FORENSIC 6- FORENSIC BALLISTICS

PROF. CHERVIN LOEWE B. NAVILLA, RCRIM

ST
1 PLACER, CRIMINOLOGY LICENSURE EXAM (OCT. 2015)

 BALLISTICS
- it is a science of the motion, launching, flight and movement of the projectile.
 There is “SCIENCE,” since it evolves into a systematized study and
experimentation of firearms, bullet, and its effect to the target.
 There is “MOTION,” since it involves the movement of the projectile.
 There is a “PROJECTILE,” since the one in motion refers to the metallic or
non-metallic ball being propelled by the firearms.

ORIGIN AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE WORD BALLISTICS

 The word “Ballistics” is derived from the Greek Word “Ballo” or “Ballein” which
literally means “to throw.”
 Its development was derived from the Roman War machine called the “Ballista”
(a gigantic catapult used to hurl missile)
 It is now developed in a contemporary society and can be interchangeably used
with the word “Firearms and Bullet Identification”
 When used in conjunction with the word “Forensic,” it refers to the application of
ballistics in the administration of justice like Forensic Firearms Investigation and
Identification.

BRANCHES INVOLVING BALLISTICS

1. INTERNAL BALLISTICS- refers to the motion of the projectile from the breech up to the
muzzle of the firearm. The processes involved in this branch are:

a. Firing pin striking the primer.

b. Ignition of the priming mixture
c. Burned priming mixture passes through the flash hole into the propellant charge
d. Combustion of the gunpowder or propellant.
e. Expansion of the high-pressure gas.
f. Pressure is developed.
g. Confined propellant creates extreme pressure and energy
h. Recoil of the gun
i. Velocity of the bullet in the barrel
j. Engraving in the cylindrical surface of the bullet (rifling)

2. EXTERNAL BALLISTICS- refers to the study of the bullets’ or missiles’ flight after it
leaves the gun muzzle and before it strikes the target. The process involve are:

a. Muzzle Blast- the noise created at the muzzle point.

b. Muzzle Energy- the energy generated at the muzzle point.
c. Conditions of the bullet in flight
 Yaw- it is the tumbling motion of the bullet in flight.
 Precession- it is the rotating movement of the bullet.
 Nutation- refers to the unsteady movement of the bullet or wobbling
movement of the bullet.

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  Trajectory- refers to the steady-flight or parabola-like flight of the
bullet.
d. Gravitational Effect
e. Range- the distance between the muzzle and the target.
 Accurate Range- the distance in which the shooter has the control of his
shots.
 Maximum Range- farthest distance the projectile can be propelled.
 Effective Range (Wounding Capability)- distance where the projectile can
inflict damage.
 Maximum Effective Range- the farthest distance the projectile is effective
against the intended target.
f. Velocity- rate of speed of the bullet in flight. It is expressed in Feet per Second
(f/s).
g. Air Resistance/Aerodynamic Drag- resistance encountered by the bullet in flight.
h. Pull of Gravity- the downward reaction of the bullet due to its weight.

3. TERMINAL BALLISTICS
- refers to the impact or effect of the bullet on the target. It is used to
determine the knocking power of the bullet once it hits the target.
- this can be sub-divided into two:
 Penetration Potential- capability of the bullet to penetrate various
materials.
 Wound Ballistics- effect of the bullet on the living tissue.
- Terminal ballistics involves the following:
a. Terminal Accuracy- refers to the size of the bullet groupings on the target.
b. Terminal Energy- energy of the projectile when it hits the target.
c. Terminal Velocity- speed of the bullet once it hits the target.
d. Terminal Penetration- depth of the bullet to the target.

4. FORENSIC BALLISTICS- it is a discipline that refers to the investigation and

identification of the cartridge and what firearm it is specifically fired at. The branch of
science which the police used as their guide in their investigation.

a. Field Investigations- it is all the investigative activities done in the field involving
the use of firearms and ammunitions. It is the procedures and methods from
collection up to the transmittal of fired shells and bullets to the crime laboratory
as well as the firearms used at the crime scene.
b. Technical Examination- it is a tasked done at the laboratory. It involves the
examination of bullet and firearms by taking a test bullet and making a
comparison of the standard and questioned specimen through photomicrography
and preparing laboratory reports thereafter.
c. Legal Proceedings- the presentation of evidence and technical reports to the trial
court as well as the taking of the testimony of the expert witness.

 FIREARMS

IMPORTANT EVENTS IN THE HISTORY OF FIREARMS

 The earliest known type of handgun was simply a small cannon. Its mechanism works by
putting a powder, wad and small ball at the muzzle end of the cannon. The ball is being
discharged by igniting the priming charge through the match or hot iron.

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  1247 and 1311- the earliest used of small cannon was in Seville, Spain.
 1449- first recorded used of the hand cannon as a cavalry weapon. The hand cannon
was heavy and inefficient so the creation of the small arms or hand guns was developed.
 Matchlock- the first major advance in pistol that can be fired using one hand. A slow-
burning piece of cord or a match is used to ignite the priming charge. The part that holds
the piece of cord is known as the “Serpentine”, the forerunner of the modern trigger.
 Wheel lock (arquebus)- credited the creation to Johann Kiefuss of Nuremberg,
Germany in 1517. It is designed made for ambush than the matchlock. A type of firearm
that has serrated wheel. When the trigger is pulled, the serrated wheel will rub against
the iron pyrite and generate spark. The spark will pass through the “flash pan” and
provides combustion to the loose powder.
 Flintlock- the same with the wheel lock but replaced the iron pyrite with a flint.
 Snaphaunce (1570)- early form of flintlock. A weapon with a mainspring inside the lock
plate and a priming pan cover which had to be manually pushed back before firing.
 Miquelet- like the snaphaunce, it is also a type of flintlock where the mainspring will be
automatically pushed back before firing.
 Pin-Fire Cartridge (1836)- developed by Le Faucheux, the first self-expanding
cartridge.
 Rim-Cartridge (1845)- developed by Flobert.
 Revolver- the earliest form of revolver was made during the days of King Charles I in
1650. The original patents of revolver belongs to Samuel Colt in 1835.
 Self-loading Pistol (1892)- the first successful self-loading pistol appeared. Patented by
Austrian Schonberger and made by company Steyr.
 1896- creation of the self-loading pistol with the introduction of 7.63 mm Mauser
 1898- creation of the Luger Pistol
 Alexander Lacassagne- first to recognized the significance of the striations etched
found on a bullet from a murder victim

PERSONS BEHIND THE CREATION OF FIREARMS

1. COL. CALVIN GODDARD- known as “The Father of Modern Ballistics.” Through his
expertise, he was able to established a comparison microscope used to determine
whether or not a bullet or shell was fired on a particular firearm.
2. HORACE SMITH- founded the Smith and Wesson, the maker of the breech-loading
rifles.
3. JOHN BROWNING- the “Wizard of Modern Firearm”
4. JOHN THOMPSON- pioneered the making of Thompson sub-machinegun.
5. David Williams- creator of the first-known carbine.
6. Samuel Colt- create the first practical revolver.
7. Uziel Gal- he invented a sub-machine gun in the 1950’s wwhich was used by the Israeli
Army during its Sinai campaign in 1956.
8. Alexander John Forsyth- “Father of the Percussion Ignition”
9. Henry Derringer- manufacturer of the Pocket Pistol.

DEFINITION OF FIREARM

A. LEGAL DEFINITION
- Sec. 877 of Revised Administrative Code, Sec. 290 of Nat’l Internal Revenue
Code and Republic Act No. 8294 as follows:
“FIREARMS OR ARMS as herein used, includes rifles, muskets,
carbines, shotgun, pistols, revolvers, and all other deadly weapons from which

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 the bullets, balls, shots, shells, or other missiles maybe discharged, by means of
gun powder or other explosives. This term also include air rifles and air pistols
not classified as toys under the provision of Executive Order No. 712. The barrel
of any firearm shall be considered a complete firearm for all purposes hereof.

-Republic Act 10591 defines firearms as:

“FIREARM refers to any handheld or portable weapon, whether a small
arm or light weapon, that expels or is designed to expel a bullet, shot, slug,
missile or any projectile, which is discharged by means of expansive force of
gases from burning gunpowder or other form of combustion or any similar
instrument or implement. For purposes of this Act, the barrel, frame or receiver is
considered a firearm.

-26 US Code 5845 defines firearms as:

The term “firearm” means (1) a shotgun having a barrel or barrels of less
than 18 inches in length; (2) a weapon made from a shotgun if such weapon as
modified has an overall length of less than 26 inches or a barrel or barrels of less
than 18 inches in length; (3) a rifle having a barrel or barrels of less than 16
inches in length; (4) a weapon made from a rifle if such weapon as modified has
an overall length of less than 26 inches or a barrel or barrels of less than 16
inches in length; (5) any other weapon, as defined in subsection (e); (6) a
machinegun; (7) any silencer (as defined in section 921 of title 18, United States
Code); and (8) a destructive device. The term “firearm” shall not include an
antique firearm or any device (other than a machinegun or destructive device)
which, although designed as a weapon, the Secretary finds by reason of the date
of its manufacture, value, design, and other characteristics is primarily a
collector’s item and is not likely to be used as a weapon.

B. TECHNICAL DEFINITION
- a firearm is an instrument used for the propulsion of projectiles by means of the
expansive forces of gases coming from burning gunpowder.

CLASSIFICATION OF FIREARMS

A. ACCORDING TO BARREL CONSTRUCTION

 Smooth-Bore Firearms= firearms that have no rifling inside the gun barrel. Ex.
Shotgun and musket
 Rifled-Bore Firearms= firearms that have rifling inside the gun barrel. Ex. Pistols
and revolvers

B. ACCORDING TO CALIBER OF THE PROJECTILE

 Artillery (Missile)= type of firearms that propels projectile with more than one inch
diameter.
Examples: Cannons, Mortars and Bazookas
 Small Arms= firearms that propels projectile with less than one inch diameter.
Examples: Pistol and Revolver

C. SHOULDER ARMS- those types of firearms that are fired from the shoulder

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  Rifles= shot through a rifled bore barrel with a measurement of more than 22 inches.
 Carbine= a barrel with not longer than 22 inches.

D. ACCORDING TO MECHANICAL CONSTRUCTION

 Single Shot Firearms= designed to fire only one shot every loading. Ex. Pistol,
Revolver, Shotgun
 Repeating Arms= designed to fire several loads or shot in one loading. Ex.
Automatic Pistol, Rifle, Machine Gun.
 Automatic Firearm= constitute a continuous firing in a single press of a trigger.
 Slide Action Type= loading take place by back and forth manipulation either under
or over the gun. One shot per loading.
 Bolt Action Type= one loading and several shots.

E. HANDGUNS= types of firearm designed to be fired using one hand only.

 Pistol= derived from the Italian word “Pistoia” which means “city.”
 Revolver= designed to position the cartridge for firing by the action of the rotating
cylinder that serves as a chamber.
o Single Action= a revolver wherein the hammer should be manually
cocked before squeezing the trigger.
o Double Action= a revolver that does not need manual cocking. The
hammer will automatically cock after pressing the trigger.

SHOTGUN
- smooth bore shoulder arms designed to fire a number of lead pellets or shots.
- it is classified depends on its barrel construction.
o Cylinder Bore Type= the bore diameter is the same throughout the
barrel.
o Choke Bore Type= the bore has a diminishing diameter (choke) towards
the muzzle of the shotgun. It is designed for more accurate shots.
o Paradox Gun= it has a rifling a few inch from its muzzle point. It is usually
found on a “Buck shot” guns.
- Categories of shotguns according to its mechanism:
o Single-Barreled Shotgun- it has one barrel and capable of holding one
cartridge only at a time.
o Double Barreled Shotgun- two barrels that is either position side by side
or over and under.
o Pump Action Shotgun- most common type of shotgun. It functions by
putting shot shells into the magazine tube and manually pulling the pump
handle after each succeeding shots.
o Semi-automatic Shotgun- capable of automatically feeding the chamber
with a new cartridge after the first shot has been fired.
o Bolt Action Type- use for hunting and sporting.

MISCELLANEOUS TYPES OF GUN

1. Cane Guns- it is termed as a “Walking Stick” It is a walking cane that has a hidden gun built
in it.
2. Freakish Guns- it is a gun in which it cannot be identified as a real gun or is designed in a
different manner to avoid easy identification.
3. Flare Gun- used to trace or send signal.

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4. Tool Gun- it has a resemblance of a gun but is intended to be used in carpentry and
construction of furniture.
5. Zip Gun- a home-made gun that is usually used in street crimes or gang wars. Locally
known as “Paltik”

 AMMUNITION

IMPORTANT EVENTS IN THE HISTORY OF AMMUNITION

 The first form of ammunition is consisted of a loose powder that is carried through a flask
or horn and loaded inside the barrel through the muzzle of the firearm. Early projectiles
used are stone balls and arrows.
 By the 15th century, lead ball is wrapped in a wad filled with black powder.
 At the later part of the 16th century, a pre-measured charges were wrapped in a paper
bag. This paper bags will be torn and poured in the barrel followed by the wadding then
the bullet.
 Towards the end of the 1600s, the bullet was tied into the top of the powder bag
resulting in the first “self-contained” cartridge.

DEFINITION OF AMMUNITION

A. LEGAL DEFINITION
Chapter VII, Sec. 290 of the NIRC and also in Sec. 877 of the RAC defined as:
- it refers to ammunition as a “loaded shell” for rifles, muskets, carbines,
shotgun, revolver, and pistols from which a ball, bullet, shot, shell, or other missile may
be fired by mean of gunpowder or other explosive. The term also includes ammunition
for air rifles as mentioned elsewhere in the code.

B. TECHNICAL DEFINITION
-the term ammunition refers to a group of cartridge or to a single unit or single
cartridge.
- a complete unfired unit consisting of a bullet, cartridge case, gun powder and
the primer
- In a shotgun cartridge, it refers to complete or unfired cartridge consisting of
pellets, primer, case, wads, and gunpowder.

ORIGIN OF THE WORD CARTRIDGE

- It is derived from the Latin Word, “Charta” which means “paper”

- Also from the French Word, “Cartouche” which means “a rolled paper”

PARTS OF CARTRIDGE

1. Bullet- a projectile being propelled through the barrel of the firearm by means of the
expansive forces of gases once the gunpowder or propellant is burned. It is termed as
“slug” in the police parlance.
2. Cartridge Cases- a cylindrical container for the gunpowder and the one that holds the
bullet. Sometimes called as “Shell” or “Case” and “shell cup” in a shotgun.
3. Gunpowder- it is a powder charge that once ignited by the primer will build a
tremendous pressure inside the contained cartridge case and suddenly propel the bullet
from the barrel up to the target. Also termed as “Propellant”

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 4. Primer- contains a highly sensitive priming mixture that initiates combustion to
gunpowder once struck by the firing pin. Termed also as “Percussion”

PARTS OF A SHOTGUN CARTRIDGE

1. Primer- contains a highly priming compound that explodes when hit by the firing pin.
2. Case- holds the other parts of the shell. It is either made of plastic or brass.
3. Powder Charge- propels the shell once burned and formed pressure inside the shell.
4. Wad- it separates the shot from the powder. It also holds the pellets once it passes
through the barrel and until it leaves the muzzle. It is made up of plastic or paper.
5. Pellets or Slug- shotguns varies depends on the projectile it propels either it is a
pellet/shots or slugs.

CLASSIFICATION OF AMMUNITION

A. ACCORDING TO THE LOCATION OF THE PRIMER

 Pin-fire Cartridge- developed by Le Fauchex. The primer or ignition cap is
concealed inside the cartridge case with a pin attached in it. It is no longer used
(obsolete).

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  Rim-fire Cartridge- developed by Flobert. The priming compound is located at
the rim of the case and ignites once the cavity of the rim was struck by the firing
pin.
 Center-Fire Cartridge- the priming cap is placed at the center of the base of the
cartridge case. Most commonly used cartridge in our time.

B. ACCORDING TO RIM DIAMETER

 Rimmed Case Type- a cartridge that has its rim on the shell.
 Semi-Rimmed Type- the diameter of the cartridge case is bigger than its rim.
 Rimless Type/Bottlenecked Type- a cartridge that has no rim at all.
 Rebated Type- it is a rimless type of cartridge but has a rim diameter smaller
than the body of the case.
 Belted Type- a cartridge that has a belt around its body.

C. ACCORDING TO CALIBER OR GAUGE

 Caliber- term or unit of measurement found mostly on a rifled type of firearms
like pistols, revolver and rifles. It can be converted into millimeter.
 Gauge (U.S.) & Bore (U.K.)- a unit of measurement found mostly on a smooth-
bored firearms like shotguns. The gauge is the number of lead balls or pellets of
the bore diameter equal to the weight of one pound. Ex. 1/12 of a pound is 12-
Gauge and 1/20 of a pound is 20-Gauge.

o Types of Shotgun Slugs/Bullets

 Brenneke Slug- invented by German ammunition designer, Wilhelm
Brenneke. It is made of a solid lead and usually fired in a cylinder type of
shotgun. It can provide deeper penetration but can only travel short range
once it leaved the muzzle.
 Foster Slug- developed by Karl Foster. Fired on a choked bore shotgun and
allows an accurate shot with a range of 50-70 yards.
 Sabot Slug- used primarily in rifled barrel to provide much higher velocity. It
is usually fired in a paradox gun.

 BULLET

DEFINITION OF BULLET

- The word “Bullet” was derived from the “French word” “Boullete” which means a small
ball.
- it refers to a metallic or non-metallic cylindrical ball propelled from a firearms. In a
police parlance, it is termed as “slug.” In a shotgun, it is termed as “shots” or “pellets”

TYPES OF BULLETS
A. Lead Type Bullet- composed of a lead metal and alloyed with quantities of antimony
to give it hardness.
B. Jacketed Bullet- it is covered by thin layer of a much harder material like copper or
zinc alloy added with a thick coat of lacquer to prevent corrosion. It is commonly
used in high-powered weapons.
C. Soft Point or Semi-Jacketed- a bullet covered with a jacket but reveals the lead at
nose of the bullet.

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 D. Hollow Point- the nose has a cavity that makes the bullet expand on impact
especially at soft targets.
E. Saboted Bullet- a bullet that is smaller than the bore diameter. A bullet surrounded
by a plastic sheet that discards once it leaves the muzzle thus creating a much
higher velocity.

TYPES OF BULLETS ACCORDING TO THE BULLET TIP (NATO COUNTRIES COLOR

CODING)

A. Ball Type (NO COLOR)- used commonly against personnel.

B. Tracer Bullet (RED)- used in military operations where the bullet leaves a trace on its
tail while on its flight.
C. Dark Ignition Tracer (ORANGE)- known as delay tracer bullet. The bullet will ignite
some distance away from the muzzle.
D. Armor-piercing Bullet (BLACK)- used against armored vehicles and target.
E. Incendiary Bullet (BLUE)- it sets fire on target.
F. Explosive (Fragmentary) Bullet- it detonates once it reaches the target.

 CARTRIDGE CASE
- a metallic or non-metallic container, usually cylindrical in shape, which holds the
primer, powder charge or bullet. It is made up of 70% copper and 30% Zinc.
- It is also termed as Shell, Case, Casing or Brass.

PARTS OF THE CARTRIDGE CASE

1. Base- it is the bottom portion of the shell where head stamp and primer will be found.
Head stamp indicates the caliber and manufacturer of the ammunition.
2. Rim- it limits the forward movement of the cartridge in the firearms chamber or cylinder.
3. Extracting Grooves- a depressed portion between the body and rim of the shell that is
actually being withdrawn from the chamber.
4. Primer Pocket- it holds the primer in the central position and prevents the gas from
escaping.
5. Body- the part that houses the gunpowder.
6. Shoulder- supports the neck of the cartridge.
7. Cannelure- it is a groove around the body of cartridge case that prevents the bullet from
being pushed down the case. It is also consist of lubricated substance which is essential
in identification process.
8. Crimp- it is located at the mouth of the case to hold the bullet in place and avoid the
bullet being pulled out from the case.
9. Neck- it is where the bullet being placed.
10. Vent or Flash Hole- it is the hole at the bottom of the body but located inside the primer.
It is where the ignited priming mixture pass through to provide combustion to the
gunpowder. There are two types flash holes namely:
o Boxer Type- a cartridge that has only one flash hole. It was designed by Colonel
Edward Boxer.
o Berdan Type- a cartridge that has two flash hole designed by Col. Hiram
Berdan.

 Primer
- it is considered as the ignition system of the cartridge. It contains the highly
sensitive compound. When struck by enough force from the firing pin, it will ignite into a

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 flame and imparts combustion to the propellant. The action of the primer is called,
“Percussion.” It is commonly found on the center-fire type of cartridge.

PARTS OF THE PRIMER

1. Primer Cup- it covers the priming mixture, the anvil and the disc.
2. Priming Mixture- the highly sensitive compound that actually ignites. Also called
“Percussion Powder.”
3. Anvil- it absorbs the blow of the firing pin and provides that creates friction which in
turn provides ignition for the priming mixture.
4. Disc- provides insulation for the priming mixture against attack from moisture.

 GUNPOWDER
- also termed as gun propellant or simply a propellant. It is a chemical explosive
created to propel the projectile in a firearm through the action of expansive forces
of gases.
- the first known gunpowder is a “Black Powder” (75% Potassium Nitrate, 15%
Charcoal/Saltpeter, and 10% Sulfur)
- the one being widely used today is the “Smokeless Powder”, (40%
nitroglycerine and 60% nitrocellulose)

HISTORY OF GUNPOWDER

 Black Powder
- Black powder is the first known gunpowder and believed to have originated in CHINA.
It was used in fireworks and signal during the 10th century. It seems discovered by accident by
an alchemist who seeks for an immortality while inventing the elixir of life.
- In 142 AD, during the Han Dynasty, in the “Book of the Kinship of the Three,” author
Wei Boyang was the first person to write regarding gunpowder. He described the mixture of
three powders that would “fly and dance” violently that later on pave way to the creation of
fireworks.
- By 904 AD, during the Tang Dynasty, it was only the time when the people began to
use gunpowder for a weapon. It was evident after the invention of small cannonballs inside the
bamboo tubes. It was the idea that pave way to the creation of guns and cannons.
- The Chinese Emperors tried to keep it a secret from foreign countries but by 1100’s
AD, their secret had been discovered by the Islamic and Roman Empire and started to learn
how to use gunpowder for weapons.
- By 1216 AD, a monk named Roger Bacon (Constantin Anklitzen) of England described
gunpowder as a weapon.

 Smokeless Powder
- people realize that the use of black powder is inefficient and messy that made the
invention of smokeless powder.
- In 1864, the first smokeless powder were made when both nitrocellulose (gun cotton)
and nitroglycerin developed in Europe.
- In 1884, a French Chemist named Paul Viellie improves the stability issues of the
guncotton. He treated the guncotton with mixture of ether and alcohol. These formulation
is called “Poudre B.” It is the first “single base powder.” It was first used in a rifle named
Lebel Model 1886.

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 - In 1888, Alfred Nobel created the “Ballistite” The chemical formula was 45% guncotton,
45% nitroglycerine and 10% camphor. It was the first “double-base powder.” It has even
greater range than Poudre B.
- In 1889, Sir James Dewar and Sir Frederick Abel invented the cordite. It was made of
nitroglycerine, guncotton and petroleum substance with the addition of acetone to
gelatinized the substance.

 FIREARMS MANUFACTURE
a. Drilling- first procedure to be done to a metal is to drill a hole using a Gun Drills
or Deep Hole Drills. This procedure only creates irregularities on the inside
surface of the barrel for the meantime.
b. Reaming- the procedure that creates a very fine surface into the bore of the
barrel after the drilling operation which creates a perfect circular hole.
c. Cut Rifling- it creates the spiral grooves inside the barrel using some form of a
cutter or the rifling operation process.
d. Lapping- is the process of polishing the land and grooves of the barrel to remove
the remaining imperfections and machining marks for an uniform end to end
surface of the barrel.

 FIREARMS IDENTIFICATION
- it is the process of determining a firearm through close examination of bullet
and the shell casing by looking at the reproducible marks created by the firearm.
It is based on the principle of uniqueness and distinguishing characteristics of
evidences.
- All cases of firearms identification involve two examinations: Class
Characteristics and Individual Characteristics.

 CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
- also termed as “General Rifling Characteristics.”
- it is the preliminary examination on all types of physical evidence. It is a design
or characteristics of an object that is common to a particular group.

o SEVEN GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS

A. Caliber (Bore Diameter of the barrel)- either caliber or gauge and
the distance between two opposite lands of the barrel.
B. Number of Lands and Grooves- the number of lands and gooves
in a rifled barrel always has the same number.
o Lands- the elevated portion of the barrel of the gun.
o Grooves- the depressed portion of the barrel of the gun.
C. Width of Lands
D. Width of Grooves
E. Direction of Twist- the rifling inside the gun barrel may either twist
to the left or to the right and will cause the bullet to rotate making
stability to the bullet in flight.
F. Pitch of Rifling- it is the measure of twisting of the lands and
grooves for every one complete turn (360 degree)
G. Depth of Grooves- grooves are usually measured thousands of an
inch deep and the height is equal to the height of the land.

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 Types of Rifling
1. Steyer Type= rifling having 4 lands and 4 grooves, right twist, and equal width of
lands and grooves. (4RG=L)
2. Carbine Type= rifling having 4 lands and 4 grooves, right twist, and grooves is 2
times the width of the lands. (4RG2x)
3. Smith and Wesson= rifling having 5 lands and 5 grooves, right twist, and equal width
of lands and grooves. (5RG=L)
4. Colt= rifling having 6 lands and 4 grooves, left twist and grooves is 2 times the width
of the lands. (6LG2x)
5. Browning= rifling having 6 lands and 6 grooves, right twist and grooves is 2 times the
width of the lands. (6RG2x)
6. Winchester= rifling having 6 lands and 6 grooves, right twist and grooves is 3 times
the width of the lands. (6RG3x)
7. Webley= rifling having 7 land and 7 grooves, right twist and grooves is 3 times the
width of the lands. (7RG3x)

o INDIVIDUAL CHARACTERISTICS
- characteristics which are peculiar and cannot be found in other types of
firearms. It is acquired during or after the manufacture of the firearm.
These are the product of manufacturing imperfections. It is also the
effects on the firearm after it has been used.

 PRINCIPLES INVOLVE IN FIREARMS IDENTIFICATION

- Two things marked by the same tool will produce the same markings but no two
things marked by two different tools will create the same markings. Just like the
effects of the firearm into the bullet and shell once its fired from the said firearm.

A. BULLET IDENTIFICATION/MARKS FOUND ON FIRED BULLETS

1. Land Marks- marks left on a fired bullet caused by the contact of the elevated
portion (lands) to the bullet.
2. Groove Marks- bullets caused by the grooves of the barrel.
3. Skid Marks- it is due to the sudden forward movement of the bullet from the
chamber before it spins to the barrel.
4. Stripping Marks- caused by “worn-out” and “loose-fit” barrel or because of
corrosion and erosion of the barrel.
5. Shaving Marks- usually found on bullet fired from a revolver wherein the cylinder
is poorly aligned to the barrel.
6. Slippage Marks- bullets passing through a either oily or oversize barrel.

B. SHELL IDENTIFICATION/MARKS FOUND ON A FIRED SHELLS

1. Firing Pin Mark- it is found on the base portion of the shell near the center of the
primer of the shell. It is considered as the most important marks for identification
on fired shell.
2. Breech Face Mark- it is caused by the backward movement of the shell on the
breech block of the firearm.
3. Extractor Mark- it is found on the extracting groove once the fired cartridge is
withdrawn from the chamber.
4. Ejector Mark- it is found on the rim of the case cause by the removal of the fired
case from the firearm.

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 5. Shearing Mark- marks created around the firing pin mark or rippled-like marks.
6. Magazine Lip Mark- this markings found around the cartridge during the loading
into the magazine.
7. Chamber Marks- caused by the irregularities of the chamber of the firearm.

 SEVEN PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS ON FIREARM IDENTIFICATION

1. Given a bullet, to determine the caliber of firearm from which it was fired.
- an examination is done on a rifled barrel as shown by its class characteristics.
- it is done by measuring the diameter of the bullet. Count the number of lands
and grooves then get the width of its lands and grooves and look for the direction
of twist.
2. Given a fired cartridge case, to determine the caliber of firearm from which it was
fired.
- it is done by identifying first if it is a pin-fire, rim-fire or center-fire cartridge and
determine the caliber of the cartridge case.
3. Given a bullet and fired firearm, to determine whether or not the bullet was fired
from the suspected firearm.
- done by taking 3 test bullets using the suspected firearm and compare the test
bullet with the bullet found at the crime scene.
4. Given a fired cartridge case and a suspected firearm, to determine whether or not
the cartridge case was fired from the suspected firearm.
- the solution given for problem number 3 is similar for problem number 4.
5. Given two or more bullets, to determine whether or not they were fired from the
same firearm.
6. Given two or more fired cartridge cases, to determine whether or not they were
fired from the same firearm.
7. Given a firearm, to determine whether or not the firearm is serviceable.

 Laboratory Instruments Used in Firearms Identification

A. Bullet Comparison Microscope-

- most prominent and common tool used in comparing the test bullet or shell to
the bullet and shell found at the crime scene.
B. Torsion Balance
- used to measure the equivalent weight of the bullet.
C. Bullet recovery Box
- used in getting at least three test bullets and shells. After taking a test bullets or
shells, a mark must indicate the last two digit of the firearm’s serial number and
the number of test bullet e.g. (T-88-1, T-89-2 and T-90-3)
D. Chronograph
- used to measure the velocity of the bullet.
E. Caliper
- used to measure the caliber of the firearm.
F. Helixometer
- used to measure the pitch of rifling of the firearm.

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  COLLECTION AND PRESERVATION OF FIREARMS EVIDENCES

TYPE OF PROCEDURE PACKING/STORAGE

EVIDENCE/SAMPLES
Firearms found or Keep calm and take your time.
received Safety first! Wet or bloodstained
 Photograph the weapon on weapons must be dried at
site: where was it? room temperature before
 Do not handle the weapon being packaged in a
without gloves on account of suitable box. Weapons
fingerprints. found in water must be
 Always point the barrel of the saturated with thin
gun in a safe direction lubricating oil and sent to
the PNP CL. (barrel,
chamber and receiver)

Pistols The bolt is especially

 Take out the magazine,
leaving the cartridges inside.
 Raise the slide catch lever
and, if possible, thumb it up to
arrest the slide in the open
position.
important. The aim is to
prevent oxygen in the air
coming into contact with
the metal, causing it to
oxidize (rust) and thus
destroying some of the
evidence.

Double-barrelled rifles Mark and place in a dry

 Point the weapon in a safe plastic evidence bag.
direction.
 Open the rifle. Some rifles
have ejectors that eject the
cartridge cases. Watch where
they land!
 Make a note of the make and
the location of any
cartridges/cases before
removing them.

Other types of firearms Mark and place in a dry

 Get help from weapons plastic evidence bag.
experts, preferably scene-of-
crime officers or the PNPCL;
alternatively from weapons
instructors, firearms dealers,
military personnel etc.

Bullets and cartridge Wrap each bullet in

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cases  Bullets and cartridge cases kitchen rolls or similar
must not be handled with tools material and package in
that make marks (such as small plastic boxes. Write
pliers and forceps). any notes on the box,
 Moist or blood-stained never on a bullet or case.
materials must be air-dried at
room temperature. Rust or
oxidization may destroy
evidence.
 Bear in mind the risk of blood
infection from blood-stained
materials.

Bullets trapped in an Mark and place in a dry

object  Photograph the object in plastic evidence bag.
which the bullet is trapped
together with a measurement
scale or similar object that can
be used as a measurement
reference. Take an overall view
and detailed views.
 Take away the whole object
if possible. If this is not
possible, uncover the area
where the bullet is located.
Leave a good deal of the
material surrounding the bullet.
 If the bullet must be
uncovered on site, remove the
material around the bullet
carefully so that it can be
detached without being
touched.
 If possible, avoid damaging
the entry hole.

FROM THE PNP FIELD MANUAL ON INVESTIGATION OF CRIMES OF VIOLENCE AND

OTHER CRIMES (2011)

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