FORENSIC 106FORENSIC BALLISTICSCHAPTER 1 Combustion of the gunpowder As the primer crushed and ignited, the flash passes through

the vent towards the gunpowder that provides the combustion of gunpowder
BALLISTICS AND ITS BRANCHESBALLISTICS
Expansion of the heated gas There will be equal expansion of heated gas inside the
• In its broadest sense, ballistics is defined as is the science dealing with the motion of cartridge, after the combustion of gunpowder. The gas expanded in the different direction that
projectiles and the conditions governing that motion. tends the bullet and shell to separate from each other in the cartridge.

• It is derived from two Greek words: the ward “ballo” and “ballein” which means to throw. Pressure developed When the heated gas created by the burning powder charge is
developed, a tremendous pressure is produced in the chamber of the firearm.Energy
• It is derived from the Roman war machine called “Ballista”, I gigantic catapult that was used generated- Energy refers to force that push the bullet or projectile came out of the shell.
to hurl missiles or large objects like stones, dead animals at a distance.• Forensic – a term
originated from the Latin word “forum”, meaning “marketplace where people gather for public Recoil of the gun- The recoil of the gun is due to the Newton’s third law of motion (law of
disputation or public discussion”. interaction) which states that in every action is always equal and opposite reaction. The
forward movement of the bullet after the explosion results to backward movement of the
MOTION cartridge case.

• Refers to the mobility or movement of the projectile from the time it leaves the empty Recoil of the gun is affected by several things such as tightness with which the firearm is
held, height of the bore above the center of the stock line of wrist for pistols, shape and
shell, it leaves the gun muzzle and until it reaches the target or falls on the ground.3 Types of design of the butt plate or the pistol’s grip, weight of the firearm and the physical and mental
Motion condition of the shooter.

Direct motion – is the forward movement of the bullet or shots out of the shell by the action Rotation of the bullet in the barrel- When the bullet is driven by the heated gas by
of the expansive force of gases from a burning gun powder. tremendous pressure towards the muzzle end, the bullet will rotate following the riflings inside
the gun barrel. But if the firearm does not have riflings inside the barrel, the bullet (shot)
Gyroscopic motion – is the action of the bullet passing through a rifled bore barrel firearm would just move forward without rotating inside the bore of the barrel until the bullet left the
which is either twisted to the left or right. gun muzzle.

Translational – is the action of the bullet once it hits a target and subsequently ricocheted. Engraving of the cylindrical surface of the bullet- The riflings starting from the breech end
Branches of Ballistics up to the muzzle end of the barrel will engraved in the body of the bullet, depending on the
number of lands and grooves as part of the class characteristics of the firearm.
1. Interior (internal) Ballistics It refers to the properties and attributes of the projectile while
still inside the gun. It covers from the time; the firearm is loaded with the cartridge, the 2. Exterior (external) Ballistics It refers to the attributes and movements of the bullet after it
explosion and the movement of the bullet from the breech to the muzzle of the gun. has left the gun muzzle, which includes the condition of the bullets’ movement and flight up to
the target.
ATTRIBUTES OF INTERIOR BALLISTICS
ATTRIBUTES OF EXTERIOR BALLISTICS
Firing pin hitting the primer- In order that the primer should explode, the firing pin should hit
such. This is due to the theory of friction wherein there is a resistance to motion created by Muzzle blast – it is the noise created at the muzzle point due to sudden escape of the
the firing pin. expanding gas coming in contact with the surrounding atmosphere. Due to this sound at the
muzzle end of the gun, a silencer was invented to minimize the sound, which the criminal
Ignition of the priming mixture Priming mixture is made up of very sensitive material that is took advantage to conceal the crime.
commonly located in the center portion of the cartridge case. In order to ignite the priming
mixture, it must be live and potent and must be devoid of any moisture. Muzzle energy – it is an energy generated at the muzzle point, whenever the cartridge
explodes from a firearm.
Trajectory – actual curve path of the bullet during its flight from the gun muzzle to the target. Technical examinations of ballistics exhibits – it is conducted by the firearms examiners
Range – straight distance from the muzzle to the target. It is classified into: in the ballistics laboratory to determine the value of firearms exhibits in the solution of the
case.
Accurate range - the distance within the shooter has control of his shots, meaning he can
place his shots at the desired spots. Legal proceeding – it includes making of ballistics report and presentation of the result of the

Effective Range – the distance within which a bullet is still capable of inflicting injury after it examination conducted before the court.
has been fired.
CHAPTER 2
Maximum range - the farthest distance that a projec tile can be propelled from a firearm.
THE EVOLUTION OF FIREARMS
Velocity – refers to the rate of speed of the bullet per unit in time.

Air resistance/aerodynamic drag – resistance encountered by the bullet during its flight History of Firearm
which reduces its speed.
1. Roger Bacon – an English monk and scientist who credited for the invention of
Pull of gravity – downward reaction of the bullet towards the center of the earth, due to its gunpowder in 1248.
weight. The pull of gravity will apply only, starting from the parabola, then to the maximum 2. Berthold Schwartz – credited for the application of gunpowder for the propelling of a
range and to the final vertical drop. However, in the effective range, the bullet could withstand missile in the early 1300s.
the pull of gravity due to its velocity and gyroscopic stability. 3. Col. Calvin Hooker Goddard scientist, army officer, academic, forensic
ballistics. In 1925 Goddard wrote an article "Forensic Ballistics" in which he
comparison microscope regarding conception of the term "forensic admitted it to be
Penetration – depth of entry on the target based on the power and velocity of the bullet.
an inadequate He was considered.as the father
4. Horace Smith (1808-1893) - He was a gunsmith, inventor, and businessman. He
3. Terminal Ballistics It refers to the effects of the impact of the projectile in the target. The
and his business partner Daniel B. Wesson formed two companies named Smith &
knocking power of particular powder load of the cartridges which makes a devastating lesion,
Wesson, the first of which was financed in part by Oliver Winchester and was
caused by the bullet.
eventually reorganized into the Winchester Repeating Arms Company
5. Smith was employed by the U. S. Armory service from 1824 to 1842, when he moved
ATTRIBUTES OF TERMINAL BALLISTICS
to Newton, Connecticut. He was employed by various gun makers up to the 1840s,
when he moved to Norwich, Connecticut. He is then listed as a partner of Cranston &
Terminal accuracy – it is the size of the bullet grouping on the target. Smith. It is known that while in Norwich, he engaged in the manufacture of whaling
guns and he is credited with the invention of the explosive bullet used to kill whales.
Terminal energy/striking energy – it is energy of the projectile when it strikes the target. 6. Daniel Baird Wesson (1825 – 1906)- He married Cynthia Maria Hawes, May 26,
This refers to the fatal equivalent of a bullet when it struck thevictim. 1847 in Thompson, Connecticut. He partnered with Horace Smith in
Norwich, Connecticut in the early 1850s to develop the first repeating rifle,
Terminal velocity – it is the speed of the bullet upon striking the target. the Volcanic rifle. He is an associate or partner of Smith in revolver making. American
firearms designer who developed many around in the, world. He is the most
Terminal penetration – it is the depth of entry of the bullet in the target. important and semi-automatic firearms and is credited with 1879. Improvements into
single-shot rifles, deliberation significant contributions were in the area of autoloading
4. Forensic Ballistics It refers to the investigation and identification of firearms by means of pistol by inventing the slide design operated machine gun, the Colt-Browning Model
ammunition fired through them. This is the real branch of the science which the police use as operation in popularity. Other successful designs Rifle, rand can ground-breaking
their guide in field investigators. semi-automatic
7. David “Carbine” Williams - He was the maker of the first known carbine.
ATTRIBUTES OF FORENSIC BALLISTICS 8. Alexander John Forsyth (1768-1843) - He was a Scottish
Presbyterian clergyman who invented the percussion ignition. He was educated at
Field investigations – it is conducted the first responders when they investigate a case King's College, Aberdeen, and succeeded his father as minister of Belhelvie in 1791.
wherein firearms have been used. He is the father ignition. considered as of percussion
 9. Elisha King Root (1808– 65) - He was the inventor, engineer, manufacturer; born in includes air rifle, except those of small calibers and limited rankge used as
Ludlow, Mass. In 1849 he became superintendent of the Colt Firearms Company, toys. The barrel of any firearm shall be considered a complete firearm for all
eventually becoming president.
10. Eliphalet Remington (1793 – 1861)-town of Suffield, Connecticut, to parents made a purposes hereof. (Sec 877 REVISED ADMINISTRATIVE CODE/SEC 20
revolutionary sporting rifle using producing the barrel himself. enthusiastic response NATIONAL INTERNAL REVENUE CODE)
that i Remington Sons, which he headed until his death in American sportsmen and
was one of the called "the winning of the West". grow and to develop its product and TECHNICAL DEFINITION Firearm is an instrument used for the propulsion of
other sporting goods, such as bicycles. At projectiles by means of the expansive force of gases coming from burning
11. Samuel Colt (1804 - 1862) -inventor and industrialist. He was Arms gun powder.
Manufacturing’s Company widely credited with popularizing industry have
been described by "events which shaped the destiny invented the revolver, to ash his
practical adaption of Collier's patented in England and achieved CLASSIFICASTION OF FIREARMS
12. Henry Deringer (1786 – 1868)- He was an American gunsmith. He invented, and
gave his name to the Deringer pistol. Further development and copying of his design 2 General Classification of Firearms
resulted in the derringer (note the double-r) pistol that was generically manufactured
widely by other companies. He gave his name to the whole class of firearms (rifles A. ACCORDING TO GUN BARREL INTERNAL CONSTRUCTION
and pistol).
13. John Mahlon Marlin (1836 - 1901) - He was an American firearms manufacturer 1. Rifled Bore Firearms - those that contain riflings inside the gun barrel.
and inventor. Marlin was born in Boston Neck, near Windsor Locks, Hartford County,
Connecticut as the son of Mahlon Marlin and Jennette Bradford. He worked at the Riflings refers the lands and grooves such as the following: Rifle – Pistol -
Colt plant in Hartford during the Civil War. Starting in 1863, he made pistols in New Revolver
Haven, Connecticut, expanding into manufacturing pistols and then different types of
firearms by 1872, then called Marlin Fire Arms Company, today Marlin Firearms. 2. Smooth Bore Firearms – those that have no riflings inside the gun barrel for
14. John C. Garand Designed and invented the semi automatic U.S. rifle cal. 30. M1 the breech end up to the muzzle of the firearm. Such as the following:
garand Shotguns - Muskets
15. John T. Thompson -pioneered the making of Thompson SMG.
16. Fedor Tokarev – designed the service pistol for Soviet forces.
17. Peter Paul Mauser – Invented and designed the Mauser M1912 (Germany)
18. Carl Walter – developed a reliable small caliber automatic pistol in 1866.
19. Oliver Winchester – One of the earliest rifle and pistol makers.
20. George Luger – designed the Luger MP08 (Germany).
21. Eugene Stoner – designed the M16 assault rifle.
22. Hiram Maxim (1858)-built the first fully automatic gun and the silencer.
23. Richard J. Gatling – patented his design of the "Gatling Gun", a six-barreled
weapon capable of firing a (then) phenomenal 200 rounds per minute.
24. Oscar Mossberge – maker of high-quality caliber .22 rifle, sporting rifle and pump
action shotgun.

CHAPTER 3
FIREARMS: ITS NATURE AND CLASSIFICATION

LEGAL DEFINITION OF FIREARMS Firearms as herein used, includes rifles,

muskets, carbines, shotgun, pistol, revolvers, and all the other deadly
weapons, to which a bullet, ball, shot, shell, or other missiles may be
discharge by means of gunpowder or other explosives. This term also
B. (according to caliber of projectile)

1. Artillery – propelled projectile is more than one inch in diameter.

Ex. Cannons, mortars, bazookas

2. Small Arms – propelled projectile is less than one inch diameter.

Ex. Machine guns, shoulder arms and handguns/arms

HANDGUN/SHORT ARMS

1. Pistol – a handgun that is magazine feed. It is said that pistols were

invented in the Italian town “PISTOIA.” Hence, the name pistol – arrived in
Britain about 1515 as German import.

2. Revolver – A handgun with a corresponding cylinder that revolves before

the barrel which consist of different chambers.

THE HANDGUN:

Handgun is a firearm that can be operated with one hand. Other types of
guns, such as rifles and machine guns, require the use of both hands, a tripod
(three-legged stand), or a shooting rest.

Parts of a handgun (the frame, the grip, the barrel, the sights, and the action)

The frame is the main body of the gun that connects the other parts. The grip
is the handle of the gun, and the barrel is the metal tube through which the
bullet is fired. The lands and rifling (grooves) are alternating raised surfaces
and channels inside the barrel. They cause the bullet to spin and thus make it
travel in a direct path.

The shooter uses the sights to line up the handgun with the target. Some
sights can be adjusted to help aim the gun more easily. All handguns made
for target shooting have adjustable sights.
 RIFLING - Rifling refers to spiral grooves that have been formed 2. Repeating Arms – type of firearm designed to fire several shots in one loading. Example:
into the barrel of a firearm. It is the means by which a firearm Automatic pistols, Revolvers, Rifles, Shotguns
imparts a spin to a projectile to gyroscopically stabilize it to
improve accuracy. The grooves are the spaces that are cut out, 3. Bolt Action Type – reloading is done by manipulation of the bolt. Examples: Rifles,
and the resulting ridges are called 'lands'. These lands and Shotguns.
grooves can vary in number, depth, shape, direction of twist
('right' or 'left'), and 'twist rate' (turns per unit of barrel length). 4. Automatic Loading Type – after the first shot is fired, automatic loading or feeding of the
The spin imparted by rifling significantly improves the stability of chamber takes place. Examples: Rifles, Shotguns
the projectile, improving both range and accuracy.
5. Pump Action Type (Trombone) – loading takes place by back and forth manipulation of the
under forearm of the gun. Examples: Rifles and Shotguns.

THE RIFLE- The rifle, invented about 1500, had spiral grooves in the barrel that made it more 6. Lever Type (Break-type) – loading takes place by lever action on the firearm. Examples:
accurate than any previous firearm. Smokeless powder was developed in the 1800's. Rifles, Shotguns.
Breechloading systems replaced dangerous muzzle loading. Many improvements since have
resulted in high-powered firearms.

Rifle is a gun with spiral grooves in its long barrel that spin the bullet as it is shot. Rifles are
usually held against the shoulder when firing. Soldiers use rifles in battle. People also use
rifles to hunt game and to compete in shooting matches.

The parts of a rifle - All rifles have four basic parts:

(1) the barrel,
(2) the stock, (3) the action, and
(3) the sights.

TYPES OF FIREARMS ACCORDING TO MECHANICAL CONSTRUCTION

1. Single Rifle Firearms – type of firearm designed to fire only one shot for every
loading. Example: Pistol, Rifle, Shotgun
 3. Target and Outdoorsman known as Sporting

a. Pistols b. Revolvers c. Rifles

THREE MAIN PARTS OF FIREARMS

1. Revolver a. barrel assembly b. cylinder assembly c.frame or receiver

2. Pistol a. barrel assembly b. slide assembly c. frame or receiver

3. Rifle – Cal. .30 a. barrel assembly b. magazine assembly c. stock group

4. Shotgun a. barrel assembly b. magazine assembly c. stock group

TYPES OF FIREARMS ACCORDING TO USE

1. Military Firearms

a. Pistols b. Revolvers c. Rifles d. Shotguns e. Machine guns,

2. Pocket and Home Defense Firearms

a. a. Pistols b. Revolvers c. Rifles, d. Shotguns

 CHAPTER 4
AMMUNITION
LEGAL DEFINITION OF AMMUNITION

Chapter VII, Sec 290 of NIRC/SEC. 877 of the RAC – shall mean “loaded shell” for rifles,
muskets, carbines, shotguns, revolvers and pistols which a ball, bullet shot shell or other
missile maybe discharges by means of gunpowder or other explosive. The term includes
ammunition for a rifles as mentioned else where in the code.

TECHNICAL DEFINITION Ammunition (technical) – refers to a group of cartridge or to a

single unit cartridge, meaning a complete unfired unit consisting of bullets, cartridge case,
gun powder and primer. The term may also refer to a single round.

ORIGIN The term “cartridge” evolved from about the turn of sixteenth century. The earliest
small arms ammunition or cartridge consisted of a pre-measured charge of powder wrapped
in a paper. In Webster’s later edition, a cartridge is defined as “A case capsule, shell or bag of
metal, pasteboard, of the like, containing the explosive charge and in small arms and some
cannon, the projectile to be fired. The term cartridge is derived from the word “charta”, the
Latin word for paper. Later on, it came through the French word “cartouche”, meaning a
roll of paper, which indicates that the original cartridges were not the brass gilding- metal
tipped units which we are familiar with today.

GENERAL TYPES OF AMMUNITION

1. DUMMY (FAKE) MODEL – a type of an ammunition which merely resembles the

genuine one. It is carefully made replica of a cartridge, usually of tool steel and
dimensioned, to be used by weapons instructors, inspector and repairman when
checking the functioning of the weapon.

2. DRILL AMMUNITION (W/O GUN POWDER)- a type of ammunition that is completely

inert, without an explosive and are used in drill training and practice loading and
Miscellaneous type of gun manipulation of the gun.

1. Zip Gun – generally referring o home made gunused by juvenile delinquents in US. In 3. BLANK AMMUNITION (W/O BULLET) - an ammunition without a bullet, containing
Philippines, it is referred to as paltik. gunpowder that is designed to generate loud noise to indicate firing.

2. Gas Gun – generally reffering to all gun designed to firing tear gas. 4. LIVE AMMUNITION – is the term applied for complete unit of unfired cartridge.

3. Harpoon Gun – refers to a barbed spear in hunting large fish.

4. Tool gun – device that resembles a gun’s design but are generally used for
construction of furniture, ex. glue gun , drilling machine, etc.

5. Trap gun – refers to gun for trapping animals

 2. CENTER FIRE – it refers to a cartridge in which the primer cap is centrally placed in the
base of the cartridge case and the priming mixture is exploded by the impact of the firing pin.

3. RIM FIRE CARTRIDGE – The simplest form of modern cartridge is the “rim-fire cartridge”.
The name “rim-fire” is derived from the fact that this type can be fired only if the cartridge is
struck by the hammer of firing pin on the rim of the case. In this type, the priming mixture is
contained or located in a cavity inside and around the rim of the cartridge which is a very
sensitive area. If a rim fire cartridge is struck anywhere in the sensitive area, the priming
substance is crushed between the front and rear of the case rim. This denotes or ignites the
priming mixture, causing a flash of flame.
PARTS OF THE CARTRIDGE

1. BULLET – the projectile propelled through the barrel of a firearm by means of expansive
force of gases coming from burning gunpowder.

2. CARTRIDGE CASE – the tubular metallic container for the gunpowder. Sometimes called
”shell” or “casting”.

3. GUNPOWDER – It is the propellant which when ignited by the primer flash is converted to
gas under high pressure and propels the bullet or shot charge through the barrel and on to
the target.

4. PRIMER – the metal cap containing the highly sensitive priming mixture of chemical
compound, which when heat or struck by firing pin would ignite. Such action is called
“percussion.”
CLASSIFICATION ACCORDING TO RIM DIAMETER
CLASSIFICATION OF CARTRIDGES

A. CLASSIFICATION ACCORDING TO LOCATION OF PRIMERS

1. PIN FIRE CARTRIDGE – is a type of cartridge in which the ignition cap is concealed inside
the cartridge case and has a pin resting upon it. The pin protrudes radially through the side
and the gun chamber has a notch for the pin to stand when loaded and it will be struck by a
falling hammer. This type of cartridge is said to have been used by the French in the 1830’s
in shotgun and later in revolver and pistol ammunition. At present, it is no longer being used
nor manufactured.
According to Caliber Gauge of shotgun Compared with other types of firearms, the shotgun has very unique
characteristics in terms of its diameter designated both for its firearm and cartridge case. The
The caliber of a gun is the diameter of its bore, measure in fraction of an inch between two unit of measurement used in shotgun is expressed in GAUGE. This is determined by the
opposite lands for barrel with even lands. The caliber of a firearm designated only as an number of solid balls of pure lead, each with diameter of the barrel that can be prepared from
approximation of the bore diameter. The different systems of measuring caliber of firearm are one pound of lead. If for instance, we have 12 balls that can be made out of one pound of
Metric or European (millimeter) and English or American (inches) systems of measurement. lead and each ball exactly fitted to the inside of the barrel of the shotgun, the gun is called a
12-gauge or 12 bore shotgun. Each lead ball for a 12 gauge should therefore weight 1/12 of a
In converting millimeters to inches – multiply the millimeters by .03937 or divide by 25.4 pound.

In converting inches to millimeters – multiply by 25.4 or divide by .03937. CHAPTER 5

PROJECTILE
 cal .22 – used in revolvers, pistols and rifles
 cal .25 – used in pistols and rifles
The word projectile is a generic term used when referring to any metallic or
 cal .30 – used in carbine and other rifles
 cal .32 – used in automatic pistols and revolvers non metallic ball that is propelled from a firearm. It may also be referred to as
 cal .38 – used in pistols bullet, slug, shot or missile.
 cal .38 – used in revolvers
 cal .357 – used in .357 revolvers (magnum) The word bullet was derived from the French word “Boulette” which means a small ball. This
 cal .44 – used in magnum revolvers term is generally used when we are referring to a projectile fired from any small arms, which
 cal .44 – used in automatic pistols has a variety of form, especially during the earlier history.
 cal .50 – used in cal .50 machine gun (not use in crimes)
GENERAL TYPE OF BULLETS
SHOTGUN CARTRIDGE It refers to a complete unit of unfired cartridge consisting of the,
pellets, primer, case, wads and gunpowder. Lead Type -is a type of bullet that is basically composed of lead metal.

PARTS OF THE SHOTGUN CARTRIDGE Jacketed Type -is a type of bullet consisting of the regular lead core, coated with a copper
alloy in order to prevent lead fouling of the barrel and is generally used in pistols and other
1. Case – usually made from plastic or paper rolled which houses the powder, pellets high powered guns.
and wads.
2. Primer – a battery type primer containing the igniter.
3. Pellets – a number of lead shots contained in the case.
4. Wad – a paper designed to separate the pellets from the powder charge
5. Powder Charge – also known as the propellant or gun powder.
TYPES OF BULLETS ACCORDING TO SHAPE TYPES OF BULLETS ACCORDING TO USE
1. Pointed bullet
2. Round Nose bullet 1. Rubber Ball Bullets – have a soft cores and are used for
3. Wad Cutter bullet training purposes and for self defense. It is also used against
4. Semi-Wad Cutter bullet personnel.
5. Hollow Point bullet
6. Boat Tailed bullet

2. Armor Piercing Bullet – have hardened steel cores and are fired against
vehicles, weapons and armored targets in general.

3. Tracer Bullets – contains compound usually similar to

barium nitrates which is set on fire when the bullet is
projected. The flash of this smoke from this burning permits
the flight of the bullet to be seen.

4. Incendiary Bullets – contains a mixture such as phosphorous or other materials,

that can be set on fire by impact. They are used against target that will burn readily
such as aircraft.

5. Explosives Bullets – It is a small bullet containing a charge of explosives that

detonates on impact

MISCELLANEOUS TYPES OF BULLETS

BATON ROUND – is the proper name used when referring

to rubber bullet.

DISCARDING SABOT – a type of bullet designed for greater velocity. It has a ball
covered with light metal which separates when fired.
 Multiple Bullet –is a term applied to a number of two or three bullets forming a cartridge; it
was patented in the early 1990’s by George Luger.
Dum-Dum Bullet – It consists of a service ball that has an exposed nose
due to trimmed jacket at the back. At present, the term is loosely used in Spitzer bullet – term used when referring to a pointed bullet.
describing any expanding bullet.

Frangible ball type – is a type of bullet designed for training purposes especially for aerial
targets. It does not causing any damage to the target rather it leaves paint mark for the
purpose of assessing the gunners.

Lethal ball – British term used when referring to a single shot; this was issued to the
members of the Home guard anti-personnel use during World War II.

FLECHETTE – a dart like solid projectile, stabilized in

flight by fins.

Heel Bullet – is a type of bullet commonly used in pistol having its

rear portion reduced in diameter in order to fit into mouth of the
shell, thus making the rest of its part appear flushed with the
mouth of the shell

Hollow point – is a type of bullet in which the nose is drilled

out to the certain depth leaving a hole, the purpose is to be
able for the bullet to deform upon impact making a “mushroom
bullet”