistics.
Parts of a Bolt-Action Rifle
Parts of a Pump-Action Shotgun
Components of Ammunition
⦿ In addition to the parts of a gun, it is
essential to know the components of
ammunition. Shotgun Shell
Bullet
Parts of a Gun – The Barrel
⦿ The diameter of a
rifled gun barrel is
the caliber.

⦿ Caliber is normally
recorded in
millimeters. For
example, a 9 mm
handgun.
Is This a Match?
How Exact is the Comparison?
⦿ A perfect match is rare.
⦿ Dirt, rust, minute changes in the gun
barrel as more bullets are fired and
distortion of the bullet on impact may
change the striations.
What is the Firing Process?
⦿ The ammunition is
loaded into the gun,
the hammer is cocked
and then the trigger is
pulled.
⦿ Pulling the trigger
initiates the process
and a firing pin strikes
and ignites the primer.
⦿ The primer explodes
and ignites the
propellant.
What is the Firing Process? (cont)
As the propellant burns, gases
build up inside the bullet
case and the bullet is
pushed forward into the
barrel.

The bullet is forced down the

barrel by the expanding
gases and the bullet case
is slammed back against
the breech face.

Imperfections in the barrel

and on the breech face are
transferred to surfaces of
the bullet and bullet case.
What is the Firing Process? (cont)
⦿ As the bullet moves
down the barrel and
exits the gun, the
cartridge either stays
in the back of the
barrel or it is ejected
by an ejector
mechanism.
 GUNPOWDER RESIDUES

When a firearm is discharged, unburned and partially burned particles of

gunpowder in addition to smoke are propelled out of the barrel along with
the bullet towards the target.
 Gunpowder Residues

⦿ If the muzzle of the

weapon is sufficiently
close to the target,
gunpowder residue is
deposited on the
target.
Distance Determination
⦿ The process of
determining the distance
between the firearm and
the target is usually
based on the distribution
of powder patterns or the
spread of a shot pattern
(shotgun).
⦿ As the distance
increases the residue
decreases.
Contact Shot
⦿ The basis for firearms identification is founded on
uniqueness: upon close examination, virtually all
objects can be distinguished from one another,
and the same is true for firearms
⦿ The firearm’s surfaces (firing pin/striker, breach,
barrel, etc.) that contact the softer cartridge case
and bullet contain random, unique, microscopic
irregularities that make it different from other
firearms - even those of the exact same model.
⦿ These differences can be used to identify or
eliminate a weapon as being used in a crime, if a
cartridge case or bullet is recovered at the crime
scene.
⦿ There are several general characteristics
associated with firearms that can help lead the
investigation. These include the caliber (bore
diameter) of the barrel, the number and dimension
of the grooved impressions inside a gun barrel,
and the direction of the twist of these rifling
grooves (clockwise or counterclockwise).
⦿ To help stabilize the flight path of a bullet,
manufacturers cut spiral grooves into the gun
barrel. This pattern of grooves on the barrel leaves
corresponding raised and lowered areas on the
surface of the bullets fired from it. Measuring the
number and width of these gross impressions can
help firearms examiners narrow the range of
possible weapons to a particular class of firearm.
⦿ Direction
⦿ Time
⦿ Nature of Injuries - Entrance Wound
and Exit wound.
⦿ Handling, collection and preservation.
 COLLECTION AND PRESERVATION
OF FIREARM EVIDENCE

Firearms
Safety is the most important precaution,
preventing all accidental discharge of a loaded
weapon in transit.
All firearm evidence should be marked for
identification with evidence tag attached to the trigger
guard.
Firearm recovered from an underwater location
should be transported in the submerged in the water
found to prevent rust.
Ammunition
Bullets recovered at a crime scene
are scribed with the investigator’s initials and should
be wrapped in tissue paper before transport to
protect any trace evidence.
The exact location of shell casings should be
noted.
Gunpowder Deposits
A firearm victim’s clothing must be preserved to
prevent damage or disruption to the gunpowder
residues deposited around the bullet hole.
Wet clothing should be air dried out of direct
sunlight and then folded for protection.
Each item should be placed in a separate paper bag.