Yllana Bay View College

Balangasan District Pagadian City

“The Builder of Future Leader
FORENSIC BALLISTICS
Module 1 (1st Pre lim)

Objectives: at the end of the topic the student is expected to identify the branches of ballistics. At
the end of the topic the student is expected to classify the different branches of ballistics. At the end
of the topic the student is expected to discuss the branches of ballistics

Ballistics is the science that deals with the study of the motion of the projectile. Science refers to the
systematized body of knowledge. Motion refers to the movement and projectile refers to the bullet
that passes through the barrel of the firearm.

Origin of the Term BALLISTICS

BALLISTICS –is derived from the Greek word “ BALLO” or “Ballien” which means to throw and
from the Roman war machine “BALLISTA.” A gigantic bow or catapult that hurls stones in killing
enemies and wild animals.

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

FORENSIC is an adjective referring to formal eloquence or consequently formal court discussion.

More broadly, the word Forensic has become almost synonymous with the term Legal. For instance,
“Forensic Medicine” means “Legal Medicine.”

BRANCHES OF BALLISTICS

1. INTERIOR BALLISTICS – treats of the motion of projectile while still inside the firearm. Namely:
a. Firing pin hitting the primer
b. Ignition of the priming mixture
c. Combustion of gunpowder
d. Expansion of heated gas
e. Pressure developed – measured in pounds per square inch (lbs./sq. inch or psi)
f. Energy generated – measured in foot-pound. Foot pound capacity to lift one pound
at the height of one foot.
g. Recoil of the Firearm – the rearward movement of the firearm after explosion
h. Velocity of the bullet – measured in feet per second (ft./sec.)
i. Rotation of the bullet inside the barrel
j. Engraving on the cylindrical surface of the bullet.
2. EXTERIOR BALLISTICS – treats of the motion of projectile after leaving the muzzle of the gun
barrel. Namely:
a. Muzzle blast – the sound created at the muzzle and of the barrel of the firearm after
the explosion.
b. Muzzle Energy (ME) – energy generated after leaving the firearm.
c. Trajectory – is the actual pattern or the curved path of the bullet in the flight.
d. Range – the distance between the firearm and the target.

1) Effective range – the maximum distance at which the projectile can be expected
to the lethal.
2) Maximum range – the greatest distance a projectile can travel when fired at the
optimum angle of elevation of the barrel.
e. Velocity – the speed of the bullet.
f. Air resistance – encountered by the bullet in flight.
g. Pull of gravity – the downward movement of the bullet.
h. Penetration – the entry of the bullet on target.

3. TERMINAL BALLISTICS – treats the effects of the impact of the bullet towards the target. Namely:
a. Terminal accuracy – the size of the bullet grouping on the target.
b. Terminal energy – energy of the bullet.
c. Terminal velocity – the speed of the bullet.
d. Terminal penetration – the depth of the bullet penetration on target.

4. FORENSIC BALLISTICS – is the science of Fireman Identification by means of the ammunition

fired through them. It consist of three phases, namely:
a. Field Investigation – refers to the work of an investigator of the field. It concerns
mostly with the collection, marking, preservation, packing and transmission of
firearms evidence.
b. Technical Examination – refers to the examination who examine bullets and/or shells
whether fired from the suspected firearms submitted; and/or to determine also
whether or not cartridge cases were loaded or ejected from the suspected firearms
submitted. Reports were made by the examiners and testify in the court regarding
their report.
c. Legal Proceedings – presentation of Ballistics reports, firearms, bullets, cartridge
cases and allied exhibits in court.

To validate your answer please contact your course facilitator. For any clarifications you may
contact me during this consultation hour. MWF – 1pm – 2 pm, TTh 10am – 11am.
Phone no: 09187276442
Fb Account: Armando Buyco
 Yllana Bay View College
Balangasan District Pagadian City
“The Builder of Future Leader
FORENSIC BALLISTICS
Quiz 1

Name: ____________________ Date: ____________

Course/ Year: ________________ Block: __________

MULTIPLE CHOICES:

1. A division of forensic ballistics that refers to the work of the police investigator in the field.
a) Field investigation c) Scene of Crime Operation
b) Legal proceeding d) Technical examination
2. This is the rate of speed of the bullet per unit of time-
a) Penetration c) Muzzle blast
b) Velocity d) Terminal energy
3. It is the sound created at the end of the barrel during explosion of the ammunition-
a) Penetration c) Muzzle blast
b) Velocity d) Terminal energy
4. It is the science of identification of firearms by means of ammunition fired through them.
a) Forensic ballistics c) Ballistics
b) Wound ballistics d) Terminal ballistics
 
5. It is known as the science of motion and projectiles.
a) Forensic ballistics c) Ballistics
b) Wound ballistics d) Terminal ballistics
6. That branch of ballistics that treats the reaction of the bullet while still inside the gun.
a) Forensic ballistics c) Interior ballistics
b) Exterior ballistics d) Terminal ballistics
7. A division of forensic ballistics that refers to the presentation of Ballistics reports, firearms, bullets,
cartridge cases and allied exhibits in court.
a) Field investigation c) Scene of Crime Operation
b) Legal proceeding d) Technical examination
8. It is the sound created at the muzzle and of the barrel of the firearm after the explosion.
a) Penetration c) Muzzle blast
b) Velocity d) Terminal energy
9. The actual pattern or the curved path of the bullet in the flight.
a) Trajectory c) Muzzle blast
b) Recoil of the Firearm d) Terminal energy
10. The rearward movement of the firearm after explosion
a) Trajectory c) Muzzle blast
b) Recoil of the Firearm d) Terminal energy