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Module
In
FORC106

Forensic Ballistics
 
 
 
 
 
College of Criminal Justice Education
BS Criminology
 
 
 
 
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Module No. 10

The Forensic Ballistics Problem

1st Semester AY 2020-2021

Hilda B. Espadilla
Assistant Professor II

WPU-QSF-ACAD-82A Rev. 00 (09.15.20)

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Table of Contents

Contents Page

TITLE PAGE ---------------------------------------------------------------------

1

TABLE OF CONTENTS --------------------------------------------------------- 3

INSTRUCTION TO THE USER ----------------------------------------------- 4

CHAPTER 10 – The Forensic Ballistics Problems

Lesson 1 – The Seven(7) Forensic Ballistics Problems -------

Lesson 2 – Bases of Firearms Identification --------------------

Lesson 3 – Principles Involved in Bullet Identification ------

Lesson 4 - Principles of Shell Identification --------------------

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INSTRUCTION TO THE USER

This module would provide you an educational experience while

independently accomplishing the task at your own pace or time. It aims as
well to ensure that learning is unhampered by health and other challenges. It
covers the topic about ____________________________________.

Reminders in using this module:

1. Keep this material neat and intact.

2. Answer the pretest first to measure what you know and what to be
learned about the topic discussed in this module.
3. Accomplish the activities and exercises as aids and reinforcement for
better understanding of the lessons.
4. Answer the post-test to evaluate your learning.
5. Do not take pictures in any parts of this module nor post it to social
media platforms.
6. Value this module for your own learning by heartily and honestly
answering and doing the exercises and activities. Time and effort were
spent in the preparation in order that learning will still continue
amidst this Covid-19 pandemic.
7. Observe health protocols: wear mask, sanitize and maintain physical
distancing.

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WPU-QSF-ACAD-82A Rev. 00 (09.15.20)

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Introduction

The field is technically called a forensic firearm and tool mark analysis whose
experts use an optical comparison microscope to examine the exemplar with the
unknown recovered from the crime scene by comparison criteria that are referred to
as  “sufficiently consecutive matching striae” in an attempt to determine a unique
source.
The modern practice of forensic firearm and tool mark analysis leaves a lot to
be desired. A lot. All pattern recognition endeavors do as well (e.g., latent fingerprint,
handwriting, hair comparison, odontology-bite mark, lead bullet).
CHAPTER 10

THE FORENSIC BALLISTICS PROBLEMS

LESSON

Learning Outcomes:

At the end of the lesson, you can:

1. Understand the seven forensic problems;
2. Differentiate and understand the Bases of Firearm Identification,
Principles Involved in Bullet Identification, Principles of Shell
Identification; and
3. answer the given exercises in the lesson.

Time Allotment: 2 hours

Discussion:
The Forensic Ballistics Problems

The problems in forensic ballistics are the summary of the work objectives in
the field of firearm identification. This serves as a general guide to every firearm
examiner in determining the course of action to be undertaken depending on the
situation at hand and in the end to serve the ends of justice.

The forensic Ballistic problem was originally composed of the six problems
as written in the book of Gunther and Gunther; however, complexities and
advancements in the field of forensic ballistics and in relation to the applicable laws,
more particularly as regards laws on illegal possession of firearms, have emerged. As
such, the firearm identification divisions adopted seven problems in their course.

The Forensic Ballistics Problems:

1. Given a fired bullet to determine the caliber, type; make of, and the
firearm from which it was fired.

2. Given a fired shell to determine the caliber, type, and make of firearm
from which it was fired.

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3. Given a fired bullet and a suspected firearm, determine whether or not

the fired bullet was fired from the suspected firearm.

4. Given a fired shell and a suspected firearm, determine whether or not the
fired shell was fired from the suspected firearm.

5. Given two or more fired bullets, determine whether or not they were
fired from one and the same firearm.

6. Given two or more fired shell/cartridge cases, determine whether or not

they were fired from one and the same firearm.

7. Given a suspected firearm, determine whether it is serviceable or not.

Problem No. 1

Given: A fired bullet.

Objective: To determine the caliber, type, and make of the firearm from which it
was fired.

Procedure:

a. identify the bullet based on its various features such as type, shape, and
design.

b. Use a caliper or a micrometer or a torsion balance to measure the caliber

of the bullet or use a standard bullet at hand and match the base of the
bullets. In the case of fragmented or deformed bullets, it will be difficult
to determine their base diameter. Thus, use the torsion balance in order
to get the equivalent weight of the bullet and its approximate caliber.

c. After determining the caliber of the fired bullet, examine its cylindrical
surface for landmarks and groove marks. Identify the type of rifling by
determining the number of lands and grooves, the direction of twist, the
pitch of rifling, the width of the lands and grooves, and the depth of
landmarks.

Problem No. 2

Given: A fired shell/cartridge case.

Objective: To determine the caliber, type, and make of the firearm from which it
was fired.

Procedure:

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a. Determine the caliber of the shell utilizing the caliper to measure its body
diameter or the diameter of the mouth of the shell or simply match it
with standard shells.

b. Check on the base of the fired shell for the headstamp. This part of the
shell will give the examiner information as to the caliber, the maker, and
in certain cases even the date of its manufacture.

Problem No. 3

Given: A fired bullet and a suspected firearm.

Objective: To determine whether or not the fired bullet was fired from the
suspected firearm.

Procedure:

a. Examine the fired bullet as to its caliber, and the type and make applying
the procedure in problem no. 1.

b. Examine the suspected firearm as ‘to its condition ‘and basic

characteristics as to whether there is the probability of its being the one used
in the fired bullet. (verify the type of rifling)

c. Test-fire the suspected firearm using the bullet recovery box. Use at least
three (3) cartridges with the same caliber and mark them as the fired bullet.
Make sure to mark the cartridge with the letter “t-1, t-2, and t-3” as the case
may be plus the last two digits of the serial number of the suspected firearm.

d. Get the test bullet from the recovery box and identify its general
characteristics to determine the probability of the fired bullet.

e. Match the fired bullet with the test bullet using the bullet Comparison
microscope or forensic digital comparator.

f. If similar individual marks (striations) were observed on each bullet, then

we can conclude that the fired bullet was fired from the suspected firearm.
Otherwise, another firearm was used in its discharge.

Problem No 4.

Given: A fired shell and a suspected firearm.

Objective: To determine whether or not the fired shell was fired from the suspected
firearm.

Procedure:

a. Examine the fired shell as to its caliber, type and make;

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b. Examine the suspected firearm as to its conditions and rifling

characteristics.

c. Test-fire the suspected firearm using the bullet recovery box. Use at least
three (3) cartridges for test firing. Make sure to mark the cartridge with
the letter “t1, t2, and t3” as the case may be plus the last two digits of the
serial number of the suspected firearm.

d. Get all the test shells and identify their general characteristics to
determine the probability with the fired shell.

e. Match the fired shell with the test shell using the bullet comparison
microscope or forensic digital comparator.

f. If similar individual marks (striations) were observed on the breech face

or firing pin marks, then we can conclude that the fired bullet was fired
from the suspected firearm. Otherwise, another firearm was used in its
discharge. If a problem will be encountered as to the use of the breech-
face or firing pin mark, use the combined extractor and ejector mark as a
secondary option for identification.

Problem No. 5

Given: Two or more fired bullets.

Objective: To determine whether or not they were fired from one and the same
firearm.

Procedure:

a. Identify those bullets as to their caliber, type and make by applying the
principle in problem no. 1 (do not forget to mark the fired bullets).

b. Bullets of the same caliber, type and make should be compared at the
bullet comparison microscope.

c. The fired bullets that show a magnified image of similar characteristics

will be considered fired from one and the same firearm, while those that
would not match positively were fired from different firearms.

Problem No. 6

Given: Two or more fired shells.

Objective: To determine whether they were fired from one and the same firearm.

Procedure:

a. Identify each fired shell as to its caliber, and type and make applying the
procedure in problem no. 2 (do not forget to mark each fired shell)

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b. Compare each fired shell of the same caliber, type, and make using the
bullet comparison microscope. The fired cartridge case having similar
individual marks (striations) will prove that they were fired from one and
the same firearm while the non-identity of their individual marks would
mean that they have been fired from different firearms.

Problem No. 7

Given: A suspected firearm. Objective: To determine whether it is serviceable or not.

Procedure:

a. Examine the suspected firearm, its caliber, type and make, and its
condition as to whether or not it is functional.

b. Check its serial number and records of its identification.

c. Mark the suspected firearm for further reference.

A. Basis of Firearm identification:

1. Firearm identification is actually refined tool mark identification. The basis of

identification of a firearm is based on minute imperfections caused by the
final polishing of the tools involved.

2. The natural wear and tear of the tools involved. That every firearm is not
permanent for they are subject to deterioration or wear out.

3. When the softer surface comes in contact with the harder surface, it is always
the softer surface that will be engraved or marked by whatever impression or
marks are present on the harder surface. This is true in the sense that every
firearm is made up of harder material than any bullet or shell of the cartridge.

4. The fact that no two things are absolutely identical or alike. There can be some
sort of similarity in general properties but not in individuality or minute
imperfections or details.

B. Principles involved in Bullet Identification:

1. No two barrels are microscopically alike or identical as to the internal bore

construction, all barrels possess individuality or characteristic marks of their
own.

2. When a bullet is fired from a rifled gun barrel, it becomes engraved by the
rifling characteristics of that barrel with varying minute details. It means that
a bullet fired from one barrel will have an engraving different from that of
another bullet fired from another firearm and conversely, a bullet fired from
the same firearm will bare the same engraving as those that can be found on
the barrel.

3. Every barrel leaves its “thumbprint” or “fingerprint” on every bullet fired on it.

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C. Principles of Shell Identification:

1. The breech face and the striker (or firing pin) of every firearm have
microscopic individualities of their own.

2. Every firearm leaves its “fingerprint” or “thumbprint” on every cartridge it

fires.

3. The whole principle of identification of shells is based upon the fact that
since the breech face of every weapon must be individually distinct, the
cartridge cases that it fired are imprinted with this individuality. The imprints
of all cartridge cases fired from the same weapon are the same, and those on
cartridge cases fired from different weapons are different.

Activity

Learning Check

I. Enumerate and briefly explain the problems in forensic ballistics.

II. What are the principles involved in firearm identification, and bullet and
shell identification?

III. In Problems 1 to 7 make a short video and in every problem follow the
procedure for making your video.

Reference:

Manlusoc, A. C. (2016). Forensic Ballistics. Wiseman’s Books Trading, Inc.

De Guzman, R.D., & Villacarlos M.B. (2017). Fundamentals of Forensic Firearms
Identification, 2nd Edition. Chapter House Publishing Incorporated.
Duyogan, Z. A. (2011). Forensic Ballistics, Guide for Criminal Lawyers, Police
Officers, Students and Reviewees, First Edition. Wiseman’s Books Trading, Inc.

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Congratulations for completing this module!

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