Branches of Ballistic

3 main branches
Interior

It deals with what takes place from the point of firing the pin or striker to the exit of the bullet through the muzzle

First phase

Exterior

Concerned with the flight of the bullet after leaving the barrel. It analyzes the path of projectile

Second phase

Terminal

The last phase, it studies the impact of projectile

Other branches
Transitional

Mediator between interior and external

Initiates after the propagation of a bullet

Forensic Ballistic

The science of investigation and identification of firearms and ammunition used in crimes.

Wound

Studies how projectile creates the wound

Shot
 Ballistics

The science that deals with study of motion of projectile.

Derived from Greek word Ballo or Ballein means to throw

Ballista

A gigantic bow or catapult that hurls stones.

Motion

Refers to the mobility or movement of the projectile.

Types of Motion
Direct Motion

The forward of motion of the bullet out of the shell by the forces of gases from burning gunpowder

Rotary Motion

The action of the bullet passing through a rifle bore barrel firearm which is either twisted to the left or to the right

Translational Motion

The action of the bullet once it hits a target and subsequently ricocheted.

Terms related to motion projectiles

Yaw

Refers to the rotation of the nose of the bullet away from the line of flight.

Gyroscopic action

Rapidly spinning of ammunition preventing it from tumbling.

Keyhole

Refers to the end-over-end tumbling of the bullet which will often leave an elongated or keyhole shaped hole in a paper target

Ricochet

It occur when a bullet or bullet fragment is deflected by an object rather than penetrating and becoming embedded in that object.
Forensic

Suggests a relationship to court of justice and legal proceedings.

Derived from the Latin word Forensis means before the forum

FIREARMS CONTROL
Firearms Information Management System (FIMS)

Refers to the compilation of all data and information on firearms ownership and disposition for record purposes

Interior (Internal) Ballistics

Refers to the properties and attributes of the projectile (bullet) while inside the gun. This extends from the "breech" to the "muzzle" of the gun.

Breech Muzzle

Rear end of the barrel The end of the barrel through which the projectile (bullet or shot) exits.

FICE PER VRE

1. Firing pin hitting the primer

2. Ignition of the priming mixture

3. Combustion of gun powder

4. Expansion of heated gas

5. Pressure developed

6. Energy generated

7. Recoil of gun

8. Velocity of bullet while inside the barrel

9. Rotation of bullet

10. Engraving of the cylindrical surface of the bullet

 Transitional Ballistics

Also known as Intermediate Ballistics, is the study of a projectile's behavior from the time it leaves the muzzle until the pressure
behind the projectile is equalized

Exterior (external) Ballistics

Refers to the attributes and movements of the bullet after it has left the gun muzzle.

Other factors affecting the of the bullet are attributed to the following:

The gravitational effect;

The muzzle velocity;

The angle of elevation of the barrel;

The sectional density of the bullet;

The bullet shape; and

Air resistance

This branch involves the following:

Muzzle blast

The sound created at the muzzle end of the barrel of the firearm after the explosion.

Muzzle energy (ME)

Energy of projectile at the muzzle of the firearm from which it was fired.

V is the velocity of the bullet

M is the, mass of the bullet

Muzzle Velocity (MV)

The initial or forward speed of the bullet as it leaves the muzzle.

Trajectory

The actual pattern or the curved path of the bullet in flight.

Bullet’s trajectory

The trajectory of a bullet is slightly curved. If you sight to hit a target at 200 yards, you will hit your target high at 100
yards. You will hit your target low at 300 yards.

Range

The straight distance between muzzle and target.

1. Accurate/ effective range

The distance within which the shooter has control of his shots or the distance at which the projectile can be expected to be lethal.

2. Maximum range

The farthest distance that a projectile can be propelled from a firearm.

Velocity
Speed of bullet.

Air resistance

Force of the air encountered by the bullet in its flight.

Pull of gravity

Downward reaction of the bullet towards the earth center due to its weight.

Penetration

The entry of the bullet on target.

Radically Invasive Projectile (RIP)

Uses machined copper-tipped bullets to make multiple penetrations into a target, including the main body of the bullet, creating up to nine
different wound channels. It is designed to create massive wounding, leading to rapid blood loss and target incapacitation

Terminal Ballistics

Terminal Accuracy

Size of the bullet grouping on the target.

Terminal Energy

Energy when bullet strike the target.

Terminal Velocity

Speed of bullet upon striking the target.

Terminal Penetration

Depth of entry of the bullet in the target

Shot Ballistics

Refers to the study of shots from smooth bore firearms like shotgun and muskets.

Wound Ballistics

The study of the effects of a projectile on a target and the conditions that affects them.
Means of producing damage

Fragmentation

Action of relatively small particles, usually from the case of a bomb, rocket, warhead, or shell;

Impact

Pertains to the penetration or perforation of an object by a relatively large metallic body

Hypervelocity impact

At extreme impact-velocities the projectile makes a much wider and deeper crater in the target.

This is called fluid impact, because at hypervelocity both projectile and target act like fluids..

Debris

Set in motion at high velocities

Heat

The flame front of the blast, or radiant heat

Chemical action

By smokes or poison gas

Bacteriological action

Radioactivity

Bullets produce tissue damage in three ways

1. Laceration and crushing

Low velocity bullets, as in handguns, that travel less than 1000 FPS do virtually all their damage via crushing

2. Cavitation

Significant with projectiles traveling in excess of 1000 FPS

Permanent cavity

Caused by the path of the bullet itself

Temporary cavity

Formed by continued forward acceleration of the medium (air or tissue) in the wake of the
bullet, causing the wound cavity to be stretched outward.
 3. Shock waves

Compress the medium and travel ahead of the bullet

Velocity is classified as:

Low Below 1000 feet per sec

Medium 1000 to 2000 FPS

High Above 2000 FPS

Bullet shapes are diagrammed below:

The distance of the target from the muzzle plays a large role in wounding capacity.

It is easier to design measures to aid deceleration of a larger, slower moving bullet in tissues than a small, high velocity
bullet. Such measures include shape modifications.

1. Round (round nose)

Round nose bullets provide the least braking, are usually jacketed, and useful mostly in low velocity
handguns

2. Flattened (wadcutter)

The wadcutter design provides the most braking from shape alone, is not jacketed, and is used in low
velocity handguns (often for target practice)

3. Cupped (hollowpoint) bullet nose

Hollowpoint bullet design facilitates turning the bullet "inside out" and flattening the front, referred to
as "expansion"
 3 basic kinds of Gunshot Wound (GSW) distinguished by the proximity of the weapon causing them:

1. Contact wounding

Gun muzzle pressed against, or within an inch or two, of the body.

2. Close discharge

6" to 2 ft

3. Distance discharge

Over 2 or 3 ft

Contact wounding

With the muzzle pressed against the skin will produce not a round entry but star shaped hole with lacerated edges.

Contact wound (soft tissue)

The abrasion ring, and a very clear muzzle imprint, are seen in this contact range gunshot wound.
 The appearance of the wounding
characteristics in the skull is shown in the
diagram. There is beveling of the skull outward
away from the direction of origin of the bullet.

Wound Ballistics

Exit wounds vary considerably in size and shape because the bullet can be deformed in its transit through the body.

There may be no exit wound at all if the bullet's energy is absorbed by the tissues.

Some bullets (such as "hollowpoint") are designed to deform so that all their energy will be converted to tissue damage and not exit.

Forensic Ballistics

The science of firearm identification by means of the ammunition fired through them.

This is the real branch of science which the police use as their guide in field investigation. This includes the
following:

Divisions:

Field Investigations
Technical examinations of the Ballistic exhibits

Legal proceedings / court duty

 Field Investigation

The job done by the first officers investigating the case where firearm has been used.

It involves recognition, collection, marking, preservation, and transmittal of ballistics exhibit.

Technical examination

The job performed by the firearms examiners within the laboratory involving marking of ballistic evidence,

Court presentation

Involves the appearance of the examiner court as an expert witness

Benjamin Robins (England)

Ballistic pendulum, in 1742

A device for measuring a bullet's momentum, from which it is possible

to calculate the velocity and kinetic energy.

Charles Hutton (England)

Had developed a formula for the velocity of a spherical projectile

Gen. Thomas Jackson Rodman (us)

In 1857 led improvements in the grain-form of powder and in the manufacture of guns. Rodman also devised a gauge
for the direct measurement of the maximum pressures of powder gases in guns.

Paul M.E. Vieille (France)

Around 1884, introduce smokeless powder.

 FUNDAMENTALS of FIREARM and TOOLMARK IDENTIFICATION

Toolmark
• Features imparted on an object by the contact and force exerted from a tool.

TWO TYPES

1. Impressed Toolmarks
- Breach face markings
- contact marks, isang beses lang tumama
- recoil sa baril
- features produced when a tool contacts an object with enough compressive force that
it leaves an impression.

Impressed Mark
- one time mark, impression- simple contact

2. Striated Toolmark
- marking that are seen on the bullet
- features produced when a tool contacts an object with lateral force and
moition.
Ballistic Curve
- short definition for trajectory

Trajectory
- actual curve path on flight of the projectile to the target.
Notes: September 26, 22023

Shot Ballistics
- refers to the study of shots from smooth bore firearms like shotgun and muskets.

Wound Ballistics
- the study of the effects of a projectile on a target and the conditions that affects
them.

Maximum Range
- farthest distance that a projectile can be propelled from a firearm.

Riflings
- the lands and grooves

Firearm
- an instrument used for the propulsion of projectiles by means of the expansive force of
gases coming from burning gunpowder

- basically termed as gun; a portable weapon such as pistol, revolvers or rifles that
discharges ammunition

- accdg to AFTE an assembly of a barrel and action from which a projectile is propelled by
products of combustion.

Legal Definition of Firearm : (Sec. 877 of the RAC and Sec. 290 of NIRC)
- firearm or arms include rifles, muskets, carbines, shotguns, pistols, revolvers, and all
other deadly weapons from which bullets, balls, shots, shells or other missiles maybe
discharge by means of gunpowder or other explosives
RA 10591
• 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 form burning gunpowder or other form of
combustion or any similar instrument or implement. For purpose of this act, the barrel,
frame, or receiver is considered a firearm.

GENERAL CLASSIFICATION OF FIREARMS

Rifled- bore Firearms

- firearms that have rifling inside the gun barrel

Smooth-bore Firearms
- firearms that have no rifling inside the gun barrel

Accdg to Caliber of Projectiles Propelled Artillery:

• those types of firearms that propel projectiles one (1) inch and more in diameter. (I.e
cannons, mortars, bazookas, grenade launchers.)
Small Arms
- those types of firearms that propel
projectiles less than one (1) in diameter.

Machine Guns
- a fully automatic firearms that loads, fires,
and eject continuously when the trigger is held to
the rear until the ammunition is exhausted or
pressure on the trigger is released.

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

Hand Guns
- those types of firearms that are designed or
intended to be fired using one hand- either the
right or left hand

ACCORDING TO INTERNAL
CONSTRUCTION OF THE BORE
Types of Firearms that were normally fired from the
shoulder:

Rifle

• Any weapon designed or intended to be operated from the

shoulder.

• Rifles are so named because the grooving inside the barrel

is known as rifling.

Muskets
• An ancient smooth-bore and muzzle loading military shoulder
arm designed to fire a single round lead ball
Carbine
• A short barrel rifle, with its barrel measuring not longer
than 22 inches. It fires a single projectile through a rifled-
bore, either semi- automatic or full-automatic, for every
press of the trigger.

Shotgun

• A smooth-bore and breech loading shoulder arm designed

to fire a number of lead pellets or shots in one charge.
ACCORDING TO RA 10591

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.

DEMILITARIZED FIREARM
- refers to a firearm deliberately made incapable of performing its main
purpose of firing a projectile.

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.

ACCORDING TO MECHANICAL DESIGN AND ACTION

Single Shot Firearms

– type of firearm designed to fire only one shot for every loading.
Example: home-made pistol, muskets and break type shot guns.
REPEATING ARMS
• type of firearm designed to fire several shots in one loading.
Example: Automatic pistols, Revolvers, Rifles, Automatic
Shotguns

BOLT ACTION
• reloading is done by manipulation of the bolt. This rifle works very
similar to the pump shotgun but it uses side mounted device to extract
the used cartridge and chamber a fresh one.
• A firearm that is manually loaded by the reciprocation and engagement
of a bolt
Examples: Hunting Rifles, Armalite Rifles, M1 Garrand etc.
AUTOMATIC
• after the first shot is fired, automatic loading or feeding of the
chamber takes place.
• Those that discharge cartridge with each pull of the trigger
and that continues to fire as long as the trigger is pressed
• Examples: Uzi, Thompson Submachine guns etc.

PUMP ACTION

• loading takes place by back and forth manipulation of the under

forearm of the gun.
SLIDE ACTION
• An action which features a movable slide which is
manually or automatically actuated in motion parallel
to the barrel by the shooter.

SEMIAUTOMATIC TYPE
• a firearm requiring a separate pull of the trigger for
each shot fired, and which uses the energy of
discharge to perform a portion of the operating or
firing (usually the loading portion)
LEVER ACTION
• a design wherein the breech mechanism is cycled by an
external lever generally below the receiver

SINGLE ACTION
• the trigger performs a single action, the releasing of the
hammer, which makes contact with the firing pin, which
discharges the primer, which ignites the powder charge.
 DOUBLE ACTION
• the trigger can both cock the hammer and fire the
cartridge, performing two actions.

NOTE: a semi-automatic pistol, single-action and double-action

refer to the first shot only. After the first shot, the recoiling slide
cocks the hammer. In a "double-action only" semi-automatic, the
slide does not cock the hammer, the trigger performs this function.
MACHINE GUN TYPE
• a firearm with a rifled barrel firing rifle ammunition and
capable of fully automatic fire

SUB-MACHINE GUN TYPE

• a firearm with a riffled barrel firing pistol

ammunitions.

Shotguns

• A shotgun is a smooth-bored firearm; it has no

rifling grooves cut into the barrel.

The action, or method a shotgun uses for

loading and disposing of cartridges, can be:

• auto-loading
• pump action
• break action
• bolt action
 BREAK ACTION

The gun has a hinged opening where the

chamber meets the barrel. By opening the gun, it is easy
to see if it's loaded or not.

CHOKE
• It acts like the nozzle of a garden hose. As the nozzle is
tightened, water shoots out in a long, narrow stream,
similar to the full choke on a shotgun. As the nozzle is
opened, similar to the cylinder choke on a shotgun, water
shoots out in a wider spray.

SHOT SPREAD
• is determined by a constriction or narrowing at
the muzzle called "a choke."
This produces a tight pattern.
suitable for longer ranges. Pattern
is too dense and small for hunting
at close range.

This produces a more open pattern,

suitable for medium ranges.
Recommended for upland hunting.

This produces an even more open

pattern, suitable for short ranges. At
longer ranges, the shot pattern is too
thin to ensure hits.

This produces the most open pattern,

suitable for shortest ranges. At longer
range, pattern is too thin to ensure
hits.
UNUSUAL OR MISCELLANEOUS TYPE

• those type of firearms that are unique in mechanism

and construction.

GAS GUNS
• used for firing tear gas and other forms
of disabling gas.

TRAPS
• these are designed to be set in the woods and left
where animals will encounter them. They may fire a
bullet or a poison charge, depending on their
construction.

ZIP GUNS
• these may be in any form, since the name has been
applied to all homemade guns.

FLARE GUNS
• used in cases such as for sending signals
and enabling to see enemies in the dark.

HARPOON GUNS
• barbed spear in hunting large
fish.
 The 4 basic mechanisms of firearm:
1. BARREL MECHANISM

• This firearm mechanism is primarily composed of a

metallic tube that initiates the path of the bullet. It includes
the front sight, flash suppressor and other attachments.
The interior surface of the barrel may be smooth or rifled.

2. CHAMBER

• This is a widened hole at the breech end of the barrel. The

chamber serves to contain the cartridge ready for firing.

3. BREECH MECHANISM

• This mechanism closes the rear end of the barrel, holding

the cartridge in the chamber. All modern small arms have
some way by which the breech can be opened for loading
and locked for safety.

4. FIRING MECHANISM

• In most firearms, the firing mechanism consists mainly of

the firing pin, hammer, sear, and trigger. For hammerless
firearms, a spring drives the firing pin through the breech
bolt against the primer of the cartridge. The firing pin is
cocked (drawn back) against a hook called the sear.
• Group of moving parts used to load, fire, and unload
the pistol
Classification of firearms according to power:

A. Based on Velocity:

Low Power

• A firearm that fires a cartridge giving a muzzle velocity

of less than 1,850 ft/sec.

High Power

• a firearm that fires a cartridge giving a muzzle velocity

of between 1,925 and 2,500 ft/sec.

High Intensity

• A firearm that fires a cartridge that gives a muzzle

velocity of over 2,500 ft/sec.
Legal definition
AMMUNITION
• It shall refer as a “loaded shell” for rifles, muskets,
carbines, shotguns, revolvers and pistols from which a
ball, bullet, shot, shell or other missile may be fired by
means of gunpowder or other explosives.

Technical Definition
• The term ammunition refers to a group of
cartridges or to a single unit cartridge-meaning a
complete unfired unit consisting of a bullet,
cartridge case, gunpowder and primer.
• the term may also refer to a single round

Ammunition for large caliber guns (such as artillery) is

called shell, ammunition for rifles and handguns is
referred to as cartridge.

Cartridge was derived from Latin word

“charta” means paper. The French word “cartouche”
meaning a roll of paper.
General Types of Ammunition:

Dummy
• a carefully made replica of a cartridge, usually made of
steel and discreetly dimensioned to be used by weapons
instructors, inspectors and repairmen when checking if
weapons are functional

Drill ammo
• completely inert and without an explosive propellant; used
in military training to practice loading and manipulation of
firearms

Blank ammo
• a cartridge without a bullet; may contain gunpowder and
priming mixture thus designed to produce gunshot to
indicate firing; used for theatrical performance and military
training

Live ammo
• the real ammunition since it is composed of a complete unit
of unfired cartridge
PARTS OF AN AMMUNITION / CARTRIDGE

1. BULLET
2. GUNPOWDER
3. CARTRIDGE CASE
4. PRIMER
CENTERFIRE AMMUNITION
 CLASSIFICATION OF CARTRIDGES

ACCORDING TO THE TYPE OF FIREARMS WHEREIN USED

• Revolver cartridges – used in

revolvers
• Pistol cartridges – used in pistols
• Rifles cartridges – used in rifles
• Shotguns – used in shot guns

ACCORDING TO LOCATION OF PRIMER OR TYPE OF

IGNITION SYSTEM

1. Pin Fire Cartridge

• (obsolete) any point the pin hit will explode
 2. Center- fire

• priming powder is located at the

center

3. Rim-Fire

• the primer is located at the

rim at the base point
Misfire - total failure of a cartridge to discharge

Hangfire - delayed explosion of the cartridge

Classification of Cartridges according to Power

• Low-power cartridge - fires a projectile with a
muzzle velocity of less than 1,850 fps

• High-power cartridge - fires a projectile with a

muzzle velocity bet’n 1,925 & 2,500 fps

• High-intensity cartridge - has muzzle velocity of

more than 2,500 fps