FORENSIC

BALLISTICS
⯈ Ballistics
- refers to the science of firearm’s identification which
involves the scientific examination of ballistic exhibits - fired bullets,
fired shells, firearms, and allied matters - used in crimes.
⯈ Motion- refers to the mobility or movement of the projectile.
⯈3 Types of Motion
1.Direct motion- is the forward movement of the bullet or shots out of
the shell by the action of the expansive force of gases from a burning
gun powder.
2.Rotatory motion- is the action of the bullet passing through a rifled
bore barrel firearm which is either twisted to the left or right.
3. Translational-
is the action of the bullet once it hits a target
and subsequently ricocheted.
ORIGIN OF THE WORD BALLISTICS

⯈ The word Ballistics was derived from two Greek words. The word
“Ballo” or “Ballein” which literary mean “to throw”.
⯈ The term also said to have been derived from the roman was
machine called “Ballista”, a gigantic catapult which was used to hurl
missiles or large object at a distance like stones.
ORIGIN OF FIREARMS

•⯈ ROGER
BACON-AN ENGLISH MONK & SCIENTEST INVENTED
GUNPOWDER IN 1248.
• ⯈ BERTHHOLD SCHWARTZ-APPLICATION OF GUNPOWDER AS
PROPELLING OF A MISSILE CALLED NOW AS BLACK POWDER IN THE
EARLY 1300.
•⯈EARLIEST RECORDED USES OF FIREARMS IN WARFARE WAS ON SEVILE, SPAIN IN
1247
•⯈ KING EDWARD 111 OF ENGLAND USED CANN0N AT CRECY IN 1346.
• ⯈ ALSO MOHAMMED 11 OF TURKEY USED CANNON IN HIS FAMOUS
CONQUEST OF CONSTATINOPOLE IN 1453
 HISTORY OF BALLISTICS

⯈ Alexandre Lacassagne (1844-1921)- was the first to recognize the significance of the
striations etched found on a bullet extracted from a murder victim and its to link to
the gun from which it was fired, thus beginning the science of ballistics.
⯈ Edmond Locard (1877-1966) established the first forensic laboratory in France.
His principles “objects or surfaces which came into contact always exchange
trace evidence”.
⯈ FORENSIC BALLISTICS-The science of investigation and identification of
firearms and ammunitions used in crimes.
- “FORENSIC” derived from the word “FORUM”-meaning a market place
where people gathered for public disputation-PUBLIC DISCUSSION”

⯈ Branches of Ballistics
⯈ Interior (internal) Ballistics - refers to the properties and attributes of the
projectile (bullet) while still inside the gun; from breech to the muzzle of
the gun.
⯈ Exterior (external) Ballistics - refers to the attributes and movements of
the bullet after it has left the gun muzzle.
⯈ Muzzle blast - 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 atmosphere.
 ⯈ Muzzle energy - energy generated at muzzle point.
⯈ Trajectory
- actual curved path of the bullet during its flight from the
gun muzzle to the target.
⯈ Range - straight distance between muzzle and the target.
⯈Accurate (effective) - distance within which the shooter has control
of his shots.
⯈Maximum range - rate of speed of the bullet per unit of time.
⯈ Velocity - rate of speed of the bullet per unit of time.
⯈ TerminalBallistics - refers to the effects of the impact of the projectile on
the target.
⯈ Terminal accuracy - size of the bullet grouping on the target.
 ⯈ Terminalenergy - energy of the projectile when it strikes the target.
Also known as striking energy,
⯈ Terminal velocity - speed of the bullet upon striking the target.
⯈ Terminal penetration - depth of entry of the bullet in the target.
⯈ ForensicBallistics - refers to the investigation and identification of
firearms by means of ammunition fired through them. This is the
real branch of the science which the police use as their guide in field
investigations:
⯈ Field investigations - conducted by the first officer on the case in the
crime scene when they investigate a case or cases wherein firearm is
involved.
⯈ Technical examinations of the ballistics exhibits
⯈ Shot Ballistics- is the study of shotgun ammunition including its
characteristics spread and trailing.
Wound ballistics- is the study of the effects of a projectile on a target
and the conditions that affect them
Technical Definition - an instrument used for the propulsion of
projectiles by means of the expansive force of gases coming from
burning gunpowder.
 Two General Classes of Firearms
 smooth - bore firearms - without rifling, examples: shotguns
and muskets
 rifled-bore firearms -
 Main Types of Firearms
 artillery - those that
propel projectiles
more than 1 inch in
diameter.
 Small arms - those that propels projectiles less than an inch
A I R G U N

Caliber .17

10 meters ¼ thickness plywood

Any of the three (3) pellets penetrate the plywood is

considered as firearms.
Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act No. 10591
Ammunition – refers to a complete unfired unit consisting of a bullet,
gunpowder, cartridge case and primer or loaded shell for use in any
firearm;
Bullet – The projectile propelled through the barrel of a firearm by
means of the expansive force of gases coming from burning
gunpowder;
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;
Gun Powder – refers to any explosive powder used to propel
projectiles intended for firearms; and
Primer – also called an “igniter”, refers to a device used for the purpose
of setting fire to ignite the gun powder.
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;
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;
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;
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;
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;
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:
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
b) Revolver – is a hand-operated firearm with a revolving cylinder containing
chambers for individual cartridges.
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.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.
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;
Carrying of Firearms Outside of Residence or Place of Business
1.A permit to carry firearms outside of residence or place of business shall be issued by
the Chief, PNP or his/her duly authorized representative to the licensed citizen allowing
him/her to carry the firearm outside the residence or place of business.
2.A licensed citizen whose life is under actual threat or imminent danger may apply for
the issuance of a PTCFOR. The written application made under oath and duly notarized shall
be filed together with the threat assessment certificate issued by the PNP.
3.For purposes of this Act, the following professionals are considered to be in
imminent danger due to the nature of their profession, occupation or business and
hence are not required to submit threat assessment certificates:
a) Members of the Philippine Bar;
b) Certified Public Accountants;
c)Accredited media practitioners from recognized media institutions; Cashiers and
bank tellers;
d) Priests, Ministers, Rabbi, Imams;
e) Physicians and nurses; and
f) Businessmen, who by the nature of their business or undertaking duly recognized or
regulated by law, are exposed to high risk of being targets of criminal elements.
 4.Licensed sports shooter may apply for PTCFOR that will cover three (3)
firearms at one time inclusive of the allowed quantity of ammunition mentioned in
Section 12.
5.The PTCFOR shall serve as a waiver on the part of the licensed citizen
for concerned law enforcement agents to inspect and verify the firearm/s covered by
the said PTCFOR when carried outside of residence.
6.Special Permit to Carry Firearms Outside of Residence shall be granted by
the Chief, PNP through PTCFOR-Secretariat to government employees who will use
their privately owned and registered small arms for a specific law enforcement
purpose.
7.Special Permit to Carry Firearms Outside of Residence shall be granted by
the Chief, PNP through the Chief, FEO to individuals who are part of peace
process negotiation other than members of the government peace negotiating panel.
8.Members of the PNP, AFP and other Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) may
carry their licensed privately-owned firearms, in furtherance of their official
duties and functions, subject to the following conditions:
a)With License to Own and Possess Firearms (LTOPF) and Firearm
Registration Card;
b) With valid PTCFOR; and
c) With valid LO/MO.
7.9 Members of the PNP, AFP and other Law Enforcement Agencies must apply for a
PTCFOR-LEA, in order to be authorized to carry the corresponding government-
issued firearm outside of residence:
a) The Police Regional Director or his equivalent in the AFP and other law
enforcement agencies, shall endorse to the Chief, PNP all application for PTCFOR-
LEA;
b)The application must be accompanied by the latest appointment order of
the personnel applying for PTCFOR-LEA and a certificate of non-pending case
duly issued for the purpose;
c) The PTCFOR-LEA shall be issued only by the Chief, PNP through PTCFOR-
Secretariat and shall be valid only for one (1) year;
d)The fees to be charged in the filling of application for PTCFOR-LEA shall only be
in such minimal amount corresponding to the actual administrative cost necessary
for the issuance of the permit, as may be determined by the PNP; and
e) The PTCFOR-LEA should always be accompanied by the corresponding
Memorandum Receipt/Acknowledgment Receipt of Equipment (MR/ARE);
7.10 Letter Order/Mission Order (LO/MO) shall be issued by the authorized Head of
Office. The scope of the LO/MO shall only be within the jurisdiction of the issuing
Authority.
Licenses Issued to Individuals
9.1 Subject to the requirements mentioned in paragraphs 4.1 and 4.4 of this
IRR, which are inclusive unless subsequently amended or modified, a
qualified individual based on the findings and recommendations of the
FEO may be issued any of the licenses hereunder mentioned:
a) Type 1 license – allows a citizen to own and possess a maximum of two
(2) registered firearms;
b) Type 2 license – allows a citizen to own and possess a maximum of five
(5) registered firearms;
c) Type 3 license – allows a citizen to own and possess a maximum ten
(10) registered firearms;
d) Type 4 license – allows a citizen to own and possess a maximum of
fifteen
(15) registered firearms; and
e) Type 5 license – allows a citizen, who is certified gun collector, to own and
possess more than fifteen (15) registered firearms.
Firearms That May Be Registered
1. Only small arms as defined in this IRR may be registered by licensed
citizens or licensed juridical entities for ownership, possession and concealed
carry.
2. A light weapon as defined in this IRR shall be lawfully acquired or
possessed exclusively by the AFP, the PNP and other law enforcement agencies
authorized for such purpose by the President or by law that Congress may
pass after the effectivity of this IRR.
3.Private individuals who are already licensed holders for Class-A
light weapons as herein defined upon the effectivity of this IRR shall not be
deprived of the lawful possession thereof, provided that they renew their
licenses and firearm registration and they continue to possess the standard
requirements mentioned in paragraphs 4.1 and 4.4, in this IRR.
4.Conversion of a registered Class-A light weapon to small arm may
be allowed upon the approval of the Chief, PNP through the FEO. Conversion
shall be done by the licensed gunsmith or authorized manufacturer
supervised by authorized representative of the FEO. The firearm parts that
were removed (which contribute to the full automatic characteristic/mode of
the firearm) shall be turned-over to the FEO for final disposition
10.5 Registered firearms or ammunition or major parts acquired or purchased
by licensed citizen or licensed juridical entity in accordance with these
rules may be transferred or sold only to a licensed citizen or licensed juridical
entity with appropriate type of license. Provided, that private individuals with
existing registered Class “A” Light Weapon may transfer its registration to
another private individual with at least Type 3 License and has an existing
registered Class “A” Light Weapon. Provided further, that upon
effectivity of this Implementing Rules and Regulations, no licensed
individual may register more than two (2) Class “A” Light Weapons
except those licensed individuals referred to in paragraph 10.3 of this IRR.
10.6 Failure to renew the registration of a Class-A light weapon or comply
with the standards and requirements for renewal purposes shall be a ground
for the cancellation of the registration. In case of revocation of
license and cancellation of registration, the individual concerned shall
surrender the weapons herein mentioned to the nearest police station within
thirty (30) days, except when there are other justifying circumstances.
Otherwise, he/she could be charged for violation of the law.
License to Possess Firearms Necessarily Includes Possession of
Ammunition
1.The license to individual or juridical entity for the ownership
and possession of registered firearms necessarily includes the
license to possess ammunition appropriate to the registered firearm
which shall not exceed fifty (50) rounds per firearm at any given time.
2.A licensed citizen shall secure first a sports shooter’s license
before he/she be allowed to possess ammunition more than the
prescribed quantity. Only licensed sports shooter shall be allowed
to possess ammunition of more than fifty (50) rounds but not more than
one thousand (1000) rounds for each of the registered firearm.
However, in meritorious cases, a licensed sports shooter may request for
approval from the Chief, PNP through the FEO to carry more than the
allowed quantity which is subject to additional fees.
Death or Disability of the Licensee
1. Upon the death of the licensee, the privilege of his/her license to own or
possess firearms and the registration of the firearm automatically expires.
2.In case of legal disability, the privilege provided for by a license to own
or possess firearms and the registration of the firearm shall be revoked.
3. When a licensed citizen with registered firearm dies or become legally
disabled, his/her next of kin, nearest relative, legal representative, or any other
person who shall knowingly come into possession of the registered firearm
shall cause the delivery of the same to the FEO or Police Regional Office or
through the nearest police station which has jurisdiction over the licensee and/or
the registered firearm.
4.In case of death or legal disability of the licensee, the next of kin,
nearest relative, legal representative or any other person who shall knowingly
come into possession of the registered firearm shall register the firearm/s
provided he/she meets the standard requirements and qualifications in
accordance with RA 10591 and its IRR.
5. Upon presentation of the proof that the individual is the next of kin, nearest
relative, legal representative or other persons who shall knowingly come into
possession of the firearm or ammunition of the deceased or legally disabled
licensee, he/she may apply for the issuance of a License to Own and Possess
Firearm and the transfer of the registration of the firearm under his/her name.
Unlawful Acquisition or Possession of Firearms and Ammunition
The unlawful acquisition, possession of firearms and ammunition shall be penalized as follows:
a) The penalty of prision mayor in its medium period shall be imposed upon any person who
shall unlawfully acquire or possess a small arm;
b) The penalty of reclusion temporal to reclusion perpetua shall be imposed if three (3) or more
small arms or Class-A light weapons are unlawfully acquired or possessed by any person;
c)The penalty of prision mayor in its maximum period shall be imposed upon any person who
shall unlawfully acquire or possess a Class-A light weapon;
d)The penalty of reclusion perpetua shall be imposed upon any person who shall unlawfully
acquire or possess a Class-B light weapon;
e)The penalty of one (1) degree higher than that provided in paragraphs a) to (c) in this section
shall be imposed upon any person who shall unlawfully possess any firearm under any or
combination of the following conditions:
1) Loaded with ammunition or inserted with a loaded magazine;
2)Fitted or mounted with laser or any gadget used to guide the shooter to hit the target such
as thermal weapon sight (TWS) and the like;
3) Fitted or mounted with sniper scopes, firearm muffler or firearm silencer;
4) Accompanied with an extra barrel.
5) Converted to be capable of firing full automatic bursts.
f) The penalty of prision mayor in its minimum period shall be imposed upon any
person who shall unlawfully acquire or possess a major part of a small arm;
g)The penalty of prision mayor in its minimum period shall be imposed upon any
person who shall unlawfully acquire or possess ammunition for a small arm. If the
violation of this paragraph is committed by the same person charged with the
unlawful acquisition or possession of a small arm, the former violation shall be absorbed
by the latter;
h) The penalty of prision mayor in its medium period shall be imposed upon any
person who shall unlawfully acquire or possess a major part of a Class-A light weapon;
i) The penalty of prision mayor in its medium period shall be imposed upon any
person who shall unlawfully acquire or possess ammunition for a Class-A light
weapon. If the violation of this paragraph is committed by the same person charged
with the unlawful acquisition or possession of a Class-A light weapon; the former
violation shall be absorbed by the latter;
j)The penalty of prision mayor in its maximum period shall be imposed upon any
person who shall unlawfully acquire or possess a major part of a Class-B light weapon;
and
k)The penalty of prision mayor in its maximum period shall be imposed upon any
person who shall unlawfully acquire or possess ammunition for a Class-B light
weapon. If the violation of this paragraph is committed by the same person charged
with the unlawful acquisition or possession of a Class-B light weapon, the former violation
shall be absorbed by the latter.
Use of Loose Firearm in the Commission of a Crime
1.The use of a loose firearm, when inherent in the commission of a
crime punishable under the Revised Penal Code or other special laws,
shall be considered as an aggravating circumstance: Provided, That if
the crime committed with the use of a loose firearm is penalized by the
law with a maximum penalty which is lower than that prescribed in the
preceding section for illegal possession of firearm, the penalty for the crime
charged: Provided further, that if the crime committed with the use of loose
firearm is penalized by the law with a maximum penalty of prision mayor
in its minimum period punishable under the Revised Penal Code or other
special laws of which he/she is found guilty.
2.If the violation of the law is in furtherance of, or incident to, or in
connection with the crime of rebellion or insurrection, or attempted coup
d’état, such violation shall be absorbed as an element of the crime of
rebellion or insurrection, or attempted coup d’ etat.
3.If the crime is committed by the person without using the loose firearm;
the violation of the law shall be considered as a distinct and separate offense.
Liability for Planting Evidence
The penalty of prision mayor in its maximum period shall be imposed
upon any person who shall willfully and maliciously insert, place and/or
attach, directly or indirectly, through any overt or covert act, any
firearm, or ammunition or parts thereof in the person, house,
effects, or in the immediate vicinity of an innocent individual for the
purpose of implicating or incriminating the person, or imputing the
commission of any violation of the provisions of this IRR to said individual.
If the person found guilty under this paragraph is a public officer or
employee, such person shall suffer the penalty of reclusion perpetua.
Ammunition
 Found in Chapter VII,
Section 290 of National
Internal Revenue Code as
well as in Section 877 of
-Revised
It refers to Administrative Code
a loaded shell for rifles, muskets,
carbines, shotguns, revolvers, and pistols from which a
ball, bullet, shot, shell or other missiles may be fired
by means of gunpowder or other explosives.

LEGAL
DEFINITION
 TECHNICAL DEFINITION

It 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”.

Cartridge – is a complete round of ammunition for a firearm.

The term cartridge and ammunition can be used

interchangeably.
 ORIGIN
The cartridge evolved about the turn of the 16th century. In
1635, the first cartridge was invented by King Gustavus
Adolphus of Sweden. He was credited with this invention. These
were simple packages, which he furnished to his troops during
the 30 years of war. The package was torn, and the content
was poured down inside the barrel. Most shooters during those
days had to carry two powder horns, the first is for the powder
to be poured in the barrel, and the second is for the fine grains
powder for priming charge. The invention of paper cartridge
eliminated the package of the use of horn in carrying the
powder mixture in bottles or tube.
 The term cartridge evolved about the turn of 6th century.
earliest
The small arms ammunition or cartridge consisted of a
measured
pre- charge of powder wrapped in paper. The
cartridge is derived from the word “charta”, the Latin word
term
paper.
for Later on, it came through the French word
meaning
“cartouche”,a roll of paper, which indicates that the
cartridge were not the brass gliding metal tipped units which
original
we are familiar with
today.
The paper cartridge remained standard, for muzzle loading
firearms though the middle of the 19th century. The paper
cartridge designed for combustible cartridge. It
employed
was in muzzle-loading
was firearms, revolving chamber
firearms, and in several breech-loading firearms. The casing
and enclosing the gunpowder was made from nitrated paper,
collodion, cloth, animal intestine or some other materials
would
which not leave a residue in the chamber of the gun
after
barrel
firing.
CLASSIFICATION OF
CARTRIDGES
 ACCORDING TO LOCATION OF PRIMER

1. Needle-fire cartridge – the primer is placed in the base of

the bullet. A long sharp firing pin is pierced the paper or
foil case to reach the primer.
2. Tit-fire cartridge – a copper case nipple containing
the protruding cup, through which a hole rear the breech
block, to the struck and detonated by the falling hammer.
3. Tail-fire cartridge – the opening of the rifle for loading is compressed
by spring, once the rifle has been loaded and the breech is
closed, operation of the trigger to crush against the underside of the
block, and detonate a flat percussion tail from the rear of the cartridge.
4. Pin-fire Cartridge – the first cartridge of self-exploding type developed
by Monsieur Le Facheux of Paris, around 1836. The primer was placed on
the sidewall of a copper case and a brass pin was installed in the
opposite side of the case, the intended pin rested on the primer then
the hammer fall on the side of the case, driving the pin into the primer.
5. Rim-fire Cartridge – developed by Louis Nicolas Auguste Flobert of
France, around 1845, the priming mixture is contained or located in
the cavity inside and around the rim of the cartridge which is a very
sensitive area. This cartridge is usually applied to caliber .22 firearms.
6. Ring-fire cartridge – it is a type of cartridge used on the sabotage case.
This is a special type of cartridge wherein the priming mixture is placed
in a circular hollow ring about 1/3 of the base of the cartridge.
7. Volcanic cartridge – a system made by
Robin and Laurence around 1854. The
a mini ball
cartridge was with a base cavity filled
propellant.
with A paper disc holding a
pellet is closed at the back of the base,
fulminate
this
type of cartridge is similar to needle-fire but
8. the firing pinCartridge
Center-fire can easily –damaged.
in 1858, the
cartridge marked the development of
Moors
cartridge.
this The primer cap is forced into the
middle portion of the head of cartridge case.
 ACCORDING TO TYPE OF FIREARM USED

1. Revolver cartridge – it has a rimmed base, which allows the

cylinder where the chamber is located to clamp its rim.
2. Pistol cartridge – extracting grooves are designed to allow
easier packaging of the rounds in the magazine.
3. Assault rifle cartridge – longer than a hand weapon and generally
bottle necked for larger powder capacity and increased powder.
4. Shotgun cartridge – the case is generally made up of plastic or paper
designed to fire several projectiles spreading out to create a
come of fire.
5. Caseless cartridge – the powder is the casing itself, of the projectiles.
It requires varnishing to protect it from moisture and moderate
shocks. There are few residues left after the gunpowder had exploded.
The cross section is generally fragile to cause for fragmentation.
 ACCORDING TO TYPE OF CALIBER

The caliber of a gun is the diameter of its bore, measure in fraction of

an inch between two opposite lands for barrel with even lands. The
caliber of a firearm designated only as an approximation of the bore
diameter, and is usually closer to the groove diameter. The different
systems of measuring caliber of firearm are Metric or European
(millimeter) and English or American (inches) systems of measurement.
In converting millimeters to inches – multiple the millimeters
by .03937 or divide by 25.4 while converting inches to millimeters –
multiple by 25.4 or divide by .03937.
 SHOTGUN SHELL
It is the cartridge for shotgun. It is also called a “shell”, and its
body may be made up of metal or plastic or paper with a metal
head. The length of a shot shell is normally given in inches and is
based on the length of the spent hull.
 PARTS OF SHOTGUN SHELL

1. Shot cup – it is a plastic cup that holds shot in pattern as it leaves

from the muzzle of the firearm.
2. Tube or case – prior to 1960, a paper tube were used, with
mouth closed by rolled crimps or with plastic body or hull with
mouth closed by die crimp, eliminating need for overshot wad.
3. Primer – it is the very sensitive part of the cartridge located in
the bottom portion of the case which ignites the powder charge.
4. Propellant – a chemical compound used in firearms that burns upon
ignition. The gases produced by this rapid combustion propel
the pellet down the bore of the firearm.
5. Crimp – portion of the cartridge that is bent inward to hold the shots
in place.
6. Wads – it helps to contain the shot, seal off the shot payload from
the ignition gases to prevent deformation and protects the barrel from
lead building up. The four types of wads are base wad, under powder,
over powder and filler.
7. Shot/pellet – small spherical projectiles for shotgun.
KINDS OF SHOT/PELLET

1. Buckshot (BS) – consist of a number of lead balls that spread out

as they travel. These pellets are not very effective (in 00 buckshot,
each one is .33 inch in diameter), but collectively they result in
large and destructive wounds. At longer distance, however the
shot spreads and fewer pellets hit the target.
2. Slug (SL) – instead of a group of lead balls, the shell contains a
single huge bullet with angled grooves cut into its side to spin it,
as it travels down the smooth bore of a shotgun. The penetration
of a slug is better than shot, but the wound channel is not as wide as
the shot.
3. Tungsten-Iron shot – it is formed either powdered tungsten and
powdered iron, they are blended together and pressed into pellet,
then sintered or bonded together by heating process. The shot is
coated with a rust inhibitor and it is harder than both lead and steel.
4. Flechette Shot (FS) – a cluster of sturdy steel needles, replaced
the shot of the standard shotgun shell. These flechettes have tiny
fins at their base to stabilize them in flight. Air resistance
is greatly improved over shot, than in armor piercing capability.
5. Armor-piercing Bullet (APB) – the discarding sabot slug
processes an aerodynamic shape that keeps it stable flight
even though it does not spin. It is smaller in diameter than a
standard slug, and surrounded within the shell by a tow-
piece plastic sabot. After exiting the barrel, the sabot splits in
half and falls away because of air resistance.
6. Steel Shot – it is made by cutting soft steel wire into short lengths,
which are formed into shot. The shot is then annealed and coated
with a rust inhibitor. Wads for steel shot ammunition, are molded from
high density polyethylene. It has thick sidewalls to prevent
the pellets from contracting the shotgun bore surface. High velocity
steel loads have a cushion to reduce recoil.
7. Tungsten-Iron and Steel – this shell has a layer of steel over a layer
of tungsten-Iron. It gives a dense combined pattern at longer
ranges. It can be used in any shotgun recommended for steel shot.
DIFFERENT CARTRIDGES
AND ITS PARTS
Bullet
 DEFINITION
It is a metallic or nonmetallic, cylindrical projectile propelled from a
firearm by means of an expansive force of gases coming from burning
gunpowder.
The term may also include projectiles propelled from shotguns,
although strictly speaking, these projectiles designed for shotgun are
called “shots” or “pellet”.
 ORIGIN

The term bullet originated from the French word “boulette”, means
“small ball”. The projectile of most small arms ammunition primarily
means a projectile from a rifled arm which is cylindrical or cylindro-
conoidal in shape as opposed to round projectiles which are commonly
called either a ball or shot.
CLASSIFICATION OF BULLET
 ACCORDING TO USE
1. Ball bullets – those have soft cores inside a jacket and are used
against personnel only.
2. Armor piercing bullet – those that have steel cores and are fired
against vehicles and other armored targets in general.
3. Tracer bullet – those that contain compound at its base which is set
on fire when the bullet is projected. The flash of smoke from this
burning permits the flight of the bullet to be seen, especially at night
time. This type of bullet is primarily used for target acquisition.
4. Incendiary bullet – those that contain mixture, such as phosphorous
or other material, that can be set on fire by impact. They are used
against the targets that will readily burn such as aircrafts or gasoline
depots.
5. Explosive (fragmentary) bullet – those types of bullets that contain a
highly charged explosive. Because of their small size, it is
difficult to make a fuse that will work reliably in small arms
ammunitions.
 ACCORDING TO MECHANICAL CONSTRUCTION
1. Lead bullets – those which are made of lead or alloys of this
metallic lead, tin and antimony which are slightly harder than pure
lead.
2. Jacketed bullets – those with a core of lead covered with a jacket
of harder material such as: gilding metal, a copper alloy of
approximately 90% copper and 10% zinc.
3. Synthetic bullets – those made of plastic/plasticize and other
composition or those made of sand polymer mixed. Such bullets
were designed for special purposes.
 BULLET DESIGNED FOR
HANDGUNS
1. Full metal jacket – lead core is enclosed by a strong metal jacket on
this non-expanding, deep-penetrating, general purpose bullet which
provides smooth, reliable feeding in all types of semi-automatic
handguns.
2. Jacketed hollow point – the exposed lead at the tip of the
jacketed hollow point, rapidly initiates uniform controlled
expansion that progresses to the depth of the hollow point
cavity. It has excellent accuracy and bullet integrity.
3. Semi-jacketed hollow point – it has more
exposed lead at the tips, which expand less
than a jacketed hollow point bullet.
4. Full metal cone – the lead core of this bullet is
enclosed in a light copper jacket, which has a cone
shape and a flat point. The result is less expansion
than JHP bullet, but more than an FMJ, and deeper
penetration than SP bullet.
5.Lead wadcutter – the full wadcutter
profile of this solid lead cuts clean signature in paper
targets for precise scoring.
6. Lead semi-wadcutter – solid lead bullet with semi-
pointed nose. Formed by swaging process with sharp
shoulder for clean hole punching in paper targets. It
is good choice for general purpose shooting.
7. Soft point – Exposed lead soft point initiates
reliable expansion, provides deeper penetration than
hollow point bullets. Precisely engineered copper
jacket and the swaged lead core provide the
necessary concentricity and balance required for top-level
accuracy.
8. Lead round nose – solid lead
bullet with rounded ogive for downrange
accuracy.
 BULLET DESIGNED FOR
RIFLES
1. Full metal jacket – the lead core of this bullet is enclosed in a heavy
copper jacket, which results in little or no expansion and
deep penetration.
2. Full metal jacket boat tail – same with full metal jacket with boat
tail heel to further reduce drag to improve downrange velocity.
3. Hollow point boat tail – extremely accurate hollow point bullet
with pointed aerodynamic design. Boat tail heel to further reduce
drag to improve downrange velocity. Precision balance and
exceptional concentricity greatly increase bullet stability to
assure superb accuracy.
4. Soft point – Exposed lead tip on this bullet and broader
point diameter provides rapid, controlled expansion at somewhat
lower velocities. Broad wound channel results from expansion up
to 200% of original bullet diameter.
1.
DIFFERENT
the standard TYPES
projectileOF BULLET
Hard ball – a copper sheath, the jacket, over a core of lead. It is
type, expanding very little, but giving
good penetration.
2. Depleted Uranium – it is ideal for use in armor penetrators because
it has an exceptional performance against armored targets.
3. Semi-wadcutter – a bullet with a flat nose in front of a sharp wad-
cutter style shoulder. This type of bullet, when the shoulder is too
sharp, this will have a clear cut hole on the target.
4. Silver tip – Winchester trademarks for certain bullet designs. The
jacket will disintegrate into small pieces that will precisely cause
hemorrhage.
5. Fragmentation or explosive bullet – splits to fragment when hitting
soft tissues, creating big wounds but tends to retain its form
when penetrating armor.
6. Spitzer – a type of bullet having a sharply pointed nose. This type
of bullet when it hit the hard object likes bones inside the body, it
changes it bullet track hence, and the tendency is that, the bullet
traveled sideways which will create a wider size of exit wound.
7. Dumdum bullet – outlawed for use in war, any bullet with the core
exposed.
8. Soft point or mushroom bullet – expands as it strikes an object and
produces much more serious shock and has correspondingly
greater stopping power.
9. Hollow point bullet – a bullet with a cavity in the nose designed to
increase the expansion when it hits the target.
10. Steel jacketed bullet – composed of a soft steel jacket, often clad
or plated with gliding metal to prevent rusting and reduce
frictional resistance in the bore.
11. X-bullet – is a solid copper projectile, heat treated for extra
toughness with no separate jacket and no lead core. It
designed by Randy Brooks.
12. Pointed bullet – more effective than round ball because there are
fewer surfaces presented to the air and thus the speed of the
bullet is less retarded so quickly.
13. Boat tail – a bullet with a base tapering to smaller diameter.
14. Gas check – a small metal cup fitted to the base of a lead bullet,
to protect it from the hot gases created by the burning gunpowder.
15. Glaser safety slug – is high performance ammunition that gives
superior penetration in solid targets, while delivering maximum
stopping power, with minimum danger from over penetration and
ricochet.
SHAPES OF BULLET
 PARTS OF BULLET
1. Base – the portion of the bullet that receives the thrust and heat from
the burning gunpowder.
2. Bearing surface – the area of the bullet that contacts the barrel riffling. A
tight fit is required to prevent chamber pressure leaks and to provide good
contact with the rifling grooves.
3. Core – the bulk of the mass in the bullet.
4. Head height – length of the bullet from the shoulder to the tip.
5. Heel – the location of the bullet where the heel ends and the bearing
surface begins.
6. Jacket – is material that covers some or the entire core.
7. Meplat – is the diameter of the flat or blunt end of the nose of a
bullet.
8. Ogive – is the radius of curve between the bearing surface and
the point usually stated with respect to the caliber.
9. Point – the most forward point of the ogive.
10. Shoulder – is the place on the bullet where the parallel sides’ end
and the ogive begin.
PARTS OF BULLET
Cartridge Case
 DEFINITION

It refers to a tubular metallic or nonmetallic container which

holds together the bullet, gunpowder and primer. Another term used is
shell or casing.
The cartridge is the portion of cartridge that is automatically
ejected from automatic firearm during firing and these remains in
the crime scene.

Drawing - refers to the machine operation of making cartridge

cases.
FUNCTIONS OF CARTRIDGE CASE

• ⯈ It holds the bullet, gunpowder and primer assembled into one unit.
• ⯈ It serves as a waterproof container of the gunpowder and gas seal at
the breech end of the barrel.
 PARTS OF CARTRIDGE CASE

a. Rim – limits the forward travel of cartridge into their chambers and
thus also limits the clearance between the heads and supporting.
b. Primer pocket – holds the primer securely in the central
position, provides a means to prevent the escape of gas to the
rear of the cartridge and a solid support of primer anvils, without
which the latter could not be fired.
c. Vents/flash hole – the hole in the web which serves as opening or
canal that connects the priming mixture with the gunpowder.
d. Head/body – constitutes the cork that plug the breech of the
barrel against the escape of gas.
e. Neck – it is occupied by the bullet.
f. Cannelure – the serrated grooves that are sometimes found rolled
into the neck and body of the case at the location of the bases of
the bullet; they prevent the bullet from being pushed back or
loosened.
g. Shoulder – portion that supports the neck.
h. Base – bottom portion of the case which holds the primer and
shell head.
i. Extracting groove – circular groove near the base of the case or
shell designed for the automatic withdrawal of the case after firing.
j. Crimp – this is the part of the mouth of a case that is turned in upon
the bullet.
THREE TYPES OF CRIMP

a. Roll Crimp – the cartridge case neck was rolled into the bullet
material of groove in the bullet, to secure it, and ensure even from
tension of the cartridge case. It need to be trimmed to a uniform
length and are primarily used on cartridges that have headspace
on the rim or cartridge case shoulder.
b. Taper Crimp – it is used primarily in the cartridge with headspace
on the cartridge case mouth, with lead bullets. While it can be
used to secure jacketed bullets, this can led to bullet distortion.
With a taper crimp, the mouth of the cartridge case run into a
die, with a tapered opening that squeeze the diameter of the
neck down, enough to grip the bullet securely, but still leaves
enough space for headspace on the chamber.
c. Stab/Rim Crimp – it is used only on jacketed ammunition, which
consist either several impressed dimples or a groove, pressed into the
cartridge case mouth by a collet. The crimp can either enter a
groove on the bullet or can just press into the bullet body, which
distorts the bullet. It is primarily used on military or commercial
heavy caliber hunting ammunition, where rough handling may be
encountered.
CLASSIFICATION ACCORDING TO CASE SHAPE

⯈ Straight

⯈ Bottle neck
⯈ Tapered (obsolete)
CLASSIFICATION ACCORDING TO CASE
RIM
a. Rimmed – the diameter of the base of the cartridge is very
much bigger than the diameter of the body of the
(44 magnum, 303 British, 38 special, 357 magnum,
cartridge.
b. etc.)
Rimless – the diameter of the rim is equal with the diameter
of the body of the cartridge case. (.30-06, .270, .308
c. etc)
Semi-rimmed – the diameter of the rim is slightly greater
thanthe diameter of the body of the cartridge case. (.25
Super
ACP, .38
d. )Belted – has a protruding metal around the body of
the cartridge
.375 H&H
case. (.7mm Remington Magnum, .300
Winchester,
e. Magnum)
Rebated – the diameter of the rim is smaller than the body
of the cartridge case. (.41 AE, 50
Beowulf)
Primers
DEFINITION

It is a small, self-contained metallic ignition cap at the center or

at the cavity of a cartridge case that when struck by the firing
pin combusts and sends sparks through the flash hole of the cases
and ignites the powder charge. (percussion)
ORIGIN

Alexander John Forsyth (1847) is credited with being the first to

conceive the idea by using detonating compounds for igniting powder
charge in small arms by percussion. A Scottish Presbyterian clergyman,
he invented the percussion ignition.
While hunting wild duck he was dissatisfied with his flintlock
fowling- piece due to its hang-fire; by the time the bullet was discharged
the duck had time to dive before the shot reached them. His first
successful priming mixture was composed of Potassium Chlorate,
charcoal and sulfur in powder form.
PARTS OF PRIMER

a. Primer cup – the container of priming mixture.

b.Priming mixture – a highly sensitive chemical mixture contained in
the primer cup.
c.Anvil – portionof the primer against which
the priming mixture is crushed by blow of firing pin.
d. Disc – a piece of small paper or disk of tin foil which is pressed to
the priming mixture.
 CLASSES OF PRIMERS
a. Corrosive Primers (potassium chlorate)
- draws moisture from the air when ignited, and this moisture speeds
the rusting of gun barrel.

b. Non-corrosive Primers
- potassium chlorate was replaced by barium nitrates. It was invented
by Swiss army and inventor Karl Ziegler.
a. Berdan Primer
- the primer cup contains only the priming mixture
and the anvil is part of the cartridge case.
- It contains two of more vents and requires special tools to
remove them easily and not generally reloaded. It was
invented by Hiram Berdan in March 20, 1866.

b. Boxer Primer
- The anvilis an integral part of the primer
assembly ang contains only one flash hole. This kind of primer is
commonly used in present time for centerfire cartridges. It was
invented by American Inventor Col. Edward M. Boxer on June 29,
1869.
Gunpowder
DEFINITION

It refers to the chemical substances of various compositions,

particles sizes, shapes and colors, which when ignited by the primer
flash, is converted to gas under high pressure and propels the
bullet or shot charge through the barrel to the target.
The term gunpowder is synonymous to the term propellant, cordite
and powder charge that can be used interchangeably.
About the weight of the powder charge in a cartridge, the weight of
the gunpowder is expressed in grains in English System of while in
Metric System, the weight of gunpowder is expressed in grams.
CLASSIFICATION AND COMPOSITION

1. Black powder – the oldest form of propellant and when fired,

produces large volume of grayish smoke and leaves considerable
residue in the barrel. The person credited for the invention of such
is Roger Bacon in 1248. It is composed of potassium nitrates
(75%), sulfur (10%) and charcoal (15%)
2. Smokeless powder – the powerful propellant used today and is
made up of nitrocellulose. The term smokeless is a misnomer for
they are neither powder nor smokeless. The powder is said to be
smokeless only because it does not give off huge cloud of white
smoke like black powder.
In 1886, Paul Vieille, invented the smokeless gunpowder
with nitrocellulose, a single base propellant called Poudre D,
made from gelatinize guncotton mixed with ether and alcohol. It
was cut into flakes of the desired size.

In 1887, AlfredE. Nobel of Great Britain developed

smokeless gunpowder called Ballistite, a double base propellant.

In 1890, Sir Frederick Abel and James Dewar obtained a patent

on a modified form of smokeless gunpowder known as cordite.
 KINDS OF SMOKELESS POWDER
1. Single base/nitrocellulose – contains only pure nitroglycerin
with nitrocellulose.
2. Double base – composed of nitrocellulose and nitroglycerin as
major ingredients; accompanied by one or more minor
ingredients such as centralite, vaseline phthalate and inorganic
salts.
3. Triple base – the three principal ingredients used such as
nitrocellulose, nitroglycerin and nitro-guandine.
4. High Ignition Temperature Propellant – the main constituent of
high explosives from RDX group.
Firearms Identification
 PRINCIPLE IN FIREARM IDENTIFICATION

⯈ It is a refined toolmarks identification.

⯈ The natural wear and tear of the tools is involved.
⯈ When the soft surface come in contact with the hard surface is left
with the impressions or scratches from any irregularities on the hard
surface.
⯈ Principle of individuality, i.e. no two things are absolutely identical.
 MARKS FOUND ON FIRED BULLETS
a. Lands marks – depressed portion caused by lands that can be found
in the cylindrical surface of the fired bullet.
b. Groove marks – raised or the elevated portions caused by the
grooves that can be found in the cylindrical surface of the fired bullet.
c. Skid marks – found on the anterior portion of the fired bullets and
caused by the forward movement of bullet from the chamber before
it initially rotates due to the rifling inside the barrel.
d. Stripping marks – found on bullet fired though loose fit barrels
wherein the riflings are already worn out.
 MARKS FOUND ON FIRED SHELLS

1. Striated action marks are common to cartridge cases that have passed
through the action of an auto loading or repeating firearm.
Striated action marks can be produced on cartridge cases by
contact with a number of different areas within the firearm.
2. Impressed action marks, with a few exceptions, are produced when a
cartridge case is fired in a firearm. The two most common
impressed action marks are firing pin impressions and breech marks.
1. Chamber mark – found in the body of the shell due to the
irregular makings in the chamber.
2. Firing pin mark – found in the primer cup or the rim of the cartridge case.
3. Shearing marks – secondary firing pin mark found near the firing pin
mark.
4. Extractor mark – found in extracting groove in automatic firearms.
5. Ejector marks – located in the rim in automatic firearms.
6. Pivotal mark – marks found on the shell caused by turning of the
cartridge.
7. Magazine lip markings – these are markings found at the low points of
the rim of the base of the shell and these are caused by the magazine
lips during the loading of the cartridge into the magazine for firing.
8. Breechface marks – found on the base of cartridge case as a result of
the rearward movement of cartridge case during firing.
 WHAT TO COMPARE?

⯈ Evidence bullet AND Cartridge case

⯈ Test / standard bullet and fired cartridge
case
 TWO TYPES OF MARKINGS
⯈ Impression type - those marking caused by
direct pressure contact (Breechface marks)
⯈ Striatedtype - those markings caused by sliding
contact (ex. Minute striations on the cylindrical
surface of the bullet
 Land Land
Mark Mark

Groove Groove
Mark Mark

Land Land
Mark Mark
Groove Groove
Mark Mark

Evidence Test/Standard
Characteristics of
Firearms
 CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
Those are characteristics that are determinable even prior
to the manufacture of firearms. These characteristics are
factory specifications and within the control of man. These
serve as basis for identifying certain group or class of
firearms. These are:
a.Bore diameter/caliber – the diameter which the bore
was reamed. It is the distance measured between two
opposite lands inside the bore. Caliber is of English origin
while the millimeter (mm) is a European origin.
b. Number of lands and grooves – the number of lands is always equal
with the number of grooves.
c. Width of lands – it is the remainder of the circumference
after subtracting the groove width.
d. Direction of twist – it cause the bullet to rotate as it passes through
the barrel for the bullet to have gyroscopic motion during its flight.
e. Depth of groove – measured on the radius of the bore as seen in
cross section. It is equal to the height of the side of a lands.
f. Pitch of riflings – it is the twist of lands and grooves. It also refers to
the distance advanced by the riflings in a complete run.
TYPE OF RIFLINGS

a. Steyr Type – 4RGL

b. Smith and Wesson Type – 5RGL
c. Browning Type – 6RG2X
d. Colt Type – 6LG2X
e. Webley Type – 7RG3X
f. Army Type – 4RG3X
 INDIVIDUAL CHARACTERISTICS

Those are characteristics peculiar and not found in all other firearms.
These serve as the basis for identification of particular firearm and
identifiable only after the manufacture of the firearm. These
characteristics is beyond the control of the man and which have
random distribution inside the gun. Their existence in a firearm is
brought about by the tools used in their manufacture in their normal
operation resulting to the wear and tear, abuses, mutilations,
corrosions, erosions and other fortuitous causes. These characteristics
are generally found in the interior surface of the gun barrel and
breechface.
 7 PROBLEMS OF FIREARM IDENTIFICATION
1. Given a bullet; to determine the caliber and type firearms used.
2. Given a cartridge case; to determine the caliber, name of
manufacturer and the type of fire arm used.
3. Given a bullet and firearm, to determine whether or not the bullet was
fired from suspected firearm submitted.
4. Given a fired cartridge case and a suspected firearm, to determine
whether or not the cartridge case was fired from the suspected
firearm submitted.
5. Given two or more bullets, to determine whether or not the bullets
were fired from only one weapon.
6. Given two or more fired cartridge cases, to determine whether or not
the cartridge cases were fired from only one weapon.
7. Given a firearm, to determine whether it is serviceable or not.
BULLET HOLES

Glass – a super cooled liquid that possess high viscosity

and rigidity.

Two kinds of Crack

a. Radial Crack – primary fracture resembles the spokes
of a wheel radiating outward from the point of impact.
b. Concentric Crack – secondary forming in an
fracture approximately circular pattern the point
around impact. of
 3 R RULE

A principle used for radial crack which states that stress lines on
radial crack will be at right angle to the rear side of the glass.
RFC RULE

A principle used for concentric crack which states that stress lines
on a concentric crack will be at right angle to the front side, that is the
side from which the impact or blow came.
 5 TEST FOR GLASS

1. Spectrographic test – used to determine the elements of the glass.

2. X-ray diffraction test – used to determine the type of glass pattern.
3. Physical properties examination – used to determine the density of
the glass by flotation method and refractive index by immersion
method.
4. Study of polish mark – a test for fine glass wares and optical glass.
5. UV light examination – used to determine the differences in physical
and chemical composition of glass specimen.
PHYSICALEVI DE NC E

Anything that has material existence and which may be

used to establish the nature of the offense or the identity of
the perpetrator and which may be presented to the court for
its evaluation or appreciation.
Properly prepared and presented physical evidences may
serve the same purpose as taking the court to the scene of
the crime and reconstructing the events which led to the
commission of crime. A thorough understanding of physical
evidence, its protection, preservation and examination is
important.
Evidence – is the means sanction by
law, of ascertaining in a judicial
procedure the truth respecting a matter
of fact.
“Evidence speaks by itself ”
TYPES OF CRIME
SCENE SEARCH

⯈ Strip Method
⯈ Grid/double strip Method
⯈ Spiral Method
⯈ Zone/section Method
⯈ Wheel/pie Method
RECOGNITION O F
EVIDENCE

At the crime scene, the prober must exercise keen observation

and extreme care in his search for these physical evidences or
ballistics exhibits like fired bullets, fired shells, firearm/s and allied
items or objects. The success of the case will depend heavily on how
the prober conducts himself in handling those ballistics exhibits. He
has to do his job well at “proper time” and “proper place”.
RECOGNITION O F
EVIDENCE
Proper time refers to when he is right there in the scene and
proper place refers to the right there at the scene. It
is
therefore
important
that the investigator be familiar with the
techniques modern in the proper recognition,
preservation and
collection,
transmittal
marking,
of these physical evidences.
COL LE CTI ON O F PHYSICAL
EVIDENCE

1. Collect all articles, which are, or may be in some future date, be

of value as evidence.
2. Evidence which may tend to show or indicate or not a crime was
committed or may connect some particular person with the crime
or crime scene such as fatal gun, fired bullet, fired shell, metal
fragment, broken glass, holster, magazine, cartridge, gloves and
masks.
COL LE CTI ON O F PHYSICAL
EVIDENCE
3. Designate one officer to collect all evidence to centralized
the collection.
4. Don’t MAC the evidence.
M – mutilate the evidence
A – alter the very nature
of evidence
C – contaminate the
evidence
5. Sketch and photograph
the crime scene.
COL LECT ION O F PHYSICAL
EVIDENCE
6. Photograph the articles before removing them.
7. In cases if the fired bullets lodge in an object, extreme care must
be exercise in removing such.
8. If the bullet has broken into fragments, secure
fragments as many as possible.
 COLL ECT ION O F PHYSICAL EVIDENCE
9. When firearm/s is/are found in the crime
scene, note the following:
a. type of FA
b. Caliber
c. Serial number
d. Condition of FA
e. Position of FA relative to the body at the scene
f. Other details of FA
 COL LE CTI ON O F PHYSICAL
EVIDENCE
10. When bullet/s is/are found at the scene, the following
shall be noted:
a. Type
b. Caliber
c. Shape
d. Metal or bullet fragments
e. Place and date of recovery
COL LE CTI ON O F PHYSICAL
EVIDENCE
11. When shell/s is/are found in the crime scene, note the following:
a. Number of shells
b. Caliber
c. Trademark or brand
d. Place and date of recovery
 COMMON MA R KS FOUND
ON HEADSTAMP
⯈ ACP – Arms Corporation of the Philippines
- Automatic Colt Pistol
⯈ BAR – Browning Automatic Rifle
⯈ RA or R E M – Remington Arms Company
⯈ RPA – Republic of the Philippines Arsenal
⯈ L C – Lake City Arsenal
⯈ F C C – Federal Cartridge Corporation
⯈ EAA – European American Arms
⯈ U or UT – Utah Ordnance Company
⯈ W C C – Western Cartridge Corporation
⯈ WRA – Winchester Repackaging Corporation
⯈ Luger
PROPER CO LLEC TION O F F I R E A R MS IN THE C R I M E S C E N E

By using a handkerchief, string or wire inserted through the trigger

guard of the firearm. Be sure that in picking up the suspected firearm
the muzzle end of the barrel is not pointed to anyone in the vicinity.
 More so, if it is revolver and this revolver is in full-cocked
position, there is always the danger of a little amount of jarring
when picking up as the gun might fire, causing additional shooting
or accident.
After picking up the revolver, a piece of crumpled paper or carton
maybe place just in front of the trigger after which the trigger
should be checked. This is done to prevent accidental or
unnecessary firing.
 MARKING O F PHYSICAL
EVIDENCE

1. Physical evidences should be properly marked or labeled for further

identification as they are collected and to complete the chain of
possession or custody of the ballistics exhibits.
2. Mark at the time that evidence is removed from its original position.
However, do not mark or move until photograph has been taken.
3. Keep a complete note on the marks placing it on every single or
individual object recovered in the crime scene.
 GUIDE IN MARKING PHYSICAL EVIDENCE
1. Use distinctive initials of the recovering officer. Never use “ X ”.
2. Record the mark used, and the position of the marks
present on the object.
3. Record serial number or other distinct marks present on
the object.
4. Always mark the container in which the object is placed
even if the object is already marked. (Tagging)
 MARKING FIRED BULLETS

Fired bullet should be marked by the recovering officer with his

initial together with the corresponding date of recovery in the
OGIVE or N O S E or its ANTERIOR PORTION with stylus or any
pointed instrument. But is cases that the fired bullet is badly
damaged or disfigured the marking could be place on the base but
never in the bearing surface or cylindrical surface of the fired
bullet.
 MARKING FIRED SHELLS
Same in marking of fired bullets but the marking should be place
either INSIDE, NEAR THE OPEN MOUTH, OUTSIDE, NEAR THE
OPEN MOUTH O R NEAR THE BODY O F THE S H E L L , but never place
your marks on the base of fired shells.
 MARKING A S U SP EC TE D F I R E AR MS

Same in marking of fired bullets and fired shell but the marking
should be place on all the three main and inseparable part of the
firearm. In addition, a tag may be made indicating the type of
firearm, make or model, caliber, serial number, date of recovery,
name of suspect or victim (if known) and other features of value.
 PRESERVATION O F PHYSICAL E V I D E NC E S
Physical evidence should be preserve for future
identification and presentation during the trial of the case.
The container of ballistics exhibits should be properly labeled
by the prober and put down all the steps he has taken in
preserving all these physical evidences for future use. the
Preserving the evidentiary value of physical evidence
determine acceptability and reliability of evidence in
court.
 TRANSMITTAL OF PHYSICAL
EVIDENCE
After the collection and marking of physical evidences,
the prober will transmit the evidences to their respective
and submit the same to the duty desk officer or designated
departments
receiving officer-in-charge.