FORENSIC BALLISTICS

Chapter 1 – Introduction to Ballistics

ORIGIN:

The term “Ballistics” was derived from the Greek word “Ballo” or “Ballien” which means to throw.

Its root was also called “Ballista” that means a gigantic bow or catapult which was used to hurl large objects such as stones at a
particular distance to deter animals or enemy forces. The meaning of the term however, has greatly broadened since the
development of science of Firearms Identification.

BALLISTICS

- is the science of the motion and general behavior of missiles, including projectiles, bombs, guided missiles, and rockets.

- The science of the motion of projectiles. It is a science in itself, because it evolved from systematic knowledge, research
and development, training, experience and education of those who pioneered in this field.
- The science of firearms identification. It involves the scientific examination of ballistics exhibits –
a. FIRED SHELL b. FIRED BULLETS c. FIREARMS and d. ALLIED MATTERS.
- A special branch of applied mechanics, it comprises interior ballistics – imparting energy to missiles; exterior
ballistics – performance of missiles, both in the air and in space; and terminal ballistics – the effects of missiles at the
target.
I. Branches of Ballistics
1. Interior Ballistics (Action inside the gun)
2. Exterior Ballistics (Conditions of Flight)
3. Terminal Ballistics
4. Forensic Ballistics

BRANCHES OF BALLISTICS

INTERIOR BALLISTICS (Action inside the Gun)

It is the branch of science that has something to do with properties and attributes f the projectile while still inside the
gun. This extends from the breech to the muzzle of the gun.

The primary effort of interior ballistics is to study the effect of the propelling charge, during and after burning, upon
the projectile. Development in interior ballistics followed the discovery of ballistic measuring instruments, working formula of
propellant powders, and of improved gun designs. Towards these ends the following inventors emerged:

● Benjamin Robins (England) – ballistic pendulum in 1742, he authored the “NEW PRINCIPLES GUNNERY”
- He conducted the many experiments in interior ballistics. His findings justly entitle him to be called the FATHER
OF THE MODERN GUNNERY.
● Charles Hutton (England) – had developed a formula of the velocity of a spherical projectile.
● Gen. Thomas Jackson Rodman 1857 (United States) – led to improvements in the grain form of powder and in the
manufacture of guns. He also devised a gauge for the direct measurement of the maximum pressures of powder gases
in guns.
● Paul M.E. Vieille 1884 (France) – introduce Smokeless powder.
 The modern gun is essentially a heat engine. When the charge is ignited, gases are emitted from the surface of each
grain of powder and pressure builds.

To simplify the discussion, the author devised the mnemonic FICEPERVRE which means

Firing pin hitting the primer

Ignition of the priming mixture

Combustion of the gunpowder

Expansion of the heated gas

Pressure developed

Energy generated

Recoil of the gun

Velocity of the bullet inside the barrel

Rotation of the bullet

Engraving of the cylindrical surface of the bullet

EXTERIOR BALLISTICS
It is the branch of science that has something to do with the attributes and movements of the bullets after it has left
the gun muzzle. This branch of science involves the following:

1. Muzzle blast – the noise created at the muzzle points of the gun due to the sudden escape of expanding gas coming in
contact with the air in the surrounding atmosphere at the point.
2. Muzzle energy - energy generated at the point.
3. Trajectory – the actual curved path of the bullet during its flight from the gun muzzle to the target.
4. Range – the straight distance between muzzle and the target.
5. Velocity - rate of speed of the bullet per unit of time.
6. Air resistance – resistance encountered by the bullet while in flight.
7. Pull of gravity – downward reaction of the bullet toward the earth due to its weight.
8. Penetration – depth of the entry on target.

BALLISTIC PENDULUM – a device that measures the velocity of a projectile used in the 1740’s.

CHRONOGRAPH – a modern device used to estimate the velocity of projectiles in flight.

TERMINAL BALLISTICS
-refers to the effects of the impact of the projectile on the target. This involves the following:

1. Terminal Accuracy – size of the bullet grouping on the target.

2. Terminal Energy – energy projectile when it strikes the target.
3. Terminal Velocity – speed of the bullet upon striking the target.
4. Terminal Penetration – depth of the energy of the bullet in the target.
“MEANS OF PRODUCING DAMAGE”

1. FRAGMENTATION – action of relatively small particles.

2. IMPACT – pertains to the penetration or perforation of an object.
3. BLAST – release of energy in shock waves.
4. DEBRIS – set of motion at high velocities.
5. HEAT – flame front of the blast.
6. FIRE – effect of an explosives.
7. CHEMICAL ACTION – smokes or poison gas.
8. BACTERIOLOGICAL ACTIONS
9. RADIOACTIVITY

SHOT BALLISTICS
- Deals with the attributes and properties of shots and pellets.
CHOKE – when the diameter of a barrel of a shotgun is the same throughout the bore, is called true cylinder.
● The bore of the gun is sometimes constricted near the muzzle end. That is, the diameter near the muzzle
ends is slightly smaller than the diameter of the bore of the rest of the barrel. The barrel is said to be
choked.
● FULL – if reduced by one mm; HALF if reduced by one-half mm; QUARTER if reduced by ¼ mm; and
improved cylinder if reduced by about 1/10 mm.
Chilled Shot – shotgun pellets made from lead especially hardened by the addition of a slight amount of antimony.

WOUND BALLISTICS
It is the study of the effects of a projectile on the target and the conditions that affect them. It is the study of the
effects of projectile to human body.

Gunshot Wound (GSW) – it is an open wound produced by the penetration of bullet slug within the tissues of the
body. The bullet which propelled from the gun as well as the flame from the heated expanded gases in short range
fire is the one that produces injury.

“Three Basic Kinds of GSW distinguished by the proximity of the Weapon”

1. Contact fire - gun muzzle pressed against or within was propelled from the gun as well as the flame from the
heated expanded gases in short range fire is the one that produces injury.
WOUND OF ENTRANCE
● This burst due to the explosion of the powder which produces the heated and expanded gases.
● There is burning of the tissues because it is within the flame zone;
● Singeing of the hair; and particles of the gunpowder in and around the wound of the entrance;
● Skin is separated from the underlying tissues in the affected area and the blasted tissues are cherry
red in color because of the presence of carbon monoxide;
● Pressure of the bullet will caused caving-in or excavation of tissues and the contusion collar is seen
around the wound of entrance.
● The size of the wound is rather small.
2. Near Contact– 6 inches to 2ft
WOUND ENTRANCE
● There is bursting of tissues, burning and blackening of the skin as in contact fire but the particles of
gunpowder are present inside as well as around the wound of entrance.
● The shape of the wound maybe lacerated or slit-like and the size is larger than the diameter of the
missile.
● The excavation of tissues due to the pressure of the penetrating bullet slug but may as severe as in
contact fire.

3. Near-Distance - over 2 ft. or 3 ft.

WOUND OF ENTRANCE
● The size of the wound gradually approximates the size of the missile.
● The farther the target, the lesser the burning or blackening of tissues, gun powder tattooing, singeing
of the hair and excavation of tissues and lesser until they disappear beyond the 24 inches distance.
Differentiation between gunshot wound of Entrance and Wound of Exit

DIFFERENTIAL POINTS WOUND OF ENTRANCE WOUND OF EXIT

1. Size of the wound Smaller than the projectiles Bigger than the projectiles
2. Edge of the wound Inverted Everted
3.Shape of the wound Round or oval No definite shape
4. Contusion collar Present in contact Absent
5.Gunpowder tattooing Near contact fire Absent
6.Presence or absence Always present Maybe absent if the slug is lodged
inside the body
7. Protrusion of tissue Absent Maybe present
8.Paraffin test In contact and near fire Negative

Range of Fire - an important aspect of forensic ballistics.

1. Muzzle Pattern - indicates contact wound and are often observed in suicide cases. The whole charge (projectile,
wads, if any, smoke, unburnt or semi-burnt powder particles and hot gases) enter into the target. No burning,
blackening and tattooing are observed. Instead, they are observed inside the hole through careful examination. The
edges are found ragged (torn in star shape) and the wound is like an exit wound.
2. Scorching-caused by the flame or hot gases not by the hot projectiles as is commonly believed. It is also known as
burning or charring.
3. Blackening- caused by the deposition of smoke particles by all types of powders at close ranges. Being light
particles, they soon lose their velocity and get deposited on any material available in the path.
4. Tattooing (a.k.a. peppering)-caused by the embedding of unburnt and semi-burnt powder particles into the surface
of the target. These particles are slightly heavier than the smoke particles. They retain motion to somewhat longer
intervals and consequently cause tattooing to a distance of about one and a-half times blackening range.
Gunshot Wound (GSW) Characteristics:
1. Pink Coloration - caused by absorbed carbon monoxide in the skin and flesh.
2. Dirt Ring-deposited by some projectile (which carry greases on them) around the wound. Existence of this
indicates the entrance side of a firearm injury & does not indicate range.
3. Contusion - caused by the impact of the projectile. (reddish dark to bluish black - varies somewhat with the age of
the injury). It takes the form of a belt around the wound. It is of uniform in thickness.
4. Foreign Materials-Their presence not only permits the identification of the firearms injury but they also permit a
fairly reliable guess of firearm.
Effects or complications of wound
1. Hemorrhage - Bleeding. It is the loss of blood from the ruptured vessel secondary to trauma or existing pathology.
2. Direct mechanical injury- This is the direct damage to the tissues
3. Shock-It is disturbance of the balance of fluid in the body characterized by fall in blood pressure, decreases blood
flow or blood volume in the body.
4. Infection. It is the appearance, growth and multiplication of the micro-organism in the living tissues.
5. Embolism. It is the clogging of the blood vessel by foreign bodies such as air or bits of fats or Septic embolus
causing blocking to the blood flow to the distal tissues supplied by the blood.
SIR SYDNEY SMITH -founder of the Medico - Legal Faculty at Cairo University and later Regis Professor or Forensic
Medicine at Edinburgh, was one of the leading exponents in studying entrance and exit wounds, powder burns and
powder "tattooing" on human skin and other medical phenomena associated with gun fire.

STUDIES CONCERNING TERMINAL&WOUND BALLISTICS

1857 Monsieur Noiles. He published a thesis titled 'Les Plaies Feu Courtes. His thesis dealt with the subject of
wounds made by small firearms.
1889-Mr. A. Lacassogne of Lyon, France, He published a paper tided "La Deformation Des Balles de Revolver
(Deformation of Revolver Bullets) in Volume 5. Archives de 'Antropologie Criminelle et Des Sciences Penales.
1748- Henry Shrapnel. He invented the shrapnel, which disperse its load of case shot whit a small bursting charge,
increasing the effective range of case.
Anomynous author. Published a thesis an article entitled "Entrance Wounds and Powder Markings"
Mr. Louis B. Wilson. He published an article entitle "Dispersion of Bullet Energy in Relation to Wound Effects".
P.Chavigny and E. Gelma, They authored an article entitled "Fissures of the Skull by Revolver Bullets at short-range
J. Howard Mathews. Chairman of the Department of Chemistry at the University of Wisconsin. In this first criminal
case, he was involved on the metallographic analysis of bomb parts used to kill an individual.