Personal Identification Reviewer

Personal identification Reviewer
Personal Identification
Alphonse Bertillon - was a French criminologist and anthropologist who created the first system of physical
measurements, photography, and record-keeping that police could use to identify recidivist criminals.
Ancient Babylon - fingerprints were used in clay tablets for business transactions. 1000 - 2000 BC
Anthropometry - the first system of personal identification.
Azizul Haque and Hem Chandra Bose(1897) - Two Indian fingerprint experts credited with primary development of the
Henry System of fingerprint classification (named after their supervisor,
Edward Richard Henry).
Bertillon System - a system of identification which focuses on the meticulous measurement and recording of different
parts and components of the human body.
Chiroscopy – It is the examination and thorough study of the palms of the human hand as a point identifying persons.
Core -
1. Approximate center of the pattern
2. It is placed upon or within the innermost sufficient recurve.
Dactyl - finger
Dactylography - the scientific study of fingerprints as a means of identification.
Dactylomancy - the scientific study of fingerprint for the purposes of personality interpretation.
Dactyloscopy - a method of studying fingerprints to establish identification.
Delta -
1. point on a ridge at or nearest to the point of divergence of two typelines and
2. is located at or directly in front of the point of divergence.
Dermal Papillae - is the irregular pegs composed of delicate connective tissue protruding and forming ridges of the skin
on the fingers, palms, toes, and soles of the feet.
Dr. Henry P. DeForrest - he accomplished the first fingerprint file established in the United States, and the first use of
fingerprinting by a U.S. government agency.
Dr. Nehemiah Grew - in 1684, he was the first European to publish friction ridge skin observations.
Edgeoscopy – the study of the morphological characteristics of friction ridges; shape or contour of the edges of friction
ridges.
Edmond Locard - informally referred to as the Sherlock Holmes of France, he developed the science of poroscopy, the
study of fingerprint pores and the impressions produced by these pores. He went on to write that if 12 specific points
were identical between two fingerprints, it would be sufficient for positive identification. This work led to the use of
fingerprints in identifying criminals being adopted over Bertillon's earlier technique of anthropometry.
Fingerprint - is an impression of the friction ridge of all or any part of the finger. Fingerprint ridges are formed during the
third to fourth month of fetal development.
Fingerprint Classification Systems

1. The Henry Classification System – developed by Henry in the late 1800s.
2. Icnofalangometric System – the originalname of the system developed by Vucetichin 1891
3. Dactiloscopy – the new name of the systemdeveloped by Vucetich.
4. The Oloriz System of Classification – developed by Oloriz.
Identakey – developed in the 1930s by G. Tyler Mairs.
5. The American System of FingerprintClassification – developed by Parke in1903.
6. The Conley System. The Flack-ConleySystem – developed in 1906 in New Jersey,an improved Conley System.
7. NCIC Fingerprint Classification System. Collins System – a classification system forsingle fingerprint used in
Scotland Yard inthe early 1900s.
8. Jorgensen System – a classification systemfor single fingerprints used in the early1900s.
9. Battley System – a classification system forsingle fingerprints used in the 1930s
Friction Skin - also called papillary skin, is the epidermal layer found on the ventral or lower surface of the hands and
feet covered with ridges and furrows.
Fundamental layers of friction skin

1. Epidermis - outer layer (stratum corneum, stratum mucusum)
2. Dermis - inner layer (blood vessel, dermal papipllae, various glands and nerves)
Furrows - the depressed or canal-like structure/the white space between the ridges.
Gilbert Thompson - He used his thumb print on a document to prevent forgery. First known use of fingerprints in the
U.S.
John Evangelist Purkinje - anatomy professor at the University of Breslau, in 1823, he published his thesis discussing
nine fingerprint patterns but he made no mention of the value of fingerprints for
personal identification. He is considered by many as the Father of Dactyloscopy. For purposes of the
criminology licensure examination, Johannes Evangelist Purkenji is the same person as John Evangelist Purkinje.
Juan Vucetich - In 1892, two boys were brutally murdered in the village of Necochea, near Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Initially, suspicion fell on a man named Velasquez, a suitor of the children's mother, Francisca Rojas. Investigators
found a bloody fingerprint at the crime scene and contacted Juan Vucetich, who was developing a system of fingerprint
identification for police use. Vucetich compared the fingerprints of Rojas and Velasquez with the bloody fingerprint.
Francisca Rojas had denied touching the bloody bodies, but the fingerprint matched one of hers. Confronted with the
evidence, she confessed—the first successful use of fingerprint identification in a
murder investigation.
Loop -
1. One or more ridges enter upon either side
2. Recurve
3. Touch or pass an imaginary line between delta and core
4. Pass out or tend to pass out upon the same side the ridges entered.
Three Loop Characteristics

1. A sufficient recurve
2. A Delta
3. A ridge count across a looping ridge
Marcelo Malpighi - in 1686, an anatomy professor at the University of Bologna, noted fingerprint ridges, spirals and
loops in his treatise. A layer of skin was named after him; "Malpighi" layer, which is approximately 1.8mm thick. Malpighi
is considered as the "Grandfather of Dactyloscopy".
Mark Twain - author of the novel Pudd'nhead Wilson where one of the characters has a hobby of collecting fingerprints.
Paul-Jean Coulier - of Val-de-Grâce in Paris, published his observations that (latent) fingerprints can be developed on
paper by iodine fuming, explaining how to preserve (fix) such developed impressions and mentioning the potential for
identifying suspects' fingerprints by
use of a magnifying glass.
Poroscopy – refers to the examination of the shape,size and arrangement of the small opening on friction ridge through
which body fluids are secreted or released. Poros (a pair), Skopien (to study)
Podoscopy – a term coined by Wilder and Wentwrth which refers to the examination of the soles and their significance
in personal identification. Podo (foot), Skopien (to study)
Ridge - the elevated or hill-like structure (the black lines with white dots)
1. Recurving Ridge - a single ridge that curves back to the direction where it started.
2. Ending Ridge - it refers to an abrupt end of a ridge
3. Enclosure or Lake Ridge - a single ridge that divides into two but does not remain open and meet at a certain point to
form the original single ridge.
4. Sufficent Recurve - a recurving ridge which is complete with its shoulder free from any appendage.
5.Diverging Ridge - two ridges that split apart.
6.Converging Ridge - two ridges that meet at certain point.
7.Bifurcation - a ridge formation in which a single ridge splits or divides into 2 or more ridges.
8.Ridge Dot (Island Ridge) - refers to a ridge formation in a form of a dot or period.
9.Appendage - a short ridge found at the top or summit of a recurve.
10.Rod (Bar) - a short or long ridge found inside the recurve directed towards the core.
11.Obstruction Ridge - short ridge found inside the recurve which blocks the inner line of flow towards the core.
12.Typelines - a diverging ridge that tends to surround the pattern area and serves as a basic boundary of fingerprint
impression.
13.Pattern Area - a part of a loop or whorl pattern surrounded by typelines and consisting of the delta, the core and
other ridges.
14.Delta - also called the outer terminus, is a point along the ridge formation found at the center or near the center of
the diverging typelines.
15.Core - also called the heart or inner terminus, usually found at the center of the innermost recurve.
Ridge Destruction - ridge destruction of the friction skin can either be temporary or permanent. Generally temporary
destruction occur when only the epidermis layer of the friction skin has been damaged while permanent damage can be
injected to the friction skin due to the damage in the dermis layer.
Ridge Formation - ridges start to form in the fingers and thumb during the 3rd to 4th month of fetus life.
Ridgeology – describes the individualization process of any area of friction skin using allavailable detail.
Ridge Characteristics
1. Ridge Dots - An isolated ridge unit whose length approximates its width in size.
2. Bifurcations - The point at which one friction ridge divides into two friction ridges.
3. Trifurcations - The point at which one friction ridge divides into three friction ridges.
4. Ending Ridge - A single friction ridge that terminates within the friction ridge structure.
5. Ridge Crossing - A point where two ridge units intersect.
6. Enclosures (Lakes) - A single friction ridge that bifurcates and rejoins after a short course and continues as a single
friction ridge.
7. Short Ridges (Islands) - Friction ridges of varying lengths.
8. Spurs (Hooks) - A bifurcation with one short ridge branching off a longer ridge.
9. Bridges - A connecting friction ridge between parallel running ridges, generally right angles.
Sir Edward Richard Henry - he was appointed Inspector-General of Police of Bengal, India in 1891, he developed a
system of fingerprint classification enabling fingerprint records to be organized and searched with relative ease.
Sir Francis Galton - He devised a method of classifying fingerprints that proved useful in forensic science. He pointed
out that there were specific types of fingerprint patterns. He described and classified them into eight broad categories:
1: plain arch, 2: tented arch, 3: simple loop, 4: central pocket loop, 5: double loop, 6: lateral pocket loop, 7: plain whorl,
and 8: accidental
Sir Henry Faulds - his first paper on the subject of fingerprint was published in the scientific journal Nature in 1880.
Examining his own fingertips and those of friends, he became convinced that the
pattern of ridges was unique to each individual.
Sir William James Herschel - was a British officer in India who used fingerprints for identification on contracts.
Skopien - to study or examine.
Sweat duct - the passage way.
Sweat gland - the producers of sweat.
Sweat pores - the tiny opening/the tiny white dot
Time Line - Fingerprints
1000-2000 B.C. - Fingerprints were used on clay tablets for business transactions in ancient Babylon.
3rd Century B.C. - Thumbprints begin to be used on clay seals in China to “sign” documents.
610-907 A.D. - During the T’ang Dynasty, a time when imperial China was one of the most powerful and wealthy
regions of the world, fingerprints are reportedly used on official documents.
1st Century A.D. - A petroglyph located on a cliff face in Nova Scotia depicts a hand with exaggerated ridges and finger
whorls, presumably left by the Mi'kmaq people.
14th Century A.D. - Many official government documents in Persia have fingerprint impressions. One government
physician makes the observation that no two fingerprints were an exact match.
1686 - At the University of Bologna in Italy, a professor of anatomy named Marcello Malpighi notes the
common characteristics of spirals, loops and ridges in fingerprints, using the newly invented microscope for his studies.
In time, a 1.88mm thick layer of skin, the “Malpighi layer,” was named after him. Although Malpighi was likely the first to
document types of fingerprints, the value of fingerprints as identification tools was never mentioned in his writings.
1823 - A thesis is published by Johannes Evengelista Purkinje, professor of anatomy with the University of Breslau,
Prussia. The thesis details a full nine different fingerprint patterns. Still, like Malpighi, no mention is made of fingerprints
as an individual identification method.
1858 - The Chief Magistrate of the Hooghly district in Jungipoor, India, Sir William Herschel, first used fingerprints to
“sign” contracts with native Indians. In July of 1858, a local businessman named Rajyadhar Konai put his hand print on
the back of a contract at Herschel’s request. Herschel was not
motivated by the need to prove personal identity; rather, his motivation was to simply “frighten (Konai) out of all
thought of repudiating his signature.” As the locals felt more bound to a contract through this personal contact than if it
was just signed, as did the ancient Babylonians and Chinese, Herschel adopted the practice permanently. Later, only
the prints of the right index and middle fingers were required on contracts. In time, after viewing a number of
fingerprints, Herschel noticed that no two prints were exactly alike, and he observed that even in widespread use, the
fingerprints could be used for personal identification purposes.
1880 - Dr. Henry Faulds, a British surgeon and Superintendent of Tsukiji Hospital in Tokyo, published an article in the
Scientific Journal, "Nautre" (nature). He discussed fingerprints as a means of personal identification, and the use of
printers ink as a method for obtaining such fingerprints. Faulds had begun his study of what he called “skin-furrows”
during the 1870s after looking at fingerprints on pieces of old clay pottery. He is also credited with the first fingerprint
identification: a greasy print left by a laboratory worker on a bottle of alcohol. Soon, Faulds began to recognize that the
distinctive patterns on fingers held great promise as a means of individual identification, and developed a classification
system for recording these inked impressions. Also in 1880, Faulds sent a description of his fingerprint classification
system to Sir Charles Darwin. Darwin, aging and in poor health, declined to assist Dr. Faulds in the further study of
fingerprints, but forwarded the information on to his cousin, British scientist Sir Francis Galton.
1882 - Gilbert Thompson, employed by the U.S. Geological Survey in New Mexico, uses his own fingerprints on a
document to guard against forgery. This event is the first known use of fingerprints for identification in America.
1883 - “Life on the Mississippi,” a novel by Mark Twain, tells the story of a murderer who is identified by the use of
fingerprints. His later book "Pudd'n Head Wilson” includes a courtroom drama involving fingerprint identification.
1888 - Sir Francis Galton’s began his study of fingerprints during the 1880s, primarily to develop a tool for
determining genetic history and hereditary traits. Through careful study of the work of Faulds, which he learned of
through his cousin Sir Charles Darwin, as well as his examination of fingerprints collected by Sir William Herschel,
Galton became the first to provide scientific evidence that no two fingerprints are exactly the same, and that prints
remain the same throughout a person’s lifetime. He calculated that the odds of finding two identical fingerprints were 1
in 64 billion.
1892 - Galton’s book “Fingerprints” is published, the first of its kind. In the book, Galton detailed the first classification
system for fingerprints; he identified three types (loop, whorl, and arch) of characteristics for fingerprints (also known as
minutia). These characteristics are to an extent still in use today, often referred to as Galton’s Details.
1892 - Juan Vucetich, an Argentine police official, had recently begun keeping the first fingerprint files based on
Galton’s Details. History was made that year when Vucetich made the first criminal fingerprint identification. A woman
named Rojas had murdered her two sons, then cut her own throat to deflect blame from herself. Rojas left a bloody print
on a doorpost. After investigators matched the crime scene print to that of the accused, Rojas confessed. Vucetich
eventually developed his own system of classification, and published a book entitled Dactiloscopía Comparada
("Comparative Fingerprinting") in 1904, detailing the Vucetich system, still the most used system in Latin America.
1896 - British official Sir Edward Richard Henry had been living in Bengal, and was looking to use a system similar to
that of Herschel’s to eliminate problems within his jurisdiction. After visiting Sir Francis Galton in England, Henry
returned to Bengal and instituted a fingerprinting program for all prisoners. By July of 1896, Henry wrote in a report that
the classification limitations had not yet been addressed. A short time later, Henry developed a system of his own,
which included 1,024 primary classifications. Within a year, the Governor General signed a resolution directing that
fingerprinting was to be the official method of identifying criminals in British India.
1901 - Back in England and Wales, the success of the “Henry Fingerprint Classification System” in India was creating a
stir, and a committee was formed to review Scotland Yard's identification methods. Henry was then transferred to
England, where he began training investigators to use the Henry Classification System after founding Scotland Yard's
Central Fingerprint Bureau. Within a few years, the Henry Classification System was in use around the world, and
fingerprints had been established as the uniform system of identification for the future. The Henry Classification System
is still in use today in English speaking countries around the globe.
1902 - Alphonse Bertillon, director of the Bureau of Identification of the Paris Police, is responsible for the first criminal
identification of a fingerprint without a known suspect. A print taken from the scene of a homicide was compared
against the criminal fingerprints already on file, and a match was made, marking another milestone in law enforcement
technology. Meanwhile, the New York Civil Service Commission, spearheaded by Dr. Henry P. DeForrest, institutes
testing of the first systematic use of fingerprints in the United States.
1903 - Fingerprinting technology comes into widespread use in the United States, as the New York Police Department,
the New York State Prison system and the Federal Bureau of Prisons begin
working with the new science.
1904 - The St. Louis Police Department and the Leavenworth State Penitentiary in Kansas start utilizing fingerprinting,
assisted by a Sergeant from Scotland Yard who had been guarding the British Display at the St. Louis Exposition.
1905 - The U.S. Army gets on the fingerprinting bandwagon, and within three years was joined by the U.S. Navy and
Marine Corps. In the ensuing 25 years, as more law enforcement agencies joined in using fingerprints as personal
identification methods, these agencies began sending copies of the fingerprint cards to the recently established National
Bureau of Criminal Investigation.
1911 - The first central storage location for fingerprints in North America is established in Ottawa by Edward Foster of
the Dominion Police Force. The repository is maintained by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and while it originally
held only 2000 sets of fingerprints, today the number is over 2 million.
1924 - The U.S. Congress acts to establish the Identification Division of the F.B.I. The National Bureau and
Leavenworth are consolidated to form the basis of the F.B.I. fingerprint repository. By 1946, the F.B.I. had processed
100 million fingerprint cards; that number doubles by 1971.
1990s - AFIS, or Automated Fingerprint Identification Systems, begin widespread use around the country. This
computerized system of storing and cross-referencing criminal fingerprint records would eventually become capable of
searching millions of fingerprint files in minutes, revolutionizing law enforcement efforts.
1996 - As Americans become more concerned with the growing missing and abducted children problem, and law
enforcement groups urge the fingerprinting of children for investigative purposes in
the event of a child becoming missing, Chris Migliaro founds Fingerprint America in Albany, NY. The company provides
a simple, at-home fingerprinting and identification kit for parents,
maintaining the family’s privacy while protecting and educating children about the dangers of abduction. By 2001, the
company distributes over 5 million Child ID Fingerprinting Kits around the world.
1999 - The FBI phases out the use of paper fingerprint cards with their new Integrated AFIS (IAFIS) site at Clarksburg,
West Virginia. IAFIS will starts with individual computerized fingerprint records
for approximately 33 million criminals, while the outdated paper cards for the civil files are kept at a facility in Fairmont,
West Virginia.
Typelines -
1. Two innermost ridges that start or go parallel
2. Diverge and surround or tend to surround the pattern area
Types of Fingerprints
1. Visible Prints
2. Latent Prints
3. Impressed Prints
Visible Prints - also called patent prints and are left in some medium, like blood, that reveals them to the naked
eye when blood, dirt, ink or grease on the finger come into contact with a smooth surface and leave a friction ridge
impression that is visible without development.
Latent Prints - not apparent to the naked eye. They are

formed from the sweat from sebaceous glands on the body or
water, salt, amino acids and oils contained in sweat.
They can be made sufficiently visible by dusting, fuming or
chemical reagents.
Impressed prints - also called plastic prints and are

indentations left in soft pliable surfaces, such as clay,
wax, paint or another surface that will take the impression.
They are visible and can be viewed or photographed without
development.
Types of Patterns
1. Arch a. Plain Arch
b. Tented Arch
2. Loop a. Radial Loop
b. Ulnar Loop
3. Whorl a. Plain Whorl
b. Central Pocket Loop
c. Double Loop
d. Accidental Whorl
Plain Arch - 1. Ridges enter upon one side

2. Make a rise or wave in the center
3. Flow or tend to flow out upon the
opposite side.
Tented Arch - Possesses an 1. Angle
2. Upthrust
3. Two of The Three basic
characteristics of the loop
Ulnar loop - flow toward the little finger - ulna bone.
Radial Loop - flow toward the thumb - radius bone.
Plain Whorl - 1. Consists of one or more ridges which make

or tend to make a complete circuit
2. With 2 delta's
3. Between which, when an imaginary line is
drawn, at least one recurving ridge within
the inner pattern area is cut or touched.
Central Pocket Loop - 1. Consists of at least one recurving

ridge or
2. An obstruction at right angles to
the line of flow
3. With 2 delta's
4. Between which, when an imaginary
line is drawn, no recurving ridge
within the inner pattern area is
cut or touched.
Double Loop - 1. Consists of two separate loop formations

2. With two separate and distinct set of
shoulders and
3. Two delta's
Accidental Whorl - 1. Consists of a combination of two

different types of patterns with the
exception of the plain arch
2. With 2 or more delta's or
3. A pattern which possesses some of the
requirements for 2 or more different
types or a pattern which conforms to
none of the definitions.
Fingerprint - is an impression left by the friction ridge of a human finger.
Friction ridge - is a raised portion of the epidermis on the fingers and toes, the palm of the hand or the sole of the foot,
consisting of one or more connected ridge units of the friction ridge skin.These are sometimes known as "epidermal ridges"
Dermatoglyphics - scientific study of fingerprints.
Type of Prints
1. Exemplar - "known prints" - fingerprints deliberately collected from a subject.
2. Latent - means chance or accidental impression left by the friction ridge skin on a surface regardless of whether it is visible
or invisible at the time of deposition. Although the word latent means hidden or invisible in modern usage for forensic science.
3.Patent - chance friction ridge impressions which are obvious to the human eye and which have been caused by the
transfer of foreign material from a finger into a surface.
4. Plastic Print - is a friction ridge impression left in a material that retains the shape of the ridge detail.
5. Electronic Recording - example, a man selling stolen watches sending images of them on a mobile phone and those
images included parts of his hands in enough detail for police to be able to identify fingerprint patterns.
Notes:
 Plantar - refers to feet and toes.
 Palmar - refers to finger and palm.
Personalities who significantly contributed to the science of fingerprint.
1. Jan Evangelista Purkinje (1787 - 1869) - a czech physiologist and professor of anatomy at the university of Breslau,
published a thesis in 1823 discussing 9 fingerprint patterns but he did not mention any possibility of using fingerprint
to identify people.
2. Georg Von Meisner (1829 - 1905) - German anatomist who studied friction ridges.
3. Sir William James Herschel - initiated fingerprinting in India. In 1877 at Hoogly near Calcutta, he instituted the use of
fingerprints on contracts and deeds to prevent the then rampant repudiation of signatures and he registered
government pensioners fingerprint to prevent the collection of money by relatives after a pensioners death.
4. Henry Faulds - a Scottish surgeon who in 1880, in a Tokyo hospital, published his first paper on the subject in the
scientific journal nature. He took up the study of "skin furrows" after noticing finger marks on specimens of prehistoric
pottery.
5. Juan Vucetich - an Argentine chief of police who created the first method of recording the fingerprint of individuals on
file, associating this these fingerprints to the anthropometric system of Alphonse Bertillon.
6. Alphonse Bertillon - created in 1879 a system to identify individuals by anthropometric photographs and associated
quantitative descriptions.
7. Edward Richard Henry - UK home secretary who conducted an inquiry into identification of criminals by
measurements and fingerprints. The Henry Classification System of classifying fingerprint was named after him.
8. Azizul Hague and Hem Chandra Bose - Indian fingerprint expert who have been credited with the primary
development of a fingerprint classification system eventually named after their supervisor Sir Edward Richard Henry.
9. Henry P. deForrest - used fingerprinting in the New York civil service in 1902 and by 1906. Pioneered U.S.
fingerprinting.
10. Nehemiah Grew -(1641 - 1712) - in 1684, this English physician, botanist and microscopist published the first
scientific paper to describe the ridge structure of the skin covering the fingers and palms.
11. Marcelo Malphigi - an anatomy professor at the university of Bologna, noted in his treatise in 1686, ridges, spirals
and loops in fingerprints, A layer of skin was named after him "malphigi layer" which is approximately 1.8 mm thick.
12. Mark Twain - in his memoir life on the Mississippi 1883, it mentioned a melodramatic account of a murder in which
the killer was identified by a thumbprint. Twain's novel Pudd'n head Wilson published in 1893 includes a court room
drama that turns on fingerprint identification.
Fingerprint Sensor - is an electronic device used to capture a digital image of the fingerprint pattern. The captured image is
called a live scan.
Biometrics (Biometric Authentication) - refers to the identification of humans by their characteristics or traits.
Latent Print - (known as dactyloscopy or hand print identification) - is the process of comparing two instances of friction
ridge skin impressions from human fingers, palm of the hand, or even toes to determine whether these impressions could
have come from the same individual.
The Most Popular Ten Print Classification System.

1. Roscher System - developed in Germany. Implemented in Germany and Japan.
2. Juan Vucetich System - developed in Argentina. Implemented through out South America.
3. Henry Classification System - developed in India. Implemented in most English speaking countries.
In the Henry System of Classification. There are 3 basic fingerprint patterns.
1. Loop - constitute 60% to 65% of all fingerprint.

Kinds of Loop
1)ulnar Loop
2)radial Loop
2. Whorl - constitute 30% to 35% of all fingerprints.
Kinds of Whorl
1)plain Whorl
2)accidental Whorl
3)double Loop whorl
4)central Pocket Loop Whorl.
3. Arch - constitute 5% of all fingerprints.

Kinds of Arch
1)plain Arch
2)tented Arch
The Basic Fundamentals of Fingerprints are:

1. Permanence - fingerprints never change.
2. Individuality - no two fingerprints are alike.
Characteristics of a Ridge (minutia Features)

1. Ridge Ending - the end of a ridge.
2. Bifurcation - the Y-shaped split of one ridge into
two.
3. Dot - is a very short ridge that looks like a dot.
When is fingerprint ridges formed? ans. formed during the third to fourth month of fetal development.
Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) - is the process of automatically matching one of many unknown
fingerprints against a database of known and unknown prints.
What is a Loop? ans. the ridges enter from one side of the finger, form a curve and then exit on that same side.
What is a whorl? ans. ridges form circularly around a central point on the finger.
What is an Arch? ans. the ridges enter from one side of the finger, rise in the center forming an arch and then exit the other
side of the finger.
What does a Minutiae Include? ans. It includes the following:

1. Ridge Ending - the abrupt end of a ridge.
2. Ridge Bifurcation - a single ridge that divides into
two ridges.
3. Short Ridge or Independent Ridge - a ridge that
commences, travels a short distance and then
ends.
4. Island - a single small ridge inside a short ridge
or ridge ending that is not connected to all other
ridges.
5. Ridge Enclosure - a single ridge that bifurcates and
reunites shortly afterward to continue as a single
ridge.
6. Spur - a bifurcation with a short ridge branching off
a longer ridge.
7. Crossover or Bridge - a short ridge that runs
between two parallel ridges.
8. Delta - a Y-shape ridge meeting.
9. Core - A U-turn in the ridge pattern.
Forensic Anthropology - forensic discipline that studies human skeletal remains for identification.
Forensic Odontology - study of dental features to identify a victim when the body is otherwise unidentifiable.
Personal Identification Reviewer 1
1. The abrupt end of a ridge.

A. Ridge ending
B. Independent ridge
C. Ridge bifurcation
D. Island

2. A single ridge that divide into two ridges.
A. Ridge ending
B. Bridge
C. Spur
D. Ridge bifurcation

3. A Ridge that commences, travels a short distance and then ends.
A. Ridge ending
B. Spur
C. Short ridge
D. Delta

4. A single small ridge inside a short ridge or ridge ending that is
nor connected to all other ridges.
A. Delta
B. Spur
C. Short ridge
D. Island
5. A single ridge that bifurcates and reunites shortly afterwards

to continue as a single ridge.
A. Cross-over
B. Ridge enclosure
C. Independent ridge
D. Island
6. A bifurcation with short ridge branching off a longer ridge.
A. Core
B. Independent ridge
C. Spur
D. Delta
7. A short ridge that runs between two parallel ridges.
A. Bridge
B. Short ridge
C. Ridge enclosure
D. Ridge bifurcation
8. A Y shaped ridge meeting.
A. Delta
B. Cross-over
C. Core
D. Spur
9. A U turn in the ridge pattern.
A. Delta
B. Cross-over
C. Core
D. Spur
10.Major features of a fingerprint.
A. Minutiae
B. Bridge
C. Divergence ridge
D. Cross-over

Remember the following: Personal Identification
1. Ridge ending -The abrupt end of a ridge.
2. Ridge bifurcation - A single ridge that divide into two ridges.
3. Short ridge - A Ridge that commences, travels a short distance

and then ends.

4. Island - A single small ridge inside a short ridge or ridge ending that
is nor connected to all other ridges.

5. Ridge enclosure - A single ridge that bifurcates and reunites
shortly afterwards to continue as a single ridge.
6. Spur - A bifurcation with short ridge branching off a longer ridge.
7. Bridge - A short ridge that runs between two parallel ridges.
8. Delta - A Y shaped ridge meeting.
9. Core - A U turn in the ridge pattern.
10.Minutiae - Major features of a fingerprint.
Personal Identification
1. Fingerprint
2. DNA
3. Forensic Anthropology
4. Facial reconstruction
5. Hair comparisons
Answers: Personal Identification
1. A
2. D
3. C
4. D
5. B
6. C
7. A
8. A
9. C
10. A
1. It is an electronic device used to capture a digital image of the

finger print pattern.
A. Fingerprint
B. Fingerprint Identification
C. Fingerprint Sensor
D. Electronic Recording
2. It refers to the identification of humans by their characteristics

or traits.
A. Fingerprint
B. Fingerprint Identification
C. Fingerprint Sensor
D. Biometrics
3. A U-turn in the ridge pattern.

A. Island
B. Delta
C. Bridge
D. Core
4. A Y-shape ridge meeting.

A. Delta
B. Island
C. Cross-over
D. Core
5. A short ridge that runs between two parallel ridges.

A. Ridge Enclosure
B. Bridge
C. Ridge Ending
D. Cross-over
6. A bifurcation with a short ridge branching off a longer ridge.

A. Spur
B. Ridge Bifurcation
C. Ridge Enclosure
D. Island
7. A single ridge that bifurcates and reunites shortly afterwards

to continue as a single ridge.
A. Spur
B. Ridge Bifurcation
C. Ridge Enclosure
D. Island
8. A single small ridge inside a short ridge or ridge ending that is

not connected to all other ridges.
A. Ridge Ending
B. Island
C. Cross-over
D. Spur
9. A ridge that commences, travels a short distance and then

ends.
A. Short Ridge
B. Ridge Ending
C. Spur
D. Cross-Over
10. Short Ridge is also known as

A. Spur
B. Bridge
C. Island
D. Independent Ridge
Answer:
1. C
2. D
3. D
4. A
5. B
6. A
7. C
8. B
9. A
10. D

1. A bridge is also called
A. Spur
B. Island
C. Independent Ridge
D. Cross-Over
2. A single ridge that divides into two ridges.

A. Cross-Over
B. Delta
C. Ridge Bifurcation
D. Island
3. The abrupt end of a ridge.

A. Ridge Ending
B. Short Ridge
C. Island
D. Core
4. Major Features of a fingerprint, using which comparisons of one

print with another can be made.
A. Minutiae
B. Friction Ridge
C. Latent Print
D. Fingerprint Identification
5. A Short Ridge is also known as
A. Spur
B. Core
C. Island
D. Dots
6. Ridges which are significantly shorter than the average ridge

length on the fingerprint.
A. Delta
B. Dot
C. Spur
D. Bridge
7. It is the point at which a ridge terminate.

A. Core
B. Island
C. Delta
D. Ridge Ending
8. Points at which a single ridge split into two ridges.

A. Island
B. Ridge Enclosure
C. Bifurcation
D. Bridge
9. The ridges enter from one side of the finger, rise in the center
forming an arch and then exit the other side of the finger.
A. Loop
B. Arch
C. Whorl
D. Accidental whorl
10. Ridges form circularly around a central point on the finger.

A. Radial Loop
B. Loop
C. Arch
D. Whorl

Answer:
1. D
2. C
3. A
4. A
5. D
6. B
7. D
8. C
9. B
10. D
1. The Ridges enter from one side of a finger, form a curve and then
exit on that same side.
A. Accidental Whorl
B. Loop
C. Arch
D. Whorl
2. When is fingerprint ridges formed?

A. First to second month of fetal development
B. Second to third month of fetal development
C. Third to fourth month of fetal development
D. Fourth to fifth month of fetal development
3. It is the process of automatically matching one of many unknown

fingerprints against a database of known and unknown prints.
A. Minutiae
B. Automated Fingerprint Identification System - AFIS
C. Exemplar
D. Electric Recording
4. A basic fundamentals of fingerprints which says that fingerprint

never change.
A. Individuality
B. Permanence
C. Static
D. Variable
5. A basic fundamentals of fingerprint which says that no two

fingerprints are alike.
A. Individuality
B. Permanence
C. Static
D. Variable
6. One of the characteristics of a ridge, The point at which the

ridge terminate.
A. Ridge Ending
B. Bifurcation
C. Dot
D. Island
7. The Y-Shaped split of one ridge into two.

A. Ridge Ending
B. Bifurcation
C. Dot
D. Island
8. It refers to the feet and toes.

A. Palmar
B. Plantar
C. Exemplar
D. Latent
9. It refers to fingers and palms.

A. Palmar
B. Plantar
C. Exemplar
D. Latent
10. It is an impression left by the friction ridges of a human finger.

A. Dermatoglyphics
B. Latent Print
C. Friction Ridge
D. fingerprint

Answer:
1. B
2. C
3. B
4. B
5. A
6. A
7. B
8. B
9. A
10. D
Personal Identification Definition of Terms
Accidental whorl - relatively rare pattern having 3 or more deltas or all the characteristics of two or more different pattern
types (excluding the plain arch). This category is used to accommodate those patterns that do not conform to any of the
fingerprint patterns.
Adhesive lifter - any of a variety of adhesive coated materials or tapes used to lift fingerprints or footwear impressions.They
are primarily used to lift powdered impressions from non-pourous surfaces.
AFIS - (automated fingerprint identification system) enables computers to make rapid and accurate comparisons between
fingerprints and the vast number of fingerprints in police records.
Alternate light source - equipment used to produce visible and invisible light at various wavelengths to enhance or visualize
potential items of evidence.
Angle - results from two or more ridges converging with one another at a point.
Anthropometry - method of identification devised by Alphonse Bertillon in the late 19th century,consisting of a set of body
measurements thought to form a unique profile.
Arch - the ridges enter from one side of the finger,rise in the center forming an arc and then exit the other side of the finger.
Argentina - became the first country to rely solely on fingerprints as a method of individualization.
Bartillonage - a method of classifying human beings by a set of detailed body measurements, invented by Alphonse
Bertillon, a clerk in the French Surete in 1883 but rendered obsolete by fingerprinting.
Bifurcation - (fork) a single ridge splitting or forking into two branches.
Biometrics - refers to the identification of humans by their physiological/behavioral characteristics.
Bridges - a connecting friction ridge between parallel running ridges generally right angles.
Central pocket loop - a variation of the plain whorl pattern.Some ridges tend to form a loop pattern that recurves and
surround a whorl at the center.
Core - A u-turn in the ridge pattern.Approximate center of the pattern area.
Cross over/Bridge - a short ridge that runs between two parallel ridges.
Cyanoacrylate fuming - important method for the visualization of latent fingerprints.Also called "super glue fuming".
Delta - the nearest point nearest the typeline divergence,a characteristic junction in the looped ridge pattern seen in the
fingerprints of approximately 65% of people.The outer terminal point of the pattern nearest the type line divergence.A Y-
shape ridge meeting.
Dental records - a standard system for classifying a persons teeth according to distribution,displacement, and their
appearance together with any gaps or evidence of remedial work; useful for identifying bodies because of the virtual
indestructibility of the teeth.
Dermis - the layer of the skin just below the epidermis or outer layer.The dermis has a rich supply of blood vessels,nerves,
and skin structures.
Divergence - is the spreading a part of two ridges that have been running parallel or nearly parallel.
Diverging ridges - diverging ridges are parallel for some distance but then swing out away from each other.
DNA profile - consists of a set of DNA identification characteristics that permit the DNA of one person to be distinguishable
from that of another person.
Dot - a very short ridge and means exactly what the word implies.
Double loop - (twinned loop) another type of whorl.In it ,two separate loop formations are present and may surround each
other.
Enclosure,ridge - a single ridge that bifurcates and reunites shortly afterwards to continue as a single ridge.also known as
lakes.
Enhance - to develop or to bring out from a latent form.
Enlargement - a print made from a smaller negative or slide through magnification.
Epidermis - the outermost non vascular covering of the skin.
Femur - the thighbone which can be measured and used as a guide to the height of the person to whom it belong.
Fingerprint pattern type - formed by a series of lines corresponding to ridges (hills) and grooves (valleys) on the skin of the
fingertip.There are eight basic types of fingerprint patterns.
Fingerprint powder - a powder (silver,gray,black,red, or fluorescent) dusted on a latent print with a brush to enhance or bring
out the ridge details of a print.
Fingerprint recognition/Fingerprint identification - refers to the automated method of verifying a match between two human
fingerprints.
Focal point - are found within most pattern areas, usually a delta and core.
Forensic odontology - the study of teeth,dentures,and bite marks for the purpose of obtaining criminal evidence or
identifying physical remains or the source of the bite wounds.
Friction ridge skin - skin on the soles of the feet,palms of the hands, and fingers of humans ans some primates that form
ridges and valleys.Friction ridge skin forms classifiable patterns on the end joint of the finger.
Horizontal plane - is the ridge directly below an up thrusting or angular ridge in tented arch pattern,the baseline ridge enters
the pattern may rise slightly and exits on the opposite side from which it enters.
Identikit - the first packaged system for reconstructing the appearance of a suspects face based on a wide choice of
drawings of facial features.
Iodine fumes - the oldest method for visualizing latent fingerprints at a crime scene.
Island - a single small ridge inside a short ridge or ridge ending that is not connected to all other ridges.
Langer's lines - structural orientation of the fibrous tissue of the skin that forms the natural cleavage line present in all body
areas but visible only in certain areas such as the creases of the palms.
Latent print - generally used to describe any type of print found at the scene of a crime or on evidence associated with a
crime.Latent prints are normally not visible.Some means of development is generally required for their visualization.
Line of flow - imaginary line between the delta and core in the loop and whorl patterns.Line of flow is used to determine
sufficient recurve in patterns.
Loop - the ridges enter from one side of a finger,form a curve and then exit on the same side.
Major criminal prints - a recording of all of the friction ridge skin that covers the hands.Major criminal prints include
fingers,palms,tips of the fingers and middle joints of the finger on both sides.
Minutiae - the characteristics that make each fingerprint capable of being differentiated from any other print by a different
area of friction skin.Comparison of latent prints with known prints begins with the overall pattern.The ridge detail of
fingerprints including the ends of the ridges,their separations, and their relationships to one another constitute the bases for
fingerprint comparison.
Palmar zone - the elevated area just behind the fingers and above the center of the palm.This zone has no hair follicles and
thus, no apocrine or sebaceous glands.
Pattern area - is that part of the fingerprint impression used in the interpretation and classification of a finger.Is that part of a
loop or whorl in which appear the core,delta, and ridge.
Plain arch - the simplest pattern.The ridges enter on one side,rise to form a wave in the center and exit smoothly on the
opposite side.
Plain whorl - a pattern in which one or more ridges form a complete revolution around the center.Whorls generally have
two or more deltas.
Plantar - pertaining to the sole of the foot.
Radial loop - a loop formed as part of a fingerprint pattern that opens toward the thumb, recurve and then exit on the same
side
Ridge count - is the number of ridges intervening between the delta and the core.
Ridge crossing - a point where two ridge units intersect.
Ridge ending - the point of the ridge's termination.It is considered an ending ridge only if it terminates within the pattern
area.
Rojas murder case - considered the first homicide solved by fingerprint evidence.
Short ridge - a relative term used to denote a ridge that is not as long as the average ridge in that specific print.
Spur - a bifurcation with a short ridge branching off a longer ridge.also known as hooks.
Tented arch - variation of the plain arch.Ridges at the center are thrust upward in a more abrupt manner similar to the
appearance of a tent pole.
Tibia - the shin bone, often used as guide for calculating a persons height.
Tracings - are used to breakdown whorl patterns into smaller sub-groupings.
Trifurcation - one single ridge splitting into three-pronged fork-shaped pattern.
Typelines - the two innermost ridges that surround or tend to surround the pattern area.The pattern area of a loop
surrounded by two diverging ridges.
Ulnar loop - a pattern in which one or more ridges enter on the side toward the little finger, re-curve and then exit toward
the same side.
Visible print - sometimes referred to as a patent print.Made by fingers stained with colored materials such as
blood,ink,paint,grease, or dirt.
Whorls - fingerprint pattern where the ridges turn through at least one complete circuit.Ridges form circularly around a
central point of the finger.
Forensic Medicine
Forensic medicine - the science that deals with the application of medical knowledge to legal question.
Clinical Forensic Medicine - involves an application of clinical methods for the administration of justice.
Paulus Zacchias - father of legal medicine as well as father of forensic psychiatry.
Medical Ethics - deals with the moral principles which should guide members of the medical profession in their dealings w
each other, their patients and the state.
Medical Etiquette - deals with the conventional laws of courtesy observed between members of the medical profession.A
doctor should behave with his colleagues as he would have them behave with himself.
Hippocrates - father of medicine, discussed lethality of wounds and formulated medical ethics.
Forensic Pathology - deals with the study and application of the effects of violence or unnatural disease in its various form
in or on the human body, in determining the cause and manner of death in case of violence, suspicious, unexplained,
unexpected, sudden, and medically unattended death.
Pathology - is the precise study and diagnosis of disease.
Pathologist - a medical doctor who conducts an autopsy.
Autopsy - post mortem examination of a corpse.
Other names of an autopsy
1. post-mortem examination
2. necropsy -particularly as to non human body
3. autopsia cadavarem
4. obduction
Objectives of Autopsy
1. To find out the time of death.
2. To find out the cause of death.
3. To find out the manner of death, whether
accidental, suicidal or homicidal.
4. To establish the identity of the body.
5. In new born infants, to determine live birth or
viability.
Exhumation - is the digging out of an already buried body from the grave.
Disease - is an abnormal condition affecting the body of an organism.
Cadaver – also called corpes, is a dead human body.
Carcass – dead body of an animal.
Injury –Is a damage to a biological organism which can be classified on various bases.
Wound – is a type of injury in which the skin is torn, cut, or punctured, or where blunt force trauma causes a contusion.
Classification of wound
Open wound – is a break in the skin’s surface resulting in external bleeding.
Closed wound – the skin is not open and remains intact.
Classification//Categories of open wounds
1. incised wound - caused by a clean, sharp edged object such as a knife, razor or a glass splinter.
2. laceration - irregular tear like wound caused by some blunt trauma.
3. abrasion - (grazes) - superficial wound in which the top most layer of the skin is scraped off. Are often caused by a
sliding fall into a rough surface.
4. puncture wound - caused by an object puncturing the skin such as nail.
5. penetration wound - caused by an object such as a knife entering and coming out from the skin.
6. gunshot wound - caused by a bullet or similar projectile driving into or through the body. There may be two wounds,
one at the site of entry and one at the site of exit generally referred to as through and through.
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Classification/Categories of closed wound
1. contusions - commonly known as bruises, caused by a blunt force trauma

that damages tissue under the skin.
2. hematoma - called blood tumor, caused by damage to a blood vessel that
in turn causes blood to collect under the skin.
3. crush injury - caused by a great or extreme amount of force applied over
a long period of time.
laceration
abrasion puncture
wound
hematoma
penetration gunshot contusions

wound wound
crushing
injury
Ante Mortem - before death.
Post Mortem - scientific term for after death.
Cadaver tag - an identification tag attached to the cadaver containing tag number, name if identified, date/time and place of
recovery, date/time of incident, gender, other pertinent information and name of the investigator.
In articulo mortis - at the point of death.
Rigor mortis - stiffening of the body after death.
lividity - process through which the body's blodd supply will stop moving after the heart has stopped pumping it around the
inside of the deceased.
Necrophagus - this type of organism feeds directly on decomposing tissue.
37 degrees celsius or 98 degrees fahrenheit - average body temperature.
4 Categories of Death
1. natural causes
2. homicide/killing
3. accidental death
4. suicide
Vital signs -are measures of various physiological statistics often taken by health professionals in order to assess the most
basic body functions.
1. body temperature
2. pulse rate/heart rate
3. blood pressure
4. respiratory rate
Death - cessation of all biological functions that sustains a living organism.
Causes of death
1. old age
2. predation - biological interaction where a predator (organism that is hunting) feeds on its prey (the organism that is
attacked).
3. malnutrition
4. disease
5. accidents
6. injury
Signs of death
1. cessation of breathing
2. cardiac arrest - no pulse
3. livor mortis - settling of the blood in the lower dependents of the body.
4. algor mortis - reduction in body temperature following death.
5. rigor mortis - the limbs of the corpse become stiff and difficult to move.
6. decomposition - reduction into simple form of matter accompanied by strong unpleasant odor.
Cadaveric Spasm - sudden rigidity of the muscle immediately after death. A rare form of muscular stiffening that occurs at
the moment of death,persists into the period of rigor mortis and can be mistaken for rigor mortis.
Other Names of cadaveric Spasm

1. Instantaneous rigor
2. Cataleptic rigidity
3. Instantaneous rigidity
4. Death grip
5. Post Morten spasm
When does the stiffness of death begin to disappear? after 36 hours.
What is the rate of temperature change to a body after death? after one hour,body temperature drops 1 to 1 1/2 degrees per
hour.
Dying Declaration - is a testimony that would normally barred as hearsay but may nonetheless be admitted as evidence in
certain kinds of cases because it constituted the last words of a dying person.
Nemo Morituros Praesumitur Mentiri - a dying person is not presumed to lie.
Zombie - an animated corpse brought back to life by mystical means such as witchcraft.
Coffin Birth - (post Morten fetal extrusion) - is the expulsion of a non viable fetus though the vaginal opening of the
decomposing body of a pregnant woman as a result of the increasing pressure of the intra abdominal gases.
Code of Hammurabi - King of Babylon (4000 to 3000 BC) is the oldest known medico legal code.
Bologna, Italy - where the first medico-legal autopsy was done.
Bartolomeo de Varignana - conducted the first medico-legal autopsy in Italy in 1302.
Fortunato Fedele - an Italian physician who in 1602 published the first book on forensic medicine.
Inquest - is the legal or judicial inquiry to ascertain a matter of fact.
Euthanasia - (mercy killing) - it means producing painless death of a person suffering from hopelessly incurable and painful
disease. It is not allowed by law in the Philippines.
Malingering/Shamming - means conscious, planned feigning or pretending disease for the sake of gain.
The Rule of Haase - is used to estimate age of fetus.The length of the fetus in cm. divided by five, is the duration of
pregnancy in months.
Forensic Entomology - is the use of insects and their arthropod relatives that inhabit decomposing remains to aid in legal
investigations.
What are the 5 stages of insect development?

1. Eggs
2. Larvae
3. Prepupae
4. Pupae
5. Adult fly
What are the 2 methods of biological forensics are concerned with? entomology and DNA.
Residence time - this defines how long an insect colony has been at a corpse.
The body farm - used for entomological experiment.This place exists at the University of Tennessee.
Forensic Medicine Definition of Terms
Abrasion - a skin injury caused by scraping off of superficial skin due to friction against a rough surface.
Adipocere - a peculiar waxy substance consisting of salts and fatty acids and formed from the decomposition of corpse
tissues, specially in moist habitats, also called grave-wax.
Aedeagus - the reproductive organ of a male insect.
Agnosia - impairment or loss associated with brain injury of the ability to recognized or comprehend the meaning of stimuli
including familiar objects and and symbols.
Airways - any part of the respiratory tract thought which air passes during breathing.
Alveolar ducts - the smallest of the lungs airways that connect terminal bronchioles and alveolar sacs, sometimes called
bronchioles.
Alveoli - microscopic air sacs in which gas exchange between the blood and the lungs occur.
Amnesia - partial or total loss of memory for past experiences.
Anarthria - loss of the ability to form words accurately caused by brain lesion or damage to peripheral nerves that carry
impulses to the articulatory muscles.
Anemia - any condition in which the number of red blood cells, the amount of hemoglobin, and the volume of packed
red blood cells per 100 ml of blood are less that normal.It may result from increased destruction of red blood cells,
excessive blood loss or decreased production of red cells.
Aplastic anemia - anemia caused by aplasia of bone marrow or its
destruction by chemical agents or physical factors.
Auto immune hemolytic - acquired disorder characterized by

premature erythrocyte destruction owing to abnormalities in the
individuals own immune system.
Hemolytic - anemia caused by hemolysis of red blood cells

resulting in reduction of normal red cell life span.
Iron-deficiency anemia - anemia resulting from a demand on

stored iron greater than can be met.

Megaloblastic anemia - anemia in which megaloblasts are found
in the blood, usually due to a deficiency of folic acid or vitamin
B12.

Microangiopathic hymolytic - a hemolytic process associated
with thrombotic thrombotic purpura, prosthetic heart valve, and burns. It is visualized in the peripheral blood smear
by
fragmentation of the red cells and other bizarre morphology.

Pernicious - a type of megaloblastic anemia due to a deficiency of

vitamin B12, directly linked to absence of intrinsic factor.
Sickle-cell - hereditary chronic anemia in which abnormal sickle or

crescent shaped erythrocytes are present.It is due to the
presence of hemoglobin S in the red blood cells.

Antibody - a protein produced for body defense in response to an antigen.An antibody is a substance that appears in
the plasma or body fluids as a result of stimulation by an antigen and will react specifically with that antigen in some
observable way.
Anticoagulant - a substance such as EDTA that prevent coagulation or clotting of the blood.
Antigen - a foreign substance, usually a protein, capable of stimulating an antibody response for body defense.Any
substance that when introduced parenterally into an individual lacking lacking the substance,stimulates the production
of an antibody that when mixed with the antibody react with it in some observable way.
Aplasia - failure of an organ or tissue to develop normally.
Asphyxia - lack of oxygen or excess of carbon dioxide in the body.Asphyxia may lead to unconsciousness, seizures,
damage to various sensory systems and death.
Asthma - a chronic condition in which constriction (spasm) of the bronchial tubes occurs in response to irritation, allergy,
or other stimuli.
Atherosclerosis - deposition of plaques of cholesterol esters in blood vessels, resulting in the narrowing of the vessel
lumen and restricting blood flow.
Atrophy - a loss of function due to age, disuse, or disease.

Autism - mental introversion in which thinking is governed by personal needs and the world is perceived in terms of
wishes rather than reality.Extreme preoccupations with one's own thoughts and fantasies.
Autopsy - a physical examination of the corpse through dissection to determine cause of death (also necropsy and
postmortem).
Bestiality - is a sexual intercourse by a human being with a lower animal.
Biopsy - a small piece of tissue excised for the purpose of analysis.
Bite mark - a circular or oval patterned injury consisting of two opposing symmetrical.U-shaped arches separated at
their bases by open spaces.Following the periphery of the arches are a series of individual abrasions, contusions, or
lacerations reflecting the size, shape, arrangement, and distribution of the class characteristics of the contacting
surfaces of the human dentition.
Bloat - the transient phase in corpse decomposition that follows the fresh phase and is characterized by excessive
swelling, produced by gases trapped internally.
Blood group - an immunologically distinct, genetically determined class of human erythrocyte antigens, identified as A,
B, AB, and O.A classification of red blood cell surface antigens, ABO is the best known of the blood group systems.
Blood type - a way of saying which blood group antigens are present on the persons red cells.
Bloodborne pathogen - infectious, disease causing microorganism that maybe found or transported in biological fluids.
Bloodstain - liquid blood that has dried once it has come in contact with a surface.
Body bag - a heavy waterproof bag usually closed with a zipper and used to transport a corpse.
Body dump site - the location where an offender disposes of the murder victim's body.
Bondage - the combining of sadism and masochism.
Bronchi - (singular-bronchus) large divisions of the trachea that convey air to and from the lungs.
Bronchiole - a small diameter airway branching from a bronchus.
Bronchitis - inflammation of the mucus membrane of the bronchial tubes, usually associated with a persistent cough and
sputum production.
Bronchospasm - contraction of the smooth muscle of the bronchi causing the narrowing of the bronchi.This narrowing
increases the resistance or airflow into the lungs and may cause a shortness of breath typically associated with
wheezing.
Buccal coitus - (coitus per os or sin of Gomorrah) the male organ is introduced into mouth, usually of a young child.
Cadaver dog - canines specially trained to find human decomposition scent and and alert their handlers to its location.
Cadaverine - malodorous chemical compound produced during decomposition.
Cause of death - an injury or disease that ultimately lead to death of the individual, generally determined by medical
examiner or coroner (pathologists).
Carrion - decaying animal flesh.
Cephalothorax - the anterior body region in some arthropods consisting of the fused head and thorax.
Cerebellum - the large brain mass located at the posterior base of the brain, responsible for balance and coordination of
movement.
Cerebral contusion - bruising of brain tissue marked by swelling and hemorrhage and resulting in loss of consciousness.
Cerebral edema - swelling of the brain caused by excessive buildup of fluid in the tissue.
Cerebral infarctions - is an ischemic stroke resulting from a disturbance in the blood vessels supplying blood to the
brain.
Cerebrum - the largest portion of the brain, include the cerebral hemispheres (cerebral cortex and basal ganglia)
Chronic - persistent, prolonged, repeated.
Cirrhosis - a chronic disease of the liver marked by degeneration of cells, inflammation, and fibrous thickening of the
tissue, can be cause =d by long term alcoholism, viral infections, and metabolic disease.
Clitoris - erectile tissue in female analogous to male penis, located above the urethra and covered by the clitoral hood.
Clot - a thick mass of coagulated liquid, ex. blood.A blood clot is formed by a complex mechanism involving plasma
protein, fibrinogens, platelets, and other clotting factors.
Coagulation - the process of stopping blood flow from a wound or by which blood forms clot.
Coagulophaty - a disease affecting the blood clotting process.
Code of Hammurabi - is the oldest known medico legal code.
Coma - state of profound unconsciousness from which the patient can not be aroused.
Concussion - sudden shock to or jarring of the brain which may or may not cause a loss of consciousness.
Conjunctiva - the delicate mucous membrane that covers the exposed surface of the eyeball and lines of the eyelids.
Contact wound - a wound that results when a small weapon is fired in contact with the skin.May divided into tight or
loose contact wounds based on the amount of pressure used against the skin.
Contusion - a bruise that is either superficial or internal.An injury cause by blunt object impact without laceration with
surface discoloration due to subsurface hemorrhaging.An injury to subsurface tissue caused by a blow from a blunt
instrument that does not break the skin.
Convulsion - is a medical condition where the body muscle contract and relax rapidly and repeatedly, resulting in an
uncontrolled shaking of the body.
Cornea - the transparent membrane that cover the colored part of the eye.
Coronary artery - an artery supplying blood to the heart.
Coroner - (medical examiner) (pathologists) an officer responsible for determining the manner and cause of death.
Corpse - a dead human body, also called cadaver.
Cunnilingus - is the oral stimulation of the female genitalia.

Death - the loss of life characterized by clinically by combined failure of respiratory, cardiovascular, and nervous system
activity.
Decomposition - post mortem degenerative rotting of the corpse.Chemical breakdown, separating compounds into their
component parts, includes breakdown pf proteins by putrefaction, of carbohydrates by fermentation, and of fats by
rancidification.
Decubitus - may be seen as a bedsore that can produce an ulcer in the body caused by lying long in one position, this
pressure necrosis can be found on elderly patients.
Defense wounds - stab or incised wounds to the hands, wrists, forearms, and arms that may contain embedded
fragments of the weapon.
Delirium - extreme mental excitement marked by defective perception, impaired memory, and rapid succession of
confused and unconnected ideas, often with illusions and hallucinations.
Delusion - firm belief opposed to reality but maintained in spite of srong evidence to the contrary.
Diatoms - are microscopic, unicellular, silica coated algae.Presence of diatoms in tissue is a sign of ante-Morten
drowning.Diatoms are examined by acid digestion technique.
Dipsomania - an irresistible desire for alcoholic drinks at periodic intervals.
Durham rule - an accused person is nor criminally responsible if his unlawful act is the product of mental disease or
mental defect.
Ecchymosis - is the medical term for a subcutaneous purpura larger than 1 centimeter or a hematoma, commonly called
a bruise.
Eclampsia - an acute disorder of pregnant and puerperal women, associated with convulsions and coma.
Embolism - obstruction of a blood vessel by foreign substances or by a blood clot.
Endemic - a disease that occurs continuously in a particular population but has a low mortality rate such as measles.
Endocarditis - inflammation of the lining membrane of the heart.Maybe due to invasion of microorganisms or an
abnormal immunologic reaction.
Epidural hemorrhage - bleeding in the space between the dura matter and skull or wall of the vertebral canal around the
spinal cord.
Epistaxis - hemorrhage from the nose, nosebleed.
Erythrocytes - red blood cells.A type of blood cell that contain a nucleus in all vertebrates but man and that has
hemoglobin in the cytoplasm.
Erythroderma - intense, widespread reddening of the skin.
Esophagus - the portion of the digestive canal extending from the throat to the stomach, also referred to as gullet.
Eunuchs - male prostitutes.
Euthanasia - (mercy killing) it means producing painless death of a person suffering from hopelessly incurable and
painful disease.
Exoskeleton - a skeleton on the outside of the body whose inner walls serves as a point for the attachment of muscles.
Feces - animal solid waste material discharged from the rectum through the anus.End product of digestion after
absorption of nutrients and re-absorption of water.
Felacio - is the oral stimulation or manipulation of the penis either by the female or male.
Fetichism - sexual satisfaction by contact with articles of opposite sex.
Forensic medicine - is the application of medical knowledge in the administration of law and justice.
Forensic taphonomy - the study of post-mortem processes affecting human remains for the purposes of interpreting
forensic data.
Fortunato Fedele - an Italian physician who in 1602 published the first book on forensic medicine.
Frigidity - is the inability to start or to maintain the sexual arousal pattern in the female.
Frotteurism - contact with other persons to obtain sexual gratification.

Gangrene - death of tissue due to lack of blood supply.
Gastritis - inflammation of the stomach, characterized by epigastric pain or tenderness, nausea, vomiting, and systemic
electrolyte changes if vomiting persists.
Glaucoma - a disease of the eye characterized by abnormal and damaging high pressure in the eye, usually due to a
blockage of the channel that normally allows the outflow of fluid from the eye.
Hematology - branch of biology that deals with blood and blood forming organs.
Hematoma - accumulation of blood in the tissue due to internal hemorrhaging.A tumor of blood caused by leakage from
damage blood vessels, it contains enough blood to form a blood-filled space.
Hemolysis - destruction or dissolution of red blood cells in such a manner that hemoglobin is liberated into the medium
in which the cells are suspended.
Hemolytic anemia - Any anemia resulting from destruction of red blood cells.
Hemophilia A hereditary blood disease characterized by impaired coagulability of the blood and a strong tendency to
bleed.
Hemoptysis - Coughing and spitting of blood as a result of bleeding from any part of the respiratory tract.
Hemorrhage - Escape of whole blood from a blood vessel. Abnormal internal or external bleeding. May be venous,
arterial, or capillary from blood vessels into the tissues, or into or from the body.
Herniation - Rupture of tissue into an adjacent space due to internal pressure or swelling.
Hijrahs - castrated eunuchs.
Homosexuality - means persistent emotional and physical attraction to members of same sex.
Hymen - Thin membrane, in females, that separates the external genitalia from the vagina. The outer surface is a dry,
squamous epithelium, and the inner surface is a moist mucous membrane.
Hypothermia - Having a body temperature below normal.
Hypovolemia - Diminished blood volume.
Hypoxia - Condition in which below-normal levels of oxygen are present in the air, blood, or body tissues, short of
anoxia.
Impetigo - Highly contagious, rapidly spreading skin disorder caused by staphylococcus or streptococcus and
characterized by red blisters. Impetigo sometimes occurs as a result of poor hygiene.
Inbreeding - Reproduction between related individuals.
Incised wound - Injury produced by a sharp instrument and characterized by lack of surface abrasion and absence of
bridging vessels, nerves, and smooth margins.
Incision - A wound produced by a sharp-edged instrument or object.
Ischemia - Obstruction of blood flow (usually by arterial narrowing) that causes lack of oxygen and other bloodborne
nutrients.
Ischemia necrosis - Death of cells as a result of decreased blood flow to affected tissues.
Invertebrate - Any species of animal lacking a back bone.

Impotence - is the inability of a person to perform sexual intercourse.
Jaundice - yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes due to an accumulation of bile pigments (e.g., bilirubin) in the
circulating blood. Another cause is liver damage caused by hepatitis.
Kleptomania - an irresistible desire to steal articles of little value.
Labia majora - Outer lips to the vagina that are covered by pubic hair after menarche (onset of menstruation).
Laceration - A wound produced by a tear in the skin due to application of blunt force in crushing or shearing.
Livor mortis - A coloration of the skin of the lower parts of a corpse caused by the settling of the red blood cells as the
blood ceases to circulate.
Lymphocyte - A general class of white blood cells that are important components of the immune system of vertebrate
animals.
Maggot - The larva of a higher fly. It sheds its skin twice and has three growth instars prior to pupariation. A legless
larva without a well-developed head capsule.
Mandible - A mouth organ of invertebrates (especially in the arthropods and insects) used for seizing, biting, and
manipulating food. With vertebrate organisms, it is recognized as the lower jaw.
Manner of death - A typology of deaths according to whether they are due to homicide, suicide, accident, or natural
causes. Death occurs in one of four manners: natural, if caused solely by disease; accidental, if it occurs without
apparent intent; suicidal, if caused by the deceased; and homicidal, if someone other than the deceased caused it.
Malingering - (shamming) means conscious, planned feigning or pretending a disease for the
Masochism - opposite of sadism, derived from the name of Leopold Von Sacher-Masoch, an Austrian novelist, being
whipped by his wife used to be a stimulant for his literary work.
Medical jurisprudence - deals with the legal rights, privileges, duties and obligations of medical practitioner.
Meningitis - Brain infection involving an acute inflammation of the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord,
characterized by drowsiness, confusion, irritability, and sensory impairments.
Mite - Any arthropod in the order Acari. These are very small to minute animals having four pairs of legs in the adult
stage, but only three pairs in the larva. All mites have chelicerated mouth parts and lack mandibles.
Mummification - The drying, shrinking, and hardening of dead flesh due to extreme dehydration.
Mutilomania - an irresistible desire to mutilate animals.
Myiasis - The invasion of any living vertebrate animal, including people, by fly larvae, especially maggots. The
description may be further refined to indicate location affected (e.g., nasal myiasis, rectal myiasis) or the predisposing
cause (e.g., traumatic myiasis in a suppurating wound). Myiasis may be classified as either primary or secondary
(facultative).
Myocardial ischemia - Insufficient oxygen supplies to meet the metabolic demands of heart muscles.
Myocarditis - Inflammation of the muscles of the heart.
Myoclonus - Involuntary spasm or twitching of a muscle or group of muscles.
Myoglobin - The oxygen-transporting, pigmented protein of muscle resembles blood hemoglobin in function.
Myotomy - Cutting of muscle; in forensic odontology, cutting facial muscles to release postmortem rigor mortis.
Necrophagia - necros - corpse, phagia - to eat.
Necrophilia - sexual intercourse with dead body.
Necrophilous - Having a dietary fondness for dead flesh.

Necrosis - Death of one or more cells or a portion of a tissue or organ.
Neoplasm - A new and abnormal formation of tissue such as a tumor or growth.
Neuropathy - A disorder of the nervous system; in contemporary usage, a disease involving the cranial or spinal nerves.
Neuroses - the patient suffer from emotional or intellectual disorder but does not loss touch with reality.
Osteoarthritis - deterioration in joint integrity connected with use-wear exacerbated by inflammation and related to
reduction in bone density.
Osteomyelitis - Inflammation of the bone especially the marrow caused by a pathogenic organism.
Osteoporosis - Increased porosity of the bone, seen most often in the elderly.
Paedophile - (pedophile) is an adult who repeatedly engages in sexual activities with children below the age of puberty.
Paraphilias - abnormal and unorthodox sex play using unusual objects or parts of the body.
Perimortem - At or near the time of death.
Petechiae - Pinhead-sized (red) dots which are minute hemorrhages found inside the eyelids and the facial skin;
considered by pathologists to be a sign of strangulation.
Phobia - it is an excessive or irrational fear of a particular object or situation.
Plasma - The liquid portion of whole blood containing water, electrolytes, glucose, fats, proteins, and gases. Contains
all the clotting factors necessary for coagulation but in an inactive form. Once coagulation occurs, the fluid is converted
to serum.
Pneumonitis - Inflammation of the lungs.
Postmortem - After death, occurring after death, or pertaining to a postmortem examination, an autopsy.
Postmortem - artifact Alteration to the body that occurs after death that is not related to antemortem injury.
Postmortem interval - The period of time between death and corpse discovery.
Priapism - painful penile erection in absence of sexual desire.
Pseudo-malingering - A phenomenon whereby a mentally ill individual feigns the mental illness he or she actually has.
The behavior is considered a temporary ego-supportive device that allows the individual to feel he or she has control
over the illness.
Psychological autopsy - An attempt to determine the mode of death (whether an accident, suicide, homicide, or natural
causes) by an examination of what was known about the deceased.
Psychopath - a person who is neither insane nor mentally defective but fails to conform to normal standards of behavior.
Psychoses - they are characterized by withdrawal from reality, living in a world of fantasy.
Pulmonary edema - Accumulation of extra vascular fluid in the lungs that impairs gas exchange; usually due to either
increased intravascular pressure or increased permeability of the pulmonary capillaries.
Putrifaction - The foul-smelling, anaerobic decomposition of moist or wet organic matter by microorganisms. The
breakdown of tissues, particularly proteins, due to enzyme action.
Pyromania - sexual stimulation while seeing flames or destruction of buildings.

Rigor mortis - The stiffness of the body after death that helps in reconstructing the time at which death occurred. The
progressive rigidity of a corpse following death, caused by an accumulation of lactic acid in dying muscle tissues. This is
a temporary condition lasting 12 to 36 h.
Sadism - sexual gratification is obtained or increased from acts of physical cruelty or causing of pain upon one's
partner.The term is derived from the name of a French nobleman Marquis de Sade, infamous for his crimes and
writings.Many of his stories were about sexuality, cruelty, and torture.
Saponification - The conversion of corpse body fat into a curdlike foul-smelling product called adipocere
Saprophagous - Feeding on dead or decaying plant or animal material, such as carrion, corpses, dung, or rotting wood.
Satyriasis - incessant sexual desire.
Scoliosis - A lateral curvature of the spine.
Scurvy - A deficiency disease characterized by hemorrhagic manifestations and abnormal formation of bones and teeth.
Sepsis - Pathologic state, usually febrile, resulting from the presence of microorganisms or their poisonous products in
the bloodstream.
Septicemia - Bacteria in the blood system with signs and symptoms of disease.
Sexual oralism - it is the obtaining of sexual pleasure from the application of the mouth to the sexual organs.
Sodomy - is anal intercourse between two males or between a male and female.It is also called buggery.It is also called
gerontophilia when the active agent is an adult and paederasty, wen the passive agent is a young boy who is known as
catamite.
Tachycardia - Rapid heartbeat (typically greater than 100 beats per minute).
Tachypnea - Rapid breathing.
Tattooing - A characteristic pattern in the skin caused by particles of

unburned and partially burned powder from a shotgun blast at very close range.Also may be called stippling.
Tetany - Condition marked by involuntary muscle contractions or spasms.
Trauma - An injury that is the result of any force such as blunt, sharp, or penetrating.
Transvestism - trans - opposite, vesta - clothing of eonism.The term is derived from the name of Chevelier d'Eon
Beamont, a Frenchman.It is usually found in the males who derived sexual pleasure by wearing female dress.
Tribadism - female homosexuality.Sexual gratification of a woman is obtained by another woman by simple lip
kissing,generalized body contact, deep kissing, manual manipulation of breast and genitalia, genital apposition, friction
of external genital organs, etc.In some case, artificial penis or phallus may be used.
Throttling - is manual strangulation.

Undinism - sexual pleasure by witnessing the act of urination.
Vasodilation - Increased diameter of the blood vessels.
Voyeurism - (scoptophilia) peeping tom, sexual enjoyment by watching.

Wheezing - Breathing noisily and with difficulty; usually a sign of spasm or narrowing of the airways.
Zenana - eunuch with intact genitalia.
Questioned Documents Definition of Terms

Alignment defect - characters that write improperly in the following respect: a twisted letter, horizontal misalignment, vertical
misalignment, or a character "off its feet" these defects can be corrected by special adjustments to the type bar and type
block of a type bar machine.
Allograph - a writing or signature made by one person for another or a style (block capital, print script, or cursive form) of one
of the 26 graphemes of the English alphabet or of the ligatures or other symbols that accompany it.
Altered document - a document that contains a change either as an addition or a deletion.
Ample letter - that which encompasses more than the standard inner space in a given letter.Characterized by fulsomeness
and expanded ovals and loops.
Archive - collection of documents and records purposely stored for a defined period of time.
Assisted writing - the result of a guided hand, produced by the cooperation of the two minds and two hands of two persons.
Ball point pen - a writing instrument having as its marking tip a small, freely rotating ball bearing that rolls the ink into the
paper.Many of these pens use highly viscous, non aqueous ink but in recent years construction of some pens have
been adopted to use water-based inks.
Baseline - the ruled or imaginary line upon which the writing rests.
Big Floyd - the FBI super computer that contains software allowing it to search criminal records and draw conclusions
from the available information in the hunt for those responsible for an individual crime.
Bindle paper - clean paper folded used to contain trace evidence, sometimes included as part of the packaging for
collecting trace evidence.Most of the time, white paper is used and has the consistency of butcher paper, the paper
used in deli markets.
Bitmap - a mosaic of dots or pixels defining an image, including dot matrix imprints.The smoothness of the image
contour depends upon the fineness of resolution and the number of dots or pixels per inch.
Blobbing - the accumulation of ink on the exterior of the point assembly of a ball-point pen that drops intermittently to
the surface being written upon.
Blunt ending - the effect produce on commencement and terminal strokes of letters, both upper and lower case, by the
application of the writing instrument to the paper prior to the beginning of any horizontal movement.
Boat - a dish-shape figure consisting of a concave stroke and a straight line sometimes forming the base of letters.
Body - that portion of a letter, the central part that remains when the upper and lower projections, the terminal and initial
strokes and diacritics are omitted.
Boustrophedun - writing in which alternate lines are written in opposite directions and even have the posture as well as
the direction of reversal letters.
Bow - a vertical curve stroke as in capitals D and C.
Braille - a system of representing letter, numerals etc. by raised dots that a visually impaired person can read by touch.
Burring - a division of a written line into two or more, more or less equal portions by a non-linked area generally running
parallel to the direction of line generation but moving away from the radius of a curving stroke.Sometimes referred to as
splitting.
Carbon copy - a copy of a typewritten document made by means of carbon paper.An exact replica;duplicate.
Carbon ink - (India ink) one of the oldest form of writing ink commonly referred to as India ink even though the ink was
first used in China.In its simplest form carbon ink consists of amorphous carbon shaped into a solid cake with glue.It is
converted into a liquid for writing by grinding the cake and suspending the articles in a water-glue
medium.Occasionally,a pigmented dye is added to improve the color.
Case file - a collection of documents comprising information concerning a particular investigation.
Case records - all notes, reports, custody records, charts, analytical data, and any correspondence generated in the
laboratory pertaining to a particular case.
Character - any typed or handwritten mark, sign or insignia, abbreviation, punctuation mark, letter, or numeral whether
legible, blurred or indistinct.
Charred document - a document that has become blackened and brittle through burning or through exposure to
excessive heat.
Class characteristics - not all characteristics encountered in document examination are peculiar to single person or
thing and one that is common to a group may be described as a class characteristic.Traits that define a group of items
collectively.
Clogged (dirty) typeface - over prolonged use, the typeface becomes filled with lint, dirt, and ink particularly in letters
with closed loops such as p and g.If these condition is allowed to continue without cleaning, the printed impression will
actually print with the clogged areas shaded or solid black.
Cloth ribbon - a type of ribbon used in some models of typewriter.
Collected standards - a sample of writing made during the normal course of business or social activity not necessarily
related to the matter in dispute.
Conjoined letters - two letters that have been written in the common manner such that the terminal stroke of the first is
the initial stroke of the second.
Connecting stroke - an expression commonly used to refer to the fusion of the terminal stroke of one lower case cursive
letter and the initial stroke of another having no identifiable or describable entity of its own.
Connection subtypes
 Supported - the body of the letter rests against or retraces the stem.
 Looped - the initial stroke forms a loop with the stem of the letter.
 Unsupported - the body of the letter does not follow or retrace the stem.
Contraction - a form of word abbreviation wherein one or more letters are omitted.
Cursive - a form of continuous writing in which letters are connected to one another and designed according to some
commercial system;the most common allograph of a grapheme.
Decipher - to determine the meaning of, as hieroglyphics or illegible writing, or to translate from cipher into ordinary
characters, or to determine the meaning of anything obscure.
Defect - any abnormality of maladjustment in a typewriter that is reflected in its work and leads to its individualization or
identification.
Diacritical mark or point - a sign added to a letter or symbol to give it a particular phonetic value.An accent.Sometimes
used to refer to the dots over the letter i and J.
Didot system - a typographic measuring system used in Europe and based on the didot point, similar to the U.S.,English
Pica system.
Digraph - a group of two successive letters representing a single sound or a complex sound that is not a combination of
the sounds ordinarily represented by each in another occurrence.ex. ph in digraph and ch in chin.
Diphthong - the combination of two vowels in succession, the sound of which begins with one and ends with the
other.ex. oil,boy,out.
Disguised writing - a deliberate attempt to alter handwriting in hopes of hiding one's identity.
Disputed document - a term suggesting that there is an argument or controversy over a document.Disputed document
and Questioned document can be used interchangeably to signify a document that is under special scrutiny.
Document - any material that contains marks, symbols, or signs either visible, partially visible, or invisible that may
ultimately convey a meaning or message to someone.
Document examiner - an individual who scientifically studies the details and elements of documents in order to identify
their source or to discover other facts concerning them.Documents examiners are often referred to as handwriting
identification experts.
Documentation - written notes, audio/video tapes, printed forms, sketches, or photographs that form a detailed record of
the scene, evidence recovered, and actions taken during the search of the crime scene.
Erasure - the removal of writing, typewriting, or printing from a document.It may be accomplished by either of two
means, a chemical eradication in which the writing is removed or bleached by chemical agents (liquid ink eradicator,
abrasive erasure in which the writing is effaced by rubbing with a rubber eraser) or scratching out with a knife.
Exemplar - a specimen of an identified source acquired for the purpose of comparison with an evidence sample.An
example of a person's writing, a standard for use in comparisons, a collected or a request specimen.
Facsimile - an image of printed matter that has been transmitted electronically.
Fiber-tip pen - (porous-tip pen) a modern writing instrument in which the marking element or point consists of a porous
material through which the ink can flow.
Flow-back - an increase in the density of an ink line caused by the run of excess ink along the finish of a stroke,
occurring when the pen is lifted from the paper.
Fluctuation - alternating changes of direction, positions, or conditions (ex.alternating acceleration and deceleration of
writing speed) or alternating expansion and contraction of the writing pattern.
Fluency - freedom and other like terms, referring to a generally higher grade of line quality that is smooth, consistent,
and without any evidence or tremor or erratic changes in direction of pen pressure.
Flying finish - the diminishing taper of a terminal stroke when the motion of the instrument does not stop at the
completion of a word.
Flying start - the growing taper of an initial stroke or the delicate initial hook that appears where the motion of the
instrument precedes actual writing.
Font - a complete set or collection of letters, figures, symbols, punctuation marks, and special characters that are of the
same design and size for a particular typeface.
Forced hand - a person's signature or writing executed while the hand was under the physical compulsion or control of
another person.
Forgery - (free hand imitation) a legal term that involves not only a non-genuine signature or document but also intent
on the part of its "marker" to defraud.
Fountain pen - a modern nib pen containing a reservoir of ink in a specially designed chamber or cartridge.After
complete filling,the pen maybe used to write a number of pages without refilling.
Fraudulent signature - a forged signature.It involves the writing of a name as signature by someone other than the
person without his/her permission, often with some degree of imitation.
Freehand simulation - a fraudulent signature that is produced by copying or imitating the style and size of genuine
signature without the use of physical aids or involving a tracing process.
Gooping - the accumulation of excessive amount of ink on the exterior of the point assembly of a ball-point pen as a
result of the rotation of the ball, usually transferred to the paper surface immediately after the direction of rotation is
substantially changed.
Graphoanalysis - a registered trade name that identifies the system of handwriting analysis taught by the international
graphoanalysis society inc.
Graphology - the art of attempting to interpret the character of personality of an individual from his handwriting, also
called grapho-analysis.
Graphometry - a method of characterizing a handwriting by measurement of the proportionate values of the angle and
ratio of the heights and widths of letters.
Graphonomics - the study of the science and technology of handwriting and other graphic skills (coined in 1982) or the
scientific study concerned with the systematic relationship involved in the generation and analysis of writing and
drawing movements and the resulting traces of writing and drawing instruments either on conventional media such as
paper and blackboard or on electronic equipment.
Guided-hand signature - a signature that is executed while the writer's hand or arm is steadied in any way, also known
as assisted signature.Assisted signatures are most commonly written during a serious illness or in deathbed.
Habit - a persistently repeated element or detail of writing that occurs when the opportunity allows.
Hand lettering - (hand printing) any disconnected style of writing in which each letter is written separately.
Haplography - the unintentional omission in writing or copying of one or more adjacent and similar letters, syllables,
words,or lines.
Hiatus - a gap in writing stroke of a letter formed when the instrument leaves the paper.An opening, an interruption in
the continuity of a line.
Holographic document - any document completely written and signed by one person.
Indented writing - writing impressed into the surface of a page of paper of pressure exerted upon the writing instrument
when used on a previous page.
Inert hand - an execution of writing in which the person holding the writing instrument exercises no motor activity
whatsoever,conscious or unconscious.The guide leads the writing instrument through the medium of the hand of the
first person.The writer may be feeble or a complete illiterate.
Infrared examination - the examination of documents employing invisible radiation beyond the red portion of the visible
spectrum.Infrared radiation can be recorded on specially sensitized photographic emulsions or it can be converted by
means of an electronic viewing device into visible light for an on the scene study of the evidence.
Infrared luminescence - a phenomenon encountered with some dyes used in inks and colored pencils that when
illuminated with a narrow band of light in the blue-green portion of the spectrum give off luminescence that can be
detected in the far red or near infrared range.The technique is useful in distinguishing between certain inks and colored
pencils and in detecting or deciphering erasures.
Ink eradicator - a chemical solution capable of bleaching ink.
Inorganic pigment - a natural or synthetic metal oxide, sulfide or other salt used as a coloring agent for paints, plastics,
and inks.
Insertion - the addition of writing and other material within a document such as between lines and paragraphs or the
addition of whole pages to a document.
Interlineation - the act of inserting writing or typewriting between two lines of writing.
Iron-gallotannate ink - this ink is found in fountain pens, was used as early as the 8th century and with substantial
improvement, is still in use today.
Joint or Juncture - the point or position at which two or more strokes meet within a letter.
Kerning - the spacing of two letters closer together than customary when their designs leave too much intercharacter
white space.
Known standard - a specimen of an identified source acquired for the purpose of comparison with an evidence sample,
synonymous with exemplar.
Lateral expansion - the horizontal dimension of writing produced by the width of letters, the space between letters and
words, and the width of margins.
Lateral writing - writing characterized by wide letters and spacing.
Left-handed curve - a stroke that is made in a counterclockwise direction.
Left-handed or wrong-handed writing - any writing executed with the opposite hand from that normally used.Sometimes
referred to as "writing with the awkward hand" it is an attempt to disguise handwriting.
Legibility - the ease with which a reader recognizes individual letter and character shapes.
Letter - any drawn, written, printed, or typed character, lower case or uppercase that can be recognized as an allograph
of the alphabet of any language.
Lexical - pertaining or related to the words of a language.
Ligature - a group of connected characters treated typographically as a single character, sometimes a stroke or bar
connecting two letters.
Line quality - appearance of a written stroke determined by a combination of factors such as speed, shading, pen
position, and skill, ranges from smooth and legible to tremulous and awkward
Machine defect - any defect in typewriting resulting from the malfunctioning of the machine rather than the typebar or
type element.
Manual typewriter - a machine whose operation depends solely upon the mechanical action set in motion by striking a
letter or character key.
Manuscript writing - a disconnected form of script or semi-script writing.This type of writing is taught to young children in
elementary schools as the first step in learning how to write.
Mirror writing - writing that runs in the opposite direction to the normal pattern, starts on the right side of the page and
proceeds from right to left with reversed order in spelling and turning of the letter images.
Moire - the impression with which the habits of the writer are executed on repeated occasions or the divergence of one
execution from another in an element of an individual's writing that occurs invariably in the graph but may also occur in
the choice of the allograph or normal or usual deviations found between repeated specimens of any individual's
handwriting or in the product of any typewriter or other record making machine.
Movement - an important element in handwriting.It embraces all the factors related to the motion of the writing
instrument, skills, speed, freedom, hesitation, rhythm, emphasis, tremor, and the like.The manner in which the writing
instrument i moved.
Natural writing - any specimen of writing executed normally without an attempt to control or alter its identifying habits
and its usual quality of execution.It is the typical writing of an individual.
Nonaqueous ink - ink in which the pigment or dye is carried in any vehicle other than water.Inks of this class are found
in ball-point pens, typewriter ribbons, and stamp pads and are widely used in the printing industry.
Nodule - a small, rounded mass or lump of ink caused by an excessive deposit, the result of gooping in some ball-point
pens.
Nonce word - a word coined to fit a special situation.
Notes - the documentation of procedures, standard, controls and instruments used, observation made, results of test
performed, charts, graphs, photos, and other documents generated that are used to support the examiner's conclusion.
Oblique lighting examination - an examination with the illumination so controlled that it grazes or strikes the surface of
the document from one side at a very low angle, also referred to as side light examination.
Orthography - the principles by which the alphabet is set into correspondence with the speech sounds.The art of
spelling.
Patching - retouching or going back over a defective portion of a writing stroke.Careful patching is a common defect in
forgeries.
Pen - any writing instrument used to apply ink to the paper.
Pen lift - an interruption in a stroke caused by removing the writing instrument from the paper.
Pen position - the relationship between the pen point and the paper.Specifically, the angle between the nib of the pen
and the line of writing and between the pen point and the paper surface are the elements of pen position.
Pencil - a writing instrument in which the marking position consists of a compressed stick of graphite or colored marking
substance usually mixed with clays and waxes.
Pencil grade - a qualitative description of the hardness or softness of a pencil.
Pencil lead - not really lead but a mixture of various types of waxes, clays, graphite, and carbon.
Permanent defect - any identifying characteristic of a typewriter that can not be corrected by simply cleaning the
typeface or replacing the ribbon.
Pica - a unit of measure of printer's type approximately1/6 in. or 12 points, typically used for vertical measurement.Also
a term used to denote conventional monotone typewriter typeface that has a fixed character width of 10 to the inch.
Point - the basic typographic unit of measurement of fonts, line spacing, rules, and borders, there are 12 points to a pica
and 72 points to the inch, typically used for vertical dimensions.
Pressure - the amount of force exerted on the point of the writing instrument, technically termed point load.
Proportional-spacing typewriter - a modern form of typewriting resembling printing in hat letters, numerals, and symbols
do not occupy the same horizontal space as they do with a conventional typewriter.
Questioned document - any document about which some issue has been raised or that is under scrutiny.
Reference collection - collections of typewriting, check-writer specimens, inks, pens, pencils, paper, etc., compiled and
organized by the document examiner as standards of the products.
Request standards - writing samples written at the request of another person.
Restoration - any processed in which erased writing is developed or brought out again on the document itself.
Retouching - going back over a written line to correct a defect or improve its appearance, synonymous with patching.
Retracing - any stroke that goes back over another writing stroke.In natural handwriting there may be many instances in
which the pen doubles back over the same course but some retracing in fraudulent signatures represents a reworking of
a letter form or stroke.
Rhythm - the element of the writing movement marked by regular or periodic recurrences.It maybe classed as smooth,
intermittent, or jerky in its quality.
Ribbon condition - cloth or multiple-use typewriter ribbons gradually deteriorate with use and the degree of deterioration
is a measure of the ribbon condition.
Ribbon impression - typewriting made directly through a cloth or carbon film ribbon.Original typewriting is made in this
way.
River - gaps in the writing or printing pattern that form a straggling white stream down the page.
Roller pen - a type of ball-point pen that uses aqueous ink.

Script - handwriting as distinguished from printing or lettering, cursive writing.
Secret ink - a material used for writing that is not visible until treated by a developing process, also referred to as
sympathetic ink.
Sequence of strokes - the order in which writing strokes are placed on he paper.

Serrations - roughness along the edges on an ink line seen under a microscope.
Shading - a widening of the ink stroke due to added pressure on a flexible pen point or to the use of the stub pen.
Signatory - a signer with another or others.A person whose name is being inscribe on a document who requires
assistance in doing so.
Signature - the name of a person or mark representing it as written by himself/herself.
Significant writing habit - any characteristic of handwriting that is sufficiently uncommon and well fixed to serve as a
fundamental point in the identification.
Single-element typewriter - typewriters using either a type ball or type wheel printing device>The IBM selectric machine
was the first modern typewriter of the group.
Skill - evidence of the writer's proficiency.
Slant - the angle or inclination of the axis of letters relative to the baseline.
Smeared-over writing - an obliteration accomplished by covering the original writing with an opaque substance.
Spiral - that portion of a letter executing a spiral formation, popular designs of commencement and termination in older
styles of writings.
Splicing - a term used by document examiners to denote the slight overlapping of two strokes after an interruption in the
writing.It may be part of imitated, fraudulent signatures that are prepared one or two letters at a time.
Splitting - the division of an ink line into two or more, ,ore or less equal portions by a non inked area running generally
parallel to the direction of the stroke, sometimes called burring.
Spurious signature - a fraudulent signature in which there was no apparent attempt at simulation or imitation.It is
common form of forgeries encountered in investigations of fraudulent checks where the person passing the checks
depends on the surrounding circumstances rather than upon the quality of the signature for his success.
Synthetic dye inks - any ink consisting simply of a dye dissolved in water together with the necessary preservatives.
Traced forgery - any fraudulent signature executed by actually following the outline of a genuine signature with a writing
instrument.
Transitory defect - an identifying typewriter characteristic that can be eliminated by cleaning the machine or replacing
the ribbon.Clogged typefaces are the most common defects of this class.
Trash mark - mark left on a finished copy during photocopying, results from imperfections or dirt on the cover glass,
cover sheet, drum, or camera lens of a photocopy machine.
Tremor - lack of smoothness due to lack of skill, consciousness of the writing act, deliberate control of the instrument in
copying or tracing or an involuntary, roughly rhythmic, and sinusoidal movement.Wavy back and forth movement on a
written line.
Twisted letter - each character is designed to print at a certain fixed angle to the base line.Wear and damage to the type
bar and the type block may cause some letters to become twisted so that they lean to the right or left of their correct
slant.
Type ball - a device containing a complete set of typeface of some single-element typewriters.
Typeface - the printing surface of the type block or type element.The name of a particular design of printed characters
and symbols.
Typeface defect - any peculiarity in typewriting resulting from actual damage to the typeface metal.
Typewriting system - typewriting device consisting of a machine, ribbon, and font.
Versal letter - those that mark important parts of the text, used for headings and words written at the beginning of books
or chapters, often distinguished by size, color, and ornamentation which tends towards curves and flourishes.
Watermark - a translucent design impressed in certain papers during the course of their manufacture.This is
accomplished by passing a wet map of fibers across a dandy roll, which is a metal cylinder containing patches of
specific pattern designs.The design patches are generally of two types, wire or screen.
Whirl - the curving upstroke usually of letters that have long loops but also on some styles of the capital "W".
Wrong-handed writing - any writing executed with the opposite hand from that normally used, often referred to as writing
with the awkward hand.
Xerox - a positive photocopy made directly on plain paper.
Z-twist - a right-handed yarn twist in which the spiral slants like the middle part of the letter "Z".
Lie Detection and Interrogation

(Polygraph)
Polygraph - popularly referred to as lie detector. - measures and records several psychological indices such as blood
pressure, pulse, respiration and skin conductivity while the subject is asked ans answers a series of questions.
- literally means "many writings".
- is derived from two Greek words "Poly"-
which means many and "Graphos"-
which means writing.
 blood pressure - is the pressure exerted by circulating blood upon the walls of blood vessels and is one of the
principal vital signs.
 pulse - represents the tactile arterial palpitation of the heartbeat by trained fingertips. It can also be measured by
listening to the heart directly using a stethoscope.
 respiration - the transport of oxygen from the outside air to the cells within tissues and the transport of carbon dioxide
in the opposite direction.
 skin conductivity - also known as Galvanic sin response - is a method of measuring the electrical conductance of the
skin which varies with its moisture level.
 ohmmeter - is an electrical instrument that measures electrical resistance, the opposition to an electric current.
 galvanometer - an instrument for detecting and measuring electric current.
 stimuli - is applied to sensory receptor, it influences a reflex via stimulus transduction.
Personalities who contributed to the development of the polygraph machine.
 Cesare Lombroso - he invented in 1895 a device to measure changers in blood pressure for police case.
 John Augustus Larson - a medical student at the University of California at Berkeley, invented the polygraph in
1921.The device record both blood pressure and galvanic skin response. Further work on this device was done by
Leonarde Keeler.
 Leonarde Keeler - was the co-inventor of the polygraph. He developed the so called cardio-pneumo psychogram
capable of detecting deception and worked on to produce the modern polygraph.
 William Marston - an american who used blood pressure to examine german prisoners of war.
 John Reid - In 1948, developed a device which recorded muscular activity accompanying changes in blood pressure.
He claimed greater accuracy could be obtained by making the recordings simultaneously with standard blood
pressure, pulse, and respiration recordings.
Two types of present day polygraph instrumentation
1. analog
2. computerized - most polygraph examiners now used this.
Types of Questions in a Polygraph Test

1. Control Question - preliminary information question
2. Irrelevant Question -
3. Relevant Question
- In a polygraph test, the types of questions
alternates, the test is passed if the physiological
responses during the probable lie control questions
are larger than those during the relevant
question.
Lie Detection - is the practice of determining whether someone is lying.
Three Basic Approaches To The Polygraph Test

1. The Control Question Test (CQT) - this test
compares the physiological response to relevant
questions about the crime with the response to
questions relating to possible prior misdeeds. This
test is often used to determine whether certain
criminal suspects should be prosecuted or classified
as uninvolved in the crime.
2. The Directed Lie Test (DLT) - this test tries to detect
lying by comparing physiological responses when
the subject is told to deliberately lie to responses
when they tell the truth.
3. The Guilty Knowledge Test (GKT) - this test
compares physiological responses to multiple choice
type questions about the crime, one choice of which
contains information only the crime investigators
and the criminal would know about.
3 Phases Of A Polygraph Examination

1. Pre-Test Phase - the examiner discusses with the
subject the test issue, review the test questions
that will be ask during the test and assess the
subjects emotional and physiological suitability to
undergo the polygraph test.
2. Testing Phase - subjects physiological responses
are recorded as the subject answers a set of
questions reviewed earlier.
3. Post Test Phase - examiner reviews test data
obtained and interprets the polygraph chart.
Conclusions That A Polygraph Examiner May Reach

1. Subject is telling the truth
2. Subject is not telling the truth
3. The result is inconclusive
* A polygraph test normally lasts between one and a

half hours to two and a half hours.
* Polygraph test result in the philippines is not

admissible in evidence as proof of the guilt of an
accused.
* Polygraph test is voluntary.
* The accuracy of polygraph test is about 90%

provided the examiner is competent and the
polygraph machine is in good working condition.
* Polygraph is an investigative tool.
* The principle behind a lie detection test is that when

the subject hears a questions which he or she
intends to lie, the brain interprets and triggers
automatic and uncontrollable physiological changes
captured by the polygraph.
Who Uses The Polygraph

1. Law Enforcement Agencies
2. Legal Community
3. Private Sector
Kinds of Errors in a Polygraph Test

1. False Positive - occurs when a truthful examinee
is reported as being deceptive.
2. False Negative - when a deceptive examinee is
reported as truthful.
Causes of Polygraph Errors

1. Failure of examiner to properly prepare the
examinee for the examination.
2. Misreading of the physiological data on the
polygraph charts.
3. Defective polygraph machine.
Reactions - changes in blood pressure, pulse rate,

breathing and sweat activity.
Lie Detection and Interrogation Reviewer 1
1. A portion of rice spit from a person’s mouth revealed whether he or

she was lying. Spitting out dry rice indicated the dry mouth of a
liar.This form of lie detection originated in
A. India
B. China
C. England
D. Africa
2. During the Middle Ages, torture was used as a means of forcing a
person to tell the truth.This was prevalent in what continent?
A. Asia
B. Africa
C. South America
D. Europe
3. In the early 1700s, He was the first to move away from torture by
suggesting that deception could be evaluated by monitoring the
heart rate.
A. Ceasar Lombroso
B. Daniel DeFoe
C. William Marston
D. Ken Adler

4. In 1764, He wrote of torture, “By this method, the robust will
escape, and the feeble be condemned.
A. Cesare Lombroso
B. Daniel DeFoe
C. Cesare Beccaria
D. William Marston

5. He became the first person to use science as a method of detecting
deception.
A. Cesare Lombroso
B. Daniel DeFoe
C. Cesare Beccaria
D. William Marston

6. The Father of Modern Criminology Cesare Lombroso, became the
first person to use science as a method of detecting deception in
the year
A. 1895
B. 1925
C. 1896
D. 1926
7. He developed a method of measuring the amount of sweat a

suspect produced during interrogation. This was determined by the
electrical conductibility of the suspect’s skin.
A. B. Sticker
B. C. Lombroso
C. D. Sticker
D. C. Beccaria

8. The first “polygraph” machine was actually a copy machine invented
in
A. 1801
B. 1803
C. 1802
D. 1804

9. In the early 1900s, He invented what he called the “ink polygraph”.
This was used to monitor cardiovascular responses by measuring
pulse and blood pressure.
A. Ken Adler
B. Vittorio Benussi
C. James MacKenzie
D. Cesare Lombroso

10.In 1914, He used pneumatic tubing to study an individual’s
breathing rates. The device wrapped around the person’s chest and
measured depth and rate of breath.
A. Vittorio Benussi
B. Ken Adler
C. James MacKenzie
D. Cesare Lombroso

Remember the following: Lie Detection and Interrogation
1. A portion of rice spit from a person’s mouth revealed whether he or she was lying. Spitting out dry rice indicated the
dry mouth of a
liar.This form of lie detection originated in China.
2. In Europe, During the Middle Ages, torture was used as a means of

forcing a person to tell the truth.
3. In the early 1700s, Daniel DeFoe was the first to move away from
torture by suggesting that deception could be evaluated by
monitoring the heart rate.

4. In 1764, Cesare Beccaria wrote of torture, “By this

method, the robust will escape, and the feeble be condemned.
5. The Father of Modern Criminology Cesare Lombroso, became the
first person to use science as a method of detecting deception in
the year 1895.

6. Cesare Lombroso became the first person to use science as a
method of detecting deception.

7. B. Sticker developed a method of measuring the amount of sweat a
suspect produced during interrogation. This was determined by the
electrical conductibility of the suspect’s skin.
8. The first “polygraph” machine was actually a copy machine invented

in 1804.

9. In the early 1900s, James MacKenzie invented what he called the
“ink polygraph”. This was used to monitor cardiovascular
responses by measuring pulse and blood pressure.

10. In 1914,Vittorio Benussi used pneumatic tubing to study an
individual’s breathing rates. The device wrapped around the
person’s chest and measured depth and rate of breath.

Answer: Lie Detection and Interrogation
1. C
2. D
3. B
4. C
5. A
6. A
7. A
8. D
9. C
10. A
1. The First Polygraph school.

A. Keeler Institute
B. Scherers Institute
C. Marston Institute
D. Larsons Institute

2. The First Full Time professional polygraph examiner.
A. Leonarde Keeler
B. William Marston
C. John Larson
D. Ron Decker

3. It measures systolic blood pressure as a means of determining
whether a suspect was lying during an interrogation.
A. Sphygmomanometer
B. Emotograph
C. Kymograph
D. Psychogalvanometer

4. A U.S case wherein the examiners testimony regarding a defendants
fact of passing the polygraph test was not accepted in evidence.
A. U.S vs. Ohio
B. Keeler vs. U.S
C. Frye vs. U.S
D. Larson vs. U.S

5. He invented the modern polygraph machine in 1921.
A. Leonarde Keeler
B. William Marston
C. John Larson
D. Ron Decker

6. Polygraph literally means
A. Many Writings
B. Different Writings
C. Various Writings
D. Cursive Writings

7. The first to discover the phenomenon we now know as electrodermal
response.
A. Leonarde Keeler
B. Ron Adler
C. John Larson
D. Marie Gabriel Vigouroux

8. Cesare Lombroso was the first to experiment with a device measuring
blood pressure and pulse to detect deception in criminal
suspects,He called it
A. Sphygmograph
B. Hydrosphygmograph
C. Cardiograph
D. Pneumograph

9. The First Polygraph machine suitable for use in criminal investigation
was invented by
A. Cesare Lombroso
B. Leonarde Keeler
C. Vittorio Venussi
D. John Larson

10. An instrument for recording variations in pressure, e.g., in sound
waves or in blood within blood vessels, by the trace of a stylus on
a rotating cylinder.
A. Kymograph
B. Galvanograph
C. Pheumograph D. Cardiograph

1. Keeler Institute - The First Polygraph school.
2. Leonarde Keeler - The First Full Time professional polygraph

examiner.
3. Sphygmomanometer - It measures systolic blood pressure as a

means of determining whether a suspect was lying during an
interrogation.

4. Frye vs. U.S - A U.S case wherein the examiners testimony
regarding a defendants fact of passing the polygraph test was not
accepted in evidence.
5. John Larson - He invented the modern polygraphy machine in 1921.
6. Polygraph literally means "many writings".
7. Marie Gabriel Vigouroux - The first to discover the phenomenon we

now know as electrodermal response.

8. Cesare Lombroso was the first to experiment with a device measuring
blood pressure and pulse to detect deception in criminal suspects,He
called it Hydrosphygmograph.

9. The First Polygraph machine suitable for use in criminal investigation
was invented by John Larson.
10. Kymograph - This device allow the chart paper to be pulled

under the recording pens at constant speed.
11. The Following sectors uses the polygraph examination
1. Private Sector
2. Legal Community
3. Law enforcement,Military and Government
1. A
2. A
3. A
4. C
5. C
6. A
7. D
8. B
9. D
10. A
1. An Italian scientist who in 1895, theorized that when in emotional

stress or tension, blood would rush to the head.
A. Mosso
B. Cesare Becarria
C. Cesare Lombroso
D. William Marston

2. He built a delicately balanced board with a center fulcrum.A person
lying on this board was placed under stress and blood would rush
to his head causing the board to tilt down at the head.
A. Mosso
B. Cesare Becarria
C. Cesare Lombroso
D. Dr. William Marston

3. In 1895, he used measurements of blood pressure changes during
interrogations using a water pressure apparatus.
A. Mosso
B. Cesare Becarria
C. Cesare Lombroso

4. This water pressure apparatus is known today as
A. Cardiograph
B. Cardiosphygmograph
C. Pneumograph
D. Hydrosphygmograph

5. He established in 1915 the relevance of blood pressure changes in
the systolic blood pressure.
A. Mosso
B. Cesare Becarria
C. Cesare Lombroso

6.He developed the first instrument to record simultaneously a person's
blood pressure,pulse rate and respiration changes.
A. Mosso
B. Cesare Lombroso
C. Dr. John Larson

7. He found out in 1914, that distinct changes occur in the respiratory
patterns during attempt to deceive.
A. John Larson
B. Cesare Lombroso
C. Vittorio Benussi

8. He conducted experiments in lie detection by measuring and
recording the rate and depth of the subject's respiration.
A. John Larson
B. Cesare Lombroso
C. Vittorio Benussi

9. An Italian physiologist accidentally discovered that a dissected frog
leg would twitch and contract spasmodically at the touch of a
scalpel charged with electricity.
A. Mosso
B. Luigi Galvani
C. Vittorio Benussi

10.He had found that current or "galvanic Electricity" flowed through
animal tissue.
A. Mosso
B. Luigi Galvani
C. Vittorio Benussi
D. John Larson

Remember the following:Lie Detection and Interrogation
1. Mosso - An Italian scientist who in 1895, theorized that when in

emotional stress or tension, blood would rush to the head.

2. Mosso - He built a delicately balanced board with a center
fulcrum.A person lying on this board was placed under stress and
blood would rush to his head causing the board to tilt down at the
head.

3. Cesare Lombroso - In 1895, he used measurements of blood
pressure changes during interrogations using a water pressure
apparatus.

4. This water pressure apparatus is known today as
Hydrosphygmograph
5. Dr. William Marston - He established in 1915 the relevance of blood

pressure changes in the systolic blood pressure.

6. Dr. John Larson - He developed the first instrument to record
simultaneously a person's blood pressure,pulse rate and
respiration changes.
7. Vittorio Benussi - He found out in 1914, that distinct changes
8. Vittorio Benussi - He conducted experiments in lie detection by measuring and recording the rate and depth of
the subject's
respiration.
9. Luigi Galvani - An Italian physiologist accidentally discovered that a

dissected frog leg would twitch and contract spasmodically at
10.Luigi Galvani - He had found that current or "galvanic

Electricity" flowed through animal tissue.

11. The 3 Basic components of a polygraph machine
1.Cardiosphygmograph - Records heart/blood pressure.
2.Pneumograph - Records breathing.
3.Galvanograph - Records electrical current in the skin.Known as
Galvanic skin response and Galvanic skin conductance.

Answers: Lie Detection and Interrogation
1. A
2. A
3. C
4. D
5. D
6. C
7. C
8. C
9. B
10. B

1. In 1897, He was one of the first to suggest the use of the (EDA)
Galvanic Skin Response as an indicator of deception.
A. Mosso
B. Larson
C. Sticker
D. Marston

2. He was the first to make word association test using the galvanometer.
A. Veraguth
B. Mosso
C. Sticker
D. Marston

3. Many scientist have studied human behavior in relation to lie
detection.Among them was this man who did not use an instrument
approach but many of his theories in the psychology of deception are
embodied in polygraph procedure today.
A. Veraguth
B. A. R. Luria
C. Sticker
D. Mosso

4. In 1932, He wrote, the criminal is certainly far from being indifferent to
his experience,but on the contrary,he puts himself in an active relation
to his experience,its trauma,urging him into activity - conditions the
dynamics of his behavior.
A. Veraguth
B. A.R. Luria
C. Sticker
D. Mosso

5. He developed in 1926, the metal recording bellows.He also incorporated
the kymograph and the rolled chart paper.He used these developments
together with the cardio and pneumo components,developing the
first polygraph instrument known today.
A. Leonard Keeler
B. Veraguth
C. Cesare lombroso
D. A.R. Luria

6. He is the father of polygraph.
A. Leonard Keeler
B. William Marston
C. John Larson
D. Cesare Lombroso

7. He devised the first structured test questions.The test is made up
using relevant questions interspersed with irrelevant questions.The R
and I test.
A. Leonard Keeler
B. William Marston
C. Sticker
D. John Larson

8. He used Keeler's technique and after testing numerous subjects, he
found that in using that technique he was getting too many
inconclusive result and an unacceptable error rate.
A. A.R Luria
B. Mosso
C. Veraguth
D. John Reid

9.In the detection of deception,He developed a structured technique
using comparison questions.
A. A.R. Luria
B. Mosso
C. Veraguth
D. John Reid

10.He operates the National School of Lie Detection and developed
his known lie and probable lie question technique and the guilt
complex question.
A. Leonard Keeler
B. Mosso
C. John Reid
D. Dick Arther

1. Sticker - In 1897, He was one of the first to suggest the use of the
(EDA) Galvanic Skin Response as an indicator of deception.

2. Veraguth - He was the first to make word association test using the
galvanometer
3. A. R. Luria - Many scientist have studied human behavior in relation to

lie detection.Among them was this man who did not use an instrument
approach but many of his theories in the psychology of deception are
embodied in polygraph procedure today.

4. A.R. Luria - In 1932, He wrote, the criminal is certainly far from being
indifferent to his experience,but on the contrary,he puts himself in an
active relation to his experience,its trauma,urging him into activity -
conditions the dynamics of his behavior.

5. Leonard Keeler - He developed in 1926, the metal recording
bellows.He also incorporated the kymograph and the rolled chart
paper.He used these developments together with the cardio and
pneumo components,developing the first polygraph instrument known
today.
6. Leonard Keeler - He is the father of polygraph.
7. Leonard Keeler - He devised the first structured test questions.The

test is made up using relevant questions interspersed with irrelevant
questions.The R and I test.
8. John Reid - He used Keeler's technique and after testing numerous

subjects,he found that in using that technique he was getting too
many inconclusive result and an unacceptable error rate.

9. John Reid - .In the detection of deception,He developed a structured
technique using comparison questions.

10.Dick Arther - He operates the National School of Lie Detection and
developed his known lie and probable lie question technique and the
guilt complex question.
Answers: Lie Detection and Interrogation
1. C
2. A
3. B
4. B
5. A
6. A
7. A
8. D
9. D
10. D
1. He introduced the symptomatic question or myth to

disclose whether or not an outside issue is bothering the subject.
A. Dick Arther
B. Leonard Keeler
C. John Reid
D. Cleve Backster

2. Manufactured the first commercial polygraph instrument
for Leonard Keeler.
A. Associated Press Inc.
B. Associated Research Inc.
C. Associated manufacturing Inc.
D. Associated Detection Inc.

3. The name of the first manufactured polygraph instrument.
A. Keeler polygraph instrument
B. Associated Detecting instrument
C. Larson polygraph instrument
D. Marston polygraph instrument

4. If a subject looked down and moved his toe in a circular motion while
being interrogated, he was taugh to be deceptive.This ancient
deception detection is known as
A. Nervous behaviorism
B. The ordeal of the sacred donkey
C. The ordeal of rice
D. The sacred ass

5. If the suspect's tongue was not burned,he was judged innocent.
If the suspect's tongue was burned,he was judged guilty.This
ancient deception detection is known as
A. The hot iron test
B. Bear the hot iron test
C. The ordeal of the hot iron
D. The ember test

6. What company is the leader in the manufacture of polygraph?
A. Lafayette instrument company
B. Axciton
C. Stoelting
D. Limestone

7.Where is the largest polygraph market in the world?
A. Russia
B. Ukraine
C. U.S.A
D. Georgia

8. Depending on the complexity of the case and the number of issues
being tested a polygraph examination generally takes
A. 1-2 hours
B. 3-4 hours
C. 2-3 hours
D. 4-5 hours

9. What is the longest phase of the polygraph examination?
Ans. Pre-test interview
10.Who is the most prominent polygraph examiner of all time?

A. Leonarde Keeler
B. John Larson
C. William Marston
D. Cleve Backster

Remember the ff: lie detection and interrogation
1. Cleve Backster - He introduced the symptomatic question or myth

to disclose whether or not an outside issue is bothering the subject.
Now Known as Backster Zone Comparison technique.

2. Associated Research Inc. - Manufactured the first commercial
polygraph instrument for Leonard Keeler.
3. Keeler polygraph instrument - The name of the first
manufactured polygraph instrument.
4. If a subject looked down and moved his toe in a circular motion while
being interrogated, he was taugh to be deceptive.This ancient
deception detection is known as Nervous behaviorism.

5. If the suspect's tongue was not burned,he was judged innocent.
If the suspect's tongue was burned,he was judged guilty.This
ancient deception detection is known as The ordeal of the hot
iron.

6. Lafayette instrument company is the leader in the manufacture of
polygraph instrument.
7. The largest polygraph market in the world is Ukraine.
8. Depending on the complexity of the case and the number of issues

being tested a polygraph examination generally takes 2 to 3 hours.
9.The longest phase of the polygraph examination is the

Pre-test interview.
10.The most prominent polygraph examiner of all time is

Leonard Keeler.
11. Present day manufacturers of polygraph instrument

1. lafayette
2. stoelting
3. Axciton
4. Limestone
1. D
2. B
3. A
4. A
5. C
6. A
7. B
8. C
9.
10. A
Forensic Ballistics
Forensic ballistics - is the science of analyzing firearms usage in crimes. It involves analysis of bullets and bullets impact to
determine information of use to a court or other part of legal system. Separately from the ballistics information, firearm and
tool mark examinations also involves analyzing firearm, ammunition and tool mark evidence in order to established whether a
certain firearm or tool was used in the commission of crime.
Ballistics -(ballein "to throw") - is the science of mechanics that deals with the flight, behavior and effects of projectiles
especially bullet, gravity bombs, rockets or the like.
Ballistic missile - is a missile, only guided during the relative brief initial powered phase of flight whose course is subsequently
governed by the laws of classical mechanics.
Flight - is the process by which an object moves through an atmosphere by generating aerodynamic lift, propulsive thrust,
aerostatically using buoyancy or by ballistic movement without any direct solid mechanical support from the ground.
Firearms identification - the identification of fired bullets, cartridge cases or other ammunition components as having been
fired from a specific firearm.
Rifling - is the process of making helical grooves in the barrel of a gun or firearm which imparts a spin to a projectile
around its long axis. This spin stabilize the projectile, improving its stability and accuracy.
Projectile - is any object projected into space by the exertion of a force.
Trajectory - is the path that a moving object follows through space as a function of time.
Firearm - is a weapon that launches one or many projectiles at high velocity through confined burning of a propellant.
Ballistic fingerprinting - involves analyzing firearm, ammunition and tool mark evidence in order to establish whether a
certain firearm or tool was used in the commission of a crime.
Gun ballistic - is the work of projectile from the time of shooting to the time of impact with the target.
Four categories of gun ballistics
1. Internal/interior ballistic - the study of the processes originally accelerating the projectile. example - the passage
of a bullet through the barrel of a rifle.
2. Transition/intermediate ballistic - the study of the projectiles behavior when it leaves the barrel and the pressure
behind the projectile is equalized.
3. External/exterior ballistic - the study of the passage of the projectile through a medium, most commonly the
earths atmosphere.
4. Terminal ballistic - is the study of the interaction of a projectile with its target.
Colonel Calvin Hooker Goddard - father of forensic ballistic.
Some Factors to be Considered in designing a Firearm

1. reliability of firing
2. accuracy of projectile
3. force of projectile
4. speed of firing
Characteristics of a Muzzle Loader Firearm

1. powder and bullet loaded from top of the barrel
2. smooth bore with a round lead ball.
3. limited range and accuracy
Accuracy is Increased
1. by longer bore or length of metal tube
2. putting spiral grooves in the bore (riffling)
Breech loading firearm - is a firearm in which the cartridge or shell is inserted or loaded into a chamber integral to the
rear portion of a barrel.
Sir Hiram Maxim - an American inventor of the machine gun or the maxim gun.
Richard Gatling - inventor of the Gatling gun, a machine gun with a six barrel capable of firing 200 rounds per minute at
the earliest stages of development.
Gatling Gun - a hand driven, crank operated multi barrel machine gun.
note: velocities of bullets are increased with the use of a jacket of a metal such as copper or copper alloys that covers a
lead core and allow the bullet to glide down the barrel more easily than exposed lead. Such bullets are less likely to
fragment on impact and are more likely to traverse through a target while imparting less energy.
Fouling - deposits of unburned powder residue in the bore of a gun.
What is the indispensable tool of the firearm examiner? comparison microscope.
Firearms Terminology
1. Action - the part of the firearm that loads, fires,
and ejects a cartridge.Includes lever action,pump
action, bolt action,and semi-automatic.The first
three are found in weapons that fire a single shot.
Firearms that can shoot multiple rounds "repeaters"
include all these types of actions but only the semi-
automatic does not require manual operation
between rounds.A truly automatic action is found
on a machine gun.
2. Barrel - the metal tube through which the bullet
is fired.
3. Black Powder - the old form of gun powder
invented over a thousand years ago and consisting
of nitrate,charcoal,and sulfur.
4. Bore - the inside of the barrel.
5. Breech - the end of the barrel attach to the action
6. Bullets - is a projectile propelled by firearm,sling,
airgun.They are shaped or composed differently for
a variety of purposes.
 round nose - the end of the bullet is blunted.

 hollow point - there is a central cavity in the bullet nose not covered by a metal jacket that creates expansion
when a target is struck, creating more damage.
 action 4 - hollow point projectile made of non fragmenting brass with radiopaque plastic tip.
 hydra-Shock - hollow point projectile with soft deformable anterior and hard posterior core.
 Jacketed - the soft lead is surrounded by another metal, usually copper, that allows the bullet to penetrate a
target more easily.
 wad-cutter - the front of the bullet is flattened.
 semi-wad-cutter - intermediate between round nose and wad-cutter.
7. Butt or Buttstock - the portion of the gun which

is held or shouldered.
8. Caliber - the diameter of the bore measured from
land to land , usually expressed in hundredths of an
inch (.22 cal) or in millimeters (9mm).
9. Cartridge - also called a round - packages the
bullet, propellant and primer into a single unit within
a containing metallic case that is precisely made to
fit within the firing chamber of a firearm.

Parts of a cartridge
a. bullet
b. case/shell
c. powder
d. primer
10. Centerfire - the cartridge contains the primer in

the center of the base where it can be struck by
firing pin of the action.
11. Chamber - the portion of the action that holds
the cartridge ready for firing.
12. Choke - a constriction of a shotgun bore at the
muzzle that determines the pattern of the fired
shot.
13. Double Action - Pulling the trigger both cocks
the hammer and fires the gun.
14. Double Barrel - two barrels side by side or one
on top of the other usually on a shotgun.
15. Gauge - refers to the diameter of the barrel on a
shotgun in terms of the number of lead balls the
size of the bore it would take to weigh one pound
(10 gauge,12 gauge etc) "410" gauge really refer
to caliber,but it is worded as such to refer to a
shotgun.
16. Hammer - a metal rod or plate that typically
drives a firing pin to strike the cartridge primer to
detonate the powder.
17. Ignition - the way in which powder is ignited.Old
muzzle loading weapons used flintlock or
percussion caps.Modern guns use primers that are
rimfire or centerfire.
18. Lands and Grooves - lands are the metal inside
the barrel left after the spiral grooves are cut to
produce the rifling.
19. Magazine - this is a device for storing cartridges
in a repeating firearm for loading into the chamber.
20. Magnum - for rifles and handguns, an improved
version of a standard cartridge which uses the
same caliber and bullets,but has more powder,
giving the fired bullet more energy.For shotgun
loads,magnum shells have more powder and may
have increased length with more shot pellets.
21. Muzzle - the end of the barrel out of which the
bullet comes.
22. Pistol - synonym for a handgun that does not
have a revolving cylinder.
23. Powder - modern gun cartridges use smokeless
powder that is relatively stable,of uniform quality,
and leaves little residue when ignited.For centuries
black powder was used and was quite volatile
(ignited at low temperature or shock),was
composed of irregularly sized grains,and left a
heavy residue after ignition,requiring frequent
cleaning of bore.
24. Primer - a volatile substance that ignites when
struck to detonate the powder in a cartridge.
 Rimfire cartridges - have primer inside the base.

 Centerfire cartridges - have primer in a hole in the middle of the base of the cartridge case.
25. Revolver - handgun that has a cylinder with
holes to contain the cartridges.The cylinder
revolves to bring the cartridge into position to be
fired.This is a single action when the hammer must
be cocked before the trigger can fire the weapon.
It is double action when pulling the trigger both
cock and fires the gun.
26. Riffling - the spiral grooves cut inside a gun
barrel that give the bullet a spinning motion.The
metal between the grooves is called a land.
27. Rimfire - the cartridge has the primer distributed
around the periphery of the base.
28. Safety - a mechanism of an action to prevent
firing of the gun.
29. Shotgun - a gun with a smooth bore that shoots
cartridges that contain "shot" or small metal pellets
of lead or steel as the projectiles.
30. Smoothbore weapons - have no riflings,
typically shotguns.Most handguns and rifles have
riflings.
31. Sights - the device on top of the barrel that allow
the gun to be aimed.
32. Silencer - a device that fits over the muzzle of
the barrel to muffle the sound of a gunshot.Most
work by baffling the escape of gases.
33. Single Action - the hammer must be manually
cocked before the trigger can be pulled to fire the
gun
34. Smokeless Powder - refers to modern gun
powder which is not really powder but flakes or
nitrocellulose and other substances.Not really
smokeless but much less so than black powder.
35. Stock - a wood,metal,or plastic frame that holds
the barrel and action and allows the gun to be held
firmly.
Composition of Gunpowder
1. Sulfur
2. Charcoal
3. Saltpeter (potassium nitrate)
- gun powder first appeared in china but used
primarily in firecrackers.
Different Firing Mechanisms of Firearm

1. Matchlock - employed a burning wick on a spring
that was "locked" back and released into a pan of
powder upon pulling a trigger. The powder in the
pan then ignited, sending flame through a small
hole into the barrel chamber of the weapon,
igniting a larger powder charge in the chamber and
sending the projectile (bullet) forward.
2 Wheellock - in the early 16th century, improvement
included the wheellock mechanism in which a
spinning wheel against a metal plate showered
sparks into the pan holding the priming powder.
3. Flintlock - developed in the early 17th century,
flint is released by the trigger mechanism that
strikes a steel plate to shower sparks into the pan
filled with powder.
4. Percussion - evolved in the 19th century,
consisted of a hammer that was locked and when
released, struck a cap containing a volatile
"primer" that ignites on impact, sending a flame
through a small tube into the barrel chamber.
matchlock
wheellock
percussion
flintlock
- next, inventors combined the individual components

including the bullet, powder charge and primer all in
a single cartridge which could be introduced directly
into the chamber.
Forensic Ballistics Definition Of Terms
Acetone - The simplest ketone. A solvent for gun powder.A highly flammable,water-soluble solvent.
Action - the action of the gun consists of all the moving parts that facilitate
the loading,firing,discharging of the empty case and unloading of the gun.
Action, revolver - a firearm,usually a handgun with a cylinder having several chambers so arrange as to rotate around
an axis and be discharge successively by the same firing mechanism.
Action, semi-automatic - a repeating firearm requiring a separate pull of the trigger for each shot fired and which uses
the energy of discharge to perform a portion of the operating or firing cycle (usually the loading portion).
Actuator - part of the firing mechanism in certain automatic firearms that slides forward and back in preparing each
cartridge to be fired.Also called trigger actuator.
Ammunition - one or more loaded cartridges consisting of a primed case,propellant and with one or more projectiles.
Anvil marks - microscopic marks impressed on the forward face of the rim of a rimfire cartridge case as it is forced
against the breech end of the barrel by the firing pin.These marks are characteristic of the breech under the firing pin
and have been used to identify firearm.
AP - abbreviation for armor-piercing ammunition.
Apogee - the maximum altitude a projectile will reach when shot in the air.
Assault rifle - automatic weapon designed to be fired by one man.Ammunition is fed from a magazine.
Automatic - a firearm capable of ejecting a cartridge casing following discharge and reloading the next cartridge from
the magazine.
Automatic action - a firearm design that feeds cartridges,fires, and ejects cartridge cases as long as the trigger is fully
depressed and there are cartridges available in the feed system.
Auto-safety - a locking device on some firearms designed to return to the on or safe position when the firearm is
opened.
Azo dye - a result of the Griess test where nitrates from gunpowder residues are converted to an orange-red dye.
Ball ammunition - military small arms ammunition with full metal jacket bullets,also known as hard ball.
Ballistics - the study of a projectile in motion,following the projectile travel from primer ignition to barrel exit,to target
entry and until motion is stopped.
Ballistics,exterior - The study of the motion of the projectile after it leaves the barrel of the firearm.
Ballistics,Interior - the study of the motion of the projectile within the firearm from the moment of ignition until it leaves
the barrel.
Ballistics,terminal - the study of the projectiles impact on the target.
Barium - alkaline earth metal with chemical symbol Ba,atomic number 56.Present as barium nitrate in the primer.
Barium nitrate - a common oxidizer of the primer compound used in gun cartridges.
Barrel - that part of a firearm through which a projectile travels under the impetus of powder gases,compressed air, or
other like means,may be rifled or smooth.
BB - air rifle projectile of 0.177 in. diameter or a shotgun pellet of 0.18 in. diameter.
BBB shot - shotgun pellet of 0.19 in. diameter.
Beretta - is an Italian firearms manufacturer.It is the oldest active firearms manufacturer in the world.
Beveling - (external or internal) defects that occur when a projectile passes through a flat bone.The perforation in the
bone is typically larger and more cone shaped as the bullet passes from the entrance through the bone to the exit.
Bipod - is an attachment for a weapon that creates a steady plane for whatever it may be attached.
A two-legged rest or stand as for rifle or machine gun.
Black powder - the earliest form of propellant.It is a mechanical mixture of potassium nitrate or sodium nitrate,charcoal
and sulfur.
Blasting cap - a small explosive charge triggered by lighting a safety fuse or applying an electric current used to
detonate high explosives.
Blunderbuss - is a muzzle-loading firearm with a short,large caliber barrel which is flared at the muzzle and frequently
throughout the entire bore and used with shot and other projectiles of relevant quantity and/or caliber.
Bolt action - is a type of firearm action in which the weapons bolt is operated manually by opening and closing of the
breech (barrel) with a small handle most commonly placed on the right hand side of the weapon for (right hand users).
A firearm in which the breech closure is in line with the bore at all times.It is manually reciprocated to
load,unload and cock and is locked in place by breech-bolt lugs and engaging abutments usually in the receiver.
Bore - the interior of a barrel,forward of the chamber.

Bore brush - A brush usually having brass,nylon,or plastic bristles which is used to clean deposits from the bore of a
firearm.
Bore diameter - in a rifled barrel,it is the minor diameter of a barrel which is the diameter of a circle formed by the tops
of the lands.In a shotgun,it is the interior dimensions of the barrel forward of the chamber but before the choke.
Brass - a slang term sometimes used for fired cartridge cases.
Breech - the part of the firearm at the rear of the bore into which the cartridge of propellant is inserted.
Breech block - the locking and cartridge head-supporting mechanism of a firearm that does not operate in line with the
axis of the bore.
Breech blot - the locking and cartridge head-supporting mechanism of a firearm that operates in line with the axis of
the bore.
Breech face - that part of the breech block or breech bolt that is against the head of the cartridge case or shot shell
during firing.
Breech face markings - negative impression of the breech face of the firearm found on the head of the cartridge case
after firing.
Breech-loading weapon - is a firearm in which the cartridge or shell is inserted or loaded into a chamber integral to the
rear portion of a barrel.
Broach - rifling tool consisting of a series of circular cutting tools mounted on a long rod.The rifling is cut in on pass of
the broach through the gun barrel.
Browning arms co. - is a maker of firearms founded in Utah in 1927.
Buckshot - lead pellet ranging in size from 0.20 in. to 0.36 in. diameter.
Bullet - is a projectile propelled by a firearm,sling,or air gun.
Bullet-bearing surface - that part of the outer surface of a bullet that comes into direct contact with the interior surface
of the barrel.
Bullet creep - the movement of a bullet out of the cartridge case due to the recoil of the firearm and the inertia of the
bullet.Also called bullet starting.Also known as popping.
Bullet,frangible - a projectile designed to disintegrate upon impact on a hard surface in order to minimize ricochet or
spatter.
Bullet jacket - usually a metallic cover over the core.
Bullet,lead - a standard lead bullet having a harder metal jacket over the nose formed from a lead alloy,also known as
metal-point bullet.This non spherical projectiles is for use in a rifled barrel.
Bullet recovery system - any method that will allow the undamaged recovery of a fired bullet.Water tanks and cotton
boxes are most commonly in use.
Bullet wipe - a dark ring-shaped mark made up of lead,carbon,oil and dirt brushed from a bullet as it enters the skin
and found around the entry wound.The discolored area on the immediate periphery of a bullet hole,caused by bullet
lubricant,lead,smoke bore debris or possibly,jacket material.Sometimes called burnishing or leaded edge.
Burr striations - a roughness or rough edge especially one left on metal in casting or cutting.A tool or device that
raises a burr.
Butt - in handguns,the buttom part of the grip frame.In long guns,it is the rear of shoulder end of the stock.
Caliber - the approximate diameter of the circle formed by the tops of the lands of a rifled barrel.
Cannelure - a circumferential groove generally of a knurled or plain appearance in a bullet or the head of a rimless
cartridge case.
Carbine - a rifle of short length and lightweight originally designed for mounted troops.
Cartridge - is also called a round, packages the bullet,propellant (usually smokeless powder or gun powder) and primer
into a single unit within a containing metallic case that is precisely made to fit within the firing chamber of the firearm.
Cartridge case head - the base of the cartridge case which contains the primer.
Cartridge,centerfire - any cartridge that has its primer central to the axis in the head of the case.
Cartridge,rimfire - a flange-headed cartridge containing the priming mixture inside the rim cavity.
Center of impact - the points of impact of the projectiles being dispersed about a single point.
Chamber - the rear part of the barrel bore that has been formed to accept a specific cartridge.Revolver cylinders are
multi-chambered.
Chamber mark - individual microscopic marks placed upon a cartridge case by the chamber wall as a result of any or
all of the following 1. chambering 2. expansion during firing 3. extraction.

Choke - (shotgun) the constriction of the barrel of a shotgun to reduce the spread of shot as it leaves the gun to
increase its effective range.
Clip - a separate cartridge container used to rapidly reload the magazine of a firearm.Also called stripper.
Coefficient of form - a numerical term indicating the general profile of a projectile.
Combination gun - a multiple-barreled firearm designed to handle different sizes or types of ammunition.
Concentric fractures - patterns of cracks in glass pierced by a missile like a bullet which runs between the radial
fractures and which originate on the side of the glass from which the impact came.
Copper-clad steel - a composite structure of copper and steel used for the manufacture of certain bullet
jackets.Metallic element with the chemical symbol Cu and atomic number 29 that commonly comprises "cartridge brass"
that is typically 70% copper and 30% zinc (Zn)
Centerfire - is a cartridge with a primer located in the center of the cartridge case head.Unlike rimfire cartridges,the
primer is a separate and replaceable component.
Chamber - is that portion of the barrel or firing cylinder in which the cartridge is inserted prior to being fired.
Clay pigeon shooting - (clay target shooting) formally known as inanimate bird shooting is the art of shooting at
special flying targets known as clay pigeons or clay targets with a shotgun or any type of firearm.
Cylinder - rotating chambered breech of a revolver. Damascus barrel - an obsolete barrel-making process.The barrel is
formed by twisting or braiding together steel and iron wires or bars.The resulting cable is then wound around a mandrel
and forged into a barrel tube.This type of barrel is also called a laminated barrel.
Decant - the process of pouring off the supernatant during separation from a pellet after a mixture has been centrifuged
or left to settle.
Derringer - the generic term applied to many variations of pocket size pistols either percussion or cartridge made by
manufacturers other that Henry Derringer up to present time.
Discharge - to cause a firearm to fire.
Disconnector - a device to prevent a semi-automatic firearm from firing full automatic.Some pump action shotguns also
have disconnectors.
Distance determination - the process of determining the distance from the firearm, usually the muzzle, to the target
based upon pattern of gunpowder or gunshot residues deposited upon that target.Where multiple projectiles such as
shot have been fired,the spread of those projectiles is also indicative of distance.
Double action - a gun action where the pulling of trigger to fire a round recocks the gun so that the next round is ready
to be fired.
Drawback effect - the presence of blood in the barrel of a firearm that has been drawn awkward due to the effect
created by discharged gasses.This is seen frequently in close-range contact gunshot injuries.
Driving edge,fired bullet - the driving edge of a fired bullet with a right twist is the left edge of the groove impression or
the right edge of the land impression.The driving edge of a fired bullet with left twist is the right edge of the groove
impression or the left edge of the hand impression.
Ejection - the act of expelling a cartridge or cartridge cases from a firearm.
Ejection pattern - the charting of where a particular firearm ejects fired cartridge cases.
Ejector - a portion of a firearms mechanism that ejects or expels cartridges or cartridge cases from a firearm.
Ejector marks - tool marks provided upon a cartridge or cartridge case on the head,generally at or near the rim from
contact with the ejector.
Extractor - a mechanism for withdrawing a cartridge or cartridge case from the chamber of a firearm.
Extraction mark - tool mark produced upon a cartridge or cartridge case from contact with the extractor.These are
always found on or just ahead of the rim.
Firearm identification - a discipline of forensic science that has as its primarily concern determining whether a
bullet,cartridge case or other ammunition component was fired by a particular firearm.
Firing pin - that part of a firearm mechanism that strikes the primer of a cartridge to initiate ignition.Sometimes called
hammer nose or striker.
Firing pin drag marks - the tool mark produced when a projecting firing pin comes into contact with a cartridge case or
shot-shell during the extraction and ejection cycle.
Firing pin impression - the indentation in the primer of a centerfire cartridge case or in the rim of a rimfire cartridge
case caused when it struck by the firing pin.
Flash hole - vent leading from the primer pocket to the body of the cartridge case.
Fouling - the residual deposits remaining in the bore of a firearm after firing.Fouling can change the character of the
identifiable striations imparted to the projectile from one shot to another.
Fragment - a piece of solid metal resulting from an exploding or exploded bomb or a piece of projectile from a firearm.
Gauge - the interior diameter of the barrel of a shotgun expressed by the number or spherical lead bullets fitting it that
are required to make a pound.Thus a 12 gauge in the diameter of a round lead ball using 1/12 of a pound.
Gas cutting - an erosive effect in a firearm caused by the high velocity,high temperature propellant gases.
- The erosion that occurs from the hot gases on the bearing surface and base of a fired bullet.
General rifling characteristics - the number,width and direction of twist of the rifling grooves in a barrel of a given
caliber firearm.
Granules - the individual particles of propellant powder.

Griess test - a chemical test for the detection of nitrates.It is used by firearms examiners to develop patterns of
gunpowder residues (nitrates) around bullet holes.
Grips - a pair of pieces designed to fit the frame of a weapon providing a form fit gripping,usually plastic or wood.
Groove diameter - the major diameter in a barrel that is the diameter of a circle circumscribed by the bottom of the
grooves in a rifled barrel.
Grooves - spiral cuts along the bore of a firearm that cause a projectile to spin as it travels through the barrel providing
stability in flight.
Gun cotton (nitrocellulose) - the principal ingredient of a single base and double base gunpowders. Also known as
cellulose hexanitrate.
Gunpowder - any various powder used in firearms as a propellant charge.

An explosive consisting of a powdered mixture of saltpeter,sulfur,and charcoal.
Gunpowder patterns - the spatial distribution of gunpowder residues deposited upon a surface.
- the test firing of a firearm for a muzzle to target distance determination.
Gunpowder residue - unburned gunpowder,partially burned gunpowder,and smoke from completely burned
gunpowder.Gunpowder residues are the largest part of gunshot residues.
Gunshot residue - the total residues resulting from the discharge of a firearm.It includes both gunpowder and primer
residues plus metallic residues from projectiles,fouling etc.
Gyroscopic stability - the ability of a fired bullet to remain stable in flight due to its spin.
Firearm - an assembly of a barrel and action from which a projectile is propelled by products of combustion.
Flash suppressor - also known as a flash guard,flash eliminator,flash hider, or flash cone, is a device attached to the
muzzle of a rifle or other gun that reduces the chances that the shooter will be blinded in dark conditions.
Frame or stock - The frame is the basic structure of the gun to which the other major parts are attached.The stock is
for rifles and
shotguns.Handguns do not have a stock but rather what is called a grip.
Game - is any animal hunted for food or not normally domesticated.
Griess test - is a chemical analysis test which detects the presence of organic nitrate compounds.
Half-cock - the position of the hammer of a firearm when about half retracted and held by the sear so that it can not be
operated by a normal pull of the trigger.
Hammer - a component part of the firing mechanism that gives impulse to the firing pin or primer.
Handguard - a wooden,plastic,or metal type of forend/forearm that generally encircles the forward portion of the barrel
to protect the hands from heat when firing.
Handgun - a firearm designed to be held and fired with one hand.
Head,(cartridge case head) - the base of the cartridge case that contains the primer.
Headspace - the distance from the face of the closed breech of a firearm to the surface in the chamber on which the
cartridge case bears.
Headspace Gage - an instrument for measuring the distance from the breech face of a firearm to the portion of the
chamber against which the cartridge bears.
Headstamp - numeral,letters,and symbols or combinations thereof stamped into the head of a cartridge case or shot-
shell to identify the manufacturer,caliber,gauge,or give additional information.
Heel - the part of a rifle or shotgun stock at the top of the butt end.
- The rear portion of the bullet or its base.
Hinge frame - any of a large array of pistols,revolvers,shotguns,and rifles whose frames are hinge to facilitate loading
and ejection.Generally the barrel pivots downward.
Holster stock - a holster,usually made of wood that attaches to the rear of the pistol grip of certain handguns and
serves as a shoulder stock.
Hydrochloric acid - a chemical reagent used in the sodium rhodizonate test for lead and other primer residues.
IBIS (integrated ballistics information system) - a database used for acquiring,storing ,and analyzing images of bullets
and cartridge casings. Jacket - cylinder of steel covering and strengthening the breech end of a gun;the envelope
enclosing the lead core.
Kinetics - a dynamic process involving motion.
Lacquer - a sealant used by some ammunition manufacturers to seal the primer and/or bullet in the cartridge case.It is
used as a waterproofing agent.
Land - the raised portion between the grooves in a rifled bore.
Land and groove impressions (right and left turn) - the negative impressions on the surface of a bullet caused by
the rifling in the barrel from which it was fired.
Lead - element with the chemical symbol (Pb) and atomic number 82.Used in the fabrication of bullet and shot for its
formability and lubrication properties.
Leading - The accumulation of lead in the bore of a firearm from the passage of lead shot or bullets.Also called metal
fouling.
Lever action - is a type of firearm action which uses a lever located around the trigger guard area (often including the
trigger guard itself) to load fresh cartridges into the chamber of the barrel when the lever is worked.
Luger - a German semi-automatic pistol widely used in Europe as a military sidearm,manufactured in various calibers
most commonly 7.65 mm and 9 mm.
Machine gun - Bipod or tripod mounted or handheld automatic weapon whose ammunition is fed from a magazine or a
belt.
Magazine - is an ammunition storage and feeding device within or attached to a repeating firearm.
Magazine clip - a container for cartridges that has a spring and follower to feed the cartridges into the chamber of a
firearm.
Mannlicher type bolt - a bolt-action rifle that was designed for the receiver bridge;has a gap at the top to allow
passage of the bolt handle.
Mercury bath - a process using mercury for the removal of lead residue from a barrel.
Metal fouling - metallic bullet material left in the bore after firing.
Microscopic marks - striae or patterns on minute lines or grooves in an object.In firearm and toolmark
identification,these marks are characteristics of the object that produced them and are the basis for identification.
Misfire - failure of the primer mixture to ignite.
Mushroom - used to describe the expansion of a projectile upon impacting a target.
Musket - is a muzzle-loading,smooth-bore long gun fired from the shoulder.
Muzzle - is the end of the barrel from which the projectile will exit.
Obliteration/Obliterated - most often used to refer to serial numbers of firearms that are no longer readable.
Obturation - the act of sealing or preventing the escape of propellant gasses from the breech of a gun.
Orient - the aligning of two bullets that were fired from the same barrel on the comparison microscope so that the land
and groove impressions on those bullets which were produced by the same lands and grooves in the barrel are
opposite each other.Sometimes called phasing or indexing.
Parabellum - a Latin term meaning "for war" used as a cartridge designation.
Pattern - the distribution of a series of shots fired from one gun or a battery of guns under conditions as nearly identical
as possible to that which occured at the crime scene.
Pellet - common name for the smooth,spherical projectiles loaded into shot-shells, also referred to as shot.Also a non
spherical projectile used in airguns.
Percussion cap - a small metal cap with a priming mix that is placed on the nipple of a percussion lock.
Philadelphia derringer - is a small percussion handgun designed by Henry Derringer and a a popular concealed carry
handgun of the era.
Pinfire - is an obsolete type of metallic cartridge in which the priming compound is ignited by striking a small pin which
protrudes radially from hust above the base of the cartridge.
Pistol - (automatic,semi-automatic,single-shot) a small firearm having a stock that fits in the hand and contains a short
barrel.A firearm designed to be fired with one hand and with a chamber that is integral to the barrel.
Pistol Whipping - is the act of using a handgun as a blunt weapon,wielding it as if it were a club.
Pitch,rifling - the angle at which the rifling is cut in relationship to the axis of the bore.It is usually stated as the number
of inches required for one revolution.Also known as rate of twist.
Primer - the ignition component of the cartridge;any igniter that is used to initiate the burning of a propellant.
Primer cratering - the extrusion of the primer into the firing pin hole,this phenomenon can produce identifiable
marks.Also known as primer flowback.
Primer/Fuse - any igniter that is used to initiate the burning of a propellant.
Proof mark - a stamp applied at or near the breech of a firearm after it has passed a proof test.
Proof test - the firing of a deliberate overload to test the strength of a firearm barrel and/or action.
Proof load - a cartridge loaded to specified pressure higher than service loads to test firearms barrels during
manufacture but before assembly,sometimes called blue pill.
Propellant - the chemical composition which when ignited by a primer,generates gas.The gas propels the
projectile.Also called powder,gunpowder,powder,or smokeless.
Propellant gases - the gases created by the burning powder that force the projectile from the gun.
Pump-action - is a rifle or shotgun in which the hand-grip can be pump back and forth in order to eject a spent round of
ammunition and to chamber a fresh one.
Rate of trust - the distance required for the rifling to complete one revolution.
Recoil - the backward movement of thrust of a gun caused by the pressure of the propellant gases in the process of
pushing the projectile forward through the bore.
Recoil operation - an operating principle of automatic and semi-automatic firearms.When the weapon is fired,the barrel
and breechblock initially recoil together.After traveling a short distance,the barrel and breechblock unlock and the
breechblock continues to travel to the rear,extracting and ejecting the expended cartridge.
Reference collections - a collection of various types of firearms and ammunition used by the firearms examiner for the
purpose of test firing weapons for identification of ammunition and firearms.
Reload - a cartridge that has been reassembled with a new primer powder,projectile,or other components.Also,to place
fresh ammunition into the firearm.
Revolver - a type of pistol with a revolving cylinder in the breech chamber to hold several cartridges so that the revolver
may be fired in succession without reloading.
Ricochet - the deflection of a projectile after impact.
Rifle - a firearm having rifling in the bore and designed to be fired from the shoulder.
Rifle slug - a single projectile with spiral grooves and hollow base intended for use in shotguns.The theory of the
grooves is that after leaving the gun barrels muzzle,the slug will rotate and this reach its target much more accurately.
Rifling - is the process of making helical grooves in the barrel of a gun or firearm which imparts a spin to a projectile
around its long axis.
Rim - the flanged portion of the head of a rimfire cartridge,certain types of centerfire rifles and revolver cartridges and
shot-shells.The flanged portion is usually larger in diameter than the cartridge or shot-shells body diameter and provides
a projecting lip for the extractor to engage.In rimfire cartridge,the rim provides a cavity into which the priming mixture is
placed.
Rimfire - is a type of firearm cartridge.It is called a rimfire because instead of the firing pin of a gun striking the primer
cap at the center of the base of the cartridge to ignite it,the pin strikes the base's rim.
Sabot - a device that ensures the correct positioning of a bullet or shell in the barrel of a gun.
- a device,"shoe" which enables a sub-caliber projectile to be fired in a larger caliber barrel.
Safety - a type of device that locks a weapon to prevent accidental discharge.
Seating lines - the circumferential striae parallel to the axis of the projectile generated on the surface of the bullet by
the cartridge case.
Semi-automatic/Self-loading firearm - is a weapon which perform all steps necessary to prepare the weapon to fire
again after firing assuming cartridges remain in the weapons feed device or magazine.
- a firearm that uses the forces of combustion to extract and eject a cartridge
and to chamber a new cartridge from the ammunition source with each pull of the trigger.
Shot - a spherical pellet used in loading shot-shells or cartridges.
Shot spread - the diameter of a shot pattern.
Shotgun - a smooth-bore shoulder firearm designed to fire shot-shells containing numerous pellets or sometimes a
single projectile.
Shot-shell - a cartridge containing projectile designed to be fired in a shotgun.The cartridge body maybe
metal,plastic,or paper.
Signatures - in forensic ballistics,represents the location of each feature and mark on an image from the bullet or
cartridge case.The acquired signatures can then be correlated with the IBIS correlation engine.These signatures which
are mathematical representations of the images are sent along with compressed images and demographics to a server
for correlation.
Silencer - a tubular device attached to the muzzle of a firearm to reduce the sound of the report.
Single-action - a type of revolver that needs to be cocked before each shot by pulling back the hammer.Requires the
firing mechanism (hammer or firing pin) to be cocked before pressure on the trigger will release the mechanism.
Skeet shooting - is a recreational and competitive activity where the participants,using shotguns attempt to break clay
discs automatically flung in the air from two fixed stations at high speed from a variety of angles.
Skid marks (slippage marks) - rifling marks formed on the bearing surface of bullets as they enter the rifling of the
barrel before rotation of the bullets starts.Skid marks are typically produced by revolvers and have the appearance of a
widening of the land impression at their beginning point.
Slippage - mark on the surface of a fired bullet made when the bullet slides along the tops of the lands on the
riflings.Slippage marks appear when the rifling is worn or when a sub-caliber bullet is fired.
Slug - is a heavy lead projectile that may have pre-cut rifling intended for use in a shotgun and often used for hunting
large game.
- a term applied to a single projectile for shot-shells.
Smokeless powder - propellant composed of nitrocellulose (single-base powders) or nitrocellulose plus nitroglycerine
(double-base powders) Smokeless powders contain additives that increase shell life and enhance performance.They
are made in variety of shapes (rods,perforated rods,
spheres,disks,perforated disks,and flakes.
Smooth-bore - is one in which the gun barrel or bore is without a rifling.
Sporting clays - is a form of clay pigeon shooting often describe as a golf with a shotgun because a typical course
includes from 10 to 15 different shooting stations laid out over natural terrain.
Stabilizer - additive to smokeless powder that reacts with acidic breakdown products of nitrocellulose and
nitroglycerine.Diphenylamine and ethyl centralite are common stabilizers.
Stippling - disposition of fragments of gunshot powder residue into the skin as the result of a gunshot wound of
relatively close range.
Striae - in firearms/toolsmarks - these are lines or grooves in an object that are characteristics of the object that
produced them and are the basis for an identification.
Sulfur - a non-metallic yellow element.A constituent of blackpowder,burns easily when in powder form.
Tattooing - a characteristic pattern in the skin caused by particles of unburned and partially burned powder from a gun
blast at very close range.Also called stippling.
Test bullet - a bullet fired into a bullet recovery system in a laboratory for comparison or analysis.
Test cartridge case - a cartridge case obtained while test-firing a firearm in a laboratory that is to be used for
comparison or analysis.
Test firing - the term used to designate the actual firing of a firearm in a laboratory to obtain representative bullet and
cartridge case for comparison or analysis.Also used to test the functionality of a firearm.
TNT (trinitrotoluene) - a high explosive used as a component of some priming mixture.
Tracer bullet - a bullet that contains a pyrotechnic component ignited by the powder charge burn,leaving a visible trail
of the flight path.
Trailing edge - the edge of a land or groove impression in a fired bullet that is opposite to the driving edge of that same
land or groove impression.Also called the "following edge" when used in conjunction with the term leading edge.
Trajectory - the path of a projectile after leaving the muzzle of a firearm.
Trap shooting - is a shotgun shooting activity in which the gunner shoots at clay target discs launch single or doubly
from one location but at various angle into the range field.
Trigger guard - a protective device consisting of a curved framework surrounding the trigger.
Trigger pull - amount of force applied to the trigger of a firearm to cause it to discharge.
Trigger pull gauge - the mechanism used to release the firing pin of a firearm by applying pressure using a finger.
- instrument used to measure the needed amount of force to be applied to the trigger of a firearm to
cause it to fire.
Twist of rifling - inclination of the spiral grooves to the axis of the bore of a weapon;it is expressed as the number of
calibers of length in which the rifling makes one complete turn.
Velocity - the speed of a projectile at a given point along its trajectory.
Wad, base - a cylindrical component that is assembled into the head end of a shot-shell.
Wad, shot protector - various designs of shot cups made of plastic and designed to reduce pellet deformation during
barrel travel.
Walker test - the original chemical test for the detection of the spatial distribution of nitrates in gunpowder residue.
Yaw - the angle between the longitudinal axis of a projectile and a line tangent to the trajectory at the center of gravity of
the projectile.
Yaw angle - angle between the axis of a bullet and its trajectory.
Zwilling - European term for a double-barreled shoulder arm with one rifled barrel and one smooth-bored barrel.
Forensic Ballistics Reviewer 1

1. The science of mechanics that deals with the flight,behavior and
effects of projectiles.
A. Ballistics
B. Forensic Ballistics
C. Ballistic missile
D. Ballistic Fingerprinting

2. It involves the analysis of bullet impacts to determine information of
use to a court or other part of the legal system.
A. Ballistics
C. Ballistic missile

3. It involves analyzing firearm,ammunition,and toolmark evidence in
order to establish whether a certain firearm or tool was used in the
commission of crime.
A. Ballistics
C. Ballistic Missile

4. It is a missile guided only during the relative brief initial powered phase
of flight whose course is subsequently governed by the laws of
classical mechanics.
A. Ballistics
C. Ballistic Missile

5. The study of the processes originally accelerating the projectile.
A. Internal Ballistic
B. Transition Ballistic
C. External Ballistic
D. Terminal Ballistic

6. The study of the passage of the projectile through a medium.
A. Internal Ballistic
B. Transition Ballistic
C. External Ballistic
D. Terminal ballistic

7. The study of the projectiles behavior when it leaves the barrel and
the pressure behind the projectile is equalized.
A. Internal Ballistics
B. Transition Ballistics
C. External Ballistics
D. Terminal Ballistics

8. It is also called a round.
A. Bullet
B. Shell
C. Primer
D. Cartridge

9. Employed a burning wick on a spring that was locked back and
released into a pan of powder upon pulling a trigger.
A. Matchlock
B. Wheellock
C. Flintlock
D. Percussion

10.Consists of a hammer that was locked and when released, struck a
cup containing a volatile primer that ignited on impact sending a flame
through a small tube into the barrel chamber.
A. Matchlock
B. Wheellock
C. Flintlock
D. Percussion

Remember the following definition of terms:
1. Ballistics - The science of mechanics that deals with the

flight,behavior and effects of projectiles.

2. Forensic Ballistics - It involves the analysis of bullet impacts to
determine information of use to a court or other part of the legal
system.
3. Ballistic Fingerprinting - It involves analyzing firearm, ammunition

and toolmark evidence in order to establish whether a certain
firearm or tool was used in the commission of crime.

4. Ballistic Missile - It is a missile guided only during the relative brief
initial powered phase of flight whose course is subsequently
governed by the laws of classical mechanics.

5. Internal Ballistic - The study of the processes originally
accelerating the projectile.
6. External Ballistic - The study of the passage of the projectile

through a medium.
7. Transition Ballistics - The study of the projectiles behavior when it

leaves the barrel and the pressure behind the projectile is
equalized.

8. Cartridge - It is also called a round.
9. Matchlock - Employed a burning wick on a spring that was locked

back and released into a pan of powder upon pulling a trigger.

10. Percussion - Consists of a hammer that was locked and when
released, struck a cup containing a volatile primer that ignited on
impact sending a flame through a small tube into the barrel chamber.
Answers: Forensic Ballistics
1. A
2. B
3. D
4. C
5. A
6. C
7. B
8. D
9. A
10. D
1. Developed in the early 11th century, flint is released by the trigger

mechanism that strikes a steel plate to shower sparks into the pan
filled with powder.
A. Matchlock
B. Wheellock
C. Flintlock
D. Percussion

2. In the early 16th century, improvement included the wheellock
mechanism in which a spinning wheel against a metal plate showered
sparks into the pan holding priming powder.
A. Matchlock
B. Wheellock
C. Flintlock
D. Percussion

3. One of the following is not a characteristics of a muzzle loader gun.
A. Spiral grooves in the bore
B. Powder and bullet loaded from top of the barrel
C. Smooth bore with a round lead ball
D. Limited range and accuracy

4. A German gunsmith who developed a reliable small caliber
automatic pistol in 1866.
A. Carl Walther
B. Hiram Maxim
C. Georg Luger
D. Richard Gatling

5. He designed the 9 mm cartridge introduced in 1902 for the Luger
semi-automatic pistol.
A. Carl Walther
B. Hiram Maxim
C. Georg Luger
D. Richard Gatling

6. An American born inventor of the Maxim machine gun.
A. Carl Walther
B. Hiram Maxim
C. Georg Luger
D. Richard Gatling

7. An American inventor of the first successful machine gun, named
after him.
A. Carl Walther
B. Hiram Maxim
C. Georg Luger
D. Richard Gatling
8. He invented the Johnson model 1941 rifle, one of the most

innovative rifle during its period.
A. Robert Johnson
B. Albert Johnson
C. Melvin M. Johnson Jr.
D. Calvin M. Johnson

9. He pioneered the making of the first handheld machine gun.
A. Oliver Fischer Winchester
B. John T. Thompson
C. Daniel "Carbine" Williams
D. Daniel B. Wesson.

10.He manufactured the Winchester repeating rifle which was a much
re-designed descendant of the Volcanic rifle of some years earlier.
A. Oliver Fischer Winchester
B. Daniel Williams
C. John Fischer Winchester
D. Daniel B. Wesson

Remember the following: Forensic Ballistics

1. Flintlock - Developed in the early 11th century, flint is released by
the trigger mechanism that strikes a steel plate to shower sparks
into the pan filled with powder.
2. Wheellock - In the early 16th century, improvement included the

wheellock mechanism in which a spinning wheel against a metal
plate showered sparks into the pan holding priming powder.

3. Characteristics of a muzzle loader gun
a. Powder and bullet loaded from top of the barrel
b. Smooth bore with a round lead ball
c. Limited range and accuracy
4. Carl Walther - A German gunsmith who developed a reliable small

caliber automatic pistol in 1866.

5. Georg Luger - He designed the 9 mm cartridge introduced in 1902
for the Luger semi-automatic pistol.
6. Hiram Maxim - An American born inventor of the Maxim machine

gun.
7. Richard Gatling - An American inventor of the first succesful machine

gun, named after him.
8. Melvin M. Johnson Jr. - He invented the Johnson model 1941 rifle,

one of the most innovative rifle during its period.

9. John T. Thompson - He pioneered the making of the first handheld
machine gun.
10.Oliver Fischer Winchester - He manufactured the Winchester

repeating rifle which was a much re-designed descendant of the
Volcanic rifle of some years earlier.

1. C
2. B
3. A
4. A
5. C
6. B
7. D
8. C
9. B
10. A

1. The Father of modern ballistics.He invented the comparison
microscope and helixometer.
A. Col. Calvin Goddard
B. Col. Alvin Goddard
C. Col. Kevin Goddard
D. Col. Darwin Goddard

2. He pioneered the breech loading single shot rifle.
A. John Browning
B. Henry Derringer
C. Samuel Colt
D. Patrick Ferguson

3. A Famous 19th century maker of pocket pistol.
A. Patrick Ferguson
B. John Browning
C. Samuel Colt
D. Henry Derringer

4. He designed his own rifle which was one of the first breech loading
rifles to be widely tested by the British military.
A. John Browning
B. Samuel Colt
C. Patrick Ferguson
D. Henry Derringer

5. He was a Scottish Presbyterian clergyman who invented the
percussion ignition.
A. John Marlin
B. Daniel Williams
C. Alexander Forsyth
D. Henry Derringer

6. He invented the Uzi sub-machine gun.
A. John Marlin
B. Daniel Williams
C. Uziel Gamal
D. Uziel Gal

7. He is the father of the semi automatic US rifle cal. 30 M1.
A. John Garand
B. Eliphalet Remington
C. James Garand
D. Daniel Williams

8. Russian designer of the the AK-47 assault rifle.
A. Mike Kalashnikov
B. John Marlin
C. Mikhail Kalashnikov
D. Patrick Ferguson

9. Founder of Marlin Firearms Co.Famous for the Marlin cal. 22 carbine.
A. James Mahon Marlin
B. John Mahon Marlin
C. Jack Marlin
D. Jones Marlin

10.He is one of the first rifle makers.He is a blacksmith who made a
revolutionary sporting rifle using a firing mechanism bought from a
dealer producing the barrel himself.
A. Benjamin Robins
B. Elisha King Root
C. Eliphalet Remington
D. Roger Bacon

Remember the following: Forensic Ballistics
1. Col.Calvin Goddard - The Father of modern ballistics.He invented

the comparison microscope and helixometer.

2. John Browning - He pioneered the breech loading single shot rifle.
3. Henry Derringer - A Famous 19th century maker of pocket pistol.
4. Patrick Ferguson - He designed his own rifle which was one of the
first breech loading rifles to be widely tested by the British
military.

5. Alexander Forsyth - He was a Scottish Presbyterian clergyman
who invented the percussion ignition.
6. Uziel Gal - He invented the Uzi sub-machine gun.
7. John Garand - He is the father of the semi automatic US rifle cal.

30 M1.
8. Mikhail Kalashnikov - Russian designer of the the AK-47 assault

rifle.
9. John Mahon Marlin - Founder of Marlin Firearms Co.Famous for

the Marlin cal. 22 carbine.
10.Eliphalet Remington - He is one of the first rifle makers.He is a

blacksmith who made a revolutionary sporting rifle using a firing
mechanism bought from a dealer producing the barrel himself.

1. A
2. A
3. D
4. C
5. C
6. D
7. A
8. C
9. B
10. C
1. One of the first to state a sound ballistic theories.

A. Elisha King Root
B. Berthold Schwartz
C. Roger Bacon
D. Benjamin Robins

2. Helped Samuel colt synthesize the manufacturing of firearms.
A. Elisha King Root
C. Roger Bacon
D. Benjamin Robins

3. He is considered as the first European to describe a mixture
containing the essential ingredient of gun powder.
A. Elisha King Root
C. Roger Bacon
D. Benjamin Robins

4. Partner of Horace Smith in making revolver.
A. Daniel Wesson
B. Benjamin Wesson
C. Craig Wesson
D. Samuel Wesson

5. He is the maker of the first known carbine firearms.
A. Daniel "Carbine" Williams
B. Darwin "Carbine" Williams
C. John "Carbine" Williams
D. Mike "Carbine" Williams.

6.The large ring surrounding the breech end of the barrel which
provides a connection between the barrel and the recoil system.
A. Trigger guard
B. Anvil
C. Trigger spring
D. Yoke

7. Form on the bearing surface of bullets as they enter the rifling of
the barrel before the bullet engages the rifling.
A. Shearing
B. Proof marks
C. Provisional proof
D. Slippage mark

8. It is the examination and testing of firearms by a recognized
authority according to certain rules and stamped with a mark to
indicate that they are safe for sale and used by the public.
A. Shearing
B.Provisional proof
C. Proof marks
D. Slippage mark

9. An internal metal component in a boxer primer assembly against
which the priming mixture is crushed by the firing pin blow.
A. Shearing
B. Trigger guard
C. Anvil
D. Trigger spring

10.A flanged metallic cup used in shot-shell primer assemblies that
provides a rigid support for the primer cup and anvil.
A. Paper disc
B. Battery cup
C. Primer mixture
D. Primer cup

Remember the following:
1. Benjamin Robins - He wrote an influential treatise on gunnery,

for the first time introducing Newtonian science to military men,
was an early enthusiast for rifled gun barrels.

2. Elisha King Root - Helped Samuel colt synthesize the
manufacturing of firearms.
3. Roger Bacon - He is considered as the first European to

describe a mixture containing the essential ingredient of gun
powder.

4.Daniel Wesson - Partner of Horace Smith in making revolver.
5. Daniel "Carbine" Williams - He is the maker of the first known

carbine firearms.
6 Yoke - The large ring surrounding the breech end of the barrel
which provides a connection between the barrel and the recoil
system.

7. Slippage mark - Form on the bearing surface of bullets as they
enter the rifling of the barrel before the bullet engages the rifling.

8. Proof marks - It is the examination and testing of firearms by a
recognized authority according to certain rules and stamped
with a mark to indicate that they are safe for sale and used by
the public.

9.Anvil - An internal metal component in a boxer primer assembly
againsts which the priming mixture is crushed by the firing pin
blow.
- The breech end of the chamber in a rim-fire firearm.
10.Battery cup - A flanged metallic cup used in shot-shell primer

assemblies that provides a rigid support for the primer cup and
anvil.Also called battery pocket.

1. D
2. A
3. C
4. A
5. A
6. D
7. D
8. C
9. C
10. B
1. The controlled expansion of a bullet upon impact with a

target.
A. Palm Swell
B. Mushrooming
C. Pedestalled
D.Parkerizing

2.The cutting of metal from the surface of a bullet due
to cylinder misalignment in a revolver.
A. Abrasion marks
B. Shaving
C. Abrasive machining
D.Rolling block

3.Form on the bearing surface of bullets as they enter the rifling of
the barrel before the bullet engages the rifling.
A. Skidmarks
B. Action marks
C. Slide
D. Anvil marks

4.The escaping of gases past a fired bullet while the bullet is still in
the barrel.
A. Backspatter
B. Bearing surface
C. Barrel extention
D. Blowby

5. The accumulation of lead or bullet jacket material in the bore of
a firearm due to the passage of bullets.
A. Leading
B. Ballistite
C. Blowback
D.Frizzen

6. A piece of cloth used with a rod to clean the bore of a firearm.
A. Fulminate of mercury
B. Nitro wad
C. Patch
D.Press forging

7. An action requiring the manual cocking of the hammer before
sufficient pressure on the trigger releases the firing mechanism.
A. Single-Action
B. Automatic
C. Double-action
D. Semi-automatic

8. An inert cartridge which cannot be fired.
A. Dummy ammunition
B. Disintegrating bullet
C. Conoidal bullet
D.Mushroom bullet

9. The air that is compressed and moves out spherically from a
firearm’s muzzle after firing a projectile.
A. Bullet splash
B. Muzzle wave
C. Choke
D.Bunter

10.A device at or in the muzzle end of a barrel that uses the
emerging gas behind the projectile to reduce recoil.
A. Climb
B. Muzzle Brake
C. Latch
D.Lock plate
Remember the ff: Forensic Ballistics
1. Mushrooming - The controlled expansion of a bullet upon impact

with a target.

2. Shaving - (shearing) The cutting of metal from the surface of a
bullet due to cylinder misalignment in a revolver.

3.Skidmarks - (slippage) Form on the bearing surface of bullets as
they enter the rifling of the barrel before the bullet engages the
rifling.Skid marks are typically produced by revolvers and have the
appearance of widening the land impressions at the nose of the
bullet.

4. Blowby - The escaping of gases past a fired bullet while the
bullet is still in the barrel.

5. Leading - (metal fouling) The accumulation of lead or bullet
jacket material in the bore of a firearm due to the passage of
bullets.

6. Patch - A piece of cloth used with a rod to clean the bore of a
firearm.
7. Single-Action - An action requiring the manual cocking of the

hammer before sufficient pressure on the trigger releases the
firing mechanism.

8. Dummy ammunition - An inert cartridge which cannot be fired.
9. Muzzle wave - The air that is compressed and moves out

spherically from a firearm’s muzzle after firing a projectile.

10.Muzzle Brake - A device at or in the muzzle end of a barrel that
uses the emerging gas behind the projectile to reduce recoil.
Answers: Forensic
ballistics
1. B
2. B
3. A
4. D
5. A
6. C
7. A
8. A
9. B
10. B
1.When the first chamber of a jacketed bullet expands and the rear
chamber holds together for penetration.
A.Convex
B. Correlations
C. Cordite
D. Controlled expansion

2.A plastic,paper,or fiber disk used to keep ammunition components
in place or separated.
A. Card Wad
B. Vent
C. Tumble
D. Wad

3.Marks produced by the random imperfections or irregularities of tool
surfaces.
A. Inter-comparison
B. Individual characteristics
C. Impressions
D.Headstamp

4.A thin card-like disc used in shot-shells as overshot wad,
undershot wad and over-powder wad.
A. Card wad
B. Filler wad
C. Wad
D.Cup wad

5. A plastic or paper insert surrounding the shot charge in a
shot-shell to reduce distortion.
A. Card wad
B. Filler wad
C. Shot collar
D. Cup wad

6.Circular disc of various thicknesses used to adjust the volume of
the contents of a shot-shell.
A. Card wad
B. Filler wad
C. Vent
D. Cup wad

7. A powder and shot separator of very shallow cup design, which
when loaded with lips down acts to help seal powder gases and
so protect the rear of the shot column.
A. Card wad
B. Filler wad
C. Wad
D. Cup wad

8. Various designs of shot cups made of plastic and designed to
reduce pellet deformation during barrel travel
A. Shot protector wad
B. Filler wad
C. Combination Wad
D. Cup wad

9.One piece of multi-piece plastic wad which may combine the
following items: shot protector, filler wad, and over-powder wad.
A. Shot protector wad
B. Filler wad
C. Combination Wad
D. Cup wad

10. A bullet with a deep base cavity.
A. Hollow base bullet
B. Incendiary bullet
C. Hollow point bullet
D.Jacketed bullet

Remember the following: Forensic ballistics
1. Controlled expansion - When the first chamber of a jacketed

bullet expands and the rear chamber holds together for
penetration.

2.Wad - A plastic,paper,or fiber disk used to keep ammunition
components in place or separated.
3.Individual characteristics - Marks produced by the random

imperfections or irregularities of tool surfaces.

4. Card wad - A thin card-like disc used in shotshells as Overshot
wad,Undershot wad and over powder wad.

5.Shot collar - A plastic or paper insert surrounding the shot charge
in a shotshell to reduce distortion.

6.Filler wad - Circular disc of various thicknesses used to adjust the
volume of the contents of a shotshell.
7.Cup wad - A powder and shot separator of very shallow cup

design,which when loaded with lips down acts to help seal
powder gases and so protect the rear of the shot column.

8.Shot protector wad - Various designs of shot cups made of
plastic and designed to reduce pellet deformation during barrel
travel.

9.Combination wad - One piece of multi-piece plastic wad which
may combine the following items: shot protector, filler wad, and
over-powder wad.

10. Hollow base bullet - a bullet with a deep base cavity.

1. D
2. D
3. B
4. A
5. C
6. B
7. D
8. A
9. C
10. A
1.A collection and cataloging of test-fired bullets and cartridge cases

from known firearms.
A.Classifying
B. Bullet comparison
C. Known standards
D. Collected standards

2.The number, width, and direction of twist of the rifling grooves
in a barrel of a given caliber firearm.
A. General Rifling Characteristics
B. Gross forming
C. Groove diameter
D.Intercomparison

3.A discipline of forensic science which has as its primary concern to
determine if a bullet, cartridge case, or other ammunition component
was fired by a particular firearm.
A. Ballistic examination
B. Firearms identification
C. Ballistics
D. Toolmark identification

4.A discipline of forensic science which has as its primary concern
to determine if a toolmark was produced by a particular tool.
A. Ballistic examination
B. Firearms identification
C. Forensic Ballistics

5. Contour variations, generally microscopic, on the surface of an
object caused by a combination of force and motion where the
motion is approximately parallel to the plane being marked.
A. Striations
B. Class characteristics
C. Sub-class characteristics
D.toolmarks

6. Discernible surface features of an object which are more restrictive
than class characteristics.
A.Striations
D. Toolmarks

7. Measurable features of a specimen which indicate a restricted group
source. They result from design factors, and are therefore
determined prior to manufacture.
A. Striations
C. Sub-class charateristics
D. Toolmarks

8. Marks produced by the random imperfections or irregularities of tool
surfaces. These random imperfections or irregularities are produced
incidental to manufacture and/or caused by use, corrosion, or
damage.
A. Individual characteristics
D. Toolmarks

9.Striae or patterns of minute lines or grooves in an object. In firearm
and toolmark identification these marks are characteristic of the
object which produced them and are the basis for identification.
B.Toolmarks
C. Microscopic marks
D. Class characteristics

10.The process of determining whether or not the details of striated
marks or impressions on two objects correspond, such as fired and
unfired cartridge cases and shot-shell cases.
A. Pattern matching
B. Land and Groove identification
C. Pattern Identification

1. Known standards - A collection and cataloging of test-fired bullets

and cartridge cases from known firearms. Also known as Fired
standards.
2. General Rifling Characteristics - the number,width, and

direction of twist of the rifling grooves in a barrel of a given caliber
firearm.
3. Firearms identification - A discipline of forensic science which

has as its primary concern to determine if a bullet, cartridge case,
or other ammunition component was fired by a particular firearm.
4. Toolmark identification - A discipline of forensic science which has

as its primary concern to determine if a toolmark was produced
by a particular tool.
5. Striations - Contour variations, generally microscopic, on the

surface of an object caused by a combination of force and motion
where the motion is approximately parallel to the plane being
marked.

6. Subclass characteristics - Discernible surface features of an
object which are more restrictive than class characteristics.
7. Class characteristics - Measurable features of a specimen which

indicate a restricted group source. They result from design factors,
and are therefore determined prior to manufacture.
8. Individual characteristics - Marks produced by the random

imperfections or irregularities of tool surfaces.These random
imperfections or irregularities are produced incidental to
manufacture and/or caused by use, corrosion, or damage.

9. Microscopic marks - Striae or patterns of minute lines or grooves
in an object. In firearm and toolmark identification these marks are
characteristic of the object which produced them and are the basis
for identification.
10.Pattern matching - The process of determining whether or not

the details of striated marks or impressions on two objects
correspond,such as fired and unfired cartridge cases and shot-shell
cases.

1. C
2. A
3. B
4. D
5. A
6. C
7. B
8. A
9. C
10. A
1.The earliest known toolmark comparison case involving firearms

occurred in London in
A. 1835
B. 1837
C. 1836
D. 1838

2. Published the first work describing wounds resulting from small
caliber firearms.
A. Henry Goddard
B. John Sedgwick
C. Monsieur Noilles
D. Stonewall Jackson

3. A firearm with long barrel and for-end or forearm extending nearly to
the muzzle.
A. Rifle
B. Remington rifle
C. Whitwoth rifles
D. Musket

4. A portion of a firearm's mechanism which ejects or expels cartridges
or cartridge cases from a firearm.
A. Ejector
B. breech face
C. Extractor
D. Firing pin

5. The negative impressions on the bearing surface of a bullet caused
by the rifling in the barrel from which is was fired.
A. Lapping
B. Land and Groove impressions
C. Obturation
D. Parkerizing

6. The ignition component of a cartridge.
A. Priming mixture
B. Priming powder
C. Priming Charge
D. Primer

7. The locking and cartridge head support mechanism of a firearm
that does not operate in line with the axis of the bore.
A. Frame
B. Breechblock
C. Mandrel
D. Box lock

8. Developed the helixometer, a magnifier probe used to examine
the interior of firearm barrels and accurately measure the
pitch of rifling.
A. Goddard and Waite
B. Goddard and Gravelle
C. Doddard and Fisher
D. Waite and Fisher

9. Essentially two microscopes connected to an optical bridge
which allows the viewer to observe two objects simultaneously
with the same degree of magnification.
A. Compound microscope
B. Comparison micoscope
C. Dual microscope
D. Complex microscope

10.He is considered by many firearm examiners to be the "father" of
firearm and toolmark identification.
A. Calvin H. Goddard
B. John H. Fisher
C. Colonel H. W. Todhunter
D.Philip O. Gravelle

1. The earliest known toolmark comparison case involving firearms

occurred in London in 1835 .

2. Monsieur Noilles - Published the first work describing wounds
resulting from small caliber firearms.
3. Musket - A firearm with long barrel and forend or forearm

extending nearly to the muzzle.
4. Ejector - A portion of a firearm's mechanism which ejects or

expels cartridges or cartridge cases from a firearm.
5. Land and Groove impressions - The negative impressions on

the bearing surface of a bullet caused by the rifling in the
barrel from which is was fired.
6. Primer - The ignition component of a cartridge.
7. Breechblock - The locking and cartridge head support

mechanism of a firearm that does not operate in line with
the axis of the bore.
8. Goddard and Fisher - Developed the helixometer, a magnifier

probe used to examine the interior of firearm barrels and
accurately measure the pitch of rifling.
9. Comparison microscope - Essentially two microscopes connected

to an optical bridge which allows the viewer to observe two
objects simultaneously with the same degree of magnification.
10.Calvin H. Goddard - He is considered by many firearm examiners

to be the "father" of firearm and toolmark identification.

1. A
2. C
3. D
4. A
5. B
6. D
7. B
8. C
9. B
10. A

1. The curve taken by the bullet while in flight is called
A. rifling curves
B. effective range
C. drift
D. maximum distance
2. A mechanism in a revolver that connects pivot between the frame

and cylinder.
A. trigger spring
B. trigger guard
C. yoke
D. anvil
3. Proof Marks - It is the examination and testing of firearms by a

recognized authority according to certain rules and stamped with
a mark to indicate that they are safe for sale and used by the
public.
A. Provisional Proof
B. Proof Marks
C. Skid Marks
D. Slippage Marks
4. Among the following, which is a long smooth bored firearm that

is designed to prepare a single shot?
A. Shotgun
B. Musket
C. Carbine
D. Caliber
5. It is the soft guiding metal which serves as the container of

priming mixture, paper disc and anvil.
A. Primer cup
B. Primer mixture
C. Paper disc
D. Battery cup
6. An automatic weapon that can fire from 400 to 1,600 rounds of

ammunition each minute.
A. Armalite
B. Uzi
C. Machine gun
D. Glock
7. Historians considered that the age of gunpowder began with its

first use as a propellant for a projectile on
A. 1313
B. 1413
C. 1280
D. 1350
8. One from Hartford, Connecticut, who produced the first practical

revolver and became famous for its .45 caliber.
A. Samuel Colt
B. Carl Walther
C. Oliver Winchester
D. John C. Garand
9. It includes rocket launchers and such mounted guns as howitzers,

mortars, antiaircraft guns, and naval guns.
A. Gunnery
B. Artillery
C. Musketry
D. Ballistics
10. That part of the handgun designed in a metal tube through which
the bullet is fired.
A. Grip
B. Frame
C. Barrel
D. Rifling
Answers: Forensic Ballistics Reviewer 9
1. C
2. C
3. B
4. B
5. A
6. C
7. A
8. A
9. B
10.C
1. The shape metal while hot and plastic by hammering or by a

forging process,either by hand or by machine.
A. Forging
B. Casting
C. Blanking
D. Shearing
2. To cut sheet or bar metal between two blades which pass

immediately to each other.
A. Forging
B. Casting
C. Blanking
D. Shearing
3. Cutting or pressing a piece of metal from a sheet.In ammunition

manufacture,the usable part of a blanking operation is the
material removed from the hole,usually a disk.
A. Forging
B. Casting
C. Blanking
D. Shearing
4. An object at or near finished shape which is produced by
solidification of a substance in a mold.Pouring molten metal into
a mold to produce an object of desired shape.
A. Forging
B. Casting
C. Blanking
D. Shearing
5. To cut out,bend or form with a stamp or die.

A. Extrusion
B. Hammer Forging
C. Drawing
D. Stamping
6.A process using dies and punches to simultaneously reduce the

diameter and extend the length of a cup-shaped metal part.
Used for both cartridge cases and bullet jackets.
A. Extrusion
B. Hammer Forging
C. Drawing
D. Stamping
7. The process of forming the interior and/or exterior shape of the

barrel of a firearm by hammering.
A. Extrusion
B. Swagging
C. Drawing
D. Stamping
8. The slow forcing of material under high pressure through a die

reduce its diameter.This process is generally performed in a
hydraulic press.Lead wire used in bullet making is extruded.
Impact extrusion can be used to make bullet jackets and
cartridge cases.
A. Extrusion
B. Swagging
C. Drawing
D. Stamping
9. Cutting holes in metal with a twist drill.

A. Abrasive machining
B. Broaching
C. Reaming
D. Drilling
10.To widen the opening of a hole, Countersink: to enlarge

or dress out a hole with a reamer, to enlarge the bore of a gun.
B. Broaching
C. Reaming
D. Drilling

11.Finishing surfaces by drawing or pushing a cutter
called a broach entirely over and past the surface. A broach
has a series of cutting teeth arranged in a row or rows, graduated
in height from the teeth that cut first to those that cut last.
B. Broaching
C. Reaming
D. Drilling
12.The use o abrasives rather than high-speed

steel or tungsten carbide cutting tools.
B. Broaching
C. Reaming
D. Drilling
13. Metal-cutting machining in which the work piece is firmly

attached to a horizontal table that moves back and forth under a
single-point cutting tool. The tool-holding device is mounted on a
cross-rail so that the tool can be fed (moved) across the table in
small, discrete, side-ward movements at the end of each pass
of the table.
A. Planing
B. Boring
C. Milling
D. Turning
14. Producing smooth and accurate holes in a work piece by

enlarging existing holes with a bore, which may bear a single
cutting tip of steel, cemented carbide, or diamond or may be a
small grinding wheel.
A. Planing
B. Boring
C. Milling
D. Turning
15. Cutting metal by feeding against a rotating cutting tool

called a milling cutter; milling machines cut flat surfaces, grooves,
shoulders, inclined surfaces, dovetails, and T-slots. Various
form-tooth cutters are used for cutting concave forms and convex
grooves, for rounding corners, and for cutting gear teeth.
A. Planing
B. Boring
C. Milling
D. Turning
16.Turning operations involve cutting excess metal, in the

form of chips, from the external diameter of a work piece and
include turning straight or tapered cylindrical shapes, grooves,
shoulders, and screw threads, and facing flat surfaces on the
ends of cylindrical parts.
A. Planing
B. Boring
C. Milling
D. Turning
17.Shaping and planing operations involve the machining

of flat surfaces, grooves, shoulders, T-slots, and angular surfaces
with single-point tools.
A. Planing
B. Boring
C. Milling
D. Shaping
1. A
2. D
3. C
4. B
5. D
6. C
7. B
8. A
9. D
10. C
11. B
12. A
13. A
14. B
15. C
16. D
17. D
Forensic Ballistics Review Questions 1

1. The science, which deals with the study, comparison and
identification of weapons alleged to have been used in the
commission of a crime is referred to as _____.
A. Ballista
B. Ballistica
C. Forensic
D. Forensic Ballistics
2. Gigantic bow or catapult which was used to hurl large objects

such as stones at a particular distance to deter animals or
enemy forces.
A. Catapul
B. Balle
C. Ballein
D. Ballista
3. Ballistics is the scientific study of the propulsion and motion of

projectiles such as bullets, artillery shells, rockets and guided
missiles.
A. Propulsion
B. Expulsion
C. Repulsion
D. Extraction
4. The British engineer Benjamin Robins conducted many experiments

in interior ballistics. His findings justly entitle him to be called the
A. father of modern gunnery
B. father of modern ballistics
C. father of interior ballistics
D. father of forensic ballistics
5. Late in the 18th century the Anglo-American physicist Benjamin

Thompson made the first attempt to measure the pressure
generated by gunpowder. The account of his experiments was the
most important contribution to
A. Exterior ballistics
C. Interior ballistics
D. None of these
6. An arbitrary index of the quickness that burning

propellant changes into gas. It is the rate controlled by the
chemical composition, the size and shape of the propellant grains,
and the pressure at which the burning takes place.
A. Gas Power
B. Burning Rate
C. Propulsion Rate
D. Bulk Density
7. It is the equal and opposite reaction of the gun against the

forward movement of the bullet during the explosions.
A. Residual Pressure
B. Recoil
C. Backfire
D. Misfire
8. The speed per unit of time of the M16 is 3,300 ft/sec. This refers
to:
A. Fire power
B. Velocity
C. Energy
D. All of these
9. It is the soft guiding metal which serves as the container of

priming mixture, paper disc and anvil.
A. Primer cup
B. Primer mixture
C. Paper disc
D. Battery cup
10. The noise created at the muzzle point of the gun due to the
sudden escape of the expanding gas coming in contact with the
air in the surrounding atmosphere at the muzzle point.
A. Muzzle Blast
B. Muzzle Energy
C. Range noise
D. Fire power
11. What is the actual curved path of the bullet during its flight
from the gun muzzle to the target?
A. Yaw
B. Accuracy
C. Trajectory
D. Velocity
12. The means that the bullet may lose its speed very rapidly during
its flight the air. This is a number that relates to the effect of air
drag on the bullet's flight and which can be used to later predict
a bullet's trajectory under different circumstances through what
are called "drag tables."
A. Bullet trajectory
B. Critical zone
C. Ballistics Coefficient
D. Down Range
13. The curve taken by the bullet while in flight is called

A. rifling curves
B. effective range
C. drift
D. maximum distance
14. The tumbling of the bullet in its flight and hitting the target
sideways as a result of not spinning on its axis.
A. Key-hole shot
B. Back shot
C. Mid range trajectory
D. Point Blank
15. The power of the bullet that results in the instantaneous death
of the victim is called
A. Zero power
B. Power ranger
C. Shocking power
D. Power range
16. What do you call the depth of entry of the bullet in the target?
A. Terminal Velocity
B. Terminal Penetration
C. Terminal Ballistics
D. Terminal Power
17. Shotgun pellets made from lead especially hardened by the

addition of a slight amount of antimony. This refers to

A. Shot Gun
B. Chilled Shot
C. Shot ballistics
D. All of these
18. This is caused by the flame or hot gases not by the hot
projectiles as is commonly believed. It is also known as burning
or charring.
A. Blackening
B. Tattooing
C. Scorching
D. Pink coloration
19. The main advantage of the double-action revolver over the

single-action revolver is that
A. it can be fired rapidly
B. it can be fired single shot
C. there is no recoil
D. better fire power
20. A mechanism in a revolver that connects pivot between the

frame and cylinder.
A. trigger spring
B. trigger guard
C. yoke
D. anvil
Answer: Forensic Ballistics
1. D
2. D
3. A
4. A
5. C
6. B
7. B
8. B
9. A
10. A
11. A
12. C
13. C
14. A
15. C
16. B
17. B
18. C
19. A
20. C
1. The mechanism or system of a hand gun that covers

manipulating,loading,firing and extracting rounds.
A. Action
B. Breach
C. Chambering
D. Grouping
2. The way the bullet actually flies through the air, including the
overall mass,air drag, drop, and wind drift.
A. Internal Ballistics
B. Terminal Ballistics
C. Impact Ballistics
D. Ballistics
3. The metal tube on the end of the gun that the bullet is propelled
out of.
A. Chamber
B. Cylinder
C. Barrel
D. Muzzle
4. A round that contains the gunpowder but no bullet.

A. Ammo
B. Blank
C. Cartridge
D. Slug
5. A specific type of black/blue finish that is applied to the metal

parts of handguns.
A. Blacking
B. Blueing
C. Graying
D. Browning
6. The empty casing of a round, which is usually made out of brass.

A. Brass
B. Silver
C. Tin
D. Metal
7. Refers to a specific size of round, usually labelled using the

diameter of the bullet.
A. Cartridge
B. Bullet
C. Caliper
D. Caliber
8. Describes the single entire projectile package that gets loaded
into the gun.
A. Slug
B. Caliper
C. Cartridge
D. Round
9. The empty shell of a round.

A. Cartridge
B. Casing
C. Brass
D. Bullet
10. A cartridge with its primer located in the center of the base of
the case.
A. Firing pin
B. Firing pin block
C. Centerfire
D. Primer

1. A
2. D
3. C
4. B
5. B
6. A
7. D
8. C or D - both are the same for purposes of board examination.
9. B and C are both correct for purposes of board examination.
10. C
1. The handle used to hold a gun.

A. Stock
B. Butt
C. Handle
D. Grip
2. The pivoting mechanical part of a firearm that causes the firing

pin to ignite the cartridge's primer.
A. Action
B. Backstrap
C. Hammer
D. Breech
3. The device that aids the eye in aiming the barrel of a firearm in
the proper direction to hit a target
A. Sight
B. Telescope
C. Binocular
D. Range
4. A removable or fixed device designed to hold cartridges for

feeding into the firing mechanism of a firearm during its operation.
A. Cylinder
B. Magazine
C. Double feed
D. Drams
5. The open end of the barrel from which the projectile exits.
A. Barrel
B. Slide
C. Muzzle
D. Chamber
6. The upper portion of a semi-automatic pistol that houses the

barrel and contains the breechblock and portions of the firing
mechanism.
A. Slide
B. Action
C. Breechblock
D. Breech
7. The part of a gun that a bullet is fired through.

A. Breechblock
B. Chamber
C. Barrel
D. Breech
8. A finger-operated lever used to fire a gun.

A. Trigger lock
B. Trigger
C. Trigger guard
D. Trigger control
9. A loop surrounding the trigger of a firearm and protecting it

from accidental discharge.
A. Trigger
B. Trigger lock
C. Trigger guard
D. Trgger bar
10. Condition of a gun, in semi-automatic firearms, when fired until

its magazine is empty, the slide will remain in its rearmost
position and lock open.
A. Slide action
B. Slide lever
C. Slide release
D. Slidelock
11. A button or lever on a gun which is used to release the magazine

from the gun.
A. Magazine well
B. Magazine pouch
C. Magazine loader
D. Magazine release

1. D
2. C
3. A
4. B
5. C
6. A
7. C
8. B
9. C
10. D
11. D
Some Related Definition of Terms
1. Slug - a cylindrical projectile, usually of bore diameter, designed

to be discharged from a shotgun.
2. Stopping power - ability of the round to stop a target.
3. Ejector Rod - metal rod used to help with removal of cartridges.
4. Cylinder - storage for ammunition in a revolver, the cylinder

rotates as the action is cocked.
5. Trigger lock - a locking device put on a firearm to render it

unable to be fired.
6. Breechblock - is the part of the firearm action that closes the

breech of a weapon (whether small arms or artillery) at the
moment of firing.
7. Skeet - Competitive shotgun shooting at 'clay pigeons' thrown

from two different locations.
8. Headspace - The space available for the cartridge between the

face of the breechblock and the part of the chamber that keeps
the cartridge from going forward.
9. Zero - To adjust sights for a specific range by firing several trial

shots at that range.
10. Primer - A small metal cup that contains a tiny explosive charge

that is sensitive to impact. A primer is placed in the base of a
shell casing to ignite the powder of the completed cartridge. It is
detonated by the striking of a firing pin in the firearm.
1. Born in Connecticut in 1836.He served as a tool and die maker

apprentice.He worked at the Colt plant in Hartford and eventually
manufactured his own line of revolvers and derringers.
A. John Marlin
B. Daniel Wesson
C. Horace Smith
D. Arthur Savage
2. A son of a farmer,He partnered with Horace Smith and Courtlandt
Palmer to develop the first repeating rifle, the volcanic.
A. John Marlin
B. Daniel Wesson
C. Horace Smith
D. Arthur Savage
3. A Gunsmith, inventor and businessman, He is credited with the

invention of the explosive bullet used to kill whales.He is one of
those who developed the first repeating rifle, the volcanic rifle.
A. John Marlin
B. Daniel Wesson
C. Horace Smith
D. Arthur Savage
4. He is famous as the inventor of the Savage model 99, a famously

innovative lever action rifle which remained in production for
over 100 years.
A. John Marlin
B. Daniel Wesson
C. Horace Smith
D. Arthur Savage
5. A Canadian-American firearms designer known for creating the

first successful semi-automatic rifle to be widely used in active
military service.
A. John Garand
C. Samuel Colt
D. John Moses Browning
6. A Blacksmith, He introduced America's first gun barrel made from

solid steel, the popular beal revolver and the breech-loading gun
that superseded the conventional muzzle-loading rifle.
A. John Garand
C. Samuel Colt
7. He was one of the first industrialists to successfully employ the

assembly line due to his use of interchangeable parts and made
the mass-production of the revolver commercially viable for the
first time.
A. John Garand
C. Samuel Colt
8. A Son of a mormon gunsmith, He developed varieties of military

firearms, one of his most successful design includes the M1911
pistol.
A. John Garand
C. Samuel Colt
9. An American Gunsmith and manufacturer, He was the inventor of

the first reliable lever-action repeating rifle.
A. John Garand
B. Earle Harvey
C. Samuel Colt
D. Benjamin Tyler Henry
10. Designer of the T25.This firearms design eventually lead to the

development and manufacture of the M14 rifle.
A. Earle Harvey
B. Hiram Maxim
C. Samuel Gardiner
D. Richard Jordan Gatling
Answer:Forensic Ballistics
1. A
2. B
3. C
4. D
5. A
6. B
7. C
8. D
9. D
10. A
1. Inventor of a sub-machine gun that became infamous during the

prohibition era.
A. Hiram Maxim
B. Richard Gatling
C. Samuel Gardiner
D. John Taliaterro Thompson
2. Known as the French Broom, Trench Sweeper, Chicago

Typewriter, Chicago Piano, and The Chopper.
A. M14
B. AR-15
C. M1
D. Thompson Sub-Machine gun
3. An American born inventor of the first portable and fully

automatic machine gun.
A. Richard Gatling
B. Samuel Gardiner
C. John Thompson
D. Hiram Maxim
4. An American inventor best known for his invention of the

first successful machine gun.
A. Samuel Gardiner
B. Hiram Maxim
C. Richard Jordan Gatling
D. John Thompson
5. He secured a patent for an explosive projectiles for muskets and

other small arms.
A. Richard Jordan Gatling
B. Hiram Maxim
C. Samuel Gardiner
D. John Thompson
6. The man behind the famous M16.

A. Arthur William Savage
B. Christian Sharps
C. Eugene Stoner
D. David Williams
7. He invented the first commercially succesful breech loading

rifle.
A. Arthur William Savage
B. Eugene Stoner
C. Christian Sharps
D. David Williams
8. He is famous for inventing an innovative lever action rifle called

Savage Model 99.
A. Christian Sharps
B. Eugene Stoner
C. Arthur William Savage
D. David Williams
9. Designer of the short-stroke tappet gas piston system for the

M1 carbine rifle used by the U.S. military.
A. Robert Parrot
B. Eugene Stoner
C. David Williams
D. William Ruger
10. An American designer who founded Sturm, Ruger, and company,

the largest firearms manufacturer in the U.S.
A. Robert Parrot
B. David Williams
C. Christian Sharps
D. William Ruger
11. An American Soldier, a graduate from the U.S. military academy,

he produced an innovative riffled canon which was manufactured
in several sizes.
A. Robert Parrot
B. William Ruger
C. David Williams
D. Eugene Stoner
1. D
2. D
3. D
4. C
5. C
6. C
7. C
8. C
9. C
10. D
11. A
1. The part of a firearm that loads, fires, and ejects a cartridge.

A. Bolt
B. Breech
C. Action
D. Barrel
2. One or more loaded cartridges consisting of a primed case,

propellant, and projectile.
A. Bullet
B. Shot-shell
C. Ammunition
D. Primer
3. The metal tube through which a projectile or shot charge is fired.

A. Barrel
B. Breech
C. Bore
D. Breech face
4. That portion of a cartridge case which contains the primer

usually called the head.
A. Base
B. Tip
C. Nose
D. Cannelure
5. The study of a projectile in motion.

A. Interior Ballistics
B. Exterior Ballistics
C. Ballistics
D. Firearms Identification
6. The old form of gunpowder invented over a thousandyears ago.

A. White Powder
B. Black Powder
C. Sodium Nitrate
D. Charcoal
7. The locking and cartridge head supporting mechanism of some

firearm designs that contains the firing pin, extractor, and
sometimes ejector.
A. Bore
B. Buckshot
C. Cylinder
D. Bolt
8. The inside of the barrel.

A. Rifling
B. Land
C. Cylinder
D. Bore
9. A slang term sometimes used for fired cartridge cases.

A. Brass
B. Case
C. Cannelure
D. Cylinder
10. The end of the barrel attached to the action.

A. Breech Face
B. Breech
C. Bolt
D. Buttstock
Answer:
1. C
2. C
3. A
4. A
5. C
6. B
7. D
8. D
9. A
10. B
Notes:
1. 3 Main Types of Ammunition
1) Rimfire
2) Centerfire
3) Shot-shell
2. 3 Types of Ballistics
1) Interior - within the firearm
2) Exterior - After the projectile leaves the barrel.
3) Terminal - Impact on a Target.
3. Black Powder consists of nitrate, charcoal, Sulfur.

4. Smooth-bore weapons - have no rifling's.Typically shotguns.
Most handguns and rifles have rifling's.
1. The area around the firing pin which is against the head of the
cartridge or shotshell during firing.
A. Cylinder
B. Breech
C. Breech face
D. Cannelure
2. Lead or steel pellets ranging in size from .20" to .36" diameter

normally loaded in shotshells.
A. Buckshot
B. Slug
C. Ammunition
D. Cartridge
3. The projectile.
A. Ammunition
B. Cartridge
C. Shotshell
D. Bullet
4. The discolored area on the immediate periphery of a bullet hole

caused by bullet lubricant, lead, smoke, bore debris or
jacket material.
A. Bullet Wipe
B. Bullet Mark
C. Bullet Striation
D. Bullet Sign
5. The potion of the gun that is held or shouldered.

A. Grip
B. Clip
C. Buttstock
D. Sights
6. The Diameter of the Bore measured from land to land usually

expressed in hundredths of an inch or in millimeters.
A. Radius
B. Size
C. Gauge
D. Caliber
7. A Groove around the circumference of a bullet or cartridge case.

A. Rifling
B. Cannelure
C. Headstamp
D. Striations
8. A Unit of Ammunition, made up of a cartridge case, primer,
powder, and bullet.
A. Slug
B. Shotshell
C. Cylinder
D. Cartridge
9. The container for all the other components that comprise

a cartridge.
A. Cylinder
B. Slug
C. Cartridge Case
D. Shotshell
10. The Cartridge contains the primer in the center of the case
head or base where it can be struck by the firing pin of the
action.
A. Centerfire
B. Firing pin impression
C. Projectile
D. Rimfire
Answer:
1. C
2. A
3. D
4. A
5. C
6. D
7. B
8. D
9. C
10. A
Notes:
1. Different Shapes of bullet according to purpose:

1) Round Nose - the end of the bullet is blunted.
2) Hollow point - there is a hole in the bullet that creates
expansion when a target is struck, creating more damage.
3) Jacketed - the soft lead is surrounded by another metal,
usually copper, that allows the bullet to penetrate a target
more easily.
4) Wadcutter - the front of the bullet is flattened.
5) Semi-Wadcutter - intermediate between round-nose
and Wadcutter.
2. Bullet - sometimes incorrectly called a slug or round.
3. Three Uses of cannelure

1) Crimping
2) Lubrication
3) Identification
4. A Cartridge Case is sometimes incorrectly called a shell,

shell casing brass, or a hull.
5. A Cartridge is also called a round or load.Sometimes

incorrectly called a bullet

1. The portion of the action that holds the cartridge ready for
firing.
A. Ejector
B. Extractor
C. Breech
D. Chamber
2. An Interior constriction of a shotgun bore at the muzzle for

the purpose of controlling the pattern of the fired shot.
A. Rifling
B. Choke
C. Land
D. Grooves
3. Measurable features of a specimen which indicated a restricted

group source.They result from design features and are
therefore determined prior to manufacture.
A. Comparison Microscope
B. Firearms Identification
C. Class Characteristics
D. Forensic Science
4. A Separate Cartridge container used to rapidly reload the

magazine of a firearm.
A. Clip
B. Cylinder
C. Reload
D. Shotshell
5. Place a firing mechanism like hammer or firing pin under spring

tension prior to firing.
A. Discharge
B. Choke
C. Cock
D. Ignition
6. Part of a Revolver that holds ammunition in individual chambers

that are rotated in turn into firing position.
A. Magazine
B. Clip
C. Magazine
D. Cylinder
7. To cause a firearm to fire.

A. Discharge
B. Ignition
C. Reload
D. Trigger
8. Pulling the trigger both cocks the hammer and fires the
firearm.
A. Double-Action
B. Single-Action
C. Recoil
D. Reload
9. The Mechanism on a Firearm which ejects or expels a cartridge

or cartridge case from a firearm.
A. Extractor
B. Ejector
C. Breech
D. Breech Face
10. The Mechanism on a Firearm that withdraws a cartridge or

cartridge case from the chamber of a firearm.
A. Extractor
B. Ejector
C. Breech
D. Breech Face
Answer:
1. D
2. B
3. C
4. A
5. C
6. D
7. A
8. A
9. B
10. A
Notes:
1. A Clip is also called Stripper Clip.
2. Comparison Microscope - Essentially two microscopes connected

to an optical bridge which allows two objects to be viewed
simultaneously with the same magnification.
3. Double Barrel - Two barrels side by side or one on top of the other
usually on a shotgun.

1. An Assembly of a barrel and action from which a projectile is
discharged by means of a rapidly burning propellant.
A. Gunpowder
B. Firearm
C. Ignition
D. Rifle
2. A Discipline of Forensic Science which has as its primary

concern to determine if a bullet, cartridge case, or other
ammunition component was fired in a particular firearm to the
exclusion of all others.
A. Griess Test
B. Forensic Science
C. Individual Characteristics
D. Firearms Identification
3. That Part of a Firearm Mechanism that strikes the primer of a

cartridge to initiate ignition.
A. Hammer
B. Hammer Block
C. Firing Pin
D. Muzzle
4. The Indentation in the primer of a centerfire cartridge case or in

the rim of a rimfire cartridge case caused when it is struck by
the firing pin.
A. Impressed Toolmark
B. Striated Toolmark
C. Pyrodex
D. Firing Pin Impression
5. The Scientific Examination of physical evidence for a court

of law.
A. Forensic Science
B. Firearms Identification
D. Class Characteristics
6. Refers to the Diameter of the barrel on a shotgun in terms of the

number of lead balls the size of the bore it would take to weigh
one pound.
A. Cylinder
B. Gauge
C. Barrel
D. Muzzle
7. A Chemical Test for the detection of nitrates.

A. Hampton Test
B. Sharapova Test
C. Griess Test
D. Ivanovich Test
8. The Handle of a Handgun, the portion of the stock to the rear

of the trigger on a long gun.
A. Handle
B. Grip
C. Butt
D. Stock
9. Any of various powders used in ammunition as a propellant

charge.
A. Blackpowder
B. Whitepowder
C. Pyrodex
D. Gunpowder
10. Unburned Gunpowder, partially burned gunpowder, and smoke

from completely burned gunpowder.
A. Pyrodex
B. Smokeless powder
C. Gunpowder Residues
D. Gunshot Residues
Answer:
1. B
2. D
3. C
4. D
5. A
6. B
7. C
8. B
9. D
10. C
Notes:
1. A Firing Pin is also called a Striker.
2. A Gauge really refers to caliber but is worded as such to

refer to a shotgun.
3. 12 Gauge is the diameter of a lead ball weighing 1/12 of a pound.
1. The Total Residues resulting from the discharge of a firearm

including gunpowder and primer residues, metallic residues
from projectiles and fouling.
A. Pyrodex
B. Smokeless Powder
C. Gunpowder Residues
D. Gunshot Residues
2. A device that strikes the firing pin or cartridge primer to

detonate the powder.
A. Cock
B. Hammer
C. Choke
D. Firing Pin Impression
3. A Safety Device on some firearms which separates the

firing pin from the hammer except when the trigger is pulled.
A. Hammer Block
B. Trigger Guard
C. Safety
D. Choke
4. Numerals, Letters, and Symbols stamped into the head of a

cartridge case or shotshell case to identify the manufacture,
caliber, gauge, or give additional information.
A. Markings
B. Head Stamp
C. Stamp
D. Metal Etching
5. A pattern of Marks produced by the random imperfections or

irregularities of tool surfaces.
A. Impressed Toolmark
B. Class Characteristics
D. Striated Toolmark
6. The Way in which powder is ignited.

A. Discharge
B. Centerfire
C. Rimfire
D. Ignition
7. The Raised Portions between the grooves inside the barrel after
the spiral grooves are cut to produce the rifling.
A. Grooves
B. Lands
C. Rifling
D. Deep
8. A Device for storing cartridges in a repeating firearm for loading

into the chamber.
A. Reload
B. Barrel
C. Cylinder
D. Magazine
9. An Improved vesion of a standard cartridge that uses the same

caliber and bullet but has more power.
A. Jacketed
B. Magnum
C. Hollow-Point
D. Round-Nose
10. The End of the barrel out of which the bullet comes.
A. Barrel
B. Muzzle
C. Action
D. Receiver
Answer:
1. D
2. B
3. A
4. B
5. C
6. D
7. B
8. D
9. B
10. B
Notes:
1. Modern Guns use primers that are rimfire or centerfire.
2. Rifling - are lands and grooves.
3. A Magazine is also referred to as a clip.
4. A Magnum generally has more powder and generally in a

longer cartridge case, giving the fired bullet more energy.
5. A Magnum shotgun loads refer to an individual amount of

shot pellets in the shell.
1. The Small Spherical Projectiles loaded in shotshells.Also

known as shot.
A. Cartridge
B. Bullet
C. Pellet
D. Shell
2. Synonym for a handgun that does not have a revolving cylinder,

the chamber is part of the barrel.
A. Pistol
B. Revolver
C. Weapon
D. Derringer
3. Commonly used term for the propellant in a cartridge or shotshell.

A. Powder
B. Nitrate
C. Grains
D. Primer
4. An Explosive Substance that ignites when struck to detonate

the powder in a cartridge.
A. Powder
B. Nitrate
C. Primer
D. Grains
5. An Object Propelled by the force of gases produced by rapidly

burning gunpowder.
A. Ammunition
B. Cartridge
C. Shotshell
D. Projectile
6. The Trade Name of a black powder substirute with similar

burning characteristics but safer and designed to produce
less fouling in the firearm.
A. White Powder
B. Pyrodex
C. Smokeless Powder
D. Nitrate
7. The Rearward Movement of a firearm resulting from firing.

A. Kick
B. Shake
C. Recoil
D. Reload
8. A Cartridge or Shotshell that has been reassembled with a new

primer, powder,projectile, and other components.
A. Reload
B. Repack
C. Recast
D. Refurbish
9. The Basic Unit of a firearm which houses the firing and breech
mechanism and to which the barrel and stock are assembled.
A. Bolt
B. Breech
C. Action
D. Receiver
10.Handgun that has a cylinder with holes to contain the
cartridges.
A. Revolver
B. Pistol
C. Derringer
D. Shotgun
Answer:
1. C
2. A
3. A
4. C
5. D
6. B
7. C
8. A
9. D
10. A
Notes:
1. Modern Gun Cartridges use smokeless powder that is relatively

stable, of uniform quality, and leaves little residue when ignited.

2. For Centuries,Blackpowder was used and was quite volatile,
ignited at low temperature or shock, was composed of irregularly
sized grains, and left a heavy residue after ignition, requiring
frequent cleaning of the bore.
3. Rimfire Cartridges - have a primer mixture crimped inside the base.
4. Certerfire cartridges - have a primer mixture in a cup in the

middle of the base of the cartridge case.
5. The cylinder revolves to bring the cartridge into position to be

fired.This is Single-Action when the hammer must be cocked
before the trigger can fire the weapon.It is Double-Action when
pulling the trigger both cocks and fires the gun.
1. A Firearm having rifling in the bore and designed to be fired from

the shoulder.
A. Shotgun
B. Rifle
C. Handgun
D. Machine gun
2. The Spiral Grooves cut or swaged inside a gun barrel that gives
the bullet a spinning motion.
A. Grooves
B. Land
C. Bore
D. Rifling
3. The Cartridge has the primer distributed around the periphery

of the base.
A. Wad
B. Centefire
C. Rimfire
D. Wadcutter
4. A Military Term for a cartridge.

A. Round
B. Ammunition
C. Cartridge
D. Bullet
5. A Mechanism or Device on an action to prevent firing of the gun

and may be manually operated or is a design feature intended
to automatically prevent inadvertent firings.
A. Receiver
B. Safety
C. Magazine
D. Hammer Block
6. A Shoulder fired long gun with a smoothbore design to fire

shotshells containing numerous pellets or sometimes a single
projectile.
A. Rifle
B. Shotgun
C. Machine gun
D. Handgun
7. A Cartridge containing projectiles designed to be fired in a

shotgun.
A. Shotshell
B. Slug
C. Bullet
D. Pellets
8. The Device on top of a barrel that allow the gun to be aimed.

A. Stock
B. Sights
C. Safety
D. Choke
9. A Device that fits over the muzzle of the barrel to muffle the
sound of a gunshot.
A. Silencer
B. Sight
C. Stock
D. Choke
10. The Hammer must be manually cocked before the trigger can
be pulled to fire the gun.
A. Double-Action
B. Single-Action
C. Bolt-Action
D. Action

Answer:
1. B
2. D
3. C
4. A
5. B
6. B
7. A
8. B
9. A
10. B
Notes:
1. The metal between the grooves is called a land. The Spiral

can have either a left or right twist.
2. A Shotshell body is generally made of plastic with a metal base

but may be made of paper or metal.

1. A term applied to a single projectile loaded into a shotshell.
A. Ammo
B. Slug
C. Round
D. Cartridge
2. Refers to modern gunpowder which is really not powder but

flakes of nitrocellulose and other substances.
A. Smokeless Powder
B. Blackpowder
C. Sulfur
D. Charcoal
3. A Chemical Test to detect the presence of particulate lead or

lead vapor around a bullet hole.
A. Pyrodex
B. Sodium Rhodizonate Test
C. Griess Test
D. None of the Above
4. A Wood, metal, or plastic frame that holds the barrel and action
and allows the gun to be held firmly.
A. Stock
B. Receiver
C. Grip
D. Breech
5. A Set of Parallel surface contours on an object caused by a

combination of force and motion.
A. Striation
B. Toolmark
C. Rifling
D. Headstamp
6. A Short Barreled automatic firearm, most commonly firing

pistol ammunition .It is intended for close-range combat.
A. Handgun
B. Machine gun
C. Submachine gun
D. Revolver
7. A Tool is placed against an object and enough pressure is

applied to the tool so that it leaves an impression in the object.
C. Impressed Toolmark
8. A Tool is placed againsts an object softer than itself and with

pressure applied, the tool is moved across the object producing
a scrape or series of scratches.
C. Impressed Toolmark
9. The curved Path of a projectile from muzzle to target.

A. Trajectory
B. Interior Ballistic
C. Exterior Ballistic
D. Terminal Ballistic
10.The Part of a Firearm mechanism that is moved manually to

cause the firearm to discharge.
A. Trigger
B. Trajectory
C. Hammer
D. Firing Pin
11. A Cylindrical component that is assembled into the head end

of a shotshell.
A. Cylinder
B. Wad
C. Wadcutter
D. Semi-Wadcutter
Answer:
1. B
2. A
3. B
4. A
5. A
6. C
7. C
8. D
9. A
10. A
11. B
THE BASICS OF FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION
Firearms Terminology
ACTION - The working mechanism of a firearm. Various types of actions exist, including single-shots, multi-barrels, revolvers,
slide or pump actions, lever-actions, rolling blocks, bolt-actions, semi-automatics and fully automatics. The action is the
moving parts of a firearm that allow loading, firing, unloading and the ejection of the spent case.
AIRGUN - The airgun is not a firearm but a gun that uses compressed air or carbon dioxide (CO2) to propel a bb or pellet.
Examples: BB gun, pellet gun, CO2 gun. They typically come in .177 and .22 calibers.
AMMUNITION - This generally refers to the assembled components of a complete cartridge or round. i.e., a case or shell
holding a primer, a charge of propellant (gunpowder) and a projectile (bullets in the case of handguns and rifles, multiple
pellets or single slugs in shotguns). Muzzle loading firearms are loaded by individual component and that is not considered to
be ammunition per se. In addition, a muzzle loader is considered to be unloaded if their is no priming powder in the pan
(Flintlock) or no percussion cap on the nipple, (Percussion). Often you'll hear new shooters call ammunition cartridges
'bullets', when bullets are really only one of the components of a single round of ammunition.
ANTIQUE - By federal definition, a firearm manufactured prior to 1899 or a firearm for which ammunition is not generally
available or a firearm incapable of firing fixed ammunition.
ARMOR-PIERCING AMMUNITION - By federal definition, "a projectile or projectile core which may be used in a handgun
and which is constructed entirely (excluding the presence of traces of other substances) from one or a combination of
tungsten alloys, steel, iron, brass, bronze, beryllium copper, or depleted uranium. Such term does not include shotgun shot
required by . . . game regulations for hunting purposes, a frangible projectile designed for target shooting, a projectile which
the Secretary finds is primarily intended to be used for sporting purposes, or any other projectile or projectile core which the
Secretary finds is intended to be used for industrial purposes, including a charge used in an oil and gas well perforating
device."
ASSAULT RIFLE - By U.S. Army definition, a selective-fire rifle chambered for a cartridge of intermediate power. If applied to
any semi-automatic firearm regardless of its cosmetic similarity to a true assault rifle, the term is incorrect. Let me clarify that
a true assault rifle can fire automatically, like a machine gun. The media has successfully reworked the meaning of "assault
weapon" to mean semi-automatic rifles with removable magazines. If you repeat a lie often enough, people who don't know
the truth will just accept it. I think Adolph Hitler said something like that.
ASSAULT WEAPON - Any weapon used in an assault (see WEAPON). Get it, assault is a verb, not an adjective.
AUTOMATIC - A firearm designed to feed cartridges, fire them, eject their empty cases and repeat this cycle as long as the
trigger is depressed and cartridges remain in the feeding system. Examples: machine guns, submachine guns, selective-fire
rifles, including true assault rifles.
AUTOMATIC PISTOL - A term used often to describe what is actually a semi-automatic pistol. It is, technically, a misnomer
but a near century of use has legitimized it, and its use confuses only the novice. A machine pistol is a different thing
altogether. When shooters refer to an automatic handgun, they are more than likely referring to a semi-automatic handgun
and not a true machine pistol.
BALL - Originally a spherical projectile, now generally a fully jacketed bullet of cylindrical profile with round or pointed nose.
Most commonly used in military terminology.
BLACK POWDER - The earliest type of firearms propellant that has generally been replaced by smokeless powder except
for use in muzzle-loaders and older breech-loading guns that demand its lower pressure levels. The basic recipe for black
powder was put together by the Chinese just after the year 900 A.D.
BLANK CARTRIDGE - A round loaded with black powder or a special smokeless powder but lacking a projectile or bullet.
Used mainly in starting races, theatrical productions, troop exercises and in training dogs.
BOLT-ACTION - A gun mechanism activated by manual operation of the breech-block that resembles a common door bolt.
The cartridge is loaded and unloaded by use of this bolt.
BORE - The interior of a firearm's barrel excluding the chamber. Bore is measured from land to land. (not from within the
grooves)
BRASS - Another name for expended empty metallic cartridge cases.
BULLET - The projectile expelled from a gun. It is not synonymous with cartridge. Bullets can be of many materials, shapes,
weights and constructions such as solid lead, lead with a jacket of harder metal, round-nosed, flat-nosed, hollow-pointed,
etc. The bullet is the only object that leaves the barrel. Many uninformed people refer to cartridges as bullets.
CALIBER - The nominal diameter of a projectile of a rifled firearm or the diameter between lands in a rifled barrel. In this
country, usually expressed in hundreds of an inch; in Great Britain in thousandths; in Europe and elsewhere in millimeters.
CARBINE - A rifle with a relatively short barrel. Any rifle or carbine with a barrel less than 16" long must be registered with
the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. Shotguns with barrels less than 18" long fall into the same category. Most
carbines are semi-automatic center-fire rifles with short barrels. Semi-automatic carbines of 5.56mm and 7.62mm, are
sometimes erroneously called 'assault rifles'.
CARTRIDGE - A single, complete round of ammunition consisting of the case, powder, bullet and primer. It can also mean a
complete shotgun shell.
CASE, CASING - The metal container of a cartridge. For rifles and handguns it is usually of brass or other metal; for
shotguns it is usually of paper or plastic with a metal head and is more often called a "shell."
CENTER-FIRE - A cartridge with its primer located in the center of the base of the case.
CHAMBER - The rear part of the barrel that is formed to accept the cartridge to be fired. A revolver employs a multi-
chambered rotating cylinder separated from the stationary barrel. This rotating chamber rotates the live cartridge under the
firing pin.
CHOKE - A constriction at or near the muzzle of a shotgun barrel that affects shot dispersion.
CLIP - A device for holding a group of cartridges. Semantic wars have been fought over the word, with some insisting it is not
a synonym for "detachable magazine." For 80 years, however, it has been so used by manufacturers and the military. There
is no argument that it can also mean a separate device for holding and transferring a group of cartridges to a fixed or
detachable magazine or as a device inserted with cartridges into the mechanism of a firearm becoming, in effect, part of that
mechanism. In my opinion, a clip is not the same as a magazine, however it seems that I have been over ruled by the abuse
of this term.
COP-KILLER BULLET - An inflammatory phrase having neither historical basis nor legal or technical meanings. This is
merely a media contrived term to gain a sensationalistic slant.
CYLINDER - The drum of a revolver that contains the chambers for the ammunition.
DERRINGER - A small single-shot or multi-barreled (rarely more than two) pocket pistol. Although I have seen them with
four barrels.
DETONATE - To explode with great violence. It is generally associated with high explosives e.g. TNT, dynamite, etc., and not
with the relatively slow-burning smokeless gun powders that are classed as propellants.
DOUBLE-ACTION - A handgun mechanism where pulling the trigger retracts and releases the hammer or firing pin to initiate
discharge. The trigger performs two functions, namely cocking the hammer and releasing the hammer. Because the action
in a double-action firearm performs two separate actions, it is called 'double-action'.
DUM-DUM BULLET - A British military bullet developed in India's Dum-Dum Arsenal and used on India's North West Frontier
and in the Sudan in 1897 and 1898. It was a jacketed .303 cal. British bullet with the jacket nose left open to expose the lead
core in the hope of increasing effectiveness. Improvement was not pursued, for the Hague Convention of 1899 (not the
Geneva Convention of 1925, which dealt largely with gas warfare) outlawed such bullets for warfare. Often "dum-dum" is
misused as a term for any soft-nosed or hollow- pointed hunting bullet.
EXPANDING BULLET - A bullet that is specifically designed to increase in diameter upon entering a target. Almost all rifle
bullets intended for hunting are intended to expand on impact. Most hollow point bullets can be called expanding bullets.
EXPLODING BULLET - A projectile containing an explosive component that acts on contact with the target. Seldom found
and generally ineffective as such bullets lack the penetration necessary for defense or hunting. I know of no manufacturer
that makes an exploding bullet. The exploding bullet is really just a very rarely occurring myth.
EXPLOSIVE - Any substance (TNT, etc.) that, through chemical reaction, detonates or violently changes to gas with
accompanying heat and pressure. Smokeless powder, by comparison, burns relatively slowly and depends on its
confinement in a cartridge case and chamber for its potential as a propellant to be realized.
FIREARM - A rifle, shotgun or handgun using gunpowder as a propellant. By federal definition, under the 1968 Gun Control
Act, antiques are excepted. Under the National Firearms Act, the word designates machine guns, etc. Air guns, pellet guns
and/or bb guns are not firearms.
FIXED AMMUNITION - A complete cartridge of several types and of today's rimfire and center-fire versions.
FLASH HIDER/FLASH SUPPRESSOR - A muzzle attachment intended to reduce visible muzzle flash caused by the burning
propellant. These are used in the military to help conceal the shooting position in low light.
GAUGE - The bore size of a shotgun determined by the number of round lead balls of bore diameter that equals a pound.
For example, take one pound of lead, divide it equally into 12 spheres. Each sphere would be 12 gauge in diameter.
Therefore, if you follow that definition it is easier to see why a 20 gauge shotgun is smaller in diameter than a 12 gauge
shotgun.
GUN - The British restrict the term in portable arms to shotguns. Here it is properly used for rifles, shotguns, handguns and
air guns, as well as some cannons.
GUNPOWDER - Chemical substances of various compositions, particle sizes, shapes and colors that, on ignition, serve as a
propellant. Ignited smokeless powder emits minimal quantities of smoke from a gun's muzzle; the older black powder emits
relatively large quantities of whitish smoke. Modern smokeless gunpowder is made from nitroglycerin and nitrocellulose.
HANDGUN - Another name for a pistol or revolver. The term handgun (actually hand-gonne) was first used in the year
1388. Here is a picture of a handgun that has been dated very close to that era. Firearms have been around since about the
year 1245-1250 according to most historians who know their stuff.
HIGH-CAPACITY MAGAZINE - An inexact, non-technical term indicating a magazine holding more rounds than might be
considered "average". This term is usually used by individuals who don't know what they are speaking about.
HOLLOW-POINT BULLET - A bullet with a cavity in its nose to increase expansion upon penetration of a target. There is
much misinformation being bandied about by people with an alarming lack of knowledge about this subject. Hollow-point
bullets are bullets that are merely designed with an empty cavity in its nose so that the diameter of the bullet increases
slightly after it enters a target.
JACKET - The envelope enclosing the core of a bullet. Usually made of copper and exists to help retain bullet weight
throughout the penetration of a target.
LEVER-ACTION - A gun mechanism activated by manual operation of a lever. The .30-30 rifle used on the Rifleman
television show was a lever-action.
LIMP-WRISTING - Limp-wristing a gun occurs only in semi-automatic and fully automatic handguns. Limp-wristing occurs
when the shooter does not hold the grip of the pistol strongly enough, allowing the handgun to recoil backwards into the
hand. When a shooter allows his/her wrist to flex too much or in other words, the shooter allows a very soft wrist, the
handgun's recoiling slide will not gain enough inertia from the spent cartridge to completely cycle. If the slide is not allowed a
complete cycle, the spent casing will likely not be ejected properly and a fresh cartridge will likely not be stripped from the top
of the magazine properly either. If the shooter experiences jams, malfunctions, bad ejections and misfeeds in a semi-
automatic pistol, limp-wristing could play a major role and it might not be entirely the fault of the firearm.
MACHINE GUN - A firearm of military significance, often crew-served, that on trigger depression automatically feeds and
fires cartridges of rifle size or greater. Civilian ownership in the U.S. has been heavily curtailed and federally regulated since
1934. Yet some machine guns are still used illegally because criminals typically disobey the law by nature.
MAGAZINE - A spring-loaded container for cartridges that may be an integral part of the gun's mechanism or may be
detachable. Detachable magazines for the same gun may be offered by the gun's manufacturer or other manufacturers with
various capacities. A gun with a five-shot detachable magazine, for instance, may be fitted with a magazine holding 10, 20, or
50 or more rounds. Box magazines are most commonly located under the receiver with the cartridges stacked vertically.
Tube or tubular magazines run through the stock or under the barrel with the cartridges lying horizontally. Drum magazines
hold their cartridges in a circular mode.
MAGNUM - A term indicating a relatively heavily loaded metallic cartridge or shot shell and, by extension, a gun safely
constructed to fire it. Usually a magnum cartridge is longer to hold more powder.
MULTI-BARRELED - A gun with more than one barrel, the most common being the double-barreled shotgun.
MUSHROOMED BULLET - A description of a bullet whose forward diameter has expanded after penetration.
MUZZLE - The open end of the barrel from which the projectile exits.
MUZZLE BRAKE - An attachment to or integral part of the barrel intended to trap and divert expanding gasses and reduce
recoil.
MUZZLE-LOADER - The earliest type of gun, now also popular as modern-made replicas, in which black powder and
projectile(s) are separately loaded in through the muzzle. The term is often applied to cap-and-ball revolvers where the
loading is done not actually through the muzzle but through the open ends of the cylinder's chambers.
PELLETS - Small spherical projectiles loaded in shot shells and more often called "shot." Also the skirted projectiles used in
air guns or pellet guns.
PELLET GUN - A rifle or pistol using compressed air or CO2 to propel a skirted pellet as opposed to a spherical BB. Not a
firearm.
PISTOL - Synonymous with "handgun." A gun that is generally held in one hand. It may be of the single-shot, multi-barrel,
repeating or semi-automatic variety and includes revolvers.
PISTOL GRIP - The handle of a handgun or protrusion on the butt stock or fore-end of a shoulder-operated gun that
resembles the grip or handle of a handgun. A "semi-pistol grip" is one less pronounced than normal; a "vertical pistol grip" is
more pronounced than normal.
PLINKING - Informal shooting at any of a variety of inanimate targets. The most often practiced shooting sport in this country.
PRIMER - Th e ignition component of a cartridge, generally made up of a metallic fulminate or (currently) lead styphnate.
PROPELLANT - In a cartridge, the chemical composition that is ignited by the primer to generate the superheated gas that
propels the bullet from the barrel. Propellants are usually made from some form of nitroglycerin and nitrocellulose. In air or
pellet guns, compressed air or CO2. (see gunpowder)
PYRODEX - A trade name for a black powder substitute, the only such safe substitute known at this time.
RECEIVER - The housing for a firearm's breech (portion of the barrel with the chamber into which a cartridge or projectile is
loaded) and firing mechanism.
REVOLVER - A gun, usually a handgun, with a multi-chambered cylinder that rotates to successively align each chamber
with a single barrel, hammer and firing pin.
RIFLE - A shoulder-fired gun with a rifled bore.
RIFLING - Spiral grooves in a gun's bore that spin the projectile in flight and impart accuracy. Rifling is present in all true
rifles, in most handguns and in some shotgun barrels designed for increasing the accuracy potential of slugs( a slug is a
single projectile rather than the more common "shot".)
RIM FIRE - A rimmed or flanged cartridge with the priming mixture located inside the rim of the case. The most famous
example is the .22 rimfire. It has been estimated that between 3-4 billion .22 cartridges are fired in the U.S. each year.
ROUND - Another name for a single cartridge. New shooters and people unfamiliar with firearms, have sometimes been
confused by the term 'round'. They need not be confused any longer. A 'round' is a single cartridge. Instead of saying that 'I
just fired a single shot at the target.' You could say, 'I just shot one round'.
SABOT - A lightweight carrier surrounding a heavier projectile of reduced caliber, allowing a firearm to shoot ammunition for
which it is not chambered. For example, a hunter could use his .30-30 deer rifle to shoot small game with .22 centerfire
bullets.
SATURDAY NIGHT SPECIAL - A catchy phrase having no legal or technical meaning. Normally this term is used by anti-
Second Amendment types who know almost nothing about firearms. Basically a sensationalistic term with no real meaning.
There was a song by Lynard Skynard that referred to a particular handgun as a 'Saturday Night Special', but no such firearm
exists. When people who have extremely limited firearm knowledge use the term, they are likely referring to very concealable
and comparatively inexpensive semi-automatic pistols of .25 ACP caliber or even .380 ACP caliber, such as some models
produced by Raven Arms and perhaps such off-shoots as Bryco, Jennings and Davis.
SAWED-OFF SHOTGUN or (RIFLE) - Common term for federally restricted "short-barreled shotgun or (rifle)" i.e. a
conventional shotgun with barrel less than 18" (rifle less than 16") or overall length less than 26."
SELECTIVE-FIRE - A firearm's ability to be fired fully automatically, semi-automatically or, in some cases, in burst-fire mode
at the option of the shooter. All selective-fire firearms are classified as Class III firearms and have been very heavily
restricted, limited and taxed since the National Firearms Act of 1934.
SEMI-AUTOMATIC - A firearm that is designed to fire a single cartridge, eject the empty case and reload the chamber from
an ammunition magazine of some type each time the trigger is pulled.
SHOTGUN - A shoulder-fired gun with smooth-bored barrel(s) primarily intended for firing multiple small, round projectiles,
(shot, birdshot, pellets), larger shot (buck shot), single round balls and cylindrical slugs. Some shotgun barrels have rifling to
give better accuracy with slugs or greater pattern spread to birdshot.
SHOT SHELL - The cartridge for a shotgun. It is also called a "shell," and its body may be of metal or plastic or of plastic or
paper with a metal head. Small shot shells are also made for rifles and handguns and are often used for vermin control.
SILENCER - A virtually prohibited device for attachment to a gun's muzzle for reducing (not silencing) the report. Better terms
would be "sound suppressor" or "sound moderator." Silencers are effective in reducing the sound created by a gunshot, but it
is usually only effective if the ammunition is 'downloaded' so that the bullet does not break the sound barrier.
SINGLE-SHOT - A gun mechanism lacking a magazine where separately carried ammunition must be manually placed in the
gun's chamber one at a time.
SLIDE-ACTION - A gun mechanism activated by manual operation of a horizontally sliding handle almost always located
under the barrel. "Pump-action" and "trombone" are synonyms for "slide-action."
SNUB-NOSED - Descriptive of (usually) a revolver with an unusually short barrel of say two inches or less.
SUB-MACHINE GUN - An fully automatic firearm commonly firing pistol ammunition intended for close-range combat.
TEFLON - Trade name for a synthetic sometimes used to coat hard bullets to protect the rifling. Other synthetics, nylon for
instance, have also been used as bullet coatings. None of these soft coatings has any effect on lethality.
WEAPON - Webster defines it as "an instrument of offensive or defensive combat." Thus an automobile, baseball bat, boots,
bottle, chair, firearm, fist, pen knife or shovel is a "weapon," if so used.
Rifle
A Rifle is a firearm with a rifled barrel which is designed to be fired from the shoulder.Barrel
length is immaterial in classifying a firearm as rifle.However,US federal law requires rifles to
have a minimum barrel lengths of 16 inches.The types of rifle commonly encountered are single
shot,lever action,bolt action,pump action and auto loading.
Rifle as mentioned above is operated with two hands and is shot from the shoulder.It is
designed to shoot a single bullet at a time.The main difference between a shotgun and a rifle is
the ammunition it shoots.The shotgun ammunition is called a shell.The rifle ammunition is called
a cartridge.Another difference between the two is that the inside of the rifle barrel has spiraled
grooves cut into it that imparts a spin to the bullet before it exits the barrel much like a
quarterback will put a spin on a football to make it fly straight.Some shotgun barrels that are
designed to shot slugs are also cut with grooves in it to make the slug spin in the air stabilizing
its flight path.
In a bolt action rifle,a handle projects from a bolt.Pulling back and pushing forward on this
projection causes the bolt to extract and eject a cartridge case and then to insert a new
cartridge while cocking the gun.The slide-action rifle uses the manual movement of a slide
under and parallel to the barrel to open the action,extract and eject a cartridge,load a fresh
cartridge and cock the weapon.

In auto-loading or semi-automatic rifles,the weapon fires,extracts,ejects,reloads,and cocks
with each pull of the trigger using the force of gas pressure or recoil to operate the action.After
each shot the trigger must be released and then pulled again to to repeat the cycle.Auto-loading
rifles are commonly but incorrectly called automatic rifles.A fully automatic rifle is one that on
pulling the trigger and firing the weapon utilizes the force of gas pressure or recoil to eject
it.This cycle is repeated until all the ammunition is used or the trigger is rehearsed.Automatic
weapons are generally used only by military and police organizations.While it is possible to alter
some semi-automatic rifles to deliver automatic fire,unlike the impression given the media and
some politicians,this is not a simple procedure.In fact,such conversions are uncommon.In the
U.S.,deaths due to full automatic weapons (rifles and sub-machine gun) are extremely
rare.Weapons fired in the full automatic mode are very difficult to control.In most
instances,while the first shot may be on target,subsequent rounds fly high and to the right.

Assault Rifles - the term assault rifles refers to a rifle that is

1. Auto-loading
2. Has a large capacity detachable
magazine (20 rounds or more)
3. Capable of full automatic fire
4. Fires an intermediate rifle
cartridge.
This term has been corrupted by the media and some politicians to include most self-loading
weapons.They have also coined the meaningless term "assault pistol" which appears to refer to
large,ugly-looking pistols having large capacity magazines (20 to 40 rounds) or to semi-
automatic versions of sub-machine guns such as the Uzi.Assault pistols are with rare exception,
cumbersome,difficult to shoot,inaccurate and cheaply made.They are usually acquired by
individuals with little knowledge of firearms who associate the effectiveness of a weapon with
ugliness.
Weapons that fire pistol ammunition are not by definition assault rifles nor are self-loading
rifles with fixed magazines that were never intended for full automatic fire.The best example of
the latter weapon is the SKS-45.While this weapon is an auto-loader and chambered for an
intermediate-power cartridge, it has a fixed 10 round magazine and was never intended for full
automatic fire.The weapon may be altered to accept a 30 round magazine.
There is a group of weapons that might be considered assault rifles if one eliminates the
criteria of full automatic capability.This would include weapons such as the AK-47,MAK-90 and
colt AR-15 sporter and M-16 assault rifles.
One of the common fallacies about assault rifles is that the wounds they produce are more
severe than those due to ordinary centerfire rifles.In fact, the wounds are less severe than those
produced by virtually all hunting rifles, even the Winchester M-94 (introduced in 1894) and its
cartridge,the .30-30 (introduced in 1895)In dealing with rifles,the severity of the wound is
determined by the amount of kinetic energy lost by a bullet in the body.The intermediate
cartridges used in assault rifles possess significantly less kinetic energy than a regular
centerfire rifle cartridge designed for hunting.In addition,since most ammunition used in these
weapons is loaded with a full-metal jacketed bullet,the wound is even less severe than one
might expect.
Shotgun
shotgun
A shotgun is a weapon that is intended to be fired from the shoulder.It is operated with two
hands.It has a smooth bore and is designed to fire multiple pellets from the barrel.A shell may
consists of various sizes depending on what it is going to be used for.Larger sized pellets could
be for hunting big game such as deer.Smaller pellets are used mainly for birds and rabbits.A
shotgun can also shoot a single bullet called slug which can weigh an ounce or more.Barrel
length is immaterial in classifying firearm as a shotgun.Although U.S. federal law requires a
minimal barrel length of 18 inches.A shotgun may be classified as a single shot,over and
under,double barrel,bolt-action,lever-action,pump-action,or auto loading.The over and under
shotgun has two barrels one above the other and the double barrel version has its barrels side
by side.The two barrels in these weapons are often of different choke.
A shotgun is generally a smooth-bore firearm which means that the inside of the barrel is not
rifled.Preceding smooth-bore firearms such as the musket were widely used by armies in the
18th century.The direct ancestor of the shotgun,the blunderbuss,was also used in similar
variety of roles from self defense to riot control.It was often used by cavalry troops due to its
generally shorter length and ease of use, as well as by coachmen for its substantial
power.However,in the 19th century,these weapons were largely replaced on the battlefield with
breech-loading rifled firearms which were more accurate over longer ranges.In First World
war,american forces used a 12 gauge pimp-action shotguns in close quarter trench fighting to
great effect.
A shotgun come in variety of sizes ranging from 5.5 mm (.22 inch)bore up to 5 cm (2 inch)
bore and in a range of firearm operating mechanisms including breech-loading,single-
barreled,double or combination gun,pump-action,bolt,and lever-action,semi-automatic and even
fully automatic variants.
The shot pellets from a shotgun spread upon leaving the barrel and the power of the burning
charge is divided among the pellets which means that the energy of any one ball of shot is fairly
low.In hunting context,this makes the shotgun useful primarily for hunting birds and other small
game.In military or low enforcement context,the large number of projectiles makes the shotgun
useful as a close quarters combat weapon or defensive weapon.Shotguns are used also for
target shooting sports such as skeet,trap and sporting clays.This involve shooting clay disks
known as clay pigeons thrown in various ways.
Bullets
The bullet is that part of the cartridge that leaves the muzzle of the firearm when it discharges.Bullets were originally
lead spheres.These worked satisfactorily with smooth-bore weapons in which the accuracy and long range were not
expected.
By the early 19th century however,the superiority of the muzzle-loading rifle over the smooth-bore musket was
accepted.These rifled weapons had greater range and considerably more accuracy.The main difficulty however,was in
reloading.To make such rifle shoot accurately,the bullet had to fit the bore.This qualification made the gun difficult to
load and decreased the rate of fire.The bullet had to be forced down the barrel with a mallet.American rifleman
developed a more rapid way of loading their rifles.They used a bullet that was slightly under bore diameter.This bullet
was wrapped in a greased patch of fabric and the patch and the spherical bullet were rammed down the barrel
together.This step speeded up the rate of loading to some degree but it did not solve the problem.What was needed
was to develop a bullet with a diameter less than the bore which would expand to fit the rifling grooves on firing and
also would have a better aerodynamic shape than the ball.The solution was the minie bullet,developed by Captain
Charles Minie of the french army.It originally consisted of a conical shaped hollow-based lead bullet into whose base an
iron wedge was inserted.The bullet was smaller in diameter than the bore and could easily be pushed down the bore.On
firing,the gases of combustion would drive the wedge into the base of the bullet,expanding the base of the minie bullet
to fit the rifling grooves and to seal the propellant gases behind the bullet.Subsequent research found that the wedge
could be eliminated and that the propellant gases working on the hollow base alone were sufficient to flare out the base
of the bullet and seal the bore.Soon after the development of the minie bullet ,breech-loading rifled weapons firing
metallic cartridges were perfected.Thus,bullets could be made to bore diameter because it was not necessary to force
them down the bore during the loading process.
Modern bullets full into two categories:

1. Lead
2. Metal-jacketed
Lead bullets were traditionally used only in revolvers and .22 rimfire cartridges.Metal-jacketed bullets in automatic
pistols and in high velocity rifles.These generalization however are no longer true.
Lead bullets are made out of lead to which antimony and/or tin have been added to increase the hardness of the
alloy.These bullets are lubricated with grease or lubricating compound to help prevent lead fouling of the barrel.Lead
bullets generally but not inevitably have one or more cannelures or grooves.The Federal Arms Company manufactured
a .38 special bullet that had no cannelures.In bullets with cannelures,the cartridge case neck is crimped into one groove
with lubricating material placed in the other grooves.When The bullet is assembled in the cartridge case,the cannelures
containing the lubricated material may be on the outside and readily visible or beneath the neck of the cartridge case
and not visible.
Some lead bullets are covered by an extremely thin coating of copper or copper alloy.This coating which both
hardens and lubricates the bullet is called gilding.It is approximately .001 in. in thickness,copper gilding is used
extensibly in .22 high velocity rimfire ammunition.Blount industries electro-plates some of its bullets with a thick hard
coat of copper such that on initial inspection one believes that one is dealing with a completely jacketed bullet.This
coating covers the complete external surface of the bullet including the base.
There are four general configurations of lead bullets.

1. Round nose (a)
2. Wad-cutter (b)
3. Semi-wad-cutter (c)
4. Hollow-point (d)
A round nose lead bullet has a semi-blunt,conical shape and a flat or beveled base.The wad-cutter bullet which
resembles a cylinder of lead has a base that may be either beveled or hollow.Wad-cutter bullets are designed primarily
for target use.The semi-wad-cutter configuration is that of a truncated cone with a flap tip and a sharp shoulder of bore
diameter at the base of the cone.The lead hollow-point bullet has a semi-wad-cutter configuration with a cavity in the
nose that is designed to facilitate expansion of the bullet upon impact with the target.
Occasionally,lead bullets with a copper cup crimped to their base may be encountered.This cup is called a "gas
check"It protects the bullet base from melting due to the high pressure and temperature of the propellant gases.
Lead bullets ordinarily can not be used in centerfire rifles because the bullet would melt or fragment as it is driven
down the barrel at high velocity.The bullet emerging from the barrel would be of bore diameter rather than groove
diameter as a result of the lead being stripped from the sides of the bullet.Jacketing is used in high velocity rifles to
prevent this fragmenting or melting.Some hand-loaders will load cast bullets of a very hard lead alloy in rifle
cartridges.However,the powder loadings are reduced so that muzzle velocity usually does nor exceed 2000 ft/sec.Such
cast bullets may or may not have gas checks.
Jacketed ammunition is used in semi-automatic pistols to prevent leading of the action and barrel as well as jam that
would result if a large number of lead bullet were fired.These jams are due to the deposit of small fragments of lead on
the ramp and in the action as the bullets are stripped from the magazine and propelled up the ramp into the
chamber.Hand-loaders sometime use lead bullets in reloading automatic pistol cartridges.
Jacketed bullets have a lead or steel core covered by an outside jacket of gilding metal (copper and zinc),gilding
metal-clad steel,copper and nickel or aluminum jackets generally range from .0165 to .030 in. in thickness.Cannelures
may be present in the jackets of such bullets to provide a recess into which the mouth of the case may be crimped.
Jacketed bullets may be either full metal-jacketed or partial metal-jacketed.Military ammunition,both rifle and pistol is
loaded with full metal-jacketed bullets.Five different types of bullets are in use by the military.The most common is ball
ammunition which consists of a bullet with a lead or mild steel core covered by a full metal jacket.Armor-
piercing ammunition has a hard steel core.A lead base and point filler may also be present.Tracer bullet consist of a full
metal jacket,a lead core in the forward position and tracer composition in the base.In some cartridges the composition
is of two types,tracer dim and tracer bright.The tracer dim composition burns first leaving a very dim or faint flame for a
distance from the gun,this is followed by tracer bright.Use of the tracer dim composition initially prevents revealing the
location of the gun.Incendiary bullets contain an incendiary composition.Armor-piercing incendiary bullets consists of
the full metal jacket,a steel core and incendiary material to cause a fire.
Center-fire rifle ammunition used for hunting has always been loaded with partial metal-jacketed bullets.In these
bullets,the metal jacket is open at the tip of the bullet to expose the lead core while usually closed at the base.
Until the 1960s,all ammunition intended for automatic pistols was loaded with full metal-jacketed bullets having a
lead core.At this time,partial metal-jacketed ammunition was introduced for use in both auto-loading pistols and
revolvers.Most handgun ammunition now used by police organizations is partial metal-jacketed.
The two most common forms of partial metal-jacketed ammunition whether for rifles or handguns are the semi-
jacketed soft-point and the semi-jacketed hollow-point style.The former style of bullet is most popular for rifles,the latter
for handguns.In some rifle ammunition,the lead tip may be covered by a very light secondary jacket,usually of aluminum
while others may have an expanding device made of metal or plastic in the tip.The tip of the semi-jacketed soft-point is
rounded or pointed in rifles and flattened in a semi-wad-cutter configuration in handguns.A varying degree of lead is
exposed depending on the bullet design.The jacket at its junction with the exposed lead core may be scalloped or
notched to aid in expansion (mushrooming)In semi-jacketed hollow-point ammunition,the tip of the bullet has a cavity in
it.Again,the partial metal jacket may be scalloped or notched to aid expansion or may extend down into the cavity.
Occasionally encountered are full metal-jacketed semi-wad-cutter and wad-cutter handgun bullets used for target
shooting.More common are handgun bullets in which the lead core is fully enclosed by a copper jacket.This bullet in
conjunction with lead-free primers in the cartridge case is intended for use in indoor firing range and is so designed as
to reduce lead pollution of the air.
Primers
Primers - used to initiate the burning of a propellant.Small arms cartridges are classified as
centerfire or rimfire depending on the location of the primer.In centerfire cartridges,the primer
is located in the center of the base of the cartridge case.There are two types of primers for
metallic cartridges,Boxer and Berdan.American centerfire rifle and pistol cartridges have
boxer primers,(blazer ammunition is the exception).A boxer primer consists of a brass or
gilding-metal cup,a pellet containing a sensitive explosive,a paper disk and a brass
anvil.These component parts are assembled to form a complete primer.The boxer primer
has a single large flash hole in the bottom of the case.
European metallic cartridges traditionally are loaded with Berdan primers.The Berdan
primer differs from the American boxer primer in that it has no integral anvil.Instead,the anvil
is built into the cartridge case and forms a projection in the primer pocket.Berdan primers
have two flash holes in the primer pocket.
Shot-shell primers are a variant of boxer primer used in metallic cartridges.The main
difference is that the shot-shell primer has its own supporting cup,the battery cup,which
encloses the anvil,the paper disk,the priming mixture and the primer cup.This battery cup
primer is inserted in the base of the shotgun shell.
Primers made for riffles and pistols differ in construction in that the cups of pistol primers
are made with thinner metal.The riffle primer also has a mixture that burns with a more
intense and sustained flame.
Primers come in five sizes.They are

1. Large rifle
2. Small rifle
3. Large pistol
4. Small pistol
5. Shotgun
The large primers measures .210 inches in diameter,the small is .175 inches and shotgun
primers is .243.Magnum primer (either rifle or pistol) produce a more intense and sustained
flame which is necessary for better ignition in magnum cartridges.
When a weapon is fired,the firing pin strikes the center of the primer cup.compressing the
primer composition between the cup and anvil and causing the composition to explode.The
vents in the anvil allow the flame to pass through the flash hole into the cartridge case and
thereby igniting the propellant.
Primer compounds originally were made of fulminate of mercury.On firing,free mercury is
released.This amalgamated with the brass of the cartridge case,making it brittle and ruining it
for reloading.In addition,storage of ammunition containing mercury primers for long periods of
time led to deterioration of the brass because of the mercury.Mercury compounds were then
replaced with chlorate compounds.Unfortunately,on firing,these break down to chloride
salts,causing severe rusting of the barrels.

All primers currently manufactured in the U.S. use chemical ingredients that are non-
mercuric and non-corrosive.The compounds that are used vary,lead styphnate,barium nitrate,
and antimony sulfide are most commonly used.Most centerfire primers of either U.S. or
foreign manufacturer contains all three compounds.The detection of these compounds
constitutes the basis for tests to determine whether an individual has fired a firearm.Blound
industries (CCI),Remington,Federal,and Winchester now manufacture some centerfire pistol
ammunition that does not contain lead in the primer.
Rimfire ammunition does not contain a primer assembly.Instead,the primer composition is
spun into the rim of the cartridge case with the propellant in intimate contact with this
composition.On firing,the firing pin strikes the rim of the cartridge case compressing the
primer composition and initiating its detonation.The priming mixture used in .22 rimfire
ammunition manufactured by Winchester and CCI are compounds of lead and barium,and
antimony.Remington rimfire ammunition used to contain only lead compounds but now uses
compounds of lead and barium.Some Mexican manufactured rimfire ammunition uses only
lead compounds in the primer
Headstamp
Headstamp is the markings on the buttom of a cartridge case designed for a firearm.It usually
tells who manufactured the case.The headstamp is punched into the base of the cartridge
during manufacture.If it is a civilian case,it often also tells the caliber.If it is military,the year of
manufacture is often added.
The letters and numbers stamped into the face of a cartridge case or shotgun shell to identify
its caliber or gauge.
Virtually all cartridge cases have headstamps on their bases.The headstamp is a series of
letters,numbers,symbols,and/or trade names.They are either imprinted or embossed on a
cartridge case head for identification purposes.Civilian cartridges are usually marked with the
initials or code of the manufacturer,as well as the caliber.Military cartridges are usually marked
with the manufacturers initials or code plus the last two numerals of the year of manufacture.The
caliber may be designated as well.American military match ammunition has the word "match" or
the letters "NM' (National Match) imprinted on it.Ammunition meeting NATO specification carries
the NATO symbol which is a cross within a circle.
Headstamp are not necessarily reliable indicators of the caliber of the particular cartridge
case or the manufacturer because a cartridge case may have been reformed to another
caliber.Thus a .308 cartridge case may have necked down to a .243 cartridge.Commercial
concerns that buy large quantities of ammunition may have their name stamped on the cartridge
cases rather than the designation of the actual manufacturer.
Ammunition manufactured by Russia and Japan during world war II and some 7.62 X 39 mm
ammunition manufactured by the U.S. government during the Vietnam war do not have
headstamps.Occasionally,a cartridge case may be seen with a surcharge.These are markings
added to the base of the cartridge after the original headstamp has been formed.They are not
necessarily applied in the plant that performs the original headstamp operation on the cartridge
case and they may indicate that the cartridge has been reloaded.
Handgun Ammunition with a headstamps reading +P or +P+ indicates that the ammunition is
loaded to higher pressures than normal for the particular caliber cartridge.
Handgun - by the way is a gun designed for use by one hand,chiefly either a pistol or
revolver.The term handgun was first used in the year 1388.Firearms have been around since
about the year 1245 - 1250.
Cartridge Cases
Cartridge Cases are usually made of brass, a composition of 70% copper and 30% zinc.Less commonly,they are made
of steel of aluminum,zinc and plastic materials that have been used experimentally.Brass,plastic and paper are used for
shot-shell tubes.The main function of the cartridge case is to expand and seal the chamber against the rearward escape
of gases when the cartridge is fired.When a brass cartridge is fired in a weapon,the gas pressure produced by the
burning of the propellant expands the case tightly against the walls
of the chamber.If the brass is tempered to the correct hardness,it will spring back to approximately its original
dimensions and make the case easy to extract.If the brass is too soft,it will not spring back and will make extraction
difficult.If the brass is too hard,that is,brittle,it will crack.
There are three general shapes for cartridge cases:
1. Straight
2. Bottleneck
3. Tapered

Almost all pistol cartridges are straight whereas almost all rifle cartridges are bottle-necked.The bottle-necked design
permits more powder to be packed in shorter,fatter cartridge than would be possible in a straight cartridge where the
lumen is approximately the diameter of the bullet.Cartridges with tapered cases are virtually obsolete.
Cartridge cases are classified into five types according to the configuration of their bases.
1. Rimmed (e)
2. Semi-rimmed (d)
3. Rimless (c)
4. Rebated (b)
5. Belted (a)
Rimmed cartridge cases have an extractor flange that is larger than the diameter of the cartridge case body.The letter
R is added after case length numbers in the metric system of caliber designation.
Semi-rimmed cartridge cases have an extractor flange that is larger in diameter than the cartridge case body,but they
also have a groove around the case body just in front of the flange.The metric designation for these cartridges is SR.
Rimless cartridge cases have an extractor flange whose diameter is the same as that of the cartridge case body and
also have a groove around the body of the case in front of the flange.In the metric system of caliber designation,no
letter is used for this type of cartridge case.
Rebated cartridge cases has an extractor flange that is smaller than the diameter of the case.A groove around the
body of the case is present in front of the flange.The metric designation is RB.
Belted cartridge cases has a pronounced ,raised belt encircling the cartridge case body in front of the groove in the
body.The diameter of the extractor flange is immaterial.The metric designation is B.
Propellant
Propellant - Until the end of the 19th century,all cartridges were loaded with black powder.Black powder is a mixture of
charcoal,sulfur and potassium nitrate.These materials were individually ground to a powder,mechanically mixed,ground
together,incorporated with help of moisture and pressed into hard cakes,dried and then broken down into the desired
granulation.In such a mixture,the charcoal is the fuel,the potassium nitrate,the oxygen supplier or oxidizer while the
sulfur gives the mixture more density and workability and makes it more readily ignitable.When black powder burns
properly,it produces 44% of its original weight in gases and 56% in solid residues.These residues appear principally as
a dense white smoke.
In 1887, Vieille, a French chemist, first synthesized an effective practical form of what is now known as smokeless
powder.Using alcohol and ether, he reduced nitrocellulose to a gelatinous colloid which was rolled into sheets and cut
into flakes.In 1887, Alfred Nobel developed a slightly different form of smokeless powder.Utilizing nitrocellulose that was
not highly nitrated as that used by Vieille, he colloided it with nitroglycerine and then dried, rolled and cut it into
flakes.These two types of smokeless powder are known as single-base and double-base powders respectively.The
physical configuration of individual powder grains can be disk,flake,or cylinder, whether the powder is single or double
base.
The next major step in the development of smokeless powder was the introduction of ball powder by Winchester in
1933.In ball powder, the nitrocellulose instead of being colloided is dissolved completely and the resultant lacquer is
agitated under conditions to make it form into small balls that constitute the powder grains.By manipulation of the
process, the diameter of the balls of powder can be controlled whereas in an extra operation, the balls of powder may
be flattened between the rollers, thus altering the surface and thus the burning rate of the powder.True ball powder
appears as small, uniform silver-black spheres or ovals having a shiny, reflective surface, flattened ball powder as
irregular flattened chips with a silver-black shiny surface.In most flattened ball powder, one can find non-flattened
spheres and ovoid grains.Between the extremes of true ball and flattened ball powder is a wide spectrum of physical
variations.
Smokeless powder is theoretically converted completely into gaseous products.Unlike black powder, it does not
leave a significant residue in the bore.Smokeless powder burns at the surface only thus, the burning surface decreases
continuously as the grains are consumed.This degressive burning, an unfavorable characteristic, can be overcome to a
degree by putting a hole in the individual powder grain with a resultant increase in the surface area as the grain
burns.More commonly, chemical coating deterrents are applied to powder grains to slow the burning initially in order to
make progressive burning powder.These grains of powder burns slowly at first and then rapidly.The grains of powder
may also be coated with graphite to eliminate static electricity and facilitate the flow of powder while the cartridges are
loaded.Rather than having a shiny black appearance, uncoated grains of powder are a pale-green color.Powder grains
recovered from the skin or clothing after discharge of a gun may not be black but rather pale-green or beige due to
loosing the coating.
The weight of the propellant charge in a cartridge is adjusted for each lot of propellant to give the required muzzle
velocity for the weight of the bullet with a chamber pressure within the limit prescribed for the weapon.Pyrodex, a
synthetic black powder, was developed to replace black powder in weapon in which only black powder can be used.It
was developed for two reasons, first, there is a shortage of black powder and second, there are a number of
restrictions in the U.S. put on the sale and storage of black powder because of its explosive properties.As pyrodex is a
nitrocellulose based powder, it is considerably safer than black powder and avoids these restrictions.The problem with
developing a replacement for black powder is that black powder burns at substantially the same rate whether
unconfined or fired in a weapon.Smokeless powder however, burns slowly when unconfined, requiring about 1000
lbs/in. of pressure to burn consistently.As pressure increases, it burns at an increasing rate, producing pressures that
exceed those that can be tolerated by black powder firearms.
Pyrodex has more bulk than black powder, with an equal volume of pyrodex having about 88% of the weight of
black powder.In weapons chambered for black powder, pyrodex is loaded bulk for bulk with black powder, not by
weight.The pressures and velocities generated are thus compatible with those achieved with black powder.

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Personal identification Reviewer

Anthropometry - the first system of personal identification.

Dactylography - the scientific study of fingerprints as a means of identification.

Dactyloscopy - a method of studying fingerprints to establish identification.

Fingerprint Classification Systems

Fundamental layers of friction skin

Three Loop Characteristics

Skopien - to study or examine.

Sweat duct - the passage way.

Sweat gland - the producers of sweat.

Sweat pores - the tiny opening/the tiny white dot

Time Line - Fingerprints

Latent Prints - not apparent to the naked eye. They are

Impressed prints - also called plastic prints and are

Plain Arch - 1. Ridges enter upon one side

Ulnar loop - flow toward the little finger - ulna bone.

Radial Loop - flow toward the thumb - radius bone.

Plain Whorl - 1. Consists of one or more ridges which make

Central Pocket Loop - 1. Consists of at least one recurving

Double Loop - 1. Consists of two separate loop formations

Accidental Whorl - 1. Consists of a combination of two

Dermatoglyphics - scientific study of fingerprints.

 Plantar - refers to feet and toes.

 Palmar - refers to finger and palm.

Personalities who significantly contributed to the science of fingerprint.

The Most Popular Ten Print Classification System.

In the Henry System of Classification. There are 3 basic fingerprint patterns.

1. Loop - constitute 60% to 65% of all fingerprint.

3. Arch - constitute 5% of all fingerprints.

The Basic Fundamentals of Fingerprints are:

Characteristics of a Ridge (minutia Features)

What does a Minutiae Include? ans. It includes the following:

Personal Identification Reviewer 1

1. The abrupt end of a ridge.

5. A single ridge that bifurcates and reunites shortly afterwards

1. Ridge ending -The abrupt end of a ridge.

2. Ridge bifurcation - A single ridge that divide into two ridges.

3. Short ridge - A Ridge that commences, travels a short distance

6. Spur - A bifurcation with short ridge branching off a longer ridge.

7. Bridge - A short ridge that runs between two parallel ridges.

8. Delta - A Y shaped ridge meeting.

9. Core - A U turn in the ridge pattern.

10.Minutiae - Major features of a fingerprint.

Answers: Personal Identification

Personal Identification Reviewer 2

1. It is an electronic device used to capture a digital image of the

2. It refers to the identification of humans by their characteristics

3. A U-turn in the ridge pattern.

4. A Y-shape ridge meeting.

5. A short ridge that runs between two parallel ridges.

6. A bifurcation with a short ridge branching off a longer ridge.

7. A single ridge that bifurcates and reunites shortly afterwards

8. A single small ridge inside a short ridge or ridge ending that is

9. A ridge that commences, travels a short distance and then

10. Short Ridge is also known as

Personal Identification Reviewer 3

2. A single ridge that divides into two ridges.

3. The abrupt end of a ridge.