CREED REVIEW CENTER

COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW THROUGH ENHANCED

EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

MODULE 3: CRIMINALISTICS

FORENSIC BALLISTICS

Ballistics is the science of the motion of the projectile and the condition that affects their motion. It is a science in
itself for it is an orderly arranged knowledge, which is a product of series of experimentation, observation and testing. Ballistics
is not an exact science rather it is applied physics or applied science, which is subject to changes and improvement depending
upon the demands of the modern civilization.

Motion refers to the mobility or movement of the projectile from the time it leaves the shell empty, it leaves the gun
muzzle and until it reach its target or fall in the ground.

A projectile is any metallic on non-metallic ball which is propelled from a firearm. Its motion can be categories into
three general types:

Direct motion, Rotatory motion and Translation motion.

3 Types of Motion

1. Direct Motion = is the forward motion of the bullet or shots out of the shell by the action of the expansive
force of gases from a burning gunpowder.
2. Rotatory motion = is the action of the bullet passing through a rifled bore barrel firearm which is either
twisted to the left or to the right.
3. Translational = is the action of bullet once it hits a target and subsequently ricocheted.

Origin of the Word Ballistics

The word Ballistics was derived from two Greek words. The word “ballo” and the word “ballein” which literally mean,
“to throw”.

The term also said to have been derived from the Roman war machine called “Ballista”, a gigantic catapult that was
used to furl missiles or large object at a distance like stone, dead animal or even dead person.

The study of Ballistics in the early age is divided into (3) three Divisions: Internal Ballistics, Exterior or External
Ballistics and Terminal Ballistics. From the time the gun was fired until it reach the target and have its maximum effect. At
present ballistics is branches into four (4) and this is due to its subsequent used in solving problems in connection with the
administration of justice particularly cases involving firearms and ammunition which is termed as Forensic Ballistics.

Branches of Ballistics

1. Interior (Internal) Ballistics = it treats of the motion of the projectile while it is still inside the firearm (chamber /barrel)
which extends from the breech to the muzzle. The conditions attributed to internal ballistics are as follows:

a. Firing pin hitting the primer

b. Ignition of the priming mixture
 The priming mixture (composing of the KCLO3, sulfur and carbon) located either at the cavity rim or at the
center of the primer upon the striking effect of the firing pin will ignite and such action is known as “Percussion
action”.

c. Combustion of the gun powder/powder charge or propellant.

d. Expansion of heated gas.
e. Pressure developed
f. Energy generated
g. Recoil of the gun

Is the equal and opposite reaction of the gun against the forward movement of the bullet upon explosion. The
backward or rearward movement of the gun in relation to the forward movement of the bullet.

Jump is another portion of the recoil action characterized as the backward and upward movement of that
takes place before the bullet leaves the muzzle.

h. Velocity of the bullet inside the barrel

It is the relative speed of the bullet per unit of time while it is still inside the barrel expressed in feet per
second.

i. Rotation of the bullet inside the barrel

j. Engraving of the cylindrical surface of the bullet

2. Exterior (external) Ballistics = treats of the attributes or movement of the projectile after leaving the gun muzzle.

a. Muzzle Blast
Is the noise created at the muzzle point of the gun.

b. Muzzle energy
Energy generated at the muzzle point measured in foot-pound.

c. Trajectory

Refers to the parabola-like flight of the projectile from the time it leaves the muzzle until it hits the target. It is
also described as the actual curve path taken by a bullet during its.

d. Range

It refers to the imaginary straight distance between the muzzle of the gun and the target.

d.1. Accurate Range= the distance within which the shooter or gunner has control of his shots.

d.2. Effective Range = the distance within which when the bullet was fired it is still capable of inflicting fatal
injury.

d.3. Maximum Range= the distance that a projectile can be propelled from a firearm. The farthest distance
the bullet could travel.

e. Velocity
Refers to the rate of speed of the bullet (during its flight) per unit of time usually express is feet per second
(ft/sec.)

f. Pull of Gravity
It is the downward reaction of the bullet towards the earth surface due to its weight.

g. Air Resistance
Refers to the force of the air encounter by the bullet in its flight.
BULLET DROP VS GRAVITY

-If you hung one bullet by the muzzle of a rifle and released this bullet to the ground at the same instant the fired bullet left
the muzzle, on a flat line of trajectory, both bullets would hit the ground at the same instant.

BULLET FIRED UPWARD

-A bullet fired straight up into the air would come back with the same velocity that it had when it started if it were not the air
resistance, but in practice bullet, fired straight upward has little velocity remaining when it return to earth.

- if you feel that you must fire a loaded gun to frighten someone, fire it straight down into the ground so that
it will not bounce straight up into the air.

3. Terminal Ballistics= is that branch of Ballistics which deals with the effects of the impact of the projectile on the target.

a. Terminal Accuracy
It refers to the size of the bullet grouping on the target.

b. Terminal Energy
Is the energy or force of the projectile when it strikes the target same as striking energy.

c. Terminal Velocity
Is the speed of the bullet upon striking the target.

d. Terminal Penetration
Is the depth of entry of the bullet in the target.

4. Forensic Ballistics

This branch of ballistics is the product of the application of the ballistics to law. The idea comes with the used of the
word forensic. The word Forensic was derived from the Latin word “forum” meaning a “market place” where people gathered
for public disputation or public discussion. When used in connection with the word ballistics or other natural science, it
suggests a relationship to the courts of justice or legal proceedings.

Forensic Ballistics is defined as the study of the motion of the projectile as applied to law or simply the science of
firearm identification by means of the ammunition fired through them.

Scope of Forensic Ballistics

a. Field Investigation –refers to the work of an investigation in the field. It concerns mostly with the collection, marking,
preservation, packing and transmission of firearms evidences.

-It includes the study of class characteristics of firearms and bullets

b. Technical Examination – refers to the examiners who examine bullets and/or shells whether fired from the suspected
firearms submitted; and/or to determine also whether or not cartridge cases were loaded or ejected from the
suspected firearm submitted. Reports are made by the examiners and testify in court regarding their report.

c. Legal Proceedings – presentation of Ballistics reports, firearms, bullets, cartridges cases and allied exhibits in court.

The Evolution of Firearms

MEN BEHIND FIREARMS

1. John M. Browning - Wizard of the modern firearms and pioneered the breech loading single shot rifled which was
adopted by Winchester.
2. Samuel Colt - Patented the first practical revolver and maker of the Colt Peace Maker, a famous revolver in the
history.
3. Alexander John Forsyth - Father of the percussion powder.
4. Major Uziel Gal - An Israeli army who designed UZI (Israel) in the year 1950.
 5. Col. Calvin H. Goddard - Father of modern Ballistics.
6. John C. Garand - Designed and invented the Semi automatic U.S. Rifle Cal. 30. M1 garand.
7. George Hyde - A well-known expert in the field of SMG, (also known as grease gun) developed in 1941. M3A1 (USA).
8. Michael Kalashnikov - Designed the AK (Automat Kalashnikova) 47 (Soviet Union) adopted by the Russian Army in
the year 1951.
9. Horace Smith - Founded the great firm of Smith and Wesson and pioneered in making breech loading rifles.
10. Eugene Stoner - Designed the U.S. M16 Armalite under licensed by Colt Company from July 1959 onwards.
11. L.C. Smith - Developed shotgun bearing his name now the Ithaca gun Company.
12. John T. Thompson - Developed in the course of WW1 the Thompson M1A1 and model of 1928 A1 (USA). Pioneered
the making of Thompson sub-machine gun.
13. Daniel B. Wesson - Associates of Horace Smith in the making of Revolver.
14. David “Carbine” Williams - Maker of the first known Carbine.
15. Oliver Winchester - One of the earliest rifle and pistol maker.

IMPORTANT DATES IN THE EVOLUTION OF FIREARMS

1242 A.D. Roger Bacon published the “ De Mirabili Potestate Artis et Naturae” (On the Marvelous Power of Arts and
Nature), which noted Black powder formula.
1498 Introduction of the rifling and sights became better and breech loaders were attempted although never
succeeded yet even multi shots arms due to lack of good ignition system.
1500’s The development of the Wheel Lock, operates in the same principle as the modern day cigarette lighter.
At mid of 1500’s “snaphaunce” was developed.
1575 Paper Cartridge was developed. Ball and powder charged were wrapped in chemically treated paper to
allow the carrying of numerous pre-measured charges or pre loaded rounds.
1750 The development of Breech-loading firearms leading to the making of FERGUSON Rifle of Major Patrick
Ferguson, COLLIER Rifle, which is a flint lock repeating rifle operated on a revolving principle and, the
HALL Rifle patented in 1811 by Col. John Hall and was the 1st breechloader adopted by the U.S. Army.
1805 The Percussion System. Alexander John Forsyth discovered a compound that would ignite upon blow
that would ignite the powder charge. In 1840, it replaces the flintlock ignition and was adopted in 1838 by the
British and in 1842 by the American.
1835 The first real cartridge was developed “The Flobert Cap” same as the BB and was considered the
forerunner of .22 short cartridge.
1835 Samuel Colt patented the first revolver and marketed in 1872, a breech loading revolver.
1836 Pin fire Cartridge, was developed by Le Faucheux. A much real pin fire cartridge was also developed in
the same year by Houiller.
1845 Rim fire cartridge, Flobert developed the BB (bullet breech) cap, which was considered the forerunner of
the .22 cal cartridge. In the same year, New Havens Arms Company owned by Oliver F. Winchester, through
the effort of Tyler Henry developed a .44 cal rim fire cartridge for Henry Rifle.
1846 Smokeless powder was discovered. It was used in shotgun first in the year 1864 by Capt. Eschultze of
Prussian Army and in Rifle by the year 1884 by M. Vieille of France.
1873 Colt Peace Maker, model 1873, .45 cal. The most famous revolver in history and legend was manufactured.
1884 Automatic Machine Gun. Hiram Maxim developed the first fully automatic gun.

Firearms

Legal Definition of Firearm

Firearms or arms as herein used, includes rifles, muskets, carbines, shotgun, pistol, revolvers, and all other deadly
weapons, to which a bullet, ball, shot, shell, or other missiles maybe discharge by means of gun powder or other explosives.
This term also includes air rifle, except such of being of small caliber and limited range used as toys. The barrel of any firearm
shall be considered a complete firearm for all purposes hereof. (Sec 877 Revised Administrative Code/ Sec. 290 national
Internal Revenue Code).
Technical Definition

Firearm is an instrument used for the propulsion of projectile by means of the expansive force gases coming from
burning gunpowder. (FBI manual of Firearms Identification).

A. Classification of Firearms

A. Two General Classification of Firearms

 (According to Interior Barrel Construction)

1.Smooth Bore Firearms = Firearms that have no rifling (lands and grooves) inside their gun barrel.
Examples: Shotguns and Musket

Musket
an ancient smooth bore weapon designed to shoot a single round lead ball. They are considered a muzzle loading
firearms.

Matchlock musket
came into being about the end of the first quarter of the Fifteenth century.

Flintlock musket
was first introduced at the beginning of the eighteenth century.

2. Rifled Bore Firearms = Firearms that have rifling inside their gun barrel.
Examples: Pistols, Revolvers, and other modern weapons.

B. Main Types of Firearms

(According to the Caliber of the projectile propelled)

1. Artillery = Refers to those type of firearms that propels projectile with more than one inch diameter.
Examples: Cannons, Mortars and Bazookas:

2. Small Arms = Are firearms that propels projectile with less than one inch diameter and it can be handled, moved and
operated by one man.
Examples: Machine gun, shoulder arms and handguns.

2.1 Machine guns

Is any weapon which shoots, or is designed to shoot, automatically or semi-automatically more than one shot, without
manual reloading, by a single press of the trigger.
Machine gun is a type of firearm that is primarily designed for military use. Even in investigation of shooting
cases done in the city, it is not usual or common to encounter this type of firearm having been used. It can be grouped
in three general types:

Sub Machine Gun

Is a light, portable form of machine gun, utilizing a pistol size ammunition, having a shoulder stock
that may or may not be folded and designed to be fired with both hands.

Shoulder Arms

Shoulder Arms are those types of firearm that were normally fired from the shoulder.

Rifles= A shoulder weapon designed to fire a projectile with more accuracy through a long rifled bore barrel, usually more
than 22 inches.

Carbine = A short barrel rifle, with its barrel rifle, measuring not longer than 22 inches. It fires a single projectile though a rifle-
bore either semi-automatic or fully automatic, for every press of the trigger.

Muskets = is an ancient smoothbore and muzzle loading military shoulder arms designed to fire a shots or a single round
lead ball. A more detailed discussion of musketeers can be found on chapter 8 in the discussion of ignition system.

Shotgun = A smooth bore and a breech loading shoulder arms designed to fire a number of lead pellets or a shots in one
charge (FBA Manual)

The barrel construction of shotgun may also be found in different bore construction.

A. cylinder bore type = which the bore size is the same throughout the barrel
 B. choke bored gun = designed with a diminishing or reducing bore diameter type towards the muzzle. This type
is designed to cause an effect to the travel of the shots. It makes the shots travel longer before it spreads.

C. “paradox gun”.= still in a very rear occasions another type of shotgun can be observed to be having rifling only
a few inch from its muzzle points.

2.3 Handguns = those type of firearms that are designed or intended to be fired using one hand.
Ex. Pistols and Revolvers

a. Pistol

In early firearm history, all handguns are generally called as pistols. The word pistol owes its origin to either the Italian
city of Pistoia, or Pistole, a coin that was supposed to be the same diameter as the bore of the weapon.
There were three classes of pistols in the period. The single shot pistol, the semi automatic and the revolving
pistols now known as the revolver.

The most powerful handgun in the world is once considered MAGNUM .44 now caliber .50 manufactured in Israel.
The word “MAGNUM” originated in England.

2.7 MM KOLIBRI AUTO

is the smallest centerfire cartridge of commercial manufacture it was used it the equally small Kolibri semi-auto
pistol introduced about 1914.

b. Revolver
Revolver is a type of firearm designed to position cartridge into position for firing with the aid of a rotating
cylinder serving as its chamber. There are two types of revolvers according to its mechanical firing action.

Single action, a type of revolver that needs a manual cocking of the hammer before squeezing the trigger
and the other is Double action, a type of revolver that does not need manual cocking. Just press the trigger and it
both cocked and released the hammer causing a much faster firing.

HOW DID THE GUN GET ITS NAME?

Before guns were invented, there were many types of spring-driven catapults that hurled large stones: the
springal, the trebuchet, the arbalest and a wheeled catapult known as a mangonel. These were all known as gyns, a now
obsolete shortening of the word, engine. It is possible that gun came from gyn, but it is much more probable that it derived
from mangonel which was familiarly known in the early medieval days as a gonne. All this catapults threw stones and so did
the early powder-loaded cannons.

C. Types of Firearms

(According of Mechanical Construction)

1. Single shot firearms = types of firearms designed to fire only one shot every loading.
Examples: Single shot pistols, Revolvers and shotguns.

2. Repeating Arms = A type of firearms designed to fire several loads (shot) in one loading.
Examples: Automatic pistols revolvers rifles and shotguns.

3. Automatic F/A = type of firearms that constitutes a continuous firing in a single press of the trigger and while the trigger
is press.

Examples: Machine guns and rifles

4. Slide Action type = types of firearms in which loading take place by back and forth manipulation of the under/over
forearms of the gun.
Examples: Shotgun and pistols
 5. Bolt Action Type = Type of firearms in which reloading takes place by manipulating the both back and forth.
Examples: Rifles, shotguns and machine guns.

6. Lever type (Break type) = loading takes place by lever action on the firearms.
Examples: Rifles and shotguns.

ACCORDING TO POWER AND FLIGHT SPEED

a. LOW-POWERED FIREARM
firearms using cartridges giving a muzzle velocity of less than 1850 ft/sec

b. HIGH-POWERED FIREARM
firearms using cartridges giving a muzzle velocity between 1925 and 2500 ft/sec

c. HIGH-INTENSITY FIREARM
firearms using cartridges giving a muzzle velocity of over 2500 ft/sec

Miscellaneous Types of Gun

1. Cane gun, knife pistols, cellphone gun, etc. = devices principally designed for other purpose to which a gun
mechanism is incorporated also called as Freakish gun.
2. Flare gun = designed for tracing or sending signals or locating enemy troops.
3. Freakish gun = a tool in which firearm mechanism is attached to prevent easy identification.
4. Gas gun = generally referring to all gun designed from firing tear gas.
5. Harpoon guns = refers to a barbed spear in hunting large fish.
6. Liberator = U.S. government made smooth bore gun used in Europe during war designed to fire an automatic colt
pistol cartridge caliber .45.
7. Multi –Barreled gun = refers to all types of gun containing a number of barrels.
8. Paradox gun = a type of gun which contains lands and grooves a few inch from the muzzle point.
9. Tools = are those devices which resembles a gun designed but are generally used for construction of furniture
10. Traps = refers to gun used for trapping animals that are fired to woods
11. Zip Gun = refers to all type of home made gun.

Nomenclatures and corresponding Functions of Firearms

1. Revolver
a. Barrel assembly
b. Cylinder assembly
c. Frame or receiving group
2. Pistol
a. Barrel assembly
b. Slide Assembly
c. Frame or receiver group
3. Rifle
a. Barrel Assembly
b. Magazine Assembly
c. Stock group
4. Shot Gun
a. Barrel Assembly
b. Magazine Assembly
c. Stock group

Their Functions
 a. Barrel - initiates the path of the bullet
b. Frame - houses the parts
c. Cylinder - Serves a chamber and magazine
d. Yoke - connecting pivot between the cylinder and frame
e. Extractor - Pulls the empty cases from the cylinder simultaneously
f. Extractor spring - returns the extractor and holds it within cylinder
g. Extractor rod - activates the extractor and is a locking device
h. Center pin - serves as a locking device for the cylinder pin
i. Center pin Firing - holds the center pin in a locked position
j. Side plate - provides access to the internal part
k. Side plate screw - holds the slide plate and yoke in place
l. Hammer block - safety device that prevents hammer blow to primer
m. Double action gear - strikes the blow the initiates or ignites the primer
n. Bolt - disengages center pin to allow opening of cylinder and blocks hammer
o. Thumb piece - activates bolt to release the cylinder
p. Hand -rotates the cylinder when the hammer is cocked
q. Cylinder stop - stops and holds the cylinder in the alignment for firing
r. Trigger - activates the parts necessary to fire the weapon
s. Trigger guard - guards the trigger from unnecessary action
t. Rebound slide - return trigger, activates hammer blocks and locks hammer
u. Trigger spring - provides energy for return movement rebound slide
v. Trigger lever - provides energy to the hammer
w. Mainspring - contacts rebound slide to return trigger forward
x. Strain screw - control the tension on mainspring
Y. Trigger stop - prevent excessive rearward travel after hammer release

Ammunition
Legal Definition

Ammunition refers to loaded shell for rifles, muskets, carbine, shotgun, revolvers and pistols from which a ball, shot
shell or other missiles maybe fired by means of gun powder or other explosive. The term also includes ammunition for air
rifles as mentioned elsewhere in the code. (Chapter VII, Sec.290 of NIRC as well as Sec 877 RAC)

Technical Definition

Ammunition refers to a group of cartridge or to a single cartridge. Cartridge is a complete unfired unit consisting of
bullet (ball), primer (cap), cartridge case (shell) and gunpowder (propellant).
Origin

The word cartridge was derived from the Latin word “Charta” meaning – a “paper” and also from the French word
“Cartouche” meaning – a rolled paper. This only indicates that the first type of cartridge was made up of a rolled paper. It
was about the turn of the 16th century that the term “cartridge” comes to use.

A. General types of Ammunition

a. Dummy ( used as a model)

b. Drill Ammunition (without gun powder)
c. Black Ammunition (without bullet)
d. Live Ammunition

B. Classification of Cartridge

I. According to the Location of the Primer

a. Pin-Fire = is a type of cartridge in which the ignition cap (primer) is concealed inside the cartridge case and
has a pin resting upon it.
 b. b. Rim fire = is a type of cartridge in which the priming mixture is located at the hallow rim of the case can
be fired if the cartridge is tuck by the firing pin on the rim of the case (cavity rim).

c. Center fire = t refers to a cartridge in which primer cup (ignition cap) is centrally placed in the base of the
cartridge case and the priming mixture is exploded by the impact of the firing pin and with the support of the
anvil.

II. According to Rim Diameter

1. RIMMED TYPE
--- the diameter of the rim is slightly greater than the diameter of the body of the cartridge case. e.g. caliber .25, .32 auto,
super .38.

3. RIMLESS TYPE
--- the diameter of the rim is smaller than the diameter of the body of the cartridge case. e.g. caliber 8 mm x 59.

4. REBATED TYPE
--- the diameter of the rim is smaller than the diameter of the body of the cartridge case. e.g. caliber 8 mm x 59.

5. BELTED TYPE
--- there is a protruding metal around the body of the cartridge case near the rim. e.g. caliber 338 magnum, 13.9 x 99.

III. CLASSIFICATION ACCORDING TO CASESHAPE

1. Straight – all rimmed shell and most centerfire revolver cartridges. Ex. Cal. 38 special
2. Tapered – very rare but being used in so-called “magnum jet” Cal. .22.
3. Bottleneck – ex. 5.56mm cartridge cases
4. Belted – ex. .30 magnum

IV. CLASSIFICATION OF AMMUNITIONS ACCORDING TO ITS EFFECTS

1. penetrators - pierce targets using a single bullet,

2. high explosives - burst before hitting their target, fragmenting into thousands of penetrating pieces or becoming a
high-speed jet of molten metal, and
3. carrier projectiles - break open near the target to deliver leaflets, radar-deceiving materials, or submunitions
(small ammunition).

IV. According Caliber

Caliber

--- term used to indicate the bore diameter measured from two opposite lands.

Calibers in cartridges in inches and their approximate equivalent in mm and use:

THREE SYSTEMS OF MEASURING CALIBER

a) English system – expressed in thousandths of an inch ( cal. 380)

b) American system – expressed in hundredths of an inch ( cal. 38 )
c) European or continental system – expressed in millimeter.
Inches MM.
Cal. .22 about 5.59 mm- used in revolver, pistol and rifles
Cal. .25 about 6.35 mm- used in pistols and rifles.
Cal. .30 about 7.63 mm- (mauser) – for carbines and other rifles
Cal. .30 about 7.63 mm (luger)
Cal. .32 about 7.65 mm for automatic pistols and revolvers
 Cal. .380 about 9 mm- used for pistols
Cal. .357 used in magnum .357 revolvers
Cal. .45 about 11 mm – used in automatic pistols
Cal. .50 used in .50 cal. Machine gun

Note:
a. To convert millimeter calibration to inches, multiply the caliber in millimeters by 0.03937 or divide by 25.4.

b. To convert inches calibration to millimeters, multiply the caliber in inches by 25.4 or divide by 0.03937.

Caliber .250- 3000

--- 3000 is the muzzle velocity of the bullet in feet per second. The .250 is the caliber in thousandths of an inch.

Caliber .30 - 06
--- the ‘ 06 is the shortened form of 1906. the year when the cartridge was introduced. The .30 is the caliber.

Caliber .30 - 30
--- the second 30 refers to the weight in grains of smokeless powder first loaded in this cartridge when it was introduced.

Caliber 7.92 x 57mm.

--- the 57mm. Is the measurement of the case length and 7.92 mm is the caliber.

Shotgun Shell

A shotgun shell is a single unit of ammunition for shot gun. It consist of a tabular case, either in paper or metal, with a metallic
base, containing the primer, propellant or powder, wads and shots or pellets. It is in general larger than those used in pist ol,
revolvers and rifles; it is to function from smooth bores capable of withstanding far less pressure. It is necessary in shot gun
shells to have fast burning powder that will not be too high on initial pressure.

Shot ballistics – a branch of ballistic which deals with the study about shotgun and shotgun ammunition.

Shotgun Cartridge

It refers to a complete unit of unfired cartridge consisting of the pellets, primer, case, wads and gunpowder .

Gauge of Shotgun

Compared with other types of firearms, shotgun has very unique characteristics in terms of its diameter designation both
for its firearm and cartridge use. The unit of measurement used in shotgun is expressed in Gauge. This is determined by the
number of solid lead balls of pure lead, each with diameter of the barrel that can be prepared from one pound of lead. At
present the 10-gauge shotgun is considered with the biggest diameter while the .410 as the smallest one. Listed below are
the equivalents of diameter in gauge to inch.

Gauge Inch
10 .775 inch
12 .729 inch
16 .670 inch
20 .615 inch
28 .550 inch
.410 .410 inch

Types of Shots

1. Soft or Drop Shots = made by pure or nearly pure lead, to which a small amount of arsenic has been added to
make it take on the form of a spherical drop as it falls down the shot tower. This type is easy to deformed or flattened,
loose their velocity quicker, low penetrating power and string out more.

2. Chilled or Hard Shot = is a type of shot with a small amount of antimony mixed with lead to increase hardness. It
does no deform easily, better patterns, less string and more uniform velocity and penetration.
 3. Coated or Plated Shot = also called as “lubaloy” shot. A chilled shot coated with thin copper through electroplating
design for greater strength and elasticity, great resistance to deformation and leading and better pattern.

Buck Shot = a large size lead shot for used in shotgun

Bullets

The word “Bullet” was derived from French word “Boullette” which means a small ball. This term is generally used
when we are referring to projectile fired from any small arms, which has a variety of form, especially during the earlier history.
In a more technical sense, bullet refers to a metallic or non-metallic cylindrical ball propelled from a firearm it is sometimes
called as shots or slugs.

Bullets have various types depending upon their specific nature and purpose. In general bullet can be classified as
either Lead or Jacketed.

General Types of Bullets

1. Lead Type – is a type of a bullet that is basically composed of lead metal. Its used was due to its
density; having a good weight is a small size and easy for casting.

2. Jacketed Type – Is a type of bullet consisting of the regular lead core, coated with a copper alloy in
order to prevent lead
fouling of the barrel and is generally used in pistols and other high power guns.

According to their Maximum Effect to their targets

1. Ball Type – Is a type of bullet, which is intended for anti-personnel and general use.
2. Armor piercing – is a type of military bullet designed to penetrate light steel armor. Its mechanical construction
makes it capable of penetrating through some light vehicles.
3. Explosive Bullet - Is a small bullet containing a charge of explosive, which will detonate on impact.
4. Incendiary Bullet –Type of military bullet used to cause fire in a target, generally designed to use by aircraft
armament in order for the fuel tanks to ignite.
5. Tracer Bullet – a type of military bullet capable of leaving visible marks or traces while in flight giving the gunner the
chance to observe the strike of the shot or make adjustments in the event of a miss

Cartridge Case

Cartridge Case is the metallic or non-metallic tabular container usually of brass (70% copper and 30% zinc) designed
to unite the bullet, primer and the gunpowder into one unit. It is also known as shell or casing.

Functions of the Cartridge Case

1. It locates the bullet properly relative to the bore of the firearm.

2. It is used to carry the means of ignition.
3. It provides gas seals at the breech against an unwanted escape of propellant gas upon firing.
4. Serves as waterproof container for the propellant or powder charge.
5. Acts as the insulator between the propellant and the hot walls of the chamber in a rapid firing of firearms.

Parts of the Cartridge Case

1. Base= the bottom portion of the cartridge case which contains the head stamp marking on the base of the shell
containing the caliber, manufacturer and in some cases including the date, trade name, and batch number.
2. Rim= is the part of the cartridge designed to limit the forward movement of the cartridge to chamber.
3. Extracting grooves= is the circular groove near the rim of the shell designed for automatic withdrawal of the case
from the chamber.
4. Primer Pocket=is that part of the shell which provides the means for the primer to be put in the central position. Its
function is extended to: (a) hold the primer in place; (b) to provide means to prevent the escape of gas; (c) to provide
solid support for primer anvil.
6. Body= is the cylindrical part of the shell which house the gunpowder.
 7. Shoulder= that part of the cartridge case which support the neck of the cartridge which is evident in a bottleneck
type.
8. Cannelure= is the cylindrical groove in the outer surface of the cartridge case designed to secure the shell to the
chamber as well as prevent bullet from being push down to the powder charge. In some instance it is even being
utilized for identification.
9. Neck= is that part of the shell which is actually occupied by the bullet. This is obvious in a bottleneck type of shell but
not with the straight type.
10. Crimp= is the cylindrical groove on the mouth of the shell designed for two purposes: One (1) is to hold the bullet
and prevent it from being pull out from the shell and Two (2) to offers resistance to the bullet out of the neck to ensure
burning of the gun powder.
11. Vent or Flash hole= is the hole at the bottom of the primer pocket as the passage way for the priming mixture to
impart an ignition to the propellant charge.

Primer

Primer (also called CAP) is the ignition system of the cartridge used in a center fire type, containing a highly sensitive
chemical compound that would easily ignite or bursts into flame when struck by the firing pin. It may either be Berdan or Boxer
type. It is also known as the percussion cup.

TYPES OF PRIMER ACCORDING TO NUMBER OF FLASH HOLE / VENT

1. Boxer primer (one flash hole) – favorite in U.S. invented by Col. Edward Munier Boxer in 1869.
2. Berdan (European Type) – two flash holes or vents invented by Hiram Berdan of New York in 1850’s.

THE COMPOSITION OF A PRIMER

1. Potassium Chlorate - 45%

2. Antimony Sulfide - 23%
3. Fulminate of Mercury - 32%

Parts of the Primer

1. Primer Cup= Is the brass gilding metal cup which contains the priming mixture, the disc and the anvil.
2. Priming Mixture= Is the highly sensitive chemical compound which ignites by the mechanical blow of the firing pin. It
is also called as percussion powder.
3. Anvil= Is that portion of the primer which provides solid support and absorbs the blow of the firing pin causing friction
that would initiates ignition.
4. Disc= Is a thin paper or foil which is pressed over the priming mixture in order to protect it from moisture attack.

Gun Powder

Gunpowder (also called as propellant or Power Charge) is that mixture of chemicals of various compositions
designed to propel the projectile by means of its expansive force of gas when burned.

Two of the most popular individual whose name is always attached to gunpowder discovery were Roger Bacon and
Berthold Schwartz. Let’s take a short description of how their names are always mentioned in the history.

Roger Bacon, (1242 A.D.) a Franciscan monk, who wrote the ---“De Mirabili Potestate Artis et Naturae” (On the
Marvelous Power of Art and Nature), including an anagram.

Berthold Schwartz (whose real name was Constantin Anklitzen), a mysterious monk of Freiburg, who according
to legend that is supported by an engraving dated 1643, while experimenting on some powder in a cast iron vessel, he ignited
a charge and thus blew off the lid, and from this deduced the principle of containing a charge in a tube and propelling a shot
(Encyclopedia of ammunition).

The Black Powder

Black powder, the oldest known explosive, was initially made from saltpeter (75%), charcoal (15%) and sulfur (10%).

These problems in the used of black powder was later remedied with the introduction of the smokeless powder.
According to Harrison, Captain E. Schultze of the Prussian Army, made the 1st successful used of smokeless powder in
shotgun in the year 1864. (Although historically nitroglycerine compound was first discovered in 1846). The basic ingredient
used for smokeless powder is a nitrocellulose that was first produced by adding a nitric acid to cellulose fiber.

Later, M. Vieille of French developed the first smokeless powder for riffle in the year 1884 and named it “poudre B”
taken after Gen. Boulanger’s name. In 1887, Alfred Nobel invented a smokeless powder with nitroglycerine ( 40%0 and
nitrocellulose (60%) as the main composition and called it “Ballistite”. In Great Britain, they utilized picrid acid in addition to
cellulose powder which they called “Lyddite” and in germany TNT (Tri-nitrololeune ) was the one used, more powerful than
picric acid but much difficult to detonate. Also In the year 1889, Prof. Abel, a British War dept. Chemist developed “Cordite” a
smokeless powder with same composition as Nobel in the form of cords or sticks. And in early 1890’s smokeless powder had
replaced black powder and became uniformly used worldwide by the year 1900.

Firearms Characteristics

Stages in the manufacture of barrel

A. Drilling
B. Reaming
C. Rifling

This process necessary for the making of the helical groves inside the barrel and such can be performed in any of the
following methods:

1. Hook – cutter system (cutter)

2. Scrape – cutter system (scraper)
3. Broaching system – (broach)
4. Button – system (button)

D. Lapped

The Breech face

Just like any barrel of every firearm, the breech face also bears with it the same important.

Types of Characteristics in Firearms

A. Class Characteristics = are those properties or attributes of a firearms which can be determined even before the
manufacture of the gun. This is true for such characteristics are considered to be a manufacture’s designs or specifications
and security.
Class Characteristics of Firearms

1. Bore diameter (caliber or gauge) it is diameter to which the bore was reamed. The distance measured between two
opposite lands inside the bore in a hundredths or thousandths of an inch. In most express in either caliber in in ch or
in millimeters.
2. Number of lands and grooves = the number of lands an grooves inside the barrel of a given firearm are always the
same or equal. It may run from 3 to 8, but the most in the modern firearm are five and six.
a. Lands = are the elevated portion of the bore of the firearm.
b. Grooves = are the depressed portion of the bore between the lands.
3. Width of the lands = is dependent upon the bore diameter of the gun, grooves, width and number. The lands
are the remainders of the circumference after subtracting all the grooves width.
4. Width of the Grooves = is measured as the shortest distance between the two dies or edge of a grooves.
5. Direction of Twist = rifling inside the barrel of the gun is either twisted to the left or to the right which cause bullet
to rotate as it passes through the bore, in order to ensure gyroscopic stability in its flight.
6. Pitch of Rifling = it is the measure of the twisting of the lands and grooves. It refers to the measure of the
distance advance by the rifling in order to make a complete turn inside the barrel.
7. Depth of the Grooves = the groove’s depth if measured on a radius of the bore. Grooves are usually few
thousandths of an inch deep, which equal to the height of the lands.

B. Individual Characteristics = are meant for those characteristics which are being determined only after the firearm
was already been manufactured. They are the product of machine imperfections and some later due to the used of the
firearms.
 Types of Rifling

1. Steyer Type= is the type of rifling having four (4) lands and grooves, right twist and the width of the lands grooves.
(4 RG=L)
2. Carbine Type = rifling having (4) lands and grooves, right twist, the width of the grooves is two (2) times the width
of the lands (4RG2X).
3. Smith and Wesson = rifling having (5) lands and grooves, right hand twist , the width of the land and grooves
are equal. (5RG=L)
4. Colt = type of rifling having six (6) lands and grooves, left twist, the width of the grooves is twice (2) the width of
the lands. (6LG2X)
5. Browning = type of rifling having (6) lands and grooves, right hand twist, the width of the grooves is twice the
width of the lands. (6RG2X)
6. Webley = Rifling having seven (7) lands and grooves, right hand twist, the width of the groove is three time larger
than the boarder of the lands. (7RG3X)
7. Winchester = Rifling having six (6) lands and grooves, right hand twist, the width of the grooves is three time
larger the width of the lands.

Individual Characteristics in Firearms

Individual Characteristics in firearms are usually determined by the test firing which will give us both the test
bullet and the test shell that will show the individuality of its property based on the left marks on every bullet and shell
fired from it. Such marks are so minute that the use of the lens with high magnification is necessary to discover
individuality.

Marks found of Fired Bullets

1. Land Marks = marks left on a fired bullet caused by its contact to the elevated portion (lands) of the bore
of the firearm. It appears as slight depressions or scratches the cylindrical surface of the fired bullet.
2. Groove Marks = marks found on a fired bullet caused by the grooves of the barrel which is the same number
as that of the landmarks.

3. Skid Marks = Marks that are generally found on fired bullet from a revolver. It is more or less located at the
anterior portion of the fired bullet due to its forward movement from the chamber to the barrel of the gun before it
initially rotates.
Groove
4. Stripping Marks = marks found on those bullet fired from a “loose-fit” barrel
Mark
wherein the rifling are already
been badly worn-out.

Worn-out in the rifling of the firearms can be cause by either chemical reaction brought about by rust (corrosion)
or through excessive use (erosion)

5. Shaving Marks = marks commonly found on bullet fired from a revolver cause by its forward movement to the
barrel that is poorly aligned to the cylinder.

6. Slippage Marks = marks found on fired bullets passing through either on oily or oversize barrel.

Marks found on Fired Shells

1. Firing Pin Mark = mark generally found at the base portion of the cartridge case more specifically near center of the
primer cup in a center fire cartridge or at the rim cavity of a rim-fire cartridge. Considered as one of the most important
marks for identification of firearms using fired shell.
2. Breech Face Mark = mark found at the base portion of the shell cause by backward movement to the breech face of
the block of the firearm.
3. Extractor Mark = mark mostly found at the extracting groove of the fired cartridge case. Cause by its withdrawal from
the chamber.
4. Ejector mark = mark generally found on cartridge case fired from an automatic firearms. It is located near the rim of
the case cause by the throwing of shell from the firearm to the area of shooting.
5. Shearing Mark = sometimes called “Secondary Firing Pin mark” found in the primer near the firing pin mark.
6. Magazine Lip Mark = marking found at the two sides of the rim cause by the magazine lips during the loading of the
cartridge into the magazine for firing.
7. Chamber Mark = mark mostly found around the body of the fired cartridge case cause by the irregularities of nips
inside the walls of the chamber.
 a. In fired cartridge case either of the Firing pin mark and the Breech face marks can be used as basis for
identification, in the absence or none use of these two, both the ejector and extractor marks can be utilized
as secondary choice.

Problems in Forensic Ballistics

1. Given a fired bullet to determine the caliber, type; make of 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.
3. Given a fired bullet and a suspected firearm, to determine whether or not the fired bullet was fired from the suspected
firearm.
4. Given a fired shell and a suspected firearm, to determine whether or not the fired bullet was fired from the suspected
firearm.
5. Given two or more fired bullets, to determine whether or not they were fired from one and the same firearm.
6. Given two or more fired shell/cartridge case, to determine whether or not they were fired from one and the same
firearm.

Scientific Instruments Used in Firearms Identification

1. Analytical or Torsion Balance

The instrument used to determine the bullet diameter and barrel length.

2. Bullet Comparison Microscope

-This valuable instrument is especially designed to permit the firearms examiner to determine the similarity and
dissimilarity between two fired cartridge cases by simultaneously observing their magnified image. It is actually two
microscope couple together with a single or two eyepiece, so that when one looks through this comparison eyepiece, he
is seeing one half of what is under the other – in other words, half of the evidence bullet and half of the test bullet.

3. Bullet Recovery box

This is generally used in the preliminary examinations of fired bullets and fired shells. To determine the location
of the extractor marks and ejector marks for orientation purposes. It can be used also in the close-up examination
of tampered serial numbers of firearms.

4. Chronograph
For determining the speed of the bullet or the muzzle velocity of the bullet.

5. Caliper
The instrument determine the bullet diameter and barrel length.

6. CP-6 Comparison Projector

7. Electronic Gun marker
8. Helixometer
For examining the interior surface of the gun barrel.

9. Micrometer
10. Onoscope
For examining the interior surface of the gun barrel.
11. Shadowgraph
12. Stereoscopic Microscope
This is generally used in the preliminary examinations of fired bullets and fired shells. To determine the location
of the extractor marks and ejector marks for orientation purposes. It can be used also in the close-up examination of
tampered serial numbers of firearms.

13. Taper Gauge

Used for determining the bore diameter of the firearm.

Procedure in collection, identification and preservation of physical evidence

1. Once an officer has taken evidence into his possession, he must be able to establish its chain of custody until;
a. The same presented in court
b. Or return it to the victim or suspect, as the case maybe.
 2. It is necessary to be able to establish where the evidence has been at all times.
a. If the officer expects to overcome questions
b. Ant to impress to the judge or court that the evidence has been properly protected.
3. If the evidence is out of the officers control for any period of time, he must be able to establish;
a. Who had the evidence
b. When it was returned

Collection of physical evidence

DON’T M-A-C THE EVIDENCE:

M – utilate; A – lter the nature, and C – contaminate

When collecting physical evidence, the officer or investigator should collect at all articles which are, or may at some
future date, be something of value as evidence. These articles consist of;
a. Any physical object which may tend to show or indicate whether or not a crime was committed, and ,
b. Anything which may connect some particular persons with the crime or crime scene.
Designation of investigating officer to collect all evidence
a. Making the introduction of exhibits in courts simpler, and
b. Being able to keep better records, and remember where, where and what was collected, which is much better if several
men have to handle the same exhibits.
Great care of physical evidence
The key word is, do not “MAC” the evidence
1. Mutilated
2. Alter
3. Contaminate

Sketching and photographing the crime scene

The crime scene should sketched and photograph. Photograph should be taken of the victim, and all other suitable
articles like weapon, bullets, shells, holes ,and many other related evidence ,before removing them.
Procedure of proper packing of firearms or weapons, bullets and shells
1. After marking the physical evidence, it must be wrapped securely in some soft material .
It should always be placed in a suitable container to prevent any further or needless mutilation;
2. Never under any circumstances, place a discharge or fired bullet in you’re in clothing or pocket without first carefully
wrapping it with some it some protective covering.
3. Regarding bullets which are lodge in walls, furniture, wood trims, or even trees, extreme care must be exercised out in
removing this evidence. Do not attempt to dig out the evidence bullet with knife, or ice pick, rather cut around the evidence
in order not to touch it with anything that would not tend to mark it. In such a case, it is better to split open the wood
along the grain unit until the bullet falls free. If the procedure is impossible and difficult, bring a section of wood or tree
to the laboratory intact and it will be removed in the laboratory.
4. If the bullet or slug has broken up into many fragments or pieces, secure as many fragments as possible. These
fragments may be fitted together which may aid in some other ways.
5. If cartridge cases or shells are found at the crime scene, after marking them, they should be preserved as carefully as
possible,
6. If cartridge cases are found and appear loaded in a weapon, it is best to transport said weapon to the laboratory as it is,
with the exception that a “tag” be secured to the weapon labeled “Danger,
Loaded Weapons”
7. If security reasons, the weapon must be unloaded, the investigator should carefully mark each cartridge and cartridge
case together with the location of its origin.
8. When a firearm is found at the scene of the crime, the investigator should take note of the following pertinent facts about
the firearm.
9. When a bullet or bullets are found at the crime it should be labeled.
10. When shell or shells are found at the scene of the crime, the following should be noted down.

State the Proper Procedure in picking up a firearm

 In picking up a firearm suspected to have been used in the commission of a crime, an investigator or any police officer at the
scene of the crime should do so by means of handkerchief or small string inserted through the trigger guard of the gun. He must
see to it that the muzzle end of the barrel is not pointed towards him, nor it is pointed to anyone in the vicinity of the crime. Much
more if the suspected firearm is a revolver and is in “cocked position “, that is the hammer is pulled back into a firing position. In
here, there is always a danger of a little amount of jarring when picking the gun that might cause it to fire which will result in
another or unnecessary shooting.
Proper procedure in picking up a Cocked Revolver
In picking up of a “cocked revolver” it must be made through the means of inserting a handkerchief of string through the
trigger guard, a piece of carton, or a piece of paper should be inserted or placed in front of the hammer and then click the trigger
of the revolver.

Importance of the markings of physical evidence

Firearm evidence of any kind including bullets and fired shells, should be properly marked or labeled for purposes of the
court of justice, that is , to convince the court that the evidence presented is material and credible enough to sustain the conviction
of the accused.
In effect, the following are the most important reasons for the marking of evidence.
1. The officer may called to the witness stand several weeks or months later, or even years later after the commission of
the crime, to identify the objects he collected at the time of the offense.
2. The officer cannot completely rely on his memory because there will many more cases that he will handle after every
case, and
3. Defense counsel may require that the complete “chain of custody of evidence” be established.
Procedural steps in marking the evidence
1. Used a distinctive mark in order to exclude others, such as your initials, serial numbers or personal marks.
2. Record the mark used together with the position of the mark,
3. Record any serial number or other distinctive marks found on the physical evidence.
4. If ever possible, mark the object itself with due care in order to avoid any damage or alteration.
5. Do not forget to mark the container where the physical evidence is placed notwithstanding the marking already on the
object itself, and
6. Whenever tags are used, make corresponding entry in it and attach it accurately on the subject.
How to mark firearm Evidence
1. Bullet – the bullet or slug should be marked by the investigator or police officer who recovers it with his initials on the
nose or base as the case maybe, together with the corresponding date of recovery.
2. Fired shells – the initials of the recovering investigator together with the date of recovery should be made just on the
inside and near the mouth with a sharp and metallic instrument. However, this is not possible;
3. the initial mark with the corresponding date should be made along the side near the mouth.
4. Firearms –any suspected firearm should be marked by the investigator or police officer who recovered it, with his initials
and corresponding date, or any of the three main and separable parts- barrel, cylinder and frame, in case of revolver,
and barrel , slide, frame or receiver, in case of a pistol. Of course, this is done without utter disregard of taking down the
serial number of the item.
Don’ts in marking of firearm, bullet and shell
1. Never use “X” as initial identifying mark.
2. Do not put any identifying mark in cylindrical or peripheral surface of any bullet or slug.
3. Do not put any identifying mark on the base of a shell.
4. Do not put any identifying mark on any separable part of a firearm.

Rules in preserving Physical Evidence

1. Should be properly preserved for the future identification and presentation during the trial of the case.
2. Firearm evidence must be kept in proper place and under proper conditions so that they will be of greatest value in the
final prosecution of the case,
3. Fired bullets and shells, after having been marked, should be wrapped in tissue paper and sealed in a pill box,
4. The container should be properly labeled or marked;
5. Each article of evidence should placed in a separate container, and each container shall be accordingly marked for future
references;
6. Use a container which will not easily break and one which is large enough that the evidence can be removed and
replaced without difficulty; and
7. The suspected firearm s should properly wrap and place in container to prevent loss or tampering.
 Presidential Decree No. 1866 June 29, 1983
Amended by RA 9516 "Section 3 and 4"

CODIFYING THE LAWS ON ILLEGAL/UNLAWFUL POSSESSION, MANUFACTURE, DEALING IN, ACQUISITION OR

DISPOSITION, OF FIREARMS, AMMUNITION OR EXPLOSIVES OR INSTRUMENTS USED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF
FIREARMS, AMMUNITION OR EXPLOSIVES, AND IMPOSING STIFFER PENALTIES FOR CERTAIN VIOLATIONS
THEREOF AND FOR RELEVANT PURPOSES"

Republic Act No. 9516 December 22

Amending Section 3 and 4 of PD 1866

AN ACT FURTHER AMENDING THE PROVISIONS OF PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1866, AS AMENDED, ENTITLED
CODIFYING THE LAWS ON ILLEGAL/UNLAWFUL POSSESSION, MANUFACTURE, DEALING IN, ACQUISITION OR
DISPOSITION OF FIREARMS, AMMUNITION OR EXPLOSIVES OR INSTRUMENTS USED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF
FIREARMS, AMMUNITION OR EXPLOSIVES, AND IMPOSING STIFFER PENALTIES FOR CERTAIN VIOLATIONS
THEREOF, AND FOR OTHER RELEVANT PURPOSES"

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8294

AN ACT AMENDING THE PROVISIONS OF PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1866, AS AMENDED, ENTITLED "CODIFYING
THE LAWS ON ILLEGAL/UNLAWFUL POSSESSION, MANUFACTURE, DEALING IN, ACQUISITION OR DISPOSITION
OF FIREARMS, AMMUNITION OR EXPLOSIVES OR INSTRUMENTS USED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF FIREARMS,
AMMUNITION OR EXPLOSIVES, AND IMPOSING STIFFER PENALTIES FOR CERTAIN VIOLATIONS THEREOF, AND
FOR RELEVANT PURPOSES"

R.A. 10591

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR A COMPREHENSIVE LAW ON FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION