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Forensic Ballistics
 
 
 
 
 
College of Criminal Justice Education
BS Criminology
 
 
 
 
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Module No. 12

Scientific Instruments Used in

Firearms Identification

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 12 –Scientific Instruments Used in Firearms Identification

Lesson 1 –Bullet Recovery Box ---------------------------------

Lesson 2 - Bullet Comparison Microscope ------------------

Lesson 3 - Stereoscopic Microscope --------------------------

Lesson 4 – Shadowgraph ----------------------------------------

Lesson 5 - CP-6 Comparison Projector ----------------------

Lesson 6 – Helixometer -----------------------------------------

Lesson 7 – Micrometer ------------------------------------------

Lesson 8 – Caliper ------------------------------------------------

Lesson 9 - Analytical balance or Torsion balance --------

Lesson 10 – Onoscope -------------------------------------------

Lesson 11 – Chronograph ---------------------------------------

Lesson 12 - Taper gauge

Lesson 13 - Electric gun marker

Lesson 14 - Stylus

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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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STAY SAFE AND HEALTHY!

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Introduction

The specialized equipment used by firearms examiners includes microscopes,

measuring tools, testing tools, and balances. These tools enable the examiner to carry
out the various aspects of firearms examination and comparison. The need for
proficiency with microscopes emphasizes the importance of examiners having an
academic background in science. Other equipment, such as measuring and weighing
devices, are also familiar items to anyone who has a science background.

The firearms or tool marks examiner primarily uses two different types of

microscopes on a regular basis. The first is the stereomicroscope. This microscope
sits on the work table and is usually mounted on a boom or arm extending from a
stand. It usually has zoom capabilities for magnification from about 3X to about 10X.
Initial examinations of weapons, ammunition components, tools, and objects with
tool marks on them are done with the stereomicroscope. The relatively low power
gives plenty of working room so that the examiner can manipulate various
cumbersome objects into the field of view.

CHAPTER 12

SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS USED IN FIREARMS IDENTIFICATION

LESSON

Learning Outcomes:

At the end of the lesson, you can:

1. Understand the definition, of scientific instruments used in firearms
identification; and
2. answer the given exercises in the lesson.

Time Allotment: 2 hours

Discussion:

Scientific Instruments Used In Firearms Identification

Ballistics investigation will not be fully accepted and recognized without the
utilization of different scientific equipment. Equipment that gives man an extended
view of what is beyond their sight is very important. It has been discussed in the
previous chapter that firearms identification is based on some imperfections that our
naked eye alone may not be possible to discover. Thus men in search of truth
ultimately developed scientific instruments that would help them identify and prove
in court cases involving ballistics evidence. Identification can only be well established
with the aid of scientific instruments and photographic enlargement. These include
the following:

1. Analytical or Torsion Balance

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2. Bullet Comparison Microscope

3. Bullet Recovery Box

4. Chronograph

5. Caliper

6. CP-6 Comparison Projector

7. Electronic gun marker

8. Helixometer

9. Micrometer

10. Onoscope

11. Shadowgraph

12. Stereoscopic microscope

13. Taper gauge.

Analytical or Torsion Balance

It is an instrument used to determine the weight of bullets and shotgun

pellets for possible determination of the type, caliber, and make of firearm from
which it was fired it is also designed to help solve a problem involving fragmented
bullets that will be very difficult to determine its caliber by measuring its base
diameter.

Bullet Comparison Microscope

It is an optical instrument consisting of two compound microscopes with a

single microscope field or ocular eyepiece capable of viewing two objects side by side
at the same time. It is designed to compare fired bullets or fired shells with test |
bullets or test shells so as to weigh their * individual markings and proved their
identity. A 5” X 7” camera can also be attached to the ocular for the purpose of
photographing the results for court presentation. This is one of the most important
scientific equipment used in the examination of ballistics evidence. Dr. Calvin H.
Goddard introduced its use in the year 1925. This old instrument is now in use for
the examination of fired bullets and fired shells. Although at present @ more
advanced forms of comparison microscopes are already in use, this does not put the
traditional bullet comparison microscope obsolete. The Leica Bullet Comparator with
monitor attachment in which viewing can be made either through the ocular or
through the screen and a printer can likewise be attached for printing purposes.
Another is the forensic digital comparator microscope (also known as the 3-in-1
microscope) which can be used not only in bullet and shell identification but also in
fingerprint comparison and document examination.

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The process by which the result of the microscopic examination will be

brought in the positive sensitized paper is of great importance for court proving. This
process is called photomicrography. It is the process of obtaining a magnified
photograph of a small object showing its minute details by attaching a camera to the
ocular of a compound microscope. This process would give two possible results: (1) A
condition in which two bullets or shells are examined and compared under the same
time, place, level, magnification, direction, and the same image called
“juxtaposition”, and (2) a condition of two specimens which is compared and shows
different image result called “pseudo match’.

Bullet Recovery Box

It is an instrument in the crime laboratory as well as in a firearms company

designed for test firing. It is usually made of a metallic box with 12’°X12”96”
measurements. Some are made from a wooden box with an interior metal
construction filled with ordinary cotton that is separated into sections by cardboard,
illustration board, or a simple paper folder. It is used in a crime laboratory to obtain
test bullets and to safely test shells and ensure that they are obtained without
damage. Other agencies fill the box with sawdust with oil, sand, waste threads, dark,
banana trunk, and rubber strips. However, of all of these materials, cotton is the
most widely used. It is found to be safer for bullets and easy to facilitate their
recovery.

Chronograph

It is an instrument designed to measure the velocity of the bullet.

CP-6 Comparison Projector

The CP-6 Comparison Projector is designed for the same purpose as that of
the bullet comparison microscope; it only differs in the way the viewing is made. In
using this instrument, the burden of viewing the image through the ocular is
eliminated. As a result, making it is less tiring, and photographing can be easier for
the image to be simply projected on the screen.

Caliper

The caliper is one of the simple instruments used in the laboratory design to
measure the caliber of firearms, bullets, and shells. The following are measured in
firearms; the bore diameter, in the bullet, its base diameter, and in the shell, the
diameter of its body or its mouth in some cases

Electronic Gun Marker

It is an instrument used in marking bullets, shells, or firearms.

Heliometer

Helixometer is an instrument that was developed by Colonel Goddard and

Mr. Fisher of the old Forensic Ballistics Bureau. It was developed for the purpose of
examining the bore of the firearm more specifically its pitch of rifling. The Pitch of

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rifling is the distance advance by the rifling of the gun barrel in one complete turn
(360 degrees) which also varies in different firearm manufacturers.

Micrometer

It is used for the same purpose as the caliper.

Onoscope

An onsocope is a small instrument used in the examination of the inner

surface of the barrel in determining the irregularities inside the bore.

Stereoscopic Microscope

It is an instrument used for preliminary examinations of fired bullets and

fired shells to determine the relative class characteristics or for orientation purposes.
It is likewise used for close-up examinations of tampered serial numbers although
unlike the bullet comparison microscope this instrument has no camera attachment,
thus, no photograph can be obtained from it.

Shadowgraph

The shadowgraph also works almost the same as the bullet comparison
microscope. It only differs due to a large circular ground glass that is 14 inches more
or less in diameter, wherein observation and comparison of the class characteristics
is done. It is basically designed for the preliminary determination of firearm
characteristics.

Taper Gauge

It is an instrument designed to measure the diameter of the bore of the

firearm.

Activity

Learning Check

I. Illustrate and briefly explain the different scientific instruments used in

Firearms Identification.

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.

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

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Congratulations for completing this module!

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