Department: College of Criminal Justice Education Course Code: FORENSIC 106

Name of Instructor: Mr. DJ Boy B. Brillo Reg. Crim. Schedule: ___________________________

Course Descriptive Title: Forensic Ballistics Semester: 1st Semester A.Y. 2022-23

Name of Student: ________________________________________ Year and Section: ________________________

Student ID Number: ______________________________________ Contact Number: _________________________
Email Address: __________________________________________ AlternateContactNumber:__________________

FORENSIC BALLISTICS (FORENSIC 106)

Course Description:
This course intends to provide students fundamental knowledge regarding branches of ballistics,
classification of firearms, classes of bullet and cartridge case, source and origin of gun powder and
primer. Provide basic knowledge of differentiating class and individual characteristics found in firearm,
bullets and cartridge cases. Identify appropriate agencies that can handle issues related to firearm
examination and apply knowledge in criminal law, procedure and evidence in qualifying a case related to
firearm investigation and in court presentation.

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 WEEK 1 CONTENT

OVERVIEW P AGE

OVERVIEW
This week you will study the basic concepts of Forensic Ballistics and what it involves. Also, you will
encounter terms and their definitions often study of the basic design, types and parts of firearms, the
principles of firearms identification, collection, marking, preservation and handling of evidence and its
presentation in court and the necessary laboratory work. This also includes study of firearm laws and
related court decisions.

C HAPTER 1 [FORENSIC BALLISTICS] O BJECTIVES

By the end of this chapter/week, you will be able to:

1. Understand what is Ballistics, Branches, Evolution of Firearms , its Definition, Nature,

Classification and Ammunition.
2. Know the Definition of Projectile , Origin, Types, Classification of Bullets, Cartridge Case,
Primer and Propellant or Gun Powder.
3. Know the Characteristics of Firearms , the Forensic Ballistics Problems, Investigation of Ballistics
Case and Scientific Instruments used in Firearms.

Weekly Schedule

This week, we will utilize blended learning method. Upon receiving this learning module, you shall be
guided with the lessons, discussions, and tasks need to be completed. On the “DISCUSSIONS” part of
this module is for your advance reading, make sure to read and understand the provided notes and feel
free to use books or online references provided therein. I will be posting the Initial Discussions in the
GOOGLE CLASSROOM on TBA (to be announced) from 7:00AM – 8:00AM only during your class
scheduled time (Note: Enter your assigned Google Classroom at least 5 minutes before the scheduled
time using the Class Code: (to be updated by the instructor).

In addition, the assignments will be due this TBA (to be announced). Prepare your inquiries and
questions regarding the advanced assignments and tasks to be discussed during the Initial Discussions in
the Google Classroom. For Face-to-Face and/or Virtual discussions and review schedule will be posted
during the Initial Discussion in the Google Classroom.

Review Page

REVIEW
This week you studied Contains the Basic Concept of Ballistics.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR THE PREVIOUS TOPIC/S

Text and References to make this compilation of module possible:

1. Dr. Rommel K. Manwong 2011 (www.rkmfiles.net)

LOOKING AHEAD AND UNLOCKING DIFFICULTY

Before you begin your journey in understanding the basic concepts of Forensic Ballistics, I want you
to define and understand the following terms:

1. Ballistics

- The science of the motion of the projectiles and the conditions

governing its motion. The term derived from Greek word "ballo" or "ballein"
which means "to throw". (www.rkmfiles.net)

2
 2. Forensic

-Used in, or appropriate for courts of law or for public discussion or

argumentation.
- the use of science in the investigation and establishment of facts or evidence in a
court of law.

3. Forensic Ballistic

-The science of firearms identification by means of the ammunition fired

through them.

D ISCUSSIONS
The teacher may deliver lessons in either face-to-face or via Online through Google Classroom. For face-
to-face discussions and delivery, the teacher should follow strictly the minimum health safety
requirements imposed by the school at a given class scheduled time. Making sure, that students follow
said safety standards while in school.

[Include here at least 1 paragraph about the main topic or course theory, a short readings to support the
topic/theory, and images to make it look interactive and inviting. The goal here is to ensure that the
students shall remain focus on the lesson. You may also include “Ice Breakers” for the student to
perform and accomplish in between discussions.]

Insert Study Links here (Youtube, PDFs, Drives, Images, Videos, Ebook Links)

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 FORENSIC BALLISTICS (CRIM 105)

FORENSIC BALLISTICS

Course Description:

This course intends to provide students fundamental knowledge regarding branches of

ballistics, classification of firearms, classes of bullet and cartridge case, source and origin
of gun powder and primer. Provide basic knowledge of differentiating class and individual
characteristics found in firearm, bullets and cartridge cases. Identify appropriate
agencies that can handle issues related to firearm examination and apply knowledge in
criminal law, procedure and evidence in qualifying a case related to firearm investigation
and in court presentation.
CRIMINALISTICS

• PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION (Dactyloscopy)

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• POLICE PHOTOGRAPHY

• FORENSIC BALLISTICS

• QUESTION DOCUMENT EXAMINATION

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 • POLYGRAPHY

• FORENSIC MEDICINE

• FORENSIC CHEM. WITH TOXICOLOGY

WHAT TO PREPARE?

• HISTORY (Personalities and Discoveries)

• Ballistics Principles (Odd-Even Rule, Trajectory Behavior Analysis)

• Classification of Ballistics and Its Allied Field

• Common Equipment and Functions

• The Firearm - Parts, Mechanisms, Characteristics

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 • The Barrel (Lands and Grooves, Marking Procedures)

• The Cartridge (Parts, Types, Marks and Marking Procedures)

• Bullet (Types, Marks and Marking Procedures)

• The Propellant (Types and Composition)

• Forensic Evidence Treatment, Analysis and Examination

• Legal Aspect

BASIC CONCEPTS ON FORENSIC BALLISTICS

BALLISTIC - the science of the motion of the projectiles and the conditions governing its
motion. The term derived from Greek word "ballo" or "ballein" which means "to throw".

FORENSIC - used in, or appropriate for courts of law or for public discussion or
argumentation.
- the use of science in the investigation and establishment of facts or evidence in a court of
law.

FORENSIC BALLISTIC - the science of firearms identification by means of the ammunition

fired through them.

BRANCHES OF BALLISTIC

1. INTERIOR BALLISTIC - the science dealing with the motion of projectile while still inside
the barrel of the firearms. It includes the ff;

- firing pin hitting the primer

- ignition of the priming mixture

- combustion of the gunpowder

- energy generated

- recoil of the gun

- rotation of the bullet in the barrel

2. EXTERIOR BALLISTIC - deals with the study of the motion of projectile after it has left the
muzzle of the gun. It includes the ff;

- MUZZLE BLAST - the noise created at the muzzle point of the gun due to the sudden escape
of the expanding gas coming in contact with the air in the surrounding.

MUZZLE ENERGY - energy generated at the muzzle point.

TRAJECTORY - the actual curve path of the bullet during its flight from the gun muzzle to the
target.

RANGE - the straight distance the muzzle and the target. Ex. Effective Range and Maximum
Range

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VELOCITY - the speed of the bullet per unit of a time.

AIR RESISTANCE - resistance encountered by the bullet while in flight.

PULL OF GRAVITY - downward reaction of the bullet towards the earth center due to its
weight.

• YAW - is the oscillation around the long axis of the bullet.

• PRECESSION - is a circular yaw about the center of gravity which takes the shape of
a decreasing spiral.

• NUTATION - is a rotational movement in a small circle which forms a rosette pattern

like a spinning top.

• 3. TERMINAL BALLISTIC - the effects of the impact of the projectile to the target. It
involves the ff;

• - TERMINAL ACCURACY - size of the bullet grouping on the target.

• - TERMINAL ENERGY - energy of the projectile when it strikes the target.

• - TERMINAL VELOCITY - speed of the bullet upon striking the target.

• - TERMINAL PENETRATION - the depth of the entry of the projectile in the target.

4. FORENSIC BALLISTIC - the study of the firearms identification through the projectile
propelled from it.

5. SHOT BALLISTIC - the study of shotgun ammunition including its characteristics, spread
and trailing.

6. WOUND BALLISTIC - the study of the effects of the projectile on the target and the
condition that affects them.

PERSONALITIES IN THE DISCOVERY OF FIREARMS

• CALVIN H. GODDARD - "Father of Modern Ballistic".

• HORACE SMITH - founded the Smith and Wesson firearm company with Daniel B.
Wesson

• JOHN BROWNING - pioneered the breech-loading single shot riffle.

• JOHN THOMPSON - pioneered the making of Thompson Sub-Machine Gun.

• DAVID "CARBINE" WILLIAMS - maker of the first known Carbine.

• ALEXANDER JOHN FORSYTH - "Father of Percussion Ignition"

• ELISHA KING ROOT - designed the machinery for making colt firearms.

• ELIPHALET REMINGTON - one of the first rifle maker.

• JAMES WOLFE RIPLEY - stimulated the development of the model 1855 rifle-musket.

• SAMUEL COLT - produced the first practical revolver.

• LE FAUNCHEUX - developed the pinfire cartridge.

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 FIREARMS

- an instrument used for the propulsion of projectiles by means of the expansive force of
gasses coming from the burning gunpowder. (technical definition)

- it includes rifles, muskets, carbines, shotguns, pistols, revolvers and all other deadly
weapons from which bullets, balls, shots, shell or other missiles maybe discharged by means
of gunpowder or other explosives. The barrel of firearms shall be considered a complete
firearm. (legal definition)

CLASSIFICATION OF FIREARMS

CLASSIFICATIO
TYPES
N

1. ACCORDING A. SMOOTH BORE FIREARMS - no riflings inside the barrel such as shotguns and muskets.
TO GUN
BARREL B. RIFLED BORE FIREARMS - with riflings inside the barrel like rifles, pistols, revolver.

9
2. ACCORDING
TO THE A. ARTILLERY - firearms that propels projectiles more than one inch in diameter.
CALIBER OF
B. SMALL ARMS - firearms that propels less than one inch in diameter and can handled and
THE
PROJECTILES operated by one man.
PROPELLED

3. ACCORDING A. SINGLE ACTION - firearm where there is a need to cock the hammer repeatedly after firing.
TO THE
MECHANICAL B. DOUBLE ACTION - firearm where there is only to cocked once in order to fire the firearms up
CONSTRUCTIO
N to such time as its ammunition are consumed.

C OMMON FIREARMS TYPES

The most common classification of firearms is done by types, and the most commonly used tool for
firearms identification is the Firearms Reference Table (FRT). The FRT is a computerized database
available online and offline. It was proposed and developed by Canadian Royal Mounted Police and it was
further adopted by INTERPOL as a reference classification tool. Use of the FRT Web is limited to
individuals who have been authorized by the RCMP. Authorized users include members of the police
community, specific Public Agents and approved firearm verifiers.
UNODC adopted a simplified classification in its 2015 Study and also in its global illicit arms flow
questionnaire, which is based on the following types:
 

R EVOLVER

Is a short or hand-held firearm with a revolving cylinder typically of five to nine chambers, manually
loaded with cartridges. As the cylinder rotates into position, the trigger can be pulled, releasing the
hammer firing the cartridge. Expended cartridge cases remain in the cylinder until manually unloaded.
Action: Revolvers are usually repeating firearms. According to the system of operation of the trigger tail,
revolvers can be of double (when the trigger also cocks the hammer) or single action (when the hammer
is cocked manually) 

 
F IGURE 1: R EVOLVER MODELS . S OURCE : F IREARMS R EFERENCE T ABLE (RCMP-GRC / I NTERPOL )

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P ISTOL

Is a short or hand-held firearm designed for semi-automatic operation. The chamber is part of the barrel.
Cartridges are generally loaded into a magazine, which is inserted into the grip. The action of the firearm
feeds the next cartridge and expels the spent round.
Action: single shot, repeating, semi-automatic and automatic pistol.

 
F IGURE 2: P ISTOL MODELS . S OURCE : F IREARMS R EFERENCE T ABLE (RCMP-GRC / I NTERPOL )

SHOTGUN

Is a shoulder-fired long gun with one or two unrifled barrels (side-by-side or over configuration), usually
designed to shoot many small projectiles ("shots") rather than a bullet. The calibre of a shotgun is
referred to as the gauge and is usually larger in diameter than other small arms.
Action: Usually single-shot. May also be repeating, or semi-automatic

 
F IGURE 3: S HOTGUN MODELS . S OURCE : F IREARMS R EFERENCE T ABLE (RCMP-GRC / I NTERPOL )

RIFLE OR CARBINE

Is a shoulder-fired long gun, with a series of spiral grooves cut inside the barrel ("rifling") imparting spin
to the projectile. Some rifles have a detachable magazine like the pistols described above, and others
have integral magazines. A carbine resembles a rifle but has a shorter barrel.
Action: Single-shot, repeating, semi-automatic or fully automatic.

11
  
F IGURE 4: R IFLE MODELS . S OURCE : F IREARMS R EFERENCE T ABLE (RCMP-GRC / I NTERPOL )

ASSAULT RIFLE

Can be considered a subcategory of rifles and represent ' any of various intermediate-range,

magazine-fed military rifles (such as the AK-47 or M16) that can be set for
automatic or semiautomatic fire…'  (Merriam-Webster).
Action: Semi-automatic or fully automatic.

 
F IGURE 5: A SSAULT R IFLE MODELS . S OURCE : F IREARMS R EFERENCE T ABLE (RCMP-GRC /
I NTERPOL )

SUB-MACHINE GUN

It is a hand-held, lightweight short barrelled machine gun consisting of relatively low-energy handgun-
type cartridges and fired from the hand, hip or shoulder.
Action: Semi-automatic or fully automatic. Where the firing system is automatic, the firearm would be
classified as an automatic pistol or automatic sub-machine gun.

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F IGURE 6: S UB - MACHINE G UN MODELS . S OURCE : F IREARMS R EFERENCE T ABLE (RCMP-GRC /
I NTERPOL )

MACHINE GUN

It is a firearm that is capable of full automatic firing (more than one shot without manual reloading, by a
single function of the trigger) and that fires rifle ammunition. It is generally crew-operated ('heavy
machine gun'), but some forms may be fired by single individuals ('light machine gun'). Most machine
guns have the ammunition fed by belts, although some use magazines.
Action: Semi-automatic or fully automatic.

 
F IGURE 7: M ACHINE G UN MODELS . S OURCE : F IREARMS R EFERENCE T ABLE (RCMP-GRC /
I NTERPOL )

The above enumerated types cover the large universe of all legal arms. There are, however, others that
do not fall clearly under any of them, either because of their technical characteristics, or because of the
manufacturing process (craft or artisanal production, assembly of kits, modifications, 3D printing, etc).
They are all listed under the category "other".
 

PARTS OF FIREARMS AND ITS FUNCTION

FIREARMS PARTS AND COMPONENTS

In addition to understanding the classification of firearms, the typology and basic visual identification,
your students will need to explore the nomenclature of firearms to understand the parts and how they
operate.
Under the Firearms Protocol, the parts that are considered as essential to the operation of a firearm
include (but are not limited to):
' any element or replacement element specifically designed for a firearm and
essential to its operation, including a barrel, frame or receiver, slide or cylinder,
bolt or breech block, and any device designed or adapted to diminish the sound
caused by firing a firearm (…)'

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There is a common view that also the Programme of Action on small arms and its International Tracing
Instrument acknowledges, which is the importance of regulating and controlling parts and components.
Some instruments use different terms but, basically, they refer to the same parts and components.
For example, the ECOWAS Convention on Small Arms and Light Weapons, their Ammunition and Other
Related Materials, refers to parts and components as other related materials that include:
'All components, parts or spare parts for small arms or light weapons or ammunition
necessary for its functioning; or any chemical substance serving as active material
used as propelling or explosive agent.'
 

MAIN COMPONENTS OF A FIREARM

For the practitioner, key aspects of a firearm identification include the major components, including the
working mechanism both external and internal.
Firearms can comprise hundreds of parts and components. The more common parts include the barrel,
magazine, hand guard, pistol grip, trigger and the trigger guard. All firearms have a receiver, which is
comprised of springs, levers and pistons.
It is important to differentiate between the key components of a firearm, and the other parts and
components. The key components of a firearm are those that are essential for the proper functioning and
identification of a firearm. Since replacement of these components can impact the proper identification of
a firearm, their trading shall also be regulated.
A key part of any firearm is the barrel. The projectile or bullet (ordinary terminology) travels through the
barrel by way of an explosive charge (propellant). The barrel is linked to a receiver, which houses the
operable parts of the firearm, including a magazine which holds the ammunition. For example, changing
of a firearm barrel will make impossible the identification of a bullet fired with the same weapon since the
markings of the new barrel are different from the markings of the original barrel. Also, the new barrel
may have a different serial number or no serial at all, this creating difficulty in the physical identification
of the firearm.
By having access to various parts and components of firearms, criminals can build their own firearms by
assembling the components, or they can use these components to modify or reactivate legally purchased
firearms. Therefore, producing and trading of firearms parts and components shall fall under similar
regulations as the firearms trading and production.
Below the description of the main firearms components is provided followed by general anatomies of
firearms where these components can be identified and localized.

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S UMMARY OF A FIREARM ' S PARTS AND COMPONENTS

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T ABLE 1. S OURCE : UNODC G LOBAL F IREARMS P ROGRAMME

GENERAL ANATOMY OF A REVOLVER

F IGURE 14. S OURCE : F IREARMS R EFERENCE T ABLE (RCMP-GRC / I NTERPOL )

GENERAL ANATOMY OF A SEMIAUTOMATIC- PISTOL

 
F IGURE 15. S OURCE : F IREARMS R EFERENCE T ABLE (RCMP-GRC / I NTERPOL )

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G ENERAL COMPOSITION OF A RIFLE

 
F IGURE 16. S OURCE : F IREARMS R EFERENCE T ABLE (RCMP-GRC / I NTERPOL )

GENERAL COMPOSITION OF A SUB- MACHINE GUN

F IGURE 17. S OURCE : F IREARMS R EFERENCE T ABLE (RCMP-GRC / I NTERPOL )

Additional physical properties are usually necessary to identify a firearm or its parts. A serial number is
usually indelibly stamped on the firearm, although these are sometimes removed to hide the provenance
of the firearm.
Other identifying features are the name of the manufacturer, branding and additional markings added
during production, import or acquisition. Detailed aspects of the physical design of the rearm are also
important. In general, identification requires a combination of all the physical characteristics of a firearm,
and not just the serial number (UNODC 2015, p.82)
To assist lecturers with verification of a firearm's provenance and to aid in their understanding of the
physical properties of a firearm, the Small Arms Survey has produced a set of cards which assist both law
enforcement and all interested parties, entitled ' Marking, Record-keeping, and Tracing Implementation
Support Cards'.

FIREARMS TRACING

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The International Instrument to Enable States to Identify and Trace, in a Timely and Reliable Manner,
Illicit Small Arms and Light Weapons defines tracing as being "the systematic tracking of illicit
small arms and light weapons found or seized on the territory of a State from the
point of manufacture or the point of importation through the lines of supply to the
point at which they became illicit."
In other words, tracing is the effective backwards following of the route of a firearm from the end user to
its producer. Firearms tracing will help revealing the means, the persons and the methods involved in
trafficking of a specific firearm, with an emphasis on the when and how the firearms was diverted from
the licit market into the illicit market. This will help institutional actors detect and investigate illicit
manufacturing and trading and, based on these findings, propose appropriate legislative, strategic and
operational measures.
Unfortunately, firearms tracing is not used at its real potential, mostly because of the reactive approach
of law enforcement and judicial actors. They are often focused on solving the main crime and seizing the
weapon but neglect the firearm tracing. The initial case is closed but the firearms flow continues to
supply firearms that may be used in future similar crimes.
UNODC is proposing a proactive approach, focusing the investigation both on the main crime as well as
onto the firearm tracing. In this case, successful tracing can lead to a new investigation of firearms
trafficking that can actually stop the firearms flow and prevent firearms distribution that may be used for
committing new crimes.

F IGURE 18. S OURCE : UNODC G LOBAL F IREARMS P ROGRAMME

IMPORTANT DATES/TIMELINE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF FIREARMS

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Gun Timeline

Historical timeline of the development of modern weapons starting at 1364 with the first recorded use of
a firearm and ending in 1892 with the introduction of automatic handguns.

1364 - First recorded use of a firearm.

1380 - Hand guns are known across Europe.
1400s - The matchlock gun appears.

Before the matchlock, guns were fired by holding a burning wick to a "touch hole" in the barrel igniting
the powder inside. A shooter uses one hand for firing, and a prop to steady the gun.The first device, or
"lock," for mechanically firing a gun is the matchlock. Powder is held in a "flash pan," and ignited by a
wick, or match, in a movable clamp. Both hands remain on the gun, vastly improving aim. Early
matchlock guns are extremely rare. The matchlock shown here was made around 1640, and is typical of
the muskets used by militia in Colonial America.

1498 - Rifling principle is discovered.

1509 - Invention of wheel lock (rose lock). 

The next major advance, the wheel lock, generates a spark mechanically. With no wick to keep lit, the
wheel lock is easier to use, and more reliable than the matchlock. However, wheel locks are expensive to
produce. Matchlocks, at half the cost, remain in common use. This is an early (ca. 1540) multi-shot,
wheel-lock pistol, made for Emperor Charles V. In this weapon, two locks are combined in one
mechanism, to give each barrel separate ignition.

1540 - Rifling appears in firearms.

1607 - Settlers arrive in Jamestown, Virginia.
1630 - The first true flintlock.

The flintlock solved a longstanding problem. Some time in the late 1500s, a lid was added to the flash
pan design. To expose or protect the powder, the lid had to be moved manually. The flintlock mechanism
was designed to push back the lid and spark a flint at the same time. The flintlock ignition system
reigned for two centuries, with virtually no alteration. The flintlock pictured here is a typical British
"Brown Bess" musket. Marks on the gun indicate that it was used by German mercenaries during the
American Revolution.

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 1637 - First use of firearms proof-marks.
1750-1850 - Dueling pistols come into fashion. 

Around 1750, men stop carrying rapiers, and guns became the weapon of choice for a duel. Various guns
were used, until a true dueling pistol was officially standardized in 1777, as "a 9 or 10 inch barreled,
smooth bore flintlock of 1 inch bore, carrying a ball of 48 to the pound." Often lavishly decorated, the
pistols are made until dueling falls out of favor in the mid-1800s. This pair of 1786 flintlock pistols was
made with ivory stocks and unusually elaborate decorative details.

1776 - American Revolution.

1807 - Percussion-detonating principle patented.
1825 ca. - Percussion-cap guns are in general use.
1830 - The back action lock appears.
1835 - The first Colt revolver. 

Samuel Colt developed the first mass-produced, multi-shot, revolving firearms. Various revolving designs
had been around for centuries, but precision parts couldn't be made with available technologies. Colt was
the first to apply Industrial Age machining tools to the idea. Mass production made the guns affordable.
Reliability and accuracy made the Colt a favorite of soldiers and frontiersmen. The Colt depicted is a Third
Model Dragoon percussion revolver (ca. 1853). A Colt with such lavish decoration and gold inlay is
extremely rare.

1840 - Guns begin to use pin-fire cartridges.

1847 - The telegraph is invented.
1850 - True shotguns in common use. 

In the second half of the 18th century, musket design branched out. This period produced a number of
single-purpose firearms. The forerunner of modern shotguns was the fowling piece, developed specifically
for hunting birds. Among the upper classes, fowling was a leisure sport. Fowling pieces for the very
affluent were often lovely works of art, but impractical for hunting.

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 1854-56 - The Crimean War. The last war to use only muzzle-loaded guns.
1859 - The first full rim-fire cartridge.
1860 - Spencer repeating carbine patented. 

Introduced at the start of the Civil War, Spencer repeating guns were technically advanced, used
cartridges (a recent development), and could fire 7 shots in 15 seconds. But the Army didn't want a
repeating gun, fearing that soldiers would fire more often, constantly need fresh ammunition, and
overtax the supply system. But in 1863, President Lincoln test-fired a Spencer. His approval led to the
purchase of 107,372 Spencer repeating carbines and rifles (of 144,500 made), and the Spencer became
the principal repeating gun of the Civil War.

1861 - Breech loaded guns in common use.

1861-1865 - American Civil War. Both breech and muzzle loaded guns used.
1862 - The Gatling Gun is invented.
1869 - Center-fire cartridge introduced.
1870-1871- The Franco-German War. Breach-loaded guns are dominant.
1871 - First cartridge revolver.
1873 - Winchester rifle introduced. 

Winchester rifles were affordable, and produced in such great numbers, that the Winchester became the
generic rifle. The Winchester had such a powerful hold in some regions that it actually became known as
"the gun that won the West." In 1887, Winchester came out with their first repeating shotguns. The next
major milestone for Winchester came in 1903, when the company introduced the first automatic rifle that
would become widely used.

1876 - Custer defeated at Little Big Horn.

1877 - First effective double-action revolver.
1879 - Lee box magazine patented.
 1892- Advent of automatic handguns. 

The first automatic pistol was created by Joseph Laumann in 1892. But the Borchardt pistol of 1893 was
the first automatic with a separate magazine in the grip, and this remains the defining feature of the
breed. More automatics came in rapid succession, including Browning, Luger, Mauser, and Colt models.
By the turn of the century, just 8 years after Laumann, automatics were firmly established.

1900 - Historical firearms period concludes. Contemporary period begins.

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MIDTERMS: AMMUNITION

a group of cartridges or to a single unit or single cartridge which is complete unfired unit
consisting of bullet, cartridge case, gunpowder and primer.

TYPES OF AMMUNITION

1. ACCORDING TO THE LOCATION OF PRIMING MIXTURES

A. PIN-FIRE CARTRIDGE - a cartridge wherein a pin is protuding at or near the base of

the cartridge case.

B. RIM-FIRE CARTRDIGE - the priming mixtue is located at the rim of the base of the
cartridge case.

C. CENTER-FIRE CARTRDIGE - the priming mixture is located at the center most portion
of the base of the cartridge case.

D. RING-FIRE CARTRIDGE - a special type of cartridge wherein the priming mixture is

placed in a circular hallow ring about 1/3 of the base of the cartirdge.

ACCORDING TO THE TYPE OF FIREARMS

A. REVOLVER CARTRIDGE

B. PISTOL CARTRIDGE

C. RIFLE CARTRIDGE

D. SHOTGUN CARTRIDGE

22
23
OTHER TYPES OF CARTRIDGE

PARTS OF A CARTRIDGE

1. BULLET - the projectile propelled throught the barrel of a firearm by means of the
expansive force of gasses coming from burning gunpowder.

2. CARTRIDGE CASE - the tubular metallic container for the gunpowder. It is sometimes
called "shell" or "casing".

3. GUNPOWDER - the powder charge which, when ignited by the primer flash, is converted
to heated gas under high pressure and propels the bullet or shot charge through the barrel
and to the target. Sometimes called "propellant" or "powder charge".

4. PRIMER - the metal cup containing the highly sensitive priming mixture of chemical
compund, which when hit by the firing pin would ignite. Such action is called "percussion".

24
BULLETS

- derived from the French word "boulette" which means a small ball. It is sometimes referred
to as "slug".

- it is a metallic or nonmetallic, cylindrical projectile propelled from a firearm by means of

expansive force of gasses from the burning gunpowder.

25
 CLASSIFICATION OF BULLETS

A. LEAD BULLETS - made of lead or alloys of this metallic lead, tin and antimony which is slightly har

pure lead.
1.
ACCORDING B. JACKETED BULLETS - those made of a core of lead covered by jacket or harder material such as gl
TO
MECHANICAL metal, a copper alloy.
STRUCTURES
C. SYNTHETIC BULLETS - made of plastic/plasticine and other composition or those made of sand po

mixed. Such bullet is designed for special purpose

A. BALL BULLETS - those that soft cores inside and are used against personnel only.

B. ARMOR PIERCING BULLETS - those that have steel cores and are fired against vehicles and other

targets in general.

2. C. TRACER BULLETS - those that contains compound at its base which is set on fire when bullet is pr
ACCORDING
TO USE The flash of the smoke from its burning permits the flight of the of the bullet to be seen especailly a

D. INCEDIARY BULLETS - those that contain mixture such as phosporous or other material that can

fire by impact. They are used against the target that will readily burn.

E. EXPLOSIVE BULLETS - contain high charge of explosive.

EXPLOSIVE BULLET SOFT POINT HALLOW NOSE

FULL METAL JACKET HALLOW NOSE BALL BULLET

26
SOFT POINT BULLET SOLID BULLET

PROPELLANT(GUNPOWDER)

- the low explosive which makes up the charge to fire the projectile from weapon due to expansive form
of gasses generated from burning gunpowder

1. BLACK POWDER - it is considered as the oldest propellant, it has a mechanical mixture of: 70%-
potassium, 10%-sulphur, 15%-charcoal.

2. SMOKELESS POWDER - type of gunpowder used now in modern small arms ammunition. It is the
most powerful propellant and are commonly nitrocellulose based.

PRIMER
- that portion of the cartridge consists of a brass or gilding metal cup. The cup contains a highly sensitive
mixture of chemical compound that will detonate when struck by the firing pin. Its composition are;
Potassium Chloride - 45%, Antimony Sulfide - 23%, Fulminate of Mercury - 32%

TYPES OF PRIMER

27
1. BOXER TYPE - a primer with only one flash hole.

2. BERDAN TYPE - a primer with two flash holes or event.

PARTS OF THE PRIMER

• PRIMER CUP - the container of the priming mixture. This is made of brass, gilding metal or
copper depending upon the kind.

• PRIMING MIXTURE - the highly sensitive chemical mixture contained in the priming cup.

• ADVIL - that portion of the primer against which the priming mixture is crushed by a blow from
a firing pin.

• DISC - piece of small paper or disc of thin foil which is pressed over the priming mixture in
order to hold priming mixture in place and to exclude moisture.

28
FIREARMS IDENTIFICATION

 BULLET IDENTIFICATION PRINCIPLES

• No two barrels are microscopically identical as the surface of their bores all possess individual
characteristics of their own.

• When a bullet is fired from a rifled barrel, it becomes engraved by the riflings and this engraving
will vary in its minute details with every individual bore.

• Every barrel leaves its thumb marks on every bullet which is fired through it.

FIREARMS IDENTIFICATION

 SHELLS IDENTIFICATION PRINCIPLES

• The breechface and striker of every single firearms leaves microscopical individualities of their
own.

• The firearms leaves its prints on every cartridge case which is fires.

29
 • The whole principle of identification is based on the fact that since the breechface of every
weapon must be individually distinct, the cartridge cases which if fired are imprinted with these
individuals.

MARKS FOUND ON FIRED BULLETS

• LANDMARKS - depressed portion caused by lands.

• GROOVEMARKS - raised or elevated portion caused by grooves.

• SKIDMARKS - due to worn out barrel.

• SLIPPAGE MARKS - marks cause by oily barrel or slightly over-sized barrel.

• SHAVING MARKS - marks due to a poor alignment of the cylinder with a bore

SKID MARKS STRIATION MARKS

MARKS FOUND ON FIRED CARTRIDGE CASES

• FIRING PIN MARKS - marks found on the primer cup which is the central area of the base of
the cartridge cause when it is struck by the firing pin.

• BREECHFACE MARKS - negative impression of the breechface of the firearm on the head of
the cartridge case after firing.

• CHAMBER MARKS - are as the bullet is inserted into the chamber of a firearm. The chamer is
holding place for the bullet when it is fired. When the bullet is fired a large increase in pressure is
experienced in the cartridge case thereby pressing it into the walls of the chamber.

30
COMPARISON OF FIRING PIN INDENTATION

Two cartridges with the same firing pin imprint – positive I.D.

FIRING PIN DRAG MARKS

31
CASING EXTRACTION AND EJECTION MARKS

32
BREECH FACE MARKINGS

EXPANSION PHYSICS

• EXTRACTOR MARKS - once the bullet is fired it must be removed from the chamber of the
firearm. In many cases a part that looks like a hook grabs the rim of the bullet and pulls it out of
the chamber.

• EJECTOR MARKS - toolmarks produced upon a cartridge.

• STRIATION MARKS - marks common to a cartridge that has been passed through an auto
loading or repeating firearm. The cartridge experiences a multitude of contact points as it is
loaded, fired, and unloaded in a firearm.

33
 THEBARREL

- a tube through which a bullet travels when a gun is fired. The riflings serves to give geroscopicstability
to the bullet during its flight from the muzzle of the gun to the target.

TYPES OF RIFLINGS ACCORDING TO NUMBER OF LANDS AND GROOVES

1. STEYR TYPE 4-lands & 4-grooves, right twist, lands & grooves are equal in width

2. SMITH &
5-lands & 5-grooves, right hand twist, lands & grooves are equal in width
WESSON TYPE

3. BROWNING
6-lands & 6-grooves, right hand twist, narrow land and broader grooves
TYPE

4. COLT YPE 6-lands & 6-grooves, narrow land and broader grooves

5. WEBLY TYPE 7-lands & 7-grooves, right hand twist, narrow lands and broader grooves

6. ARMY TYPE 4-lands and 4-grooves, right had twist, narrow land and broader groove

CLASS VS. INDIVIDUAL CHARACTERISTICS

34
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS INDIVIDUAL CHARACTERISTICS

- those characteristics that are determinable even

prior to the manufacture of the firearms.

- those markings peculiar to and not found in all other firearms.

-these characteristics are factory specifications - These serves as the basis to identify a peculiar firearms.
and within the control of man.
- Every barrel leaves its "thumbmark" on every bullet on it.
-ex., bore diameter, number of lands and
grooves, direction of the twist, pitch of the
riflings, depth of grooves

MOVEMENTS OF BULLET AS IT MOVES OUT OF THE MUZZLE

35
FORWARD
- the velocity depends upon the propulsion created by the ignition of the propellant
MOVEMENT

SPINNING
- this is due to the passage of the bullet at the spiral landing and grooving of the barrel
MOVEMENT

- the bullet may be rotating on the long axis of its flight while the nose and the base are alter
TUMBLING
MOVEMENT ahead of its flight. This accounts why in some instance, the bullet hits the skin with its base.

WABBLING
the rear end of the bullet aside from spinning may also vibrate vertically or sidewise in its flig
MOVEMENT

- as the bullet moving forward, it gradually goes downward on account of the pull of the force
PULL OF GRAVITY
gravity becomes dominant until it falls on the ground.

MARKINGS OF FIRED BULLETS

1. Fired bullets should be marked by the recovering officer with initials in the ogive or nose with the date
of recovery.

2. In case the ogive or nose is badly damage or deformed, markings should be made at the base but
never in the cylindrical surface of the bullet because this is the portion that contains the "riflings" or
"striations".

3. Use the "stylus" or with any pointed instrument in marking a bullet.

4. Do not use "X" as an identifying mark on the bullet.

MARKING OF A FIRED CARTRIDGE CASE

1. Fired shells should be marked near the open mouth (inside or outside) with the initials of the
recovering officer and the date of recovery.

36
2. Marking can be made at the body of the shell but never place your marks on the base of the fired
shells because it is in this part that contains the "breechface marks".

3. Do not use "X" as an identifying mark on shell.

MARKING OF SUSPECTED FIREARMS

1. If the suspected firearms is a revolver, marking should be placed in three main and
inseparable parts of the firearms such as the barrel, cylinder and the frame.

2. If the suspected firearm is a pistol, marking should be placed in the barrel, slide and frame
or receiver.

3. Never mark at the stock alone as it can be easily replaced and your mark for future
reference identification is forever lost.

4. Mark the barrel on the underside just ahead of the receiver.

5. Mark the receiver on the underside and to the front, if at all possible.

RANGE OF FIRE

1. LOOSE CONTACT OR NEAR FIRE

- entrance wound may be large circular or oval depending upon the angle of approach of the
bullet.
- abrasion collar or ring is distinct
- burning and tattoing are prominent with singeing of the hair.

2. SHORT RANGE (1 to 15cm distance)

- edges of the entrance wound is inverted
- smudging is present due to smoke
- powder tattoing is present
- abrasion ring or circular is present

Loose contact shotgun wound and a larger, more ragged exit wound.

37
RANGE OF FIRE

3. MEDIUM RANGE (15cm. but less than 60cm.)

- gunshot wound with inverted edges and with abrasion collar is present
- burning effects is absent
- smudging maybe present if less than 30cm. distance.
- gunpwoder tattoing is present but of lesser density and has a wider area of distribution.

4. LONG RANGE (More than 60cm. distance)

- gunshot wound is circular or oval depending on the angle of approach with the abrasion
collar.
- wound of the entrance has no burning, smudging or tattoing.

ENTRANCE VS. EXIT WOUNDS

ENTRANCE VS. EXIT WOUNDS

38
THE "ODD AND EVEN RULE"

• If the number of gunshot wounds of entrance and exit found in the body of the victim is even,
the presumption is that no bullet is lodge in the body.

• If the number of the gunshot wounds of the entrance and exit is odd, the presumption is that
one or more bullets might have been lodge in the body.

SMUDGING, TATTOING, SINGEING

• SMUDGING - the term as applied in ballistic for the smoke that is deposited in the skin.

• TATTOOING - the particles of unburned or burned gunpowder marks which are propelled to the
area surrounding the wound.

• SINGEING - the burning of the skin hair or the skin itself due to close contact fire.

SHOTGUN

- is a shoulder-fired firearm having a barrel that is smooth-bored and is intended for the firing of charge
compound of one or more round of balls or pellets.

SHOTGUN SHELL

- a single unit of ammunition for shotguns usually 2-3/4 or 3 inches long. It consist of the following parts;

1. tubular case 4. powder or propellant

2. metal base 5. shot or pellets.
3. wads

TYPES OF SHOTGUN

• AS TO THE NUMBER OF BARREL

1. SINGLE BARREL SHOTGUN

2. DOUBLE BARREL SHOTGUN

• AS TO THE MANNER OF FIRING

1. BOLT ACTION - the action of the bolt ejects the fired shell and load the next one.

2. LEVER ACTION - when lever is swing down it ejects the fired shell and load the next shot.

3. PUMP ACTION - there is a cylindrical magazine which can accommodate up to six shells, end
to end, beneath the barrel.

4. AUTOLOADING - a pull of trigger not only fires and ejects the shell but also reloads the next
shot and locks it for firing.

39
Shotgun Cartridge

Shotgun Entry wound complex

40
FINALS: EQUIPMENT USED IN FIREARMS INVESTIGATION
AND IDENTIFICATION

• BULLET CMPARISON MICROSCOPE - a piece of optical equipment frequently used to

differentiate between two fired bullets to fired shells by simultaneously observing their magnified
image in a single microscopic field.

• STEREOSCOPIC MICROSCOPE - used in the preliminary examinations of fired bullet or shells

to determine the relative distribution of the class characteristics. This can be used for close-up
examination of tampered serial number of firearms.

• SHADOWGRAPH - an instrument which contains a large circular ground glass, it contains a

series of microscopic lenses of different magnifications that be also use in examining fired bullets.

• BULLET RECOVERY BOX - consist of a wooden box or metal box with an ideal measurement of
12"x12"x96". This is where the suspected firearms is fired in order to get a test bullet.

41
 • HELIXOMETER - an instrument used in measuring "pitch of the riflings" of firearms.
Pitch of the riflings is the distance advanced by the rifling in one complete turn or it
may mean the distance it has traveled in completing the 360 degree notation.

• CALIPER - an instrument used in making measurement of the caliber of the firearm,

bullet diameter, and barrel length.

• ANALYTICAL BALANCE - used in determining weights of the bullets of shotgun

pellets.

• ONOSCOPE - a small instrument sometimes used in examining the internal surface of

the gun barrel.

• TAPER GAUGE - used primarily for determining the bore diameter of the firearms.

• ELECTRIC GUN MARKER - used in laboratory for making fired bullets, fired shells and
firearms submitted for examination.

IMPORTANT BALLISTICS TERMINOLOGY

• CHRONOGRAPH - instrument which measures the velocity of projectiles.

• CORROSION - refers to the wearing out of the surface of the gun barrel due to the
formation of rust caused by negligence.

• EROSION - refers to the mechanical wearing out of the surface of the gun barrel due
to usage or friction.

• BREECH FACE - the face of the breech block which comes in contact with the base of
the cartridge at the same time of explosion in the chamber.

• CHOKE - the degree of constriction applied in the muzzle of shotgun to decrease the
spread of the shots.

42
• ORDNANCE - a general name for all kinds of weapon and their appliances used in war
especially artillery.

• HANG FIRE - occurs when cartridge fails to explode on time or delayed in firing.
Maybe caused by faulty ignition of the propellant.

• MISFIRE - total failure of a cartridge to discharge. Maybe caused by failure of the

firing mechanism, primer or the propellant.

• RECOIL - the equal and opposite reaction of the gun against forward movement of
the bullet during explosion.

• RECOCHET - the deflection of the bullet from its normal path after striking a resistant
surface.

• MUSHROOM - the capacity of the bullet to expand after impact also the term given to
some soft hollow point bullets.

• SCORCHING - caused by the flowing out of the very hot powder gasses from the
muzzle which are projected against the target.

• SKID MARKS - are marks on the bullet in its first impact with the riflings, it can be
seen on the front end furrows.

• STRIATIONS - are small grooves, channels or ridges on the surface of a bullet due to
the toolmarks or other irregularities in the interior surface of the bore.

• WADS - are cardboard, felt cork or other substances placed on top of the shot charge
and between the shot charge and the powder charge that acts as piston and seals the
hole preventing the expanding gasses from escaping in a shell cartridge case.

• KEY HOLE SHOT - the tumbling of the bullet in its flight and hitting the target
sideways as a result of not spinning on its axis. This results in firing a bullet through
badly worn out barrel.

IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS OF RA NO.10591, OTHERWISE KNOWN

AS THE “COMPREHENSIVE FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION REGULATION ACT”

• WHEREAS, Republic Act No.10591, otherwise known as “THE COMPREHENSIVE LAW ON

FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION AND PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS THEREOF”, was
signed into law by the President of the Philippines on May 29, 2013;

• WHEREAS, the Chief of the Philippine National Police is mandated by law to formulate the
necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of the comprehensive law
regulating ownership, possession, carrying, manufacture, dealing in and importation of firearms,
ammunition or parts and providing stiffer penalties for violations thereof;

• WHEREAS, Article VI, Section 44 of Republic Act No. 10591 mandated that, after public hearings
and consultation with concerned sectors of the society, said Implementing Rules and Regulations
(IRR) shall be implemented; and

• NOW THEN, the Chief of the Philippine National Police, pursuant to the said mandate of the law,
and after due public hearings and consultations, hereby promulgates the following Implementing
Rules and Regulations in order to carry out the provisions of the said Act:

• RULE I

• GENERAL PROVISIONS

• Section 1. Short Title

• These Rules shall be known and cited as the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act
No. 10591, otherwise known as “Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act ”.

43
• Section 2. Declaration of State Policy

• These rules shall be interpreted in the light of Article 1, Section 2 of Republic Act No. 10591,
which stipulates that:

• “It is the policy of the State to maintain peace and order and protect the people from violence.
The State also recognizes the right of its qualified citizens to self-defense through, when it is the
reasonable means to repel unlawful aggression under the circumstances, the use of firearms.
Towards this end, the State shall provide for a comprehensive law regulating ownership,
possession, carrying, manufacture, dealing in and importation of firearms, ammunition or parts
thereof, in order to provide legal support to law enforcement agencies in their campaign against
crime, stop the proliferation of illegal firearms or weapons and the illegal manufacture of firearms
or weapons, ammunition and parts thereof.”

• Section 3. Definition of Terms

• For purposes of this IRR, the following terms or words and phrases shall mean or be understood
as defined herein:

• 3.1 Accessories  – refer to parts of a firearm which may enhance or increase the operational
efficiency or accuracy of a firearm but will not constitute any of the major or minor internal parts
thereof such as, but not limited to, laser scope, telescopic sight and sound suppressor or silencer;

• 3.2  Ammunition – refers to a complete unfired unit consisting of a bullet, gunpowder, cartridge

case and primer or loaded shell for use in any firearm;

• 3.2.1  Bullet – The projectile propelled through the barrel of a firearm by means of the
expansive force of gases coming from burning gunpowder;

• 3.2.2  Cartridge Case – A container, usually metal and cylindrical in shape, to be loaded with a
primer, powder charge and bullet. After loading, it becomes a complete cartridge, of which the
case is but one element. It is commonly made of brass, although some modern cartridge cases
are made of steel, aluminum, or other materials;

• 3.2.3  Gun Powder – refers to any explosive powder used to propel projectiles intended for
firearms; and

• 3.2.4  Primer – also called an “igniter”, refers to a device used for the purpose of setting fire to
ignite the gun powder.

• 3.3 Antique Firearm  – refers to any: (1) firearm which was manufactured at least seventy-five
(75) years prior to the current date but not including replicas; (2) firearm which is certified by the
National Museum of the Philippines to be curio or relic of museum interest; and (3) any other
firearm which derives a substantial part of its monetary value from the fact that it is novel, rare,
bizarre or because of its association with some historical figure, period or event;

• 3.4 Arms Smuggling  – refers to the import, export, acquisition, sale, delivery, movement or
transfer of firearms, their parts and components and ammunition, from or across the territory of
one country to that of another country which has not been authorized in accordance with
domestic law in either or both country/countries;

• 3.5 Assembling of Firearms  – refers to the fitting together of legally acquired parts or spare
parts of firearms to create a complete firearm;

• 3.6 Authority to Import  – refers to a document issued by the Chief of the Philippine National
Police (Chief, PNP) authorizing the importation of firearms, or their parts, ammunition and other
components;

• 3.7 Authority to Export  – refers to a document issued by the Chief, PNP authorizing the
exportation of firearms, or their parts, ammunition and other components;

44
• 3.8  Authorized Bonded Firearm Custodian – refers to the employee of the juridical entity
who is covered by bond to be accountable for the registered firearms under the name of the
juridical entity;

• 3.9 Authorized Dealer  – refers to any person, legal entity, corporation, partnership or business
entity duly licensed by the Firearms and Explosives Office (FEO) to engage in the business of
buying and selling ammunition, firearms or parts thereof, at wholesale or retail basis;

• 3.10 Authorized Importer – refers to any person, legal entity, corporation, partnership or
business duly licensed by the FEO to engage in the business of importing ammunition and
firearms, or parts thereof into the territory of the Republic of the Philippines for purposes of sale
or distribution under the provisions of this IRR;

• 3.11 Authorized Manufacturer  – refers to any person, legal entity, corporation, or partnership
duly licensed by the FEO to engage in the business of manufacturing firearms and ammunition,
or parts thereof for purposes of sale or distribution;

• 3.12 Bolt Action  –  refers to a type of firearm action in which the weapon’s bolt is operated
manually by the opening and closing of the breech;

• 3.13 Bond  – refers to the cash or surety intended as a security and as a commitment to comply
with all the existing laws and regulations of this IRR as determined by the PNP through the FEO,
by a licensed citizen, a licensed juridical entity, licensed dealers, manufacturers or gunsmiths;

• 3.13.1 Authorized Firearm Custodian Bond  – refers to the bond issued to an authorized
firearm custodian as a security and as a commitment to comply with all the existing laws and
regulations as defined in this IRR;

• 3.13.2 Firearm Bond  – refers to the bond duly issued by an authorized insurance company as
part of the registration of firearms to a licensed citizen or a licensed juridical entity;

• 3.13.3 Surety Bond  – refers to the bond duly issued by an authorized Surety Company to
firearm dealer, manufacturer or gunsmith.

• 3.14 Company Guard Force  –  refers to a security force maintained and operated by any
private company/corporation utilizing its authorized employees to watch, secure or guard its
business establishment premises, compound or properties;

• 3.15 Confiscated Firearm – refers to a firearm that is taken into custody by the PNP, National
Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and all other law
enforcement agencies by reason of their mandate and must be necessarily reported or turned
over to the FEO;

• 3.16 Conversion  –  refers to an act of assembling and combining parts of firearms designed
and intended for use in converting a firearm action/mode and/or from one caliber to another;

• 3.17 Conversion kit  –  refers to firearm parts used to enhance the operational capability of a
firearm from semi-automatic burst to fully automatic mode and/or burst and vice versa;

• 3.18 CSG  –  refers to the Civil Security Group of the Philippine National Police.

• 3.19 Demilitarized firearm – refers to a firearm deliberately made incapable of performing its

main purpose of firing a projectile;

• 3.20 Duty Detail Order  –  refers to a document issued to a person by the juridical entity or
employer wherein the details of the disposition of firearm is spelled-out, thus indicating the name
of the employee, the firearm information, the specific duration and location of posting or
assignment and the authorized bonded firearm custodian for the juridical entity to whom such
firearm is turned over after the lapse of the order;

• 3.21 FEO  –  refers to the Firearms and Explosives Office of the Philippine National Police;

45
• 3.22 Firearm –  refers to any handheld or portable weapon, whether a small arm or light
weapon, that expels or is designed to expel a bullet, shot, slug, missile or any projectile which is
discharged by means of expansive force of gases from burning gunpowder or other form of
combustion or any similar instrument or implement. For purposes of the law, the barrel, frame or
receiver is considered a firearm;

• 3.23 FEO Classification Board (FCB) –  refers to the FEO classification body with a regulatory
role to classify firearms, ammunition, explosives, explosives ingredients and other regulated
items prior to sale, distribution and/or exhibition to ensure that such items conform to existing
laws and regulations.

• 3.24 FEO License Revocation and Restoration Board (FLRRB) –  refers to the FEO board
with a regulatory function to study, review, validate and recommend the correction, deletion,
revocation, cancellation, suspension or restoration of all issued licenses, registrations and permits
relative to firearms and explosives through a Resolution.

• 3.25 Firearms Information Management System (FIMS)  –  refers to a computerized

system that establishes a database of the licensee and the registered firearms information and
generates reports which include the printing of license and certificate of registration and
disposition;

• 3.26 Firearm Registration Card –  refers to the card issued by the FEO as proof that the
firearm is duly registered and recorded at the FIMS of the FEO;

• 3.27 Forfeited Firearm  –  refers to a firearm that was forfeited by reason of court order as
accessory penalty or for the disposition of firearms considered as abandoned, surrendered,
confiscated or revoked in compliance with existing rules and regulations by the FEO;

• 3.28 Full Automatic or Fully Automatic  –  refers to the firing mode and action of a firearm in
which discharge of the entire magazine load with a single pull of its trigger is continuous until the
triggering device is disengaged;

• 3.29 Government Guard Unit –  a security unit whose members have permanent plantilla
positions in the government, maintained and operated by any government entity other than
military or police, which is established and maintained for the purpose of securing the office or
compound and/or extension of such government entity;

• 3.30 Gun Club – refers to an organization with at least fifteen (15) licensed citizens as
members, duly registered with and authorized by the FEO which is established for the purpose of
propagating gun safety and responsible gun ownership, proper appreciation and use of firearms
by its members, for the purpose of sports and shooting competition, self-defence and collection
purposes;

• 3.31 Gun Collector  –  refers to a licensed citizen who collects registered firearms;

• 3.32 Gunsmith  – refers to any person, legal entity, corporation, partnership or business duly
licensed by the FEO to engage in the business of repairing firearms and other weapons, or
constructing or assembling firearms and weapons from finished or manufactured parts thereof on
a per order basis and not in commercial quantities, or of making minor parts for the purpose of
repairing or assembling said firearms or weapons;

• 3.33 Imminent Threat –  refers to an indication of something impending and usually

undesirable or unpleasant which may inflict evil, injury or damage to another, usually as
retribution or punishment for something done or left undone. It is a manifestation of an intention
to inflict loss or harm upon another by illegal means and especially by involving coercion, duress
or use of force over a person or his/her welfare;

• 3.34 Imitation Firearm – refers to a replica of a firearm, or other device that is so

substantially similar in coloration and overall appearance to an existing firearm as to lead a
reasonable person to believe that such imitation firearm is a real firearm;

46
• 3.35 Indentor  – refers to an individual or entity with an exclusive contract to facilitate the
procurement of firearms, ammunition, spare parts and/or accessories in behalf of the AFP/PNP,
law enforcement agency and/or other government agencies;

• 3.36 Indent License to Deal  or Indentor’s License  – refers to a written authority granted
by the Chief, PNP through the Chief, FEO to an indentor, indicating therein the number, types of
firearms, ammunition, spare parts and accessories to be purchased.

• 3.37 Integrated Firearms Identification System (IFIS)  –  refers to a computerized

firearms identification system used to capture and store into the database unique identifying
characteristics of bullets and cartridge cases for forensic comparison and identification of a
particular firearm;

• 3.38 Legal Disability –  refers to a condition of a person who lacks the legal qualification or
capacity, such as that of a minor or a mentally impaired person;

• 3.39 Letter Order (LO) or Mission Order (MO)  –  refers to a written directive or order issued
by authorized Head of Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) to government employee/s with regular
plantilla position under his/her supervision and control. Such order shall indicate the purpose of
the mission, name of the employee, the firearm information, the specific duration and the place
or places within the jurisdiction of the issuing authority allowing the bearer thereof to carry
his/her government-issued firearm within their jurisdiction and shall be strictly limited to the law
enforcement mandate of the agency concerned.

• 3.40 Licensed Antique Firearm Collector  –  refers to any individual or entity duly licensed by
the Chief, FEO on behalf of the Chief, PNP who legally acquires, owns, possesses, or disposes of
antique firearms as defined in this IRR;

• 3.41 Licensed Citizen  –  refers to any Filipino duly issued with a license to own and possess or
carry firearms outside of the residence in accordance with this IRR;

• 3.42 License to Deal (LTD) –  refers to the license granted by the Chief, PNP to a qualified
dealer to engage in the business of buying and selling ammunition, firearms or parts thereof, at
wholesale or retail basis;

• 3.43 Licensed Juridical Entity  –  refers to corporations, organizations, businesses including

security agencies and Local Government Units (LGUs) which are licensed to own and possess
firearms in accordance with this IRR;

• 3.44 License to Manufacture (LTM)  –  refers to the license granted by the Secretary of the
Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) to a qualified manufacturer to engage in
the business of manufacturing firearms, and ammunition or parts thereof for purposes of sale or
distribution;

• 3.45 License to Own and Possess Firearms (LTOPF)  – refers to a written authority granted
by the Chief, PNP through the Chief, FEO to a qualified individual for him/her to own and possess
a firearm in accordance with this IRR;

• 3.46 Licensed Sports Shooter  – refers to a licensed citizen who actively participates in sports
shooting competition;

• 3.47 Light Weapons  are: Class-A Light weapons which refer to self-loading pistols, rifles,
carbines, submachine guns, assault rifles and light machine guns not exceeding caliber 7.62MM
which have fully automatic mode; and Class-B Light weapons which refer to weapons designed
for use by two (2) or more persons serving as a crew, or rifles and machine guns exceeding
caliber 7.62MM such as heavy machine guns, handheld under barrel and mounted grenade
launchers, portable anti-aircraft guns, portable anti-tank missile and rocket systems, portable
launchers of anti-aircraft missile systems, and mortars of a caliber of less than 100MM;

• 3.48 Long Certificate of Registration (LCR)  – refers to a regular license to own and possess
firearms issued to government agencies or offices or Government-Owned or Controlled
Corporations;

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• 3.49 Long Regular Registration (LRR)  – refers to a regular license to own and possess
firearms issued to private firms, establishments, corporations or private security agencies.

• 3.50 Loose Firearm  – refers to an unregistered firearm, an obliterated or altered firearm,

firearm which has been lost or stolen, illegally manufactured firearms, registered firearms in the
possession of an individual other than the licensee and those with revoked licenses in accordance
with the rules and regulations;

• 3.51 Major Parts or Components of a Firearm  – refer to the barrel, slide, frame, receiver,
cylinder or the bolt assembly. The term also includes any part or kit designed and intended for
use in converting a semi-automatic burst to a full automatic firearm;

• 3.52  Mill Run Parts – refer to semi-finished materials oftentimes called castings or forgings, or
blank and cup with a partly rough shape and still needs machining work by mills, lathes or press
machines to refine and give the desired final product as firearm parts or ammunition
components;

• 3.53 Minor Parts of a Firearm  – refer to the parts of the firearm other than the major parts
which are necessary to effect and complete the action of expelling a projectile by way of
combustion, except those classified as accessories;

• 3.54 Permit to Carry Firearm Outside of Residence (PTCFOR)  – refers to a written

authority issued to a licensed citizen by the Chief, PNP which entitles such person to carry his/her
registered or lawfully issued firearm outside of the residence for the duration and purpose
specified in the authority;

• 3.55 Permit to Transport (PTT) Firearm  – refers to a written authority issued to a licensed
citizen or a licensed juridical entity by the Chief, PNP through the Chief, FEO or by the PNP
Regional Director (RD) which entitles such person or entity to transport particular firearm/s from
and to a specific location, within the duration and purpose in the authority;

• 3.56 Private Individual  –  refers to licensed citizen and licensed juridical entity as used in
Section 10 of this IRR.

• 3.57 Residence of the Licensee  – refers to the place or places of abode of the licensed citizen
as indicated in his/her license;

• 3.58 Residence of the Firearm/s  – refers to the location where the firearm/s shall be kept
and as indicated in the firearm registration card;

• 3.59 Serviceable Firearm  – refers to the condition in which a firearm can still be used for its
purpose;

• 3.60 Shooting Range  – refers to a facility established for the purpose of firearms training and
skills development, firearm testing, as well as for sports and shooting competition either for the
exclusive use of its members or open to the general public, duly registered with and accredited in
good standing by the FEO;

• 3.61 Short Certificate of Registration (SCR)  –  refers to a certificate granted by the FEO for
a government official or employee with regular plantilla position who was issued a government-
owned firearm covered by the Long Certificate of Registration (LCR);

• 3.62 Small Arms  – refer to firearms intended to be primarily designed for individual use or that
which is generally considered to mean a weapon intended to be fired from the hand or shoulder,
which are not capable of fully automatic bursts of discharge, such as:

• 3.62.1  Handgun  is a firearm intended to be fired from the hand, which includes:

• a) Pistol  – is a hand-operated firearm having a chamber integral with or permanently aligned

with the bore which may be self-loading; and

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 • b) Revolver –  is a hand-operated firearm with a revolving cylinder containing chambers for
individual cartridges.

• 3.62.2  Rifle  – is a shoulder firearm or designed to be fired from the shoulder that can discharge
a bullet through a rifled barrel by different actions of loading, which may be classified as lever,
bolt, or self-loading; and

• 3.62.3  Shotgun  – is a firearm designed, made and intended to fire a number of ball shots or a
single projectile through a smooth bore by the action or energy from burning gunpowder.

• 3.63 SOSIA  – refers to the Supervisory Office for Security and Investigation Agencies of the
Philippine National Police;

• 3.64 Sports Shooting Competition  – refers to a defensive, precision or practical firearm

shooting tournament duly authorized by the FEO;

• 3.65 Tampered, Obliterated or Altered Firearm  – refers to any firearm whose serial number
or other identification or ballistic characteristics have been intentionally tampered with,
obliterated or altered without authority or in order to conceal its source, identity or ownership;

• 3.66 Thermal Weapon Sight  – refers to a battery operated, uncooled thermal imaging device
which amplifies available thermal signatures so that the viewed scene becomes clear to the
operator which is used to locate and engage targets during daylight and from low light to total
darkness and operates in adverse conditions such as light rain, light snow, and dry smoke or in
conjunction with other optical and red dot sights; and

• 3.67 Unserviceable Firearm  –  refers to a firearm which is beyond economic repair and can no
longer be used for its purpose;

!!!Thank You!!!

***God Bless***

Test and Evaluation of Knowledge: In a sheet of yellow paper. Answer the following with high
honesty:
[Include here how to accomplish and send test and evaluation/quiz]

1. What is Ballistics, Branches, Evolution of Firearms , its Definition, Nature, Classification and
Ammunition.
2. Enumerate the Definition of Projectile , Origin, Types, Classification of Bullets, Cartridge Case,
Primer and Propellant or Gun Powder.
3. Explain the Characteristics of Firearms , the Forensic Ballistics Problems, Investigation of Ballistics
Case and Scientific Instruments used in Firearms.

TASK OVERVIEW
“The goal of this assignment is to help you know the study of the basic design, types and parts of
firearms, the principles of firearms identification, collection, marking, preservation and handling of
evidence and its presentation in court and the necessary laboratory work. This also includes study of
firearm laws and related court decisions.

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 Task Directions

For your Initial Post due by Thursday 11:59 PM:

D IRECTIONS TO SUBMIT (IF SUBMISSION IS THROUGH ONLINE )

[INSTRUCTIONS HERE WOULD VARY DEPENDING ON THE PLATFORM USED, FOR EXAMPLE GOOGLE CLASSROOM ,
MESSENGER , GMAIL ]

1. On the right hand Menu, you will see a SUBMIT ASSIGNMENT button with a white plus sign.
2. Click on the SUBMIT ASSIGNMENT button. Then click BROWSE to look for your file on your
computer.
3. When done, click the SUBMIT ASSIGNMENT button.

D IRECTIONS TO SUBMIT (IF SUBMISSION IS THROUGH FACE-TO-FACE )

[Instructions here would vary depending on the instructor]

1. Bring your completed assignment in school (Main Campus) on or before TBA (To Be Announce.
2. Drop your completed assignment at the box placed in front of College Gym New Building.
3. Make sure to label your completed assignment with your name, course, year and section.

D ISCUSSION GUIDELINES
As you read and respond to others' posts, comments and reactions especially during Online Classes via
Google Classroom, keep in mind some basic rules for netiquette:

 Be kind and respectful to others

 Use full sentences
 Don't use too much jargon
 Treat others online as you wish to be treated
 Use language that supports others

ASSIGNMENTS

OVERVIEW
[Assignments tend to be short, 1-2 page writing assignments, such as article summaries or reflections on
a textbook topic or article provided and attached along this module. Insert a 1 -2 paragraph description
of the goal of the assignment and how this connects to the course content. Try to make this language
‘student-friendly’. For example: “The goal of this assignment is to help you…”]

D IRECTIONS
[List the steps students need to do to complete the assignment using the bullet pointed list function in
your word processing program or any Microsoft word application.]

HOW TO COMPLETE Y OUR ASSIGNMENT [F ILE UPLOAD E XAMPLE ]

Submit your work either Online thru this email/Google Class or personally at the scheduled date below in
Microsoft Word 97-2003, .docx or other word processing file. (Google Docs, Open Office are
also acceptable. If you are using iWorks, please convert to one of these file formats, as your instructor
may not be able to view your document.)

D IRECTIONS TO SUBMIT (IF SUBMISSION IS THROUGH ONLINE )

[INSTRUCTIONS HERE WOULD VARY DEPENDING ON THE PLATFORM USED, FOR EXAMPLE GOOGLE CLASSROOM ,
MESSENGER , GMAIL ]

4. On the right hand Menu, you will see a SUBMIT ASSIGNMENT button with a white plus sign.
5. Click on the SUBMIT ASSIGNMENT button. Then click BROWSE to look for your file on your
computer.
6. When done, click the SUBMIT ASSIGNMENT button.

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D IRECTIONS TO SUBMIT (IF SUBMISSION IS THROUGH FACE-TO-FACE )
[Instructions here would vary depending on the instructor]

4. Bring your completed assignment in school (Main Campus) on or before TBA (TO BE ANNOUNCE.
5. Drop your completed assignment at the box placed in front of COLLEGE GYM.
6. Make sure to label your completed assignment with your name, course, year and section.

GRADING
[Insert here a short description of the criteria for grading and/or if there is a rubric attached to the
assignment.]

Periodical Exam – 40%

Quizzes – 20%

Projects – 20%

Class Participation – 20%

Overall = 100%

P ROJECT / ACTIVITY DESCRIPTIONS (FOR COURSES WITH LABORATORY ONLY )

OVERVIEW
[Insert a 1 -2 paragraph description of the goal of the project/activity and how this connects to the
course content. Try to make this language ‘student-friendly’. For example: “The goal of this project is to
help you…”]

D ESCRIPTION
[List a more detailed description of the projects, perhaps with the various steps students need to do to
finish the assignment. When listing steps, make certain to use the bullet pointed list function in your
word processing program. Also list any resources student may need.]

HOW CAN YOU PREPARE ?

[List either a timeline or specific assignments with due dates that students need to do to complete the
project using the bullet pointed list function in your word processing program.]

END of WEEK 18 Learning Module

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