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Module
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FORC106

Forensic Ballistics
 
 
 
 
 
College of Criminal Justice Education
BS Criminology
 
 
 
 
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Module No. 13

Preparation of Ballistics Report

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 13 –Preparation of Ballistics Report

Lesson 1 –Introduction -------------------------------------------

Lesson 2 - Definition ----------------------------------------------

Lesson 3 – Preparation of Report -----------------------------

Lesson 4 – Format of Ballistics Report ---------------------

Lesson 5 – Important Parts of Ballistics Report

Writing ------------------------------------------------

Lesson 6 – Purpose of writing ballistics report -----------

Lesson 7 – Mechanic of good report writing ---------------

Lesson 8 – Cardinal principles in report writing ---------

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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.

Hi! I’m Blue Bee, your WPU Mascot.

Welcome to Western Philippines University!

Shape your dreams with quality learning
experience.

STAY SAFE AND HEALTHY!

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

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Introduction

Forensic ballistics involves the examination of evidence from firearms

that may have been used in a crime. When a bullet is fired from a gun, the gun
leaves microscopic marks on the bullet and cartridge case. These marks are like
ballistic fingerprints.

CHAPTER 13

PREPARATION OF BALLISTICS REPORT

LESSON

Learning Outcomes:

At the end of the lesson, you can:

1. Understand the definition, form, important parts, and purpose of writing
of ballistics report;
2. Familiarize yourself with the mechanic and cardinal principles in report
writing; and
3. answer the given exercises in the lesson.

Time Allotment: 2 hours

Discussion:

Preparation of Ballistics Report

INTRODUCTION

Ballistics report writing is significant to the success and failure of the case in
court. The objective of the ballistics report is to prosecute and precisely convict _ the
accused and to give justice to the victim. Hence, it would be fatal on the side of the
prosecution, if there is blatant irreconcilable, inconsistencies or error committed by
the forensic firearms examiner, whose testimony is repugnant or it contradicts his
findings and conclusion.

Definition

A ballistics report is a typewritten report after a critical study of the

specimen, physical examination, and observation of striations through the bullet
comparison microscope. Report writing is a basic activity in police work, thus for
every police action, there must be a corresponding report reaction.

Preparation of a Report

The forensic firearms examiner, before preparing a ballistics report in report

writing, should have already an idea, to include the familiarization of six points of
investigation. One of these is to ascertain whether a particular firearm submitted
for ballistics examination is in working condition. This includes also the

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examination of the said firearm, whether it was recently fired, and is subject to the
examination by the Chemistry section.
When a firearm is submitted for examination, it is important to know
whether the condition of the firearm is serviceable. It is also important that
misfired ammunition should be compared with test-fired ammunition since there
is a firing pin tip marked created in the misfired cartridge, while there are static or
exerted force marks on the test cartridge case.

In a fragmentized bullet, a part of it is submitted to the forensic firearms

examiner, to determine if that fragment is part of the bullet. At the same time, take
note of the individual characteristics of the firearm and compare them with the
recognized standard.

Seven problems or purposes in firearms identification

1. Submitted one bullet — to determine the caliber of the firearm from

which the bullet was fired.

2. Submitted one shell _ to determine the caliber of the firearm from which
the shell was fired.
3. Submitted two bullets — to determine the caliber of the firearm from
which the 2 bullets were fired, and to determine whether the 2 bullets
were fired, from one and the same firearm.

4. Submitted two shells — to determine the caliber of the firearm from

which the 2 shells were fired, and to determine whether the 2 shells were
fired from one and the same firearm.

5. Submitted firearm and one bullet — to determine whether or not the

bullet was fired from the suspected firearm.

6. Submitted firearm and one shell — to determine whether or not the shell
was fired from the suspected firearm.

7. Submitted firearm only — to determine the Serviceability of the

suspected firearm.

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Format for Ballistics Report

Republic of the Philippines

Department of the Interior and Local Government
Philippine National Police
REGIONAL CRIME LABORATORY OFFICE 7
Camp Sotero, Cabahug, Gorordo Ave., Cebu City

BALLISTICS REPORT NO. FAIB -659-2007

CASE: “HOMICIDE” SUSPECT/S: “JUAN TAMAD” VICTIM/S: “MARIA TAMAD”

TIME AND DATE RECEIVED: 1402 Hours, 22 March 2007

REQUESTING PARTY/UNIT: Chief of Police

Toledo City Police Station
Brgy. Pakos, Toledo City

SPECIMEN SUBMITTED:
1. One (1) caliber .38 homemade revolver, Smith and Wesson, nickel
plated, without serial number marked “CRV”.
2. One (1) fired cartridge case of caliber .38 marked “CRV-1”.
3. 3. One (1) fired bullet of caliber .38 marked “CRV-2”.

PURPOSE OF LABORATORY EXAMINATION:

To determine whether or not, specimens marked “CRV1” and “CRV-2” were
fired from the above-mentioned firearms marked “*CRV”.

FINDINGS:
Microscopic examination and comparison of specimens marked “CRV-1”
and “CRV-2” revealed the same individual characteristics with the test cartridge
cases fired from the above-mentioned firearm marked “CRV”.

CONCLUSION:
The specimen marked “CRV-1” and “CRV-2” were fired from the above-
mentioned firearm marked “CRV.”

REMARKS:
The original copy of this report and the specimen submitted are retained in
this Laboratory for future reference.

EXAMINED BY:
ZOSIMO AMPOLOQUIO DUYOGAN
Police Superintendent
Forensic Firearms Examiner

APPROVED
NOTED:
NESTOR APARECIO SATOR
Police Superintendent
Regional Chief

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Important parts of Ballistics Report Writing

1. Ballistics Report Number - this represents the number of cases examined and
the year the case was examined. Ex. FAID-120-10. FAID refers to the office
symbol or initial. The number 120 refers to the last case number, the forensic
firearms examiner, had examined. The number 10 refers to the year the case
was submitted and examined.

If the number of the case and the year number had a discrepancy,
the forensic firearms examiner might be declared incompetent by the court,
and his testimony might be inadmissible as evidence if it can’t be reconciled
through a re-direct examination.

2. Time and Date Received — this is the date actually, the letter request and the
physical evidence were received by the forensic firearms examiner, from the
chemistry personnel, that is if the evidence is a firearm or from the personnel
on duty if the evidence is only a bullet or shell was submitted.

The date and time received should be reflected at the back of the
letter request, and have the duty personnel signed. So that when the defense
counsel will ask, who turn over the firearm?

3. Time and date completed — refers to the time and date the examination and
ballistics report were accomplished. The forensic firearms examiner should be
careful about the date received and the date completed, because if it is
interchanged with the date received and the date completed, the ballistics
report is biased.

4. Specimen Submitted — the specimen should tally with the actual: specimens
itemized, and those specimens reflected in the letter request, otherwise a
problem will crop up, as to the where about of some specimens. To avoid this,
there should be a proper chain of custody, so that, if the specimen is actually
lost, the responsible person can easily be pinpointed.

5. Findings - this is actually the result of what the forensic firearms examiner
observed on the evidence and the test, mounted in the stage plate of the bullet
comparison microscope, whether it is a positive or negative result.

The result is positive, when the evidence and _test specimens have
congruency of striations, meaning, they are fired from one firearm. A negative
result is when the evidence and the test have different individual
characteristics.

6. Conclusion — This is an inference, wherein, it passes already the three stages

in the examination. First, is the preliminary examination, second, is the
confirmation and third is the conclusion. The conclusion should be derived
from the finding as the basis therein. Actually, these three stages are based on
the three standard cartridges for test firing.

The first test-fired cartridge case will be compared with the

evidence, to determine if they have the same striations, the second

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comparison is for confirmation by comparing the evidence and the second

test-fired cartridge case, to find out if the individual characteristics are still
consistent. The last examination will be the third test-fired cartridge case and
the evidence. If both the test and evidence have the same striations, then the
conclusion would be made and the report will be prepared.

Purposes of Writing Ballistics Report

To provide a permanent record of information obtained in the course of

the examination of the case. Then to communicate the information obtained in
an examination of the case, especially the result. Provide other investigators with the
results and furnish evidence as the basis for the continuation of the
investigation, to gather additional physical evidence.

To give opportunity for the Chief, in reviewing the case and work of the
forensic firearms examiner, in determining whether the examination is properly
developed, then provide the proper authorities with a record of facts of the
crime, the name of the perpetrator, names and addresses of witnesses, the nature
and location of physical evidence, and other matters pertaining to the crime.

Mechanics of a Good Report Writing

1. Reports are written records of the facts and events in chronological order,
beginning with the time and date, the place, the parties involved and the
evidence gathered.
2. As much as possible, reports should be typewritten or written in ink. Never
use a pencil in writing a report to avoid obliteration, whether intentional or
accidental.
3. Reports should provide complete names such as; first name, middle name and
family name, address, aliases, and brief bio-data including age and sex of
victims, suspects, witnesses, and other informants.
4. Abbreviations should be avoided except, when commonly used or commonly
known, like Dr., Fr., Atty.
5. Reports should be brief, but not sacrifice clarity of facts contained in the
document or materials that would only lead to confusion. Then it should be
expounded.
6. Every incident or circumstance should be written separately; in the form of a
paragraph and it should be in sequence.
7. Reports should be accurate and should state relevant facts, and not opinions
to be admissible as evidence.
8. Reports should answer the six questions in the cardinal points of
investigation:
a. What offense was committed?
b. When the offense was committed?
c. Where the offense was committed?
d. Who committed the offense?
e. Why the offense was committed?
f. How the offense was committed?

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Cardinal Principles in Report Writing

Report writers should observe, a sound principle of good report writing, as

follows:

1. Accuracy

Is achieved by conforming to the truth of information, which was gained

through physical senses applied in investigation. An investigator should be able to
distinguish the following:
a. Fact from hearsay;
b. Fact from opinion, and;
c. Fact from the conclusion.

2. Completeness

It is achieved by the inclusion of all-relevant, pertinent and material

information, narrating the facts discovered during and in the course of the
investigation. When in doubt, the investigator must verify the following;
a. What information is lacking?
b. What efforts should be made to obtain information?
c. Why the information was not obtained?
d. What must be done to obtain the information lacking?

3. Brevity

It is achieved by excluding unnecessary details not relevant to the statement

of objectives or avoiding repetition of facts from the report, but at the same time
achieving completeness by including all relevant, pertinent, and essential
information surrounding the case.

4. Fairness/Impartiality

It is achieved by reporting detailed facts without any addition or deduction.

the investigator should be consistent with the fact8, keep an open mind not to
conceal any information, and should remain unbiased in the course of the narration
of facts, until the end of the investigation or examination.

5. Fore/Form and Style

Refers to the front part of the report, written in a style that will clearly
presents the relevant facts, and is achieved by arranging the contents of the report in
such a way that it is easy to identify any section, part or items of the materials
presented and their visual arrangements. The arrangement of materials presented,
should be in a manner which will make the report easy to read.

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Activity

Learning Check

I. Prepare a ballistics report and attach your bases in your report.

II. Prepare and briefly explain the ballistics report that you will prepare which
is based on this module.

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.

Congratulations for completing this module!

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