FORENSIC-6

Forensic Ballistics – is the scientific analysis or interpretation of all ballistic related evidence with the
purpose of interpreting and stablishing the facts in a shooting related crime

Scientific study of firearms identification;

Ballistic is the science of the motion of the projectile and the condition that affects their motion.

Science – is a systematized body of knowledge which has been observed tested and proven.
Ballistics is not an exact science rather it is branch of physics or applied science which is subject to
changes and development depending upon the demands of the modern civilization.

Motion – refers to the mobility or movement of the projectile. This motion can be categories into
three general types: Direct motion, Rotatory motion and Translation motion.

Three types of Motion

1. Direct Motion – is the forward motion of the bullet or shots out of the shell by the
action of the expensive 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 to the 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” and the word “ballein” which
literally mean “to throw”.

The term also said

to have been
derived from the
Roman war
machine called
“Ballista”, a
gigantic catapult
which was used to
furl missiles or
large object at a
distance like
stones.

BRANCHES OF BALLISTICS

The study of Ballistics in the early age is divided into (3) divisions: 1. Internal Ballistics, 2.
Exterior or External Ballistics and Terminal Ballistics. From the time gun was fired until it reaches the
target and have its maximum effect. At present Ballistics is branches into four because of its subsequent
used in solving problems in connection with the administration of justice particularly cases involving
firearms and ammunition.

Branches of Ballistics

1. Interior (Internal) Ballistics – it treats of the motion of the projectile while it is still inside the
firearm (barrel) which extends from the breech to the muzzle. The conditions attributed to
internal ballistics includes:

a. Firing pin hitting the primer

 Upon squeezing the trigger, release the hammer that cause the firing pin to hit
the base portion of the cartridge where the primer is located.

b. Ignition of the priming

mixture
The priming mixture
(composing of the
KCLO3, sulfur and
carbon) located either at
the cavity rim or at the
center of the primer the
firing pin. The action is
known as “Percussion
action”.

c. Combustion of the gun

powder/powder charge or
propellant.
After ignition of the
priming mixture the
ignition will be imparted to the gunpowder by passing through the vent or flash
hole converting the powder into gas.

d. Expansion of heated gas.

Powder charge once burned will convert into a heated gas which has a more
elastic property being its particles far apart that it will fills the shell with expanded
gases.
e. Pressure developed
Outward push of the
gasses to the burned
powder pressure is
developed due to the
great amount of gas that
is expanding within the
shell causing the
withdrawal of the bullet
from the shell.

f. Energy generated
Is the measure of force in
foot-pound necessary for
an action.

g. Recoil of the gun

Is the equal and opposite reaction of the gun against the forward
movement of the bullet upon explosion. The backward or reward movement of
the gun in relation to the forward movement of the bullet. It may be devised into
two divisions: The first, which occurs while the bullet in still inside the barrel and
which is relatively small in intensity and the second, which occurs just after the
bullet leaves the muzzle of the gun and this is much violent backward impulse
when the hot gases rush up-out of the muzzle and set against the gun.

Jump is another portion of the recoil action characterized as the

backward and upward and upward movement that takes place before the bullet
leaves the muzzle.

h. Velocity of the bullet inside the barrel.

 It is the relative speed of the bullet per unit of time while it is still inside the barrel
expressed in feet per second.

i. Rotation of the bullet inside the barrel

It refers to the twist of the bullet caused by the cylindrical grooved portion of the
barrel of most firearms.

j. Engraving of the cylindrical surface of the bullet.

Once the bullet passed though the barrel of any firearm whether rifled or not will
leave its mark to the cylindrical surface of the bullet serving as its thumbprints.

2. Exterior (external) Ballistics – treats of the attributes or movement of the projectile after
leaving the gun muzzle.

a. Muzzle Blast
Is the noise created at muzzle point of the gun due to
the sudden escape of the expanding gas and its
contact with the air.

b. Muzzle energy
Energy generated at the muzzle

point measured in foot-pound.

c. Trajectory
It is the parabola – like flight of the projectile from the time it leaves the muzzle
until it hits the target. It is also described as the actual curve path taken by a
bullet during its flight from the gun muzzle to the target

d. Range
It is the Imaginary straight distance between the muzzle of the gun and the
target.
 Accurate (effective) Range – the distance within which is the shooter or
gunner has control of his shots.
 Effective Range – the distance within which a bullet is still capable of
inflicting injury after it has been fired.
 Maximum Range – the distance that a projectile can be propelled from a
firearm. The farthest distance the bullet could travel.
e. Velocity
Is the rate of speed of the bullet (during its flight) per unit of time usually express
is feet per second (ft./sec.)

f. Pull of gravity
Downward reaction of the bullet towards the earth surface due to its weight.
 g. Air Resistance
Is that force of the air encounter by the bullet in its flight.

3. Terminal Ballistic – Is that branch of ballistics which deals with the effects of the impact of
the projectile on the target.

a. Terminal

Accuracy
It refers to the size of the bullet grouping on the target.

b. Terminal Energy
Is the energy of force of the projectile when it strikes the target same as striking
energy.
c. Terminal Velocity
Is the speed of the bullet upon striking the target.

d. Terminal Penetration
Is the depth of entry of the bullet in the target

4. Forensic Ballistics
This branch of ballistics is the product of the application of the ballistics to law. The idea
comes with the used of the word Forensic. The word Forensic was derived from the
Latin word “forum” meaning a “market place” where people gathered for public
disputation or public discussion. When used in connection with the word ballistics or
other natural science, it suggests a relationship to the courts of justice or legal
proceedings.

Forensic Ballistics is defined as the study of the motion of the projectile as applied to
law or simply the science of firearm identification by means of the ammunition fired
though them.

Scope of Forensic Ballistics

1. Field Investigation
This is the work of the first officer on the case in the field. It
is primarily a routine job an investigating officer. Such work
includes recognition, collection, markings, prevention,
packing and transmittal of ballistics exhibits.

2. Technical Examination of the Ballistics Exhibits

This is the job being performed by a firearm identification
examiner within the laboratory. It is extended to markings
 of evidences, test-firing evidences (to obtain test bullets and test shells for comparison),
photomicrography under the bullet comparison microscope, preparation of the
comparative hart, and final reports on the findings and observations of the firearms of
examiners.

3. Legal Proceeding
It is the most critical part in the field of firearm identification for herein the examiner will go
to court to testify as an expert witness regarding the ballistics’ exhibits which he has
examined in the laboratory.

An expert witness is considered by the court due to the special knowledge, skills or
experience in some field of science, trade, profession, art or calling

FIREARMS

Definitions:

Legal Definition of Firearm

Firearms or arms as herein used, includes rifles, musket, carbines, shotgun, pistol, revolvers, and
all other deadly weapons, to which a bullet, ball, shot, shell, or other missiles maybe discharge by
means of gun powder or other explosives. This term also includes air rifle, except such of being of
small caliber and limited range used as toys. The barrel of any firearm shall be considered a complete
firearm for all purposes hereof. (Sec. 877 Revised administrative Code/ Sec. 290 National Internal
Revenue Code).

Technical Definition

Firearm is an instrument used for the propulsion of projectile by means of the expansive force of
gases coming from burning gunpowder. (FBI Manual of Firearms Identification).

Classification of Firearms
A. Two General Classification of Firearms (according to Interior Barrel Construction.)

1. Rifled –Bore Firearms – firearms that have

rifling inside their gun barrel
Examples: Pistols, Revolvers, and other
modern weapons.

2. Smooth-Bore Firearms – Firearms that

have no rifling (lands and grooves) inside
their gun barrel.

B. Main Types of Firearms (According to caliber of the projectile propelled).

 1. Artillery – Refers to those type of firearms that propels projectile with more than one-inch
diameter.

2. Small Arms - Are firearms that propels

projectile with less than one-inch diameter
and it can be handled, moved and
operated by one man.

Machine guns
Machine gun is a type of firearm that is
primarily designed for military use. Even
in investigation of shooting cases done in
the city, it is not usual or common to
encounter this type of firearm having
been used. It can be grouped in three
general types:

a. Recoil – operated – a type of machine gun devised with a recoil spring

that is responsible for forcing the breech block to move forward causing
another cartridge to be loaded only after the breech block moves
rearward and empty shell is extracted upon firing.
b. Gas – operated – is a type of machine gun equipped with gas part at the
anterior portion of the barrel. When a cartridge is fired and the bullet
reach the gas part some high-pressure gas will move to the gas cylinder
causing the piston to move to the rear moving or pulling the breech block
to the rear. At this time, the pressure in the chamber has dropped to
safe limits and the various parts are returned to the firing position by the
action of the spring around the piston.
c. Combined recoil and gas-operated action – in this type of machine
gun the gas operation merely serves to unlock the breech block by the
pressure moving to the gas port, passing through the gas cylinder and
causing the piston to move to the rear, moving the cam to raise the lock
through a stud. Once this is completed, recoil action caused the breech
block to move rearward and completes the opening cycle. The spring
will return the various parts to their closed position and cycle will be
repeated for the next shot.

Sub machine Gun

Is a light, portable form

of machine gun, utilizing
a pistol size ammunition,
having a shoulder stock
that may or not be
folded and designed to
be fired with both hands.
Basically, there are two
types of this firearm
according to mechanism. One is having a bolt operated by a trigger sear
causing the cartridge to be fired in open bolt and the other is fired with a closed
bolt position.
 2.2 Shoulder Arms

Those type of firearms that were normally fired

from the shoulder. Ex. Rifles and shotguns

Rifles – A shoulder weapon designed to

fire a projectile with more accuracy through a
long rifled bore barrel, usually more than 22
inches. Just like any other type of gun, rifles
appear in various forms. First, is the Single
Shot Rifle, this is the simplest and yet of
many types. Some with breech block opened
and closed by hand etc. Second, is the Repeating rifles, a type of rifle loaded with several
cartridges at one time and carriers the cartridge into the chamber when it is ready to be fired,
rather than for the shooter to do it by hand. This can be further divided into: bolt action type,
lever type, slide action type and automatic type.

Types of Repeating Rifles

1. Bolt action type

Bolt action type may appear as either
turning bolt or a straight –pull type. The
turning bolt type is manipulated by
turning the bolt handle 1st 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. The
straight pull action type as its name
implies, the bolt is directly pulled to the
rear without being turned. The chamber will open, loading will follow and then closed
again before firing. The Swiss army rifle called Schmidt-Rubin is a good example of this
type.

2. Lever type
The name was derived from its
manipulation system. It is operated by
downward-forward movement 1st of the
lever by hand, causing the opening,
cocking and placing of the cartridge in its
position for loading. After which the lever is
pull back to closed position moving the
cartridge to the chamber and putting the
breech block in place, ready for firing. An
example of this is the Winchester model 91.

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 simply done by pulling the slide
backward to open the breech and forward to
move the cartridge from the magazine to the
chamber at the same time cocks the
hammer and locks the breech block. A good sample of this is the Remington model 760.
 Another type of a rifle is called Automatic type. It is a type of a rifle in which
firing can be made continuously by a single press of the trigger and while the trigger is
pressed. Firing will only be stop either by the action of the gunner or when cartridges are
all used.

Carbine - A short barrel rifle, with its

barrel rifle, measuring not longer than 22
inches. It fires a single projectile though
a rifled-bore either semi-automatic or
fully automatic, for every press of the
trigger.

Muskets - is an ancient smoothbore

and muzzle loading military shoulder
arms designed to fire a shot or a single
round lead all ball.

Shotgun – A smooth bore and a breech loading shoulder arms designed to fire a number
of lead pellets or shot in one charge (FBI Manual)

A shotgun operates almost exactly in the same way as other rifle. It only differs in some
extent such as the interior barrel construction. Generally, all shotguns are equipped with
a smooth bore barred designed to fire a number of lead pellets in a single charge. This
type of firearm also appears in various mechanism types. They are as follows:

1. Single Barreled Shotgun

Similar to a single shot rifle. It is loaded with a single shotgun cartridge, closed,
fired and to be reloaded manually by the shooter. This is common in a break
type, breech-loading shotgun.

2. Double Barreled Shotgun

Appears in different variation depending on the barrel position. There are double
barreled shotgun positioned side by side, one over the other (over/under
shotgun), with individual trigger pull or with single trigger pull causing two
hammer and firing pin to fire at the same time.

3. Pump Action Shotgun

Also known by the name “slide action” type. In this type. In this type of a
shotgun the hammer is completely built inside the receiver which makes it
unexposed thus, making at known as “hammerless shotgun”. Operation is done
by back and forth manipulation of the slide by the shooter.

4. Auto-loading Shotgun
This type of shotgun has a mechanism similar to auto-loading or self-loading
rifles that permits reloading by the action of the recoil without the shooter taking
added effort.
The barrel construction of shotgun may also be found in different bore construction. There are so called
cylinder bore type in which the bore size is same throughout the barrel and the other designed with a
diminishing or reducing bore diameter type towards the muzzle. This type is designed to cause an effect
to the travel of the shots. It makes the shot travel longer before it spreads. This type of shotgun is
otherwise known as choke bored gun. Still in a very rear occasion another type of shotgun can be
observed to be having rifling only a inch from its muzzle point. Such type is known as the “paradox gun”

Handguns – those type of firearms that are designed or intended to be fired using one hand
Pistol
In early firearm history, all handguns are generally called as
pistol. There were three classes of pistol in that period. The
single shot pistol, the semi-automatic and the revolving pistol
now known as the revolver. The single shot pistol is operated by
depressing the lever causing the barrel to the unlatched and
tipped upward. In this position the cartridge is inserted to the
chamber and locked. The hammer is pulled rearward to cocked
and ready to fire.

The Semi-automatic pistol is the type of pistol most common in

existence. This is loaded through the magazine, a slide action is
taken to first load a cartridge to the chamber, upon firing the
empty shell will be extracted and ejected from the firearm at the
same time another cartridge is automatically loaded to the
chamber without the gunner exerting additional effort. Thus
firing can be made successively for every press of the trigger
without again and again reloadin

Revolver
Revolver is a type of firearm designed to position
cartridges into position for firing with the aid of a rotating
cylinder serving as its chamber.

There are two types of revolvers according to its

mechanical firing action

Single action, a type of revolver that needs a manual cocking of the

hammer before squeezing the trigger

 Draw the hammer all the way to the rear, place pressure
on the trigger;
 Release the hammer to allow it to strike the primer on
the rear of the cartridge;
 When firing in the single action mode, approximately 3 ½
pounds of pressure is needed on the trigger, in order to
release the hammer.

Double action, a type of revolver that does not need manual cocking. Just press the trigger and it both
cocked and released the hammer causing a much faster firing.
 Another classification of revolver is according to its
mechanical construction for loading and unloading. They
are Ejection Rod types, considered as the oldest of this
classification. It is a loaded by an opened hinged gate at the
left side of the gun exposing the chamber and cartridge are
loaded one at a time while rotating the cylinder. After firing,
a rod at the bottom or under the barrel is pushed to the rear
to the chamber

C. Types of firearms according to mechanical construction

1. Single shot firearms – types of firearms designed to fire only one shot every loading
Examples: Single shot pistols, Revolvers and shotguns.

2. Repeating Arms - A type of firearms designed to fire several loads (shot) in one loading.
Examples: Automatic pistols revolvers rifles and shotguns.

3. Automatic F/A – type of firearms that constitutes a continuous firing in a single press of
the trigger and while the trigger is press.
Examples: Machine guns and Rifles

4. Slide Action type – types of firearms in which loading take place by back and forth
manipulation of the under/over forearms of the gun.
Examples: Shotgun and pistols

5. Bolt Action Type – Type of firearms in which reloading takes place by manipulating both
back and forth.
Examples: Rifles, shotguns and machine guns.

6. Lever type (Break type) - Loading takes place by lever action on the firearms