FORENSIC BALLISTICS NOTES

 Forensic Ballistics is the science of firearms identification by means of the ammunition fired
through them. It confines itself with the legal application of the science that deals with the
study of the motion or movement of the projectile or bullet passing through the barrel of the
firearm.

 The word ballistics was derived from the Greek word “ballo” or “ballein” which means to
throw and “Ballista” which is a Roman war machine similar to a gigantic bow or catapult.

 One of the earliest references pertaining to the rifling of firearms is in a book authored by
Harold Peterson wherein he discusses the rifling of firearms by Emperor Maximilian of
Germany between 1493 and 1508.

 In April 1925, in New York City, New York (USA), the Bureau Of Forensic Ballistics was
established by Charles E. Waite, Major (later Colonel) Calvin H. Goddard, Philip O. Gravelle
and John H. Fisher. The Bureau was formed to provide firearms identification services
throughout the United States as few law enforcement agencies had the capability to provide
this type of service.

 Major Goddard was very much a firearms identification pioneer who wrote and spoke
extensively on the subject and was published in numerous publications.

 One significant event of particular note is that they adapted a comparison microscope for use
in the identification of fired bullets and cartridge cases. This singular act is considered by many
to be a hallmark event in the science of firearms identification. Adapting the comparison
microscope, for use in the examination of fired bullets and cartridge casings, allowed for a
significant increase in the examiner’s ability to identify matching specimen.

 On February 14, 1929, in Chicago, Illinois (USA), an event occurred that significantly furthered
the acceptance of firearms identification techniques by authorities in the United States. This
event referred to as the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre, involved the brutal slaying of seven
gangsters by a rival gangster group in the City of Chicago.

 One significant event of particular note is that they adapted a comparison microscope for use
in the identification of fired bullets and cartridge cases. This singular act is considered by many
to be a hallmark event in the science of firearms identification. Adapting the comparison
microscope, for use in the examination of fired bullets and cartridge casings, allowed for a
significant increase in the examiner’s ability to identify matching specimen.

 On February 14, 1929, in Chicago, Illinois (USA), an event occurred that significantly furthered
the acceptance of firearms identification techniques by authorities in the United States. This
event referred to as the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre, involved the brutal slaying of seven
gangsters by a rival gangster group in the City of Chicago.

 The grand jury foreman, Mr. B.A. Massee, promptly engaged the services of Calvin H. Goddard
of the Bureau of Forensic Ballistics to examine and report on the firearms related evidence.
 FORENSIC BALLISTICS NOTES

Goddard’s careful and concise analysis of all the firearms related evidence; which included
fired bullets, pellets, fired shotgun casings and fired cartridge cases was significant.

 Goddard was able to conclusively state that the killers had used one 12-gauge shotgun and
two Thompson submachine guns to commit the killings. He noted that one of the Thompson’s
submachine guns was fired using a 50-round drum magazine while the other was fired using a
20-round magazine.

 Goddard became the Director of the Scientific Crime Detection Laboratory (SCDL) which was
affiliated with the Northwestern University School of Law near Chicago. Goddard remained
Director of the SCDL until leaving in 1934 to form a private firm. Prior to his departure,
Goddard provided scientific training, to include the areas of firearms and tool marks
identification, to numerous individuals who went on to work in other laboratories around the
United States. He was regarded as the Father of Modern Ballistics.

 Projectiles refer to the metallic or non-metallic objects propelled from a firearm.

 Branches of Ballistics: It is composed of Interior, Exterior, Terminal and Forensic Ballistics.

 Interior Ballistics – This treats of the motion of the projectile or bullet while still inside the
firearm. It consists of the following movement:

 The firing pin hitting the primer;

 Ignition of the priming mixture;

 Combustion of the gunpowder;

 Expansion of the heated gas;

 Development of pressure measured in pounds per square inch;

 Generation of energy measured in foot pound;

 Recoil of the firearm;

 Velocity or speed of the bullet measured in feet per second;

 Rotation of the bullet inside the barrel of the firearms; and

 Creation of engravings on the cylindrical portion of the fired bullet.

 Exterior Ballistics – Deals with the motion of the projectile after leaving the muzzle of the gun
barrel. Said actions are confined with:

 Muzzle blast – which refers to the sound created at the muzzle end of the barrel due
to the sudden escape of expanding gas;
 FORENSIC BALLISTICS NOTES

 Muzzle energy – the power generated after leaving the firearm;

 Trajectory – which refers to the path of the bullet or the curved pattern in flight from
the gun barrel to the target;

 Range – which is the distance between the bullet and the target. Accurate effective
range is the distance w/in which the shooter has control of his shots. Maximum range
refers to the farthest distance that the projectile can be propelled from the firearm;

 Velocity – refers to the rate of speed of the bullet;

 Forensic Ballistics – It refers to the science of firearms identification by using the ammunition
fired through them. Its branches includes the following:

 Field investigation – The duty of the SOCO unit which involves the recognition,
collection, marking, preservation and transmittal of ballistics exhibits such as fired
bullets, fired shells, firearms and allied matters at the crime scene.

 Technical examination – which is conducted by the firearms examiner within the

laboratory which involves the marking of the evidence, test firing, photomicrography
under the bullet comparison microscope, preparation of comparative charts and the
marking of the final reports on the findings and observations of the firearms
examiner.

 The Chinese and Mongols made the application of gunpowder to a portable arm. They were
aware of its use as a propellant long before its advantage became recognized in Europe. The
invention of the gunpowder in Western Europe in the early 13th century preceded the
development of firearms. Roger Bacon, an English monk was credited with the invention of
gunpowder in 1248.

 Berthold Schwartz was regarded as the first to use the “black powder” gunpowder to the
propelling of a missile in the early 1300’s.

 Horace Smith pioneered the making of breech-loading rifle; he was the founder of the Smith
and Wesson Company.

 Daniel Wesson an associate of Smith in revolver making.

 John M. Browning pioneered the breech-loading single shot rifle.

 David “Carbine” Williams was the maker of the first known carbine.

 Alexander John Forsyth was the “Father of the percussion ignition in 1807.” He was credited
for being the first to conceive the idea of using detonation compounds for igniting powder
charges in small arms.

 James Wolfe Ripley stimulated the development of the model 1855 rifled-musket.
 FORENSIC BALLISTICS NOTES

 Samuel Colt in 1835 produced the first practical revolver.

 Firearms: As described under Sec. 877 of the Revised Administrative Code, Firearms or arms
includes rifles, muskets, carbines, shotguns, revolvers and pistols and all other deadly
weapons from which a bullet, ball, shot shell or any other missile may be discharged by means
of gunpowder or other explosives. The term also includes air rifles except such as being of
small caliber and limited range used as toys. The barrel of any firearm shall be considered as a
complete firearm for all purposes.

 Technically a firearm is an instrument used for the propulsion of projectiles by means of the
expansive force of gases coming from burning gunpowder.

 The term caliber is used to indicate the bore diameter measured from two opposite lands.

 Types of firearms:

 Rifle – refers to a type of small weapon to used to hit targets at a longer distance and
designed to be fired from the shoulder and make use of the explosive in fixed metallic
ordnance to fire only a single projectile through a rifled bore for each pull of the
trigger.

 Musket – is an ancient smooth bore weapon designed to shoot a single round lead
ball.

 Carbine – named after David “Carbine” Williams is a caliber .30 short barrel rifles
having a barrel not longer than 22 inches designed to fire a single projectile through a
rifled-bore, either semi-automatic or full automatic for every press of the trigger.

 Shotgun – a smooth bore weapon designed to shoot a number of lead pellets or shots
in one charge. Its gauge is used to denote the bore diameter which is equivalent to the
lead ball whose weight in pounds is equal to the reciprocal gauge index.

 Types of firearms:

 Rifle – refers to a type of small weapon to used to hit targets at a longer distance and
designed to be fired from the shoulder and make use of the explosive in fixed metallic
ordnance to fire only a single projectile through a rifled bore for each pull of the
trigger.

 Musket – is an ancient smooth bore weapon designed to shoot a single round lead
ball.

 Carbine – named after David “Carbine” Williams is a caliber .30 short barrel rifles
having a barrel not longer than 22 inches designed to fire a single projectile through a
rifled-bore, either semi-automatic or full automatic for every press of the trigger.
 FORENSIC BALLISTICS NOTES

 Shotgun – a smooth bore weapon designed to shoot a number of lead pellets or shots
in one charge. Its gauge is used to denote the bore diameter which is equivalent to the
lead ball whose weight in pounds is equal to the reciprocal gauge index.

 Pistol – a hand firearm which applies to single shot through a rifled-bore for every
press of the trigger, usually applied to semi-automatic loading. This is a popular
weapon due to its stopping power for short range defense.

 Revolver – a hand firearm in which a rotating cylinder successively places cartridges

into position for firing. A versatile and dependable weapon due to its rugged, well
built and all around type of firearms.

 Air rifle – a type of weapon designed to shoot pellets by using compressed air.