BALLISTICS administration of justice particularly cases involving

firearms and ammunition.

- is the science of the motion of the projectile
and the condition that affects their motion 1. Interior (internal) Ballistics. It treats of the
motion of the projectile while it is still inside
Science the firearm (barrel) which extends from the
- is a systematic body of knowledge which has breech to the muzzle. For ex. the passage of a
been observed tested and proven. Ballistics is bullet through the barrel of a rifle.
not an exact science rather it is branch of The conditions attributed to internal ballistics
physics or applied science which is subject to include:
changes and development depending upon
the demands of the modern civilization. Firing pin hitting the primer

Motion - Upon squeezing the trigger, release the

hammer that cause the firing pin to hit the
- refers to the mobility or movement of the base portion of the cartridge where the
projectile. This motion can be categories into primer is located,
three general types: Direct Motion, Rotary
Motion and Translation Motion. Ignition of the priming mixture

3 Types of Motion - The priming mixture (composing of the

KCLO3/ sulfur and carbon) located either at
1. Direct Motion - is the forward motion of the bullet the cavity rim or at the center of the primer
or shots out of the shell by the action of the expansive the firing pin.
forces of gases from a burning gun powder. - The action is known as "percussion action".
2. Rotary Motion - is the action of bullet passing Combustion of the gun powder/ powder charge or
through a rifled bore barrel firearm which is either propellant
twisted to the left or to the right.
- After ignition of the priming mixture the
3. Translational - is the action of bullet once it hits a Ignition will be Impaired to the gun powder by
target and subsequently ricocheted. passing through the vent or flash hole
converting the powder into gas.

Origin of the word ballistics Pressure developed

The word ballistics was derived from two Greek - Outward push of the gases to the burned
words, ballo and ballein which literally mean "to powder pressure is developed due to the
throw". The term also said to have been derived from great amount of gas that is expanding within
the Roman War machine called "Ballista", a gigantic the shell causing the withdrawal of the bullet
catapult which was used to furl missiles or large from the shell.
object at a distance like a stones. Expansion of the heated gases
Branches of Ballistics - Powder charge once burned will convert into
The study of ballistics in the early age is divided into a heated gas which has a more elastic
(3) three divisions: Internal or internal Ballistics, property being its particles far apart that will
Exterior or external Ballistics and Terminal Ballistics. fills the shell with expanded gases
From the time gun was fired until it reach the target Energy generated
and into four because of its subsequent used in
solving problems in connection with the - Is the measure of force in foot-pound
necessary for an action.
Recoil of the gun Velocity

- Is the equal and opposite reaction of the gun - Is the rate of speed of the bullet (during its
against the forward movement of the bullet flight) per unit of time usually express is feet
upon explosion. per second.

Velocity of the bullet inside the barrel Air Resistance

- It is the relative speed of the bullet per unit of - Is that force of the air encounter by the bullet
time while it is still inside the barrel expressed in its flight.
in feet per second.
Pull of Gravity
Engraving of the cylindrical surface of the bullet
- It's the downward reaction of the bullet
- Once the bullet passed through the barrel of towards the earth surface due to its weight.
any firearm whether rifled or not will leave its
mark to the cylindrical surface fingerprint. 3) Terminal Ballistics

- Is that branch of ballistics which deals with the

2. Exterior (external) Ballistics effects of the impact of the projectile on the
- It treats of the attributes or movement of target.
the projectile after leaving the gun muzzle.
- the study of the passage of the projectile - the study of the interaction of a projectile with its
through a speace of the air. target

Muzzle Blast

- Is the noise created at muzzle point of the gun Terminal Accuracy

due to the sudden escape of the expanding
- It refers to the size of the bullet grouping on
gas and its contact with the air.
the target.
Muzzle Energy
Terminal Energy
- Energy generated at the muzzle point
- Is the energy or force of the projectile when it
measured in foot-pound.
strikes the target same as striking energy.
Trajectory
Terminal Velocity
- Is the parabola-like flight of the projectile
- Is the speed of the bullet upon striking the
from the time it leaves the muzzle until it hits
target.
the target. It is also described as the actual
curve path taken by a bullet during its flight Terminal Penetration
from the gun muzzle to the target.
- Is the depth of entry of the bullet in the
Range target.
- Is the imaginary straight distance between the SUB-BRANCHES OF BALLISTICS
muzzle of the gun and the target.
SHOT BALLISTICS - deals with the attributes and
Accurate (effective) Range - the distance within winch properties of shots and pellets.
the shooter or gunner has control of his shots.
WOUND BALLISTICS - study of the effects of projectile
Maximum Range – the distance that a projectile can to human body.
be propelled from a firearm. The farthest distance
bullet could travel
Forensic Ballistics includes collection, markings, preservation,
packaging and transporting of the collected
- This branch of ballistics is the product of the evidence.
application of the ballistics to law. The idea
comes with the used of the word forensic Technical Examination
derived from the Latin word forum meaning a
"market place" where people gathered for - refers to the work of the firearm examiners or
public disputation or public discussion. When forensic ballistics specialists who examines
used in connection with word ballistics or the collected evidence (bullet/empty shell)
other natural science, it suggests a whether fired from the suspected firearms
relationship to the courts of justice or legal submitted and determine whether the elected
proceedings. cartridge cases were loaded or ejected from
the suspected firearms submitted.
Forensic Ballistics
Legal Proceeding
- Forensic Ballistics is defined as the study of
the motion of the projectile as applied to law - It is the most critical part in the field of
or simply the science of firearm identification firearm Identification for herein the examiner
by means of the ammunition fired through will go to court to testify as an expert witness
them. regarding the ballistics reports he had
prepared as well as the ballistics' exhibits
Rotational effects of bullet which he has examined in the laboratory.

Yaw -refers to the rotation of the nose of the bullet The Evolution of Firearms Man behind Firearms
away from the line of flight.
John M. Browning Wizard of modern firearms
Precession - refers to the rotation of the bullet around and pioneered the breech loading single shot rifle
the center of mass. which was adopted by Winchester.

Nutation - refers to small circular movement at the Samuel Colt Patented- the first practical revolver
bullet tip. and maker of the Colt Peace Maker, a famous
revolver in the history.

Alexander John Forsyth- Father of the percussion

KENETIC ENERGY powder.
- The force of a projectile is related to the Henry Deringer Gave his name to a whole class of
kinetic energy (KE) imparted to it. rifles and pistols.
Formula KE = 1/½ MV2 Major Uziel Gal An Israeli Army who designed UZI
Where M Mass V= Velocity (Israel) in the year 1950.

- Velocities of bullets increased with the use of Col. Calvin H. Goddard

a "jacket" of a metal such as copper or copper - Father of Modern Ballistics.
alloys that covered a lead core and allowed - He prioneered the forensic ballistics
the bullet to glide down the barrel more easily
than exposed lead. John C. Garand

Scope of Forensic Ballistics - Designed and invented the semi-automatic

U.S Rifle Cal.30.M1 Garand.
1. Field Investigation
- refers to the work of police investigations in
the field or crime scene. It is primarily a
routine job an investigating officer. Such work
Michael Kalashnikov numerous pre-measured charges or pre-
loaded rounds.
- Designed the AK (Automat Kalashnikova) 47
(Soviet Union) adopted by the Russian Army
in the year 1951. 1835
James Wolfe Ripley - The first real cartridge was developed "The
Flobert Cap" same as the BB and was
- He was instrumental in the early days of the considered the forerunner of .22 short
war in modernizing the artillery's ordnance. cartridge.
- Stimulated the development of the Model
1855 rifle- musket. 1836
- Pin fire Cartridge was developed by Le
Horace Smith
Faucheux. A much real pin fire cartridge was
- Business partner of Daniel Wesson and also developed in the same year by Houiller.
founded the great firm of Smith and Wesson
and pioneered in making breech loading rifles. 1845
- Rim fire Cartridge. Flobert developed the BB
Eugene Stoner (bullet breech) cap which was considered the
forerunner of the .22 cal. Cartridge.
- Designed the Armalite AR-15 rifle that was
modified by the US military as the M16 rifle.
1846
John T. Thompson - Pioneered the making of - Smokeless powder was discovered. I was used
Thompson sub-machine gun. in shotgun first in the tear 1864 by Capt.
Eschultze of Prussian Army and in rifle by the
Daniel B. Wesson - Associate of Horace Smith in year 1884 by M. Vieille of France.
the making of Revolver.
FIREARM (technical context)
David "Carbine" Williams
- an instrument, that is used for the propulsion
- Maker of the first known Carbine. of projectiles by means of the expansive force
of gases of burning gunpowder.
Oliver Winchester
Legal Definition of FIREARM
- in American businessman and politician, best
known as being the founder of the
- Firearms or arms as herein used, includes
Winchester Repeating Arms Company.
rifles, musket, carbines, shotgun, pistol,
IMPORTANT DATES IN THE VOLUTION OF revolvers and all other deadly weapons, to
FIREARMS which a bullet, ball, shot, shell or other
missiles maybe discharge by means of gun
1242 A.D. powder or other explosives.
- The term also includes rifle, except such of
- Roger Bacon published the "De Mirabili
being of small caliber and limited range used
Potestate Artis et Naturae" (On the Marvelous
as toys.
Power of Arts and Nature), which noted black
- The barrel of any firearm shall be considered a
powder formula.
complete firearm for all purpose hereof. (Sec.
877 Revised Administrative Code/ Sec. 290
1575
National Internal Revenue Code).
- Paper Cartridge was developed. Ball and
powder charged were wrapped in chemically
Technical Definition of FIREARM
treated paper to allow the carrying of
 - Firearm is an instrument used for the
propulsion of projectile by means of the Gas-operated
expensive force of gases coming from burning - a type of machine gun equipped with gas part
powder. (FBI Manual of Firearms at the anterior portion of the barrel. When a
Identification). cartridge is fired and the bullet reach the gas
part some high pressure gas cylinder causing
Two General Classification of Firearms the piston to move to the rear moving or
(According to Interior Barrel Construction) pulling the breech block to the rear. At this
1. Smooth-bore Firearms - Firearms that time, the pressure in the chamber has
have no rifling (lands and grooves) inside dropped to safe limits and the various parts
their gun barrel. are returns to the firing position by action of
Example: Shotguns and Musket the spring around the piston.
2. Rifled-bore Firearms - Firearms that have
rifling inside their gun barrel.
Examples: Pistols, Revolvers, and other
modern weapons. Combine recoil and gas operated action
- In this type of machine gun the gas operation
merely serve to unlock the breech block by
Main Types of Firearms the pressure moving to the gas port, passing
through the gas cylinder and causing the
(According to the Caliber of the Projectile Propelled) piston to move to the rear, moving the cam to
raise the lock through the stud. Once this is
1. Artillery - Refers to those type of firearms completed, recoil action caused the breech
that propels projectile with more than one block to move rearward and completes the
inch diameter. opening cycle. The spring will return the
Example: Cannons, Mortars and Bazookas various parts to their closed position and cycle
will be repeated for the next shot.
2. Small Arms - Firearms that propels
projectile with less than one inch diameter
and it can be handled, moved and operated Sub Machine Gun
by one man. - is a light, portable form of machine gun,
utilizing pistol size ammunition, having a
Example: Machine Gun, Shoulder Arms and shoulder stock that may or may not be folded
Hand-guns and designed to be fired with both hands.
- Basically, there are two types of this firearm
Recoil-operated according to mechanism. One is having a bolt
- a type of machine gun devised with a recoil operated by a trigger sear causing the
spring that is responsible for forcing the cartridge to be fires in open bolt and the
breech block to move forward causing other fired with a closed bolt position.
another cartridge to be loaded only after the
breech block moves rearward and empty shell Shoulder, Arms
is extracted upon firing. - Those type of firearms that were normally
fired from the shoulder.
Machine Guns (Small Arms) Example: Rifles and Shotguns
- Machine gun is a type of firearm that is
primarily designed for military use. Even in Rifles - A shoulder weapon designed to fire a
investigation of shooting cases done in the projectile with more accuracy through a long
city, it is not usual or common to encounter rifled bore barrel, usually more that 22 inches.
this type of firearm having been used.
Various mechanisms of Shotgun: same time another cartridge is automatically loaded
to the chamber without the gunner exerting
1. Single Barreled Shotgun - Similar to a single shot additional effort. Thus firing can be made successively
rifle. It is loaded with a single shotgun cartridge, for every press of the trigger without again and again
closed, fired and to be reloaded manually by the reloading.
shooter. This is common in a break typ, breech
loading shotgun. 2 classes of revolvers according to its mechanical
firing action:
2. Double Barreled Shotgun - Appears in different
variation depending on the barrel position. There are 1. Single action - a type of revolver that needs a
double barreled shotgun positioned side by side, one manual cocking of the hammer before squeezing the
over the other (over/under shorgun), with individual trigger
trigger pull or with single trigger pull causing two
hammer and firing pin to fire at the same time. 2. Double action - a type of revolver that does not
need manual cocking. Just press the trigger and it
3. Pump Action Shotgun - Also known by the name both cocked and released the hammer causing a much
"slide action" type. In this type of a shotgun the faster firing
hammer is completely built inside the receiver which
makes it unexposed thus, making at known also Classification of revolver is according to its
"harmless shotgun". Operation is done by back and mechanical construction for loading and unloading:
forth manipulation of the slide by the shooter. 1. Ejection Rod types - considered as the oldest of this
.4. Auto-Loading Shotgun - This type of shotgun has a classification. It is loaded by an opened hinged gate at
mechanism similar to auto-loading or self- loading the left side of the gun exposing the chamber and
rifles that permits reloading action of the recoil cartridge are loaded one at a time while rotating the
without the shooter taking added effort. cylinder. After firing, a rod at the bottom or under the
barrel is pushed to the rear to the chamber as the
HANDGUNS cylinder is again revolved by hand.

Those type of firearms that are designed or intended

to be fired using one hand.
2. Break Open type - having a barrel and cylinder
A. Pistol - In early firearm history, all handguns are hinged with a latch holding the barrel in place when in
generally called as pistol. a firing position. Loading is done by swing down of the
barrel and cartridge is inserted to the cylinder and the
B. Revolver - Revolver is a type of firearm designed to barrel is returned to its position for firing. The same
position cartridge into position for firing with the aid thing is observed in unloading the gun.
of a rotating cylinder serving as its chamber.
The third type is the Solid Frame Revolver, cylinder
sins out with an ejector just as the break open in
3 classes of pistols: removing the cartridge case, although the operation is
by pushing the extension rod to the rear to unlock and
1. Single shot pistol - is operated by depressing the swing out the cylinder
lever causing the barrel to be unlatched and tipped
upward. In this position tre cartridge is inserted to the
chamber and locked. The hammer is pulled rearward Types of Firearms according to mechanical
to cocked and ready to fire. construction
2. Semi-automatic pistol - is the type of pistol most 1. Single Shot Firearms - types of firearms designed to
common in existence. This is loaded though the fire only one shot every loading.
magazine, a slide action is taken to first load a
cartridge to the chamber, upon firing the empty shell Example: Single shot pistols, revolvers and shotguns
will be extracted and elected from the firearm at the
2. Repeating Firearms - a type of firearms designed to Carbine - A short barrel rifle, with its barrel rifle,
fire several loads (shot) in one loading. measuring not longer than 22 inches. It fires a single
projectile though a rifled-bore either semi- automatic
Example: Automatic pistols revolvers, rifles and or fully automatic, for ever, press of the trigger.
shotguns
Shotgun - A smooth bore and a breech loading
3. Automatic F/A - type of firearms that constitutes a shoulder arms designed to fire a number of lead
continuous firing in a single press of the trigger and pellets or shot in one charge (FBA Manual).
while the trigger is press.
Lever/Break,type
Example: machine guns and rifles.
- The name derived from its manipulation
4. Slide Action Type - types of firearms in which system. It is operated by downward-forward
loading take place by back and forth manipulation of movement first of the lever by hand, causing
the under/ over forearms of the gun. the opening, cocking and placing of the
Examples: shotguns and pistols cartridge in its position for loading.

5. Bolt Acton Type - type of firearms in which

reloading takes place by manipulating the both back
and forth.

Example: rifles, shotguns and machine guns

6. Lever Type (Break Type) - loading takes place by

lever action on the firearms.

Types of Repeating Rifles

Muskets - An ancient smoothbore and muzzle loading

military shoulder arms designed to fire a shot or a
single round lead ball. A more detailed discussion of
muskets can be found on chapter 8 in the discussion
of ignition system.

Bolt action type

Bolt action type may appear as either turning bolt or

straight-pull bolt type. The turning bolt type is
manipulated by turning the bolt hanare first upward
making the bolt in an unlocked position before pulling
the handle to open the chamber causing the cartridge
to be exposed and be ready for another loading and
closing before firing.

3. Slide Action type

In this type of rifle, a box type magazine is being

attached and removed every time that loading and
unloading is desired. The operation is stoply done by
pulling the slide backward to open the breech and
forward