EMILIO AGUINALDO COLLEGE ISO 9001: 2015 CERTIFIED

QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

City of Dasmariñas,Cavite

“THE SCIENCE OF MODERN

FORENSIC BALLISTICS”

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EMILIO AGUINALDO COLLEGE ISO 9001: 2015 CERTIFIED
QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
City of Dasmariñas,Cavite

SEQUENCE OF PRESENTATION
➢ OBJECTIVES
➢ INTRODUCTION
➢ OVERVIEW OF THE SUBJECT: FORENSIC BALLISTICS
➢ THE NEXT GENERATION OF FORENSIC BALLISTICS
➢ FORENSIC FIREARMS EXAMINATION
➢ NIBIN SYSTEM (NATIONAL INTEGRATED BALLISTIC INFORMATION NETWORK)
➢ PHILIPPINE FORENSIC BALLISTICS: INTEGRATED BALLISTICS IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM
(IBIS)
➢ CONCLUSION
➢ REFERENCES

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EMILIO AGUINALDO COLLEGE ISO 9001: 2015 CERTIFIED
QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
City of Dasmariñas,Cavite

• OBJECTIVES:

•• To know about the methods uses for bullet identification.

•• To learn about the steps and technologies used in world for
weapon identification.
•• To know the importance of Integrated Ballistic Identification
System (IBIS) in the Philippines

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EMILIO AGUINALDO COLLEGE ISO 9001: 2015 CERTIFIED
QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
City of Dasmariñas,Cavite

• I. INTRODUCTION

• As with fingerprints, every firearm has unique characteristics. "In the past
called forensic ballistics, [forensic firearms identification] concerns itself with the
comparison and identification of crime scene bullets and shell casing firing pin
impressions with the marks on test-fired rounds in the crime lab. If the marks on
the bullet made by the test gun barrel are identical to the striations (rifling
scratches) on the crime scene bullet, or the firing pin impressions are the same,
the crime scene weapon has been identified. The science is grounded on the
principal that no two guns will leave the same marks on the ammunition. Bullet
striations and firing pin impressions are unique as a person's fingerprints.
Firearms identification also involves restoring filed off serial numbers, retracing
projectile flights, identifying the various types of bullet wounds, and determining
the range of close range shots through powder stain patterns on the target.
Firearms identification experts apply the sciences of metallurgy, chemistry
(gunshot residue analysis), microscopy, and ballistics. A knowledge of the gun
smith trade is also useful. Like document examiners, forensic firearms experts
are trained on-the-job in crime laboratories."

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EMILIO AGUINALDO COLLEGE ISO 9001: 2015 CERTIFIED
QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
City of Dasmariñas,Cavite

• II. OVERVIEW OF THE SUBJECT: FORENSIC

BALLISTICS
• FIREARMS AND BALLISTICS

• Firearm investigation is a specialty of forensic science focusing

on the examination of firearms and related subjects. Closely linked to
this is ballistics, which relates to the flight path of projectiles, often
associated with forensic science during the investigation of firearms.
This area of study examines the path of a bullet from when it leaves
the firearm up until it strikes the target. During investigations in which
the use of firearms is suspected, a number of artefacts may be
collected for examination, including firearms, cartridge cases, bullets,
live ammunition, trace materials, and any material damaged by a
projectile.

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 EMILIO AGUINALDO COLLEGE ISO 9001: 2015 CERTIFIED
QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
City of Dasmariñas,Cavite

1. FIREARMS

• Firearm Mechanism
• Although there is a wide range of types of firearm, the basic theory behind how a
projectile is fired is fairly generic – the weapon aims to convert chemical energy into
kinetic energy in order to expel a projectile from the firearm.
• A round is first loaded and locked into the breach. This round consists of an outer
cartridge case, a bullet, some form of propellant, and a percussion cap. The firing pin is
generally mechanically restrained and, when the firearm is cocked, the firing pin spring is
compressed. As the trigger is pulled, the hammer-mounted firing pin is forced forward to
strike through a small hole in the breech face, hitting the primer cup. This contains a
mixture of sensitive chemicals which rapidly burn, producing sufficient hot gases to ignite
the propellant. As the gunpowder is ignited an expansion of gas occurs which, confined in
a small space, and eventually forces the bullet down the barrel of the firearm. Following
discharge, a number of events regarding the used cartridge case may occur depending on
the type of firearm. If the firearm is self-loading, a bolt will move back and pull the cartridge
case out of the chamber, leading to it being ejected from the weapon. However in
weapons such as revolvers, the cartridge will remain in the firearm until the shooter
removes it.

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 EMILIO AGUINALDO COLLEGE ISO 9001: 2015 CERTIFIED
QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
City of Dasmariñas,Cavite

Bullet Flight
Tracing the flight path of a bullet can provide
important details during a forensic
investigation, namely from what direction the
projectile was fired. This is often vital in
reconstructing the series of events
throughout an incident. Establishing the path
of a bullet may not be straightforward, as
numerous factors must be taken into
consideration. Air resistance and gravity
affect the bullet’s flight path, causing it to
project in a downward arc rather than a
straight line. Environmental conditions such
as strong winds could additionally slightly
alter a bullet’s flight. How a bullet’s flight will
be affected will depend on the initial velocity
of a bullet, as those with a higher velocity will
be less influenced, as well as the shape of
the bullet. Numerous factors can result in
abnormal bullet flight characteristics.

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 EMILIO AGUINALDO COLLEGE ISO 9001: 2015 CERTIFIED
QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
City of Dasmariñas,Cavite

BULLET
• One of the primary methods of
categorizing bullets is based on their
caliber. Caliber refers to the diameter
of the bullet, which can be expressed
in various terms, including millimeters
(metric system), inches (imperial
system) or 100ths of an inch (American
system). For example, a 9mm bullet
may also be referred to as a 0.35 inch
bullet or .35 caliber. However it must
be taken into consideration that the
caliber of a bullet does not necessarily
prove the caliber of the weapon used
to fire it, as on occasion a cartridge too
large or two small may be used.

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EMILIO AGUINALDO COLLEGE ISO 9001: 2015 CERTIFIED
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City of Dasmariñas,Cavite

• Cartridges
• The examination of cartridges, precisely-fitting metal cases
containing the bullet, propellant and primer, can provide
vital information to an investigation. The composition of
most cartridge cases is brass, an alloy of zinc and copper,
ideal due to its low density, though other metals may be
used. Similar to caliber, chambering refers to the shape and
size of a cartridge. The primer, held in the
primer/percussion cap at the base of the cartridge case,
consists of a small amount of explosive, a fuel and an
oxidizer. Modern primers generally consist of lead
styphnate, barium nitrate and antimony sulphide, though the
substances used may vary. The propellant, often referred to
as “gunpowder”, is an explosive mixture designed to ignite
and produce enough hot gas to force a projectile from the
firearm.

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EMILIO AGUINALDO COLLEGE ISO 9001: 2015 CERTIFIED
QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
City of Dasmariñas,Cavite
• Rifling
• During the manufacturing process of firearm barrels, a
series of spiraling lands and grooves is produced along the
inside of the barrel, known as rifling. Land refers to the raised
portion of these spiraling indentations, whereas the grooves are
the lower portions between these lands. Rifling, which can be
one of numerous types, will be cut with either a left or right hand
twist, determining whether the bullet will spin clockwise or
anticlockwise. As the bullet passes through the barrel, these
markings cause the projectile to spin, increasing stability and
accuracy whilst leaving characteristic marks on the bullet itself.
The grooves present on the surfaces of bullets are unique to the
barrel that caused them, making rifling patterns ideal in
matching bullets to specific firearms. Bullets are often viewed
side by side using a comparison microscope, allowing rifling
patterns to be contrasted and any similarities noted. The type
and number of spiral grooves, their measurements, and whether
they rotate clockwise or anticlockwise can help narrow down the
search for the weapon used. Measuring the caliber of a bullet
and the angle of grooves can allow for the calculation of twists
per meter and thus provide further details of the rifling of a
particular firearm.

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EMILIO AGUINALDO COLLEGE ISO 9001: 2015 CERTIFIED
QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
City of Dasmariñas,Cavite
• Serial Number Restoration

During the manufacturing process, legally produced firearms are

stamped with a uniquely identifying serial number, usually on the
barrel or action. These numbers are stamped into the firearm, a
process which also impresses the digits below the surface of the
metal. Even though criminals may attempt to erase these serial
numbers to avoid the weapon being traced, it may be possible to
restore these serial numbers to a state in which they are legible.
Serial numbers are often erased by filing or grinding, which will
not necessarily remove the digits below the surface. Alternatively
the perpetrator may attempt to change the serial number. Various
techniques and reagents have been used to successfully restore
these original numbers.

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EMILIO AGUINALDO COLLEGE ISO 9001: 2015 CERTIFIED
QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
City of Dasmariñas,Cavite
• Gunshot Residues

• When a firearm is discharged, a cloud of gases and fine

particles is released composed of gunshot residues (GSR),
sometimes referred to as firearms discharge particles (FDRs) or
cartridge discharge residues (CDRs). The mixture will often
contain both organic and inorganic particulates, the organic
matter consisting of unburned and partially combusted
propellant and inorganic matter produced by hot gases acting
on the bullet. When released, these fine particles will settle on
any nearby surfaces and are easily carried away from the
scene. The presence of such residues can provide strong links
between suspects or objects and the scene of a shooting,
therefore various methods of detecting gunshot and other
residues have been developed.

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EMILIO AGUINALDO COLLEGE ISO 9001: 2015 CERTIFIED
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City of Dasmariñas,Cavite

• Distance Determination
When a weapon is discharged, various gunshot residues will be
ejected into any nearby surfaces. The examination of gunshot
residue has been utilized in establishing the distance from which a
firearm was discharged. For example, the closer a firearm is to the
target, in theory the more concentrated the gunshot residue
pattern will be, whereas shots fired from a greater distance will
produce a more widespread pattern. Research has also been
conducted into the study of the chemical composition of gunshot
residues in determining firing distance. Analytical techniques have
been used to analyses the elemental composition of gunshot
residue produced during the discharge of a firearm at varying
distances. Attempts have been made to produce a mathematical
model by which firing distance can be determined based on the
elements and their relative amounts present in the residue.
However it should be taken into consideration that the use of
gunshot residues in establishing firing distance can only give an
estimated distance at best.

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EMILIO AGUINALDO COLLEGE ISO 9001: 2015 CERTIFIED
QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
City of Dasmariñas,Cavite
• Shooting Scene Investigation

A number of points will be aimed to be established in regards to

the scene of a shooting, namely the number of shots fired, the
direction from which the projectiles originated, and the type of
ammunition and firearm used. A thorough examination of a
shooting scene is often vital to the accurate reconstruction of
events. The exact location of spent bullets and cartridge cases
and even the firearm itself should be thoroughly documented
before the evidence is collected. Similarly, the location of any
bullet damage should also be photographed and, if possible,
collected. A post-mortem examination of victims may be required
to retrieve bullets and fragments.

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 EMILIO AGUINALDO COLLEGE ISO 9001: 2015 CERTIFIED
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Suspects of shootings incidents may claim that the firearm was unintentionally
discharged, either accidentally by the individual or through malfunction of the weapon.
Various tests can be conducted on the suspect firearm to help establish the details of
the shooting. Trigger pressure relates to the force required to pull a trigger and fire a
weapon. In some cases firearms with light trigger pulls may result in accidental
discharge, so by calculating the trigger pressure it may be possible to determine the
likelihood that the trigger was accidentally pulled. Some firearms allow the user to
select either normal trigger pull or light trigger pull (hair trigger); therefore it is also
important to discover whether the firearm has this feature and which setting was
selected. Firearms are often fitted with numerous safety mechanisms. The
examination of the firearm should include the investigation of these mechanisms to
conclude whether any of the safety features were malfunctioning. An investigation
known as a jarring test may also be performed, in which the firearm is subjected to a
series of impacts involving various surfaces and distances to determine whether the
action could have resulted in the firearm being discharged.
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