LEARNING GUIDE 1

BALLISTICS

Learning Outcomes:

At the end of this lesson notes, you will be able to:

 Define Ballistics;
 Discuss the origin of the term Ballistics;
 Enumerate the branches of ballistics;
 Identify the basic differences among Interior, Exterior, Terminal, and Forensic
Ballistics;
 Define forensic ballistics.

Lesson Proper
I. DEFINITION

– is the science that deals

with the study of the motion
of the projectile. Science
refers to the systematized
body of knowledge. Motion
refers to the movement and
projectile refers to the
bullet that passes through the barrel of the firearms.

II. ORIGIN OF THE TERM BALLISTICS

BALLISTICS – is derived from the greek word “BALLO’ or “BALLEIN”

which means to throw and from the Roman war machine “BALLISTA”. A
gigantic bow or catapult that hurls stones in killing enemies and wild
animals.

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 From these words the modern term Forensic Ballistics was
derived to indicate the science of moving projectile.

Forensic is an adjective referring to formal eloquence or

consequently formal court discussion. More broadly, the word Forensic
has become almost synonymous with legal. For instance, “Forensic
Medicine” means “Legal Medicine.”

III. BRANCHES OF BALLISTICS

1. INTERIOR BALLISTICS – treats of the motion of projectile while still

inside the firearm.

Namely:
a. Firing pin hitting the primer
b. Ignition of the priming mixture
c. Combustion of gunpowder
d. Expansion of heated gas
e. Pressure developed – measured in pounds per square inch
(lbs./sq. inch or psi).
f. Energy generated – measured in foot pound. Foot pound – capacity
to lift one pound at the height of one foot.
g. Recoil of the Firearm – the rearward movement of the firearm after
explosion
h. Velocity of the bullet – measured in feet per second (ft./sec.)
i. Rotation of the bullet inside the barrel
j. Engraving on the cylindrical surface of the bullet.

2. EXTERIOR BALLISTICS – treats of the motion of projectiles after

leaving the muzzle of the gun barrel.

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 Namely:
a. Muzzle blast – the sound created at the muzzle end of the barrel of
the firearm after the explosion.
b. Muzzle Energy (ME) – energy generated after leaving the firearms.
c. Trajectory – is the actual pattern of the curved path of the bullet in
flight.
d. Range – the distance between the firearm and the target.
1. Effective range – the maximum distance at which the projectile
can be expected to be lethal.
2. Maximum range – the greatest distance a projectile can travel
when fired at the optimum angle of elevation of the barrel.
e. Velocity – the speed of the bullet
f. Air resistance – encountered by the bullet in flight
g. Pull of gravity – the downward movement of the bullet
h. Penetration – the entry of the bullet on target.

3. TERMINAL BALLISTICS – treats the effects of the impact of the

bullet towards the target.

Namely:
a. Terminal accuracy – the size of the bullet grouping on the target.
b. Terminal energy – energy of the bullet.
c. Terminal velocity – the speed of the bullet.
d. Terminal penetration – the depth of the bullet on target.

4. FORENSIC BALLSITICS – is the science of Firearms Identification by

means of the ammunition fired through them.

a. Field Investigation – refers to the work of an investigator in the field. It

concerns mostly with the collections, marking, preservation, packing
and transmission of firearms evidences. It includes the study of class
characteristics of firearms and bullets.

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b. Technical Examination – refers to the examiners who examine bullets
and/or shells whether fired from the suspected firearms submitted;
and/or to determine also whether or not cartridge cases were loaded or
ejected from the suspected firearm submitted. Reports are made by
the examiners and testify in court regarding their report.

c. Legal Proceedings – presentation of Ballistics reports, firearm, bullets,

cartridges cases and allied exhibits in the court.

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 Activity 1

Review Questions:

1. What is Ballistics?

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2. Discuss the origin of the term Ballistics.

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3. What are the branches of ballistics?

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4. What are the basic differences of Interior ballistics, Exterior ballistics,

Terminal ballistics, and Forensic Ballistics?

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5. What is Forensic Ballistics?

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