Forensic Ballistics

Forensic ballistics
(ret.) PMAJ CECIL MAC L. BLANCO, MSCJ

Course Description
• A scientific study of firearm identification with the
use of laboratory examination. The course
gives emphasis on the history, important
dates and personalities in the study of
ballistics, the study of firearms, ammunitions,
projectiles, gunpowder and primer through the
use of the forensic ballistics laboratory
equipment. It also deals with the principles of
firearm identification and preparation of reports
for legal proceedings in the solution of cases
involving firearms.
BALLISTICS - defined as the science of the motion of projectiles
- is a science in itself, because it evolved from the systematic knowledge , research
and development, training, experience and education of those who pioneered in this
field.
- Refers to the science of firearms investigation. It involves the scientific examination
of ballistics.
- It also involves the used of such equipment as bullet comparison microscope,
stereoscopic microscope, shadowgraph, onoscope, bullet recovery box.
Chronograph, helixometer, taper gage, caliper and analytical balance
ORIGIN
BALLISTICS. Was derived from the Greek word

“BALO’ or “BALLEIN” which literally means to “THROW”.
BALLISTA - a gigantic bow or catapult which was used
to hurl missiles or large objects at a particular distance to
deter animals or enemy forces.
FORENSIC - a relationship to court justice and legal proceedings .
- derived from the Latin word “FORUM”
FORUM - a marketplace, where people gather for “public disputation” or “public discussion”.
FORENSIC BALLISTICS - is the science of investigation and identification of firearms and
ammunitions used in crimes.
BRANCHES
A. INTERIOR BALLISTICS - refers to the properties and attributes of the projectile while inside the gun.
1. Firing pin hitting the primer
2. Ignition of the priming mixture
3. Combustion of he gunpowder
4. Expansion of the heated gas
5. Pressure developed
6. Energy generated
7. Recoil of the gun
8. Velocity of bullet in the barrel
9. Rotation of the bullet in the barrel
10. Engraving of the cylindrical surfaces of

the bullet
B. EXTERIOR BALLISTICS - refers to the attributes and movements of the bullet after it has left
the gun muzzle.
1. Muzzle blast – the noise created at the muzzle point of the gun due to the sudden escape of he
expanding gas coming to contact v with the air in the surrounding atmosphere at the muzzle
point.
2. Muzzle energy – energy generated at the muzzle point
3. Trajectory - the actual curved path of the bullet during its flight from the gun muzzle to the
target.
4. Range - the straight distance between muzzle and the target.
a. ACCURATE (effective) RANGE - the distance within which the shooter has control of his shots,
meaning he can place his shots at the desired spots.
b. MAXIMUM RANGE - the farthest distance that a projectile can be propelled from a firearm.
5. Velocity – rate of speed of the bullet per unit of time.
6. Air resistance – resistance encountered by the bullet while in flight
7. Pull of gravity - downward reaction of bullet toward the earth center due to its weight.
8. Penetration – depth of entry on target.
9. YAW - the wobbling of the bullet caused by the uneven pressure applied to one side or the other.
- When a bullet first leaves the barrel, it is subjected to uneven forces on one side or the
other which cause it to wobble.
- With a well designed bullet and a good quality barrel, the yaw will usually be corrected
C. TERMINAL BALLISTICS - The effects of the impact of the projectile on the target.
1. Terminal accuracy – size of the bullet grouping on the target.
2. Terminal energy – energy of the projectile when it strikes the target.
3. Terminal velocity – speed of the bullet upon striking the target
4. Terminal penetration – depth of entry of the bullet in the target.

5. RICOCHET – it is the tendency of the bullet to glance off
an object or to skip.
D. FORRENSIC BALLISTICS - the investigation and identification of firearms by means of
ammunitions fired through them.
1. Field Investigation - this is conducted by the first officer on the case in the field when they
investigate a case or cases wherein firearms have been used.
2. Technical Examination of the Ballistic s Exhibits - the job performed by the firearms examiners
in the laboratory .
3. Legal Proceedings -(court trials) - wherein the Ballistics Report of the Firearm Examiner and
the Ballistics Exhibit are presented during the trial of the case in the court of justice
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF FIREARMS
Early 13th Century Western Europe
BERTHOLD SCHWARTZ - German monk
ROGER BACON - English monk
CHINESE and ARABS – First invented the gun powder with their advance knowledge of chemistry
may have also developed it independently.
Attacked in Seville, Spain in 1247 - First account of firearm used
KING EDWARD III of England used cannons in Crecy 1346
MOHAMMED II of Turkey – Famous conqueror of Constantinople , 1453
BLACK POWDER - A gunpowder that the two monks discovered
Evident usage of gunpowder is when the Moores used artillery against Zaragoza in 1118.
GENERAL BATU (1245) – a Tartar leader used an artillery in Leignitz and defeated Poles, Hungarian
and Russians
1313 – Gunpowder as propellant. The age of gunpowder began with its first use as a propellant for a
projectile.
1350 – Small Arms. Gunpowder was first used only in cannons. It was not until the 14th century that
portable hand firearms were introduced. These guns were ignited by handheld hotwire or lighted
match.
1498 – Rilings. The first reference to rifled barrels happened around this year. Although its importance
as an aid to accuracy was recognized by some, it took many years before rifling was generally used.
1575 – Cartridge. Paper cartridge was developed. This combined both powder and ball. This greatly
speeded loading reduced the hazards for carrying loose powder.
1807 – Percussion system. Forsyth discovered that certain compounds detonated by a blow could be
used to ignite the charge in a firearm, forming the basis for all later percussion and cartridge
developments.
1835 – Samuel Colt patented the first practical revolver in which the cylinder rotated by cocking the
hammer.
1836 – Pinfire Cartridge. The pinfire cartridge developed by Le Faucheux was probably the first self-
exploding cartridge to come into general use.
1845 – Rimfire Cartridge. In France, Flobert developed “bullet breech cap” which was in reality the first
rimfire cartridge.
1807 – Percussion system. Forsyth discovered that certain compounds detonated by a blow could be
used to ignite the charge in a firearm, forming the basis for all later percussion and cartridge
developments.
1835 – Samuel Colt patented the first practical revolver in which the cylinder rotated by cocking the
hammer.
1836 – Pinfire Cartridge. The pinfire cartridge developed by Le Faucheux was probably the first self-
exploding cartridge to come into general use.
1845 – Rimfire Cartridge. In France, Flobert developed “bullet breech cap” which was in reality the first
rimfire cartridge.
1858 – Center-fire Cartridge. The Morse cartridge marked the beginning of the rapid development of
the center-fire cartridge.
1884 – Automatic Machine Gun. Hiram Maxim built the first fully automatic gun, utilizing the recoil of
the piece to load and fire the next charge.
1885 –Smokeless Powder. In France, Vieille developed the first satisfactory smokeless powder, new
propellant which lacked the smoke characteristics of black powder, but was more powerful.
ANCIENT Firing Mechanisms of Firearm
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.
Wheel-lock - in the early 16th century, improvement included the wheel-lock mechanism
in which a spinning wheel against a metal plate showered sparks into the pan holding the
priming powder.
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.
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.
PERSONALITIES IN FIREARMS HISTORY
COL. CALVIN H. GODDARD

Founder of modern ballistics
HORACE SMITH
Founded the great firm Smith and Wesson
and pioneered the making of breech-loading
rifles
Daniel B. Wesson
An associate partner of Smith in revolver making
John M. Browning
Wizard of modern firearms and pioneered the
breech-loading single shot rifle
John T. Thompson
Pioneered the making of Thompson

Submachine Gun
James Wolfe Ripley
Stimulated the development of the

Model 1855 rifle-musket
Samuel Colt
Produced the first practical revolver
John C. Garand
Designed and invented the semi-automatic
U.S. Rifle, Caliber .30, M1
Oliver F. Winchester
One of the earliest rifles and pistol makers
Berthold Schwartz
A Franchiscan monk in the town of Frieburg,

Germany who invented the gunpowder
Richard J. Gatling - Developed the hand-wranked machine gun
Hiram Maxim - Built the first fully automatic machine gun

Eugene Morrison Stoner - (November 22, 1922 - April 24, 1997) is the man most associated
with the design of the AR-15, which was adopted by the US military as theM16. He is regarded by
most historians, along with John Browning and John Garand, as one of the United States’ most
successful military firearms designers of the 20th century.
Mikhail Kalashnikov
` Designer and inventor of AK-47
` A – Avtomat means automatic in Russian
K – means Kalashnikov
47 – means year 1947, the year AK was developed.
Gaston Glock
Alexander John Forsyth –
father of the percussion
ignition
Elisha King Root – designed the machinery
for making firearms
Eliphalet
Remington –
one of the first
rifle makers
John Mahlon
Marlin – founder
of the Marlin
Firearms
Company
Henry Deringer
– gave his name
to a whole class
of firearms
David “Carbine”
Williams – maker
of the first known
carbine
“
• Two divisions of forensic ballistics
1.Field investigation-refers to the work of police
investigators in the field. The work includes collection,
marking, preservation, packaging and transporting of the
collected evidence ( such as firearms, fired bullet, empty
shells, slugs..etc.)
2. Technical Examinations- refers to the work of firearm
examiners or forensic ballistics specialist who examines
the collected evidence ( bullets/ empty shells) whether
fired form the suspected firearms submitted and
determine whether the ejected cartridges case were
loaded or ejected from the suspected firearms submitted.
• How did firearm evolve?
– Under section 1 of P.D 1866, dated June 29,1983
as amended: “Firearm” as herein used, includes
rifles, muskets, carbines, shotguns, revolvers,
pistols and all other deadly weapons from which
a bullet, ball, shot shall or other missile maybe
discharged by means of gunpowder or other
explosives.
How did the gun get its name?
• Before guns were invented, there were many types
of spring-driven catapults that hurled large stoned;
the springal, the trebuchet, the arbalest and a
wheeled catapult known as mangonel. These were all
known as GYNS, a now obsolete shortening of the
word, engine. It is possible that the word gun came
from gyn, but it is much more probable that it is
derived from mangonel which was familiarly known
in the medieval days as a GONNE. All these catapults
threw stones and so did the early powder-loaded
cannons.
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• Principle of firearm identification:
• The principles of firearm identification states
the “NO” two (2) barrels of a firearms are
microscopically identical as the surface of
their bore posses individual characteristics
and make. This is sometimes called the
principles of individuality.
• Firearms are identified through microscopic
imperfections that are produced inadvertently
in gun barrels during manufacture,
subsequent use and wear contribute further
to a weapons individuality. A bullet fired from
a pistol or rifle, therefore, has impressed on its
surface the individual characteristics of the
barrel through which it was fired.
• Two general characteristics of firearms
1. CLASS Characteristics-generally refers to those
characteristics that are determinable even
before the manufacture of the firearm ( e.g.
type, model and make of a firearm)
2. INDIVIDUAL characteristics- refers to those
characteristics of firearms that are
determinable only after the manufacture of a
firearm ( e.g. irregularities or imperfection of
lands and grooves)
• HOW THE BARREL IS MADE
Drilling is a single hole through a metal
block and then forming the outside of the
barrel.
• How firearms are classified
• 1. Long arms or shoulder arms
• 2. Handguns or short arms
Classification of firearms according to use:
a. Military firearms
b. Civilian Firearms
c. Sports firearms
• Classification of firearms according to
technological construction
• Single shot firearms
• Repeating firearms
• Bolt action type firearms
• Automation- Semi automatic firearms
• Slide action type firearms
• Classification of firearms according to
magazine type:
• Firearms with revolving magazines
• Firearms with cylindrical magazine
• Firearms with vertical magazine
Types of guns
• Semi automatic
• Revolver
• Rifle
• Shotgun
• TYPES OF BULLETS
• Full metal
• Jacket
• Soft point
• Hallow point
• Lead alloy
Cartidge markings
1. Firing pen
2. Breech block
3. Ejector
4. extractor
• Rifles are so named
because of the grooving
inside the gun barrel
known as rifling. The
word pistol owes its origin
to either the Italian city of
PISTOIA, or PISTOLE, a
coin that was supposed to
be the same diameter as
the bore of the weapon.
General classification of firearms
• Smooth-bore firearms – firearms that have no

riflings (ex. Shotguns and muskets)
• Rifled – bore firearms – firearms that have riflings
(ex. pistols and revolvers)
Types of Firearms
• Artillery – those types of firearms that propel

projectiles more than one inch in diameter (ex.
cannons, mortars and bazookas)
• Small arms – those types of firearms that propel
projectiles less than one inch in diameter and this
weapon can be operated by one man (ex.
machine guns, shoulder arms and hand arms)
– Machine guns – a type of weapon which fires or is designed to
fire automatically or semi-automatically more than one shot
without manual reloading, by a single press of the trigger.
– Shoulder arms – those types of firearms that are normally
fired from the shoulder.
• Rifle – means any weapon designed or intended to be
operated from the shoulder and uses the energy of the
explosive in a fixed metallic cartridge to fire only a single
projectile through a rifled bore for each pull of the
trigger. This is a type of shoulder arm designed for targets
at a longer distance.
• Musket – is an ancient smooth-bore and muzzle loading
military shoulder arm designed to fire a single round lead
ball. This is a type of weapon that usually has a long
forestock and arranged to hold a bayonet at the muzzle
end.
• Carbine – a short barrel rifle, with its barrel measuring
not longer than 22 inches. It fires a single projectile
through a rifled bore, either semi-automatic or full
automatic for every press of the trigger.
• Shotgun – a smooth-bore and breech loading shoulder
arm designed to fire a number of lead pellets or shots in
one charge.
– Hand arms – those types of firearms that are
designed or intended to be fired using one hand.
• Pistol – a hand firearm usually applies to
single shot and automatic loading
• Revolver – a hand firearm in which a rotating
cylinder successfully places cartridges into
position for firing.
Classification of Revolver According to
Firing Mechanism
• Single Action
Double Action
Classification of Revolver According to
Cartridge Case Ejection
• Ejection Rod Type

• Break-Open Type
• Solid Frame Type
Nomenclature of Firearms
• Basic parts of a revolver

• a. Barrel f. Grips
• b. Frame g. Trigger
• c. Cylinder h. Trigger Guard
• d. Firing Pin i. Front Sight
• e. Hammer
• Basic parts of semi-automatic pistol
• a. Barrel f. Magazine
• b. Frame g. Trigger
• c. Slide h. Trigger Guard
• d. Hammer i. Front Sight
• e. Grips j. Rear Sight
Types of Firearms According to Mechanical
Construction
• Single Shot Firearms – a type of firearm designed to fire only

one shot every loading (e.g. pistol, rifle, shotgun [all single
shots]).
• Repeating Arms – this type is loaded with more than one
cartridge into the chamber when it is fired rather having to
perform this operation by hand. Designed to fire several shots
in one loading (e.g. automatic pistols, revolvers, rifles and
shotguns).
• Bolt Action Type – reloading is done by manipulation of the
bolt (e.g. rifles, shotguns and machine guns).
• Automatic Action Type – a firearm design that feeds
cartridges, fires, and ejects cartridge cases as long as the
trigger is fully depressed (e.g. rifles and shotgun).
• Lever Action Type (break-type) – a design wherein the breech
mechanism is cycled by an external lever generally below the
receiver (e.g. rifles and shotgun).
• Slide Action Type (pump action) – a firearm which features a
movable forearm which is manually actuated in motion
parallel to the shooter (e.g. rifles and shotguns).
• Semi-Automatic Type – a 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.
• Submachine-gun Type – is a light, portable gun which uses
pistol size ammunition. It differs from a pistol in that it has a
shoulder stock which may or may not fold but is designed to
be fired by the use of both hands.
BREAK!!!
Mechanics in the manufacture of
firearm
• Class Characteristics
• Are those characteristics which are determinable prior or
before the manufacture of the firearm. These serve as basis to
identify a certain class or group of firearm.
• Caliber
• Number of Lands
• Number of Grooves
• Direction of Twists
• Width of lands
• Width of grooves
• Depth of grooves
• Pitch of riflings
• Individual Characteristics
• Are those characteristics which are determinable
only after the manufacture of the firearm. They are
characteristics whose existence is beyond the control
of man and which have random distribution. Their
existence in a firearm is brought about by the tools in
their normal operation resulting through wear and
tear, abuse, mutilations, corrosion, erosion and other
fortuitous causes.
Lands and Grooves
Groove
• Number of Land
lands and
grooves
varies from 5
to 16
▪ Width of lands and
grooves varies
between
manufacturers
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Rifling
• Rifling - refers to helical grooves in the barrel of a gun or
firearm, which imparts a spin to a projectile around its long axis.
Types of Riflings
1. Steyr Type - four lands, four grooves, right hand twist and
lands or equal widths ( 4-R-G=L) used in earlier
self-loading pistols.
2. Smith and Wesson Type - five lands and five grooves, right
hand twist and lands of equal width (5-R-G=L)
3. Browning Type- six lands, six grooves, right hand twist,
narrow lands and broad grooves. (6-R-G-2x)
4. Colt Type- six lands and six grooves, left hand twist, narrow
lands and broads grooves. (6-L-G-2x)
5. Webley Type- seven lands, seven grooves, right hand twist,
narrow lands and broad grooves. (7-R-G3x)
6. Army Type- four lands and four grooves, right hand twist,
narrow lands and broad grooves. ( 4-R-G3x)
Rifling Twist
Right hand twist
Right
hand
twist
• Rifling refers to the lands and grooves inside
the rifled barrel and which rotates the bullet
as it passes through the bore. The purpose
of the rifling is to give “ gyroscopic stability”
to the bullet during the flight from the gun
muzzle to the target so that the bullet will
travel nose-on towards the target
• Juxtaposition
• This is the actual appearance of an evidence
bullet and a test bullet under examination in
the eyepiece of bullet comparison
microscope. The two are so arranged that they
are examined at the same level, same
direction, same magnification, same time, and
same image.
• TOOL MARK
• Is any impression ,cut, gouge , or abrasion
cause by an object coming into contact with
another object.
CYCLE OF FIRE semiautomatic Top View
 PISTOL MECHANISM IS COCKED Cutaway
 TRIGGER PULL RELEASES FIRING
PIN (dark gray), WHICH STRIKES
AND DETONATES PRIMER
 GUNPOWDER BURNS, CREATING
GAS, FORCING BULLET DOWN
BARREL
 MOMENTUM OF BULLET’S
FORWARD MOTION EXERTS
FORCE REARWARD ON BREACH
 EXTRACTOR (green) HOLDS
CASING WITH BREACH, PULLING
CASING FROM CHAMBER
 EJECTOR (red) STRIKES OPPOSITE
SIDE OF CASING, IMPARTING
OUTWARD MOTION TO CASING
 REARWARD BREACH MOTION
RECOCKS FIRING MECHANISM
 SPRING TENSION FORCES BREACH
FORWARD, CHAMBERING NEW
CARTRIDGE
 CYCLE REPEATS
BULLETS
• A projectile propelled from a

firearm. A metallic or non metallic
cylindrical projectile. Originated
from the French word “boulette”,
a small ball.
How bullet is made?
Bullets are classified by any of the
following characteristics :
• weight
• diameter
• length
• shape
• type of construction
• material content
• method of manufacture
Types of Bullets
• Armor-piercing bullet – is a pointed, flat
base bullet with a gliding metal jacket.
The core is of pointed, boat-tailed shape
and is made of harden tungsten, chrome
steel and has a backend tip. Used to
penetrate armor cars and vehicles.
Tracer bullet
• – emit a bright red flame from their
base, thereby showing the gunner
by the trace of flame, the path as
well as the striking point of the
bullet, the flame continuing to burn
and trace for about 600 yards. These
are intended primarily for machine
gun use and can be seen day or
night. The point of the bullet is color
red for identification.
Incendiary bullet
• – similar in construction to tracer
bullet, but the composition
contained in the cavity burns
fiercely on impact with a very hot
flame which will quite reliably
ignite anything the bullet strikes.
For identification purposes, the
incendiary bullet has a light blue
color.
Dum-dum bullet
• – this word and type of bullet were
invented by British ordnance force
stationed at their arsenal at Dum-dum,
India. The British army was engaged in
extensive fight against Afghan and
Pathan tribesmen. Full metal jacketed
bullet was of no practical effect against
primitive natures. So the English made
some bullet expanding by grinding off
the nose of the bullet jacket. These are
now known as hollow-point and soft
point bullets.
•Wad-cutter bullet – a
cylindrical bullet design having a sharp
shouldered nose intended to cut target paper
clearly to facilitate easy and accurate scoring.
Two Basic Classes of Bullet
• Non-Jacketed – usually made of an alloy comprised
of lead, tin and antimony which is slightly harder than
pure lead.
• Jacketed – having a lead core, but the outside
covering or jacket is made of any a number of the
harder metals such as copper brass, plated steel,
gliding metal cupric nickel. These jackets serve to
keep the bullet intact and prevent it from smashing to
pieces when it hits the target. Greater penetration is
thus possible.
Rifled slug
• - Use for shotguns

• - All have vanes either
outside or inside the
base.
• - In flight, these vanes
acted upon by the flow
of air and cause the slug
to rotate just as if it has
been fired from rifled
barrel.
Wads
• In shotgun ammunition are discs or cylinders of

paper, felt or similar material placed between the
propellant and the shot charge, over the shot charge,
to hold the components in place and properly seal
the gun bore at the time of firing. The closing wad
has printed on its outside face, letters and figures
which give all or part of the following information:
Name of manufacturer, brand name of shell; amount
of powder; amount of shot; and size of shot.
Cannelures
• - Circular grooves around

the circumference of the
bullets.
• - Most of them hold bullet
lubricant, which lubricates
the barrel as the bullet
passes through it.
• - It also serves for crimping
of the mouth of the
cartridge case.
CARTRIDGE
• A term used to describe a

complete unfired unit
consisting of bullet, primer,
cartridge case and gunpowder.
Definition of AMMUNITION
 Ammunition is the generic military
term referring to the assembly of a
projectile, propellant, casing, and
primer.
 The alternative term for ammunition
is CARTRIDGE.
Definition of CARTRIDGE
 ‘Cartridge’ is used to describe a

complete unfired unit consisting
of bullet, cartridge case,
propellant, & primer.
 ‘Cartridge’ may have been derived
from the Latin word charta (paper)
or from the French cartouche (a roll
of paper).
Take note that …
✓ Ammunition for rifles and handguns
are usually called CARTRIDGES.
✓ Ammunition for large caliber guns
(such as artillery) are called SHELLS.
✓ Ammunition for shotguns are called
SHOTS.
Classification of Cartridge According to Rim
• Rimmed Type – the diameter of the rim is greater

than the diameter of the body of the cartridge
case. Ex. Cal. 38 and Cal 22.
• Semi-rimmed Type – the diameter of the rim is
slightly greater than the diameter of the body of
the cartridge case. Ex. Cal 25, .32 auto, super 38.
• Rimless Type – the diameter of the rim is equal
with the diameter of the body of the cartridge
case. Ex. Cal 5.56, . 30.
• Rebated Type -the diameter of the rim is smaller
than the body of the cartridge case. Ex. 8mm
• Belted Type – there is a protruding metal around the
body of the cartridge case near the rim. Ex. 38
magnum.

Rimmed Rifle Cartridge

Rimmed Cartridges for Handguns
- with straight-shaped case

Rimless Cartridges

Rebated Cartridge

Belted Cartridge

Types of Cartridges According to
location of Primer
• Pin-fire – the pin
extends radially through
the bead of the
cartridge case into the
primer. This type of
cartridge is no longer
used.

• Rim-fire – the priming
mixture is placed in the
cavity formed in the rim
of the head of the
cartridge case.

• Center-fire – the primer
cup is forced into the
middle of the portion of
the head of the
cartridge case.

• Percussion – a means of ignition
of propellant charge by
mechanical blow against the
primer or percussion cup.

Types according to power
1. Low-power Cartridge
– with MV of less than 1,850 fps
2. High-power Cartridge
– with MV of 1,900 fps to 2,500 fps
3. High-intensity Cartridge
– with MV of more than 2,500 fps
Anatomy of AMMUNITION
Cased center-fire ammunitions have 4 major
components, which are as follows:
1. Bullet – or slug
2. Cartridge case – or shell
3. Gunpowder – or propellant
4. Primer – or percussion

Cartridge case
– also called shell
– tubular metallic container for gunpowder, primer &
projectile

Regular Ammo vs Magnum Revolver Ammo
.22 std .22 Magnum

Regular vs Magnum Pistol Ammo
.45 ACP .44 Magnum

Gunpowder
- the propellant inside the cartridge
intended to be burned to generate
pressure that propel the bullet

Smokeless Powder
almost entirely smokeless in action. Manufactured
principally from nitrated cotton called nitrocellulose.
• Nitrocellulose – 60%
• Nitroglycerine – 35%
• Vaseline – 5%

Primer
- also called percussion
- composed of the metal cup and priming
mixture

Composition of Primer
• Potassium Chlorate –
45%
• Antimony Sulfide – 23%
• Fulminate of Mercury –
32%

Tool Marks Identification - is a discipline of
forensic science which has, as its primary
concern to determine if a tool mark was
produced by a particular tool.

Equipment used In A Ballistics
Laboratory
1. Comparison Microscope
2. Stereoscope Microscope
3. Comparison
4. Bullet Recovery Box
5. Measuring Projector
6. Vernier Caliper
7. Analytical Balance
8. Taper Gauge
9. Onoscope
10.Helixometer
11.Chronograph

The Six types of problems in forensic
ballistics
• Given a bullet, to determine the caliber and type of firearm
from which it was fired.
• Given a fired cartridge case, to determine the caliber and type
of firearm from which it was fired.
• Given a bullet and a suspected firearm, to determine whether
or not the bullet was fired from the suspected firearm.
• Given a fired cartridge and a suspected firearm, to determine
whether or not the cartridge was fired from the suspected
firearm.
• Given two or more bullets, to determine whether or not they
were fired from only one firearm.
• Given two or more cartridge cases, to determine whether or
not they were fired from only one firearm.

• AMMUNATION
• The projectile
with their fuses,
propelling
chargers, or
primers fired from
gun.
Principles of identification of bullets
• No two barrels are microscopically identical as the surfaces of

their bores all possess individual and characteristic markings of
their own.
• When a bullet is fired from a rifled barrel, it becomes
engraved by the riflings, and this engravings will vary in its
minute details in every individual bore. So it happens that the
engravings on the bullet fired from that on a similar bullet
fired from another barrel and conversely; the engravings on
bullets fired from the same barrel will be the same.
• Every barrel leaves its thumbmark on every bullet which is
fired through it, just as every breechfaces leaves its
thumbmark on the base of every fired cartridge case.

PRINCIPLE OF TRANSFORMATION
• “When two metals come in

contact with each other with
tremendous pressure, the
softer metal will suffer
impression.”

Striations - (Striae) When a bullet is fired
through a rifled barrel, the raised and lowered
spirals of the rifling etch fine grooves called
"striations" into the bullet.

Marks found on fired bullets
• Landmarks –
depressed portion
caused by the lands
• Groovemarks –
raised or elevated
portions caused by
the grooves

• Skidmarks – when the bullet enters the rifled bore
from a stationary position and is forced abruptly into
the rifling, its natural tendency is to go straight
toward before encountering the regular rifling twist
• Slippage marks – Bullets fired from a worn-out
barrel, oily barrels and slightly oversized barrels.
• Shaving marks – most commonly these marks are
found on bullets fired from a revolver due to poor
alignment of the cylinder with the bore.

• Cartridge case
• Are most commonly
made of brass,
although steel is
also widely used,
and cases for
shotgun pellets are
made of brass and
cardboard.
• Function of cartridge case
• the cartridge case is the envelope (container)
of a cartridge. For rifles and handguns it is
usually a metal cylinder tube , normally made
of brass but sometimes of steel. It holds the
bullet at the neck, the propellant charge
inside, and the primer in its base.
Principles of identification of shells
• The breechface and striker of every single firearm leave

microscopical individualities of their own.
• The firearm leave its “fingerprints” or “thumbmark” on every
cartridge case which it fires.
• The whole principle of identification is based on the fact that
since the breechface of every weapon must be individually
distinct, the cartridge cases which it fires are imprinted with
this individuality. The imprint on all cartridge cases fired from
the same weapon are always the same, those on cartridge
cases fired from different weapon must always be different.

Marks found on fired cartridge cases
• Firing pin impression
• – the indentation in the
primer of a centative
cartridge case or in the
rim of a rim-fire cartridge
case cause when it is
struck by the firing pin.

Breechface markings
• negative impression of
the breech face of the
firearm found on the
head of the cartridge
case after firing.

• Chamber marks – individual microscope placed upon
cartridge case by the chamber wall as a result of any
or all of the following:
–chambering
–expanding during firing
–extraction

Extractor marks
• toolmarks
produced upon a
cartridge or
cartridge case from
contact with the
extractor. These
are usually found
on or just ahead of
the rim.

Ejector marks
• tool marks
produced upon a
cartridge or
cartridge case on
the head, generally
at or near the rim,
from contact with
the ejector.

Bullet comparison

• Gun Powder
Commonly known as black powder to
distinguish it from modern smokeless powder, is
the earliest known chemical explosives. It
consist of mixture of sulfur, carbon and
potassium nitrate. The sulfur and carbon act as
fuels while the saltpeter is an oxidizer.
Gunpowder Residues
When a firearm is discharged,
unburned and partially burned
particles of gunpowder in addition to
smoke are propelled out of the barrel
along with the bullet towards the
target.
Gunpowder Residues
• If the muzzle of the

weapon is sufficiently
close to the target,
gunpowder residue is
deposited on the target.
Distance Determination
• The process of determining the
distance between the firearm and
the target is usually based on the
distribution of powder patterns or
the spread of a shot pattern
(shotgun).
• As the distance increases the
residue decreases.
Contact Shot
DISTANCE – 9 inches
.
Distance Determination of a Shotgun.
Up close, the pellets create similar patterns as
residue.
Distance Determination
• Distance determination is necessary for many
gunshot wounds. If the shooter pleads self-defense,
it is very important to know the distance between
the shooter and victim.
• Suicide victims will also have residue on close
wounds. Lack of residue may indicate foul play.
Residue on Clothing
• Clothing of the victim is chemically tested for gunshot residue
to confirm the distance determination. The Griess Test
indicates a positive result with a color change to pink.
Gunshot Residue (GSR) on Hands
• When a weapon is fired
residue is propelled
both forward and
backward.
• The residue that is
propelled backwards
leaves traces on the
shooter’s hands as well
as anyone within very
close range.
GSR on Hands
• The GSR is most likely • In a suicide, the hands
concentrated on the will be bagged and
thumb web and the tested for GSR at the
back of the firing hand. Medical Examiner’s
• The GSR stays on the office.
hands for approximately
2 hours and is easily
removed by washing or
wiping the hands.
GSR on Hands
• The Dermal Nitrate Test, developed in 1933, was used for
many years. However, it gave many false positives with
cigarette ash, urine and cosmetics.
• During the test, the suspects hands were covered in wax.
After the wax hardened it was removed and chemically
tested.
• A blue color indicated a positive result for GSR.
Today’s tests for GSR on Hands
Barium and Antimony are both components in GSR.
Several techniques are used to test for these elements.
1. First, the investigator will remove the GSR particles
with tape or swabs.
2. Next, the particles may be examined with a
Scanning Electron Microscope, Neutron Activation
Analysis or Flameless Atomic Absorption
Spectrophotometry.
The presence of Barium and Antimony is considered a
positive for GSR.
FACTS

• 2 – 20 TONS – the product force when firing a gun
• MAGNUM – originated in England
• CALIBER – from Arab word “QUALIB” (size of the
bullet)
• BULLET DROP – More faster because of gravity.
Factor is type of bullet.
• CALIBER – used by American
• DIAMETER – used by European

Equivalent of Calibers in Inches and
Millimeters:
• Caliber .45 – 11 mm.
• Caliber .38 – 9 mm.
• Caliber .32 – 7.65 mm.
• Caliber .30 – 7.63 mm.
• Caliber .25 – 6.35 mm.
• Caliber .22 – 5.59 mm.

• CONVERSION FORMULA:
• Inches to Millimeter - multiply by 25.4
• Millimeter to Inches – multiply by .03937
• HOW TO GET THE WEIGHT OF THE BULLET?
• Grams to grains – multiply by 15.432
• .45 – 258 grains
• .38 – 158 grains

• PRIMER
• An explosive substance that ignites when struck
to detonate the powder in a cartridge.
• Three parts of a primer
The primer contains a mixture of substances that
perform three basic functions: the initiator , which
is an explosive that starts the process when the
firing pin hits the primer, a sensitizer, which helps
in the ignition process, and a fuel, which sustains
the flame and ensures adequate time to light the
powder.
THANK YOU
FOR
LISTENING.

Forensic Ballistics

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Forensic Ballistics

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Forensic ballistics

(ret.) PMAJ CECIL MAC L. BLANCO, MSCJ

BALLISTICS. Was derived from the Greek word

2. Ignition of the priming mixture

4. Expansion of the heated gas

7. Recoil of the gun

8. Velocity of bullet in the barrel

9. Rotation of the bullet in the barrel

10. Engraving of the cylindrical surfaces of

1. Terminal accuracy – size of the bullet grouping on the target.

2. Terminal energy – energy of the projectile when it strikes the target.

3. Terminal velocity – speed of the bullet upon striking the target

4. Terminal penetration – depth of entry of the bullet in the target.

Early 13th Century Western Europe

BERTHOLD SCHWARTZ - German monk

ROGER BACON - English monk

Attacked in Seville, Spain in 1247 - First account of firearm used

KING EDWARD III of England used cannons in Crecy 1346

MOHAMMED II of Turkey – Famous conqueror of Constantinople , 1453

BLACK POWDER - A gunpowder that the two monks discovered

COL. CALVIN H. GODDARD

Pioneered the making of Thompson

James Wolfe Ripley

Stimulated the development of the

One of the earliest rifles and pistol makers

A Franchiscan monk in the town of Frieburg,

Hiram Maxim - Built the first fully automatic machine gun

• Smooth-bore firearms – firearms that have no

• Artillery – those types of firearms that propel

• Ejection Rod Type

• Basic parts of a revolver

• Single Shot Firearms – a type of firearm designed to fire only

• A projectile propelled from a

• - Use for shotguns

• In shotgun ammunition are discs or cylinders of

• - Circular grooves around

• A term used to describe a

 ‘Cartridge’ is used to describe a

• Rimmed Type – the diameter of the rim is greater

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- with straight-shaped case

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2. Cartridge case – or shell

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.22 std .22 Magnum

.45 ACP .44 Magnum

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