FORENSIC BALLISTICS – PRELIMINARY EXAM
REVIEWER
Ballistics – the science of the motion of the projectile
and the condition that affects their motion. It is a
science in itself for it is an orderly arranged knowledge,
which is a product of series of experimentation,
observation and testing.
Science – a branch of knowledge or study dealing with
a body of facts or truths systematically arranged and
showing the operation of general laws.
Note: Ballistics is not an exact science rather it is
applied physics or applied science, which is subject to
changer and improvement depending upon the
demands of the modern civilization.
Motion – refers to the mobility or movement of the
projectile from the time it leaves the shell empty, it
leaves the gun muzzle and until it reached its target or
fall in the ground.
Projectile – generally refers to any metallic on non-
metallic ball which is propelled from a firearm.
3 TYPES OF MOTION
1. Direct Motion – is the forward motion of the
bullet or shots out the shell by the action of the
expansive force of gases from a burning
gunpowder.
2. Rotatory Motion – is the action of the bullet
passing through a rifled bore barrel firearm
which is either twisted to the left or the right.
3. Translational Motion – is the action of bullet
once it hits a target and subsequently
ricocheted.
BALLISTICS
• Derived from Greek word “ballo” or “ballein”
meaning to throw.
• Ballista
o A gigantic catapult
o A roman war machine that was used to
hurl missiles or large object at a
distance like stone, dead animal or
even dead person.
BRANCHES OF BALLISTICS
1. Interior (Internal) Ballistics – it treats of the
motion of the projectile while it is still inside
the firearm (chamber/barrel) which extends
from the breech to the muzzle. The conditions
attributed to internal ballistics are as follows.
• Firing pin hitting the primer
• Ignition of the priming mixture
o The priming mixture (compose
of KCLO3, Sulfur and Carbon)
located either at the cavity rim
or at the center of the primer
upon the striking effect of the
firing pin will ignite and such
action is known as
PERCUSSION ACTION
• Combustion of the gun powder or powder
charge or propellant
• Expansion of heated gas
• Pressure developed
• Energy generated
• Recoil of the gun
o Is the equal and opposite reaction of
the gun against the forward
movement of the bullet upon
explosion. The backward or rearward
movement of the gun in relation to the
forward movement of the bullet.
• Jump
o Is another portion of the recoil action
characterized as the backward and
upward movement of that takes place
before the bullet leaves the muzzle.
• Velocity of the bullet inside the barrel
o Is the relative speed of the bullet per
unit of the time while it is still inside
the barrel expressed in feet per
second.
• Rotation of the bullet inside the barrel
• Engraving of the cylindrical surface of the
bullet
o Rifling or lands and grooves
2. Exterior (External) Ballistics – treats of the
attributes or movement of the projectile after
leaving the gun muzzle.
a. Muzzle Blast – the noise created at the
muzzle point of the gun
b. Muzzle Energy – energy generated at the
muzzle point measure in foot-pound.
c. Trajectory – refers to the parabola-like
flight of the projectile from the time it
leaves the muzzle until it hits the target. It
is also described as the actual curve path
taken by a bullet during its flight.
d. Range – refers to the imaginary straight
distance between the muzzle of the gun
and the target.
 o Accurate Range – the distance within
which the shooter or gunner has
control of his shots.
o Effective Range – the distance within
which when the bullet was fired it is
still capable of inflicting fatal injury.
o Maximum Range – the distance that a
projectile can be propelled from a
firearm. The farthest distance the
bullet could travel.
e. Velocity – refers to the rate of speed of the
bullet (during its flight) per unit of time
usually express is feet per second (ft./sec.)
f. Pull of Gravity – it is the downward
reaction of the bullet towards the earth
surface due to its weight.
g. Air Resistance – refers to the force of the
air encounter by the bullet in its flight.
h. Gyroscopic Action – refers to the
steadiness of the bullet in flight
i. Yaw – is the unstableness of the bullet in
flight
j. Key Hole Shot – is the tumbling of the
bullet.
k. Hang fire – is the delay in the discharge of
the bullet in the firearm
l. Misfire – the total failure of the discharge
of the bullet in the firearm
3. Terminal Ballistics – deals with the effects of
the impact of the projectile on the target.
a. Terminal Accuracy – refers to the size
of the bullet grouping on the target
b. Terminal Energy – is the energy or
force of the projectile when it strikes
the target same as striking energy
c. Terminal Velocity – the speed of the
bullet upon striking the target
d. Terminal Penetration – depth of entry
of the bullet in the target
Forensic Ballistics
• The branch of ballistics is the product of the
application of the ballistics to law.
• Defined as the study of the motion of the
projectile as applied to law or simply the
science of firearm identification by means of
the ammunition fired through them
Scope of Forensic Ballistics
• Field Investigation
• Ballistics Technical Examination of the
Exhibits
• Legal Proceeding
EVOLUTION OF FIREARMS
1. JOHN M. BROWNING
• wizard of the modern firearm
• pioneered the breech loading (single
shots rifled)
• kung saaan naglalagay ng bala dun din
lumalabas ang bala which was adopted
by WINCHESER -famous
manufacturing repeating firearm
2. SAMUEL COLT
• patented the first practical revolver
and maker of the Colt Peace Maker
• famous revolver in the history
• (colt .45) cylindrical – several shots;
after ikasa 6 shots
3. ALEXANDER JOHN FORSYTH
• father of the percussion powder
4. CASIMIR LEFAUCHEUX
• invented the priming mixture
5. MAJOR UZIEL GAL
• Israeli army who designed UZI
(efficient gun of the special
forces/famous gun) in the year 1950
• Mobility/light weight (magaan)
• Rate of fire (automatic – many
projectile)
• Easy to use
• Easy to conceal
6. COL. CALVIN H GODDARD
• Father Of Modern Ballistics
• pioneered the filed ballistic research,
bullet comparison, and microscope
• developed the science of identifying
fired bullets and empty cartridge
• Bureau Of Forensic Ballistics In New
York
7. NICOLA SACCO AND BARTOLOME VANZETTI
• robbery murder case in
Massachusetts
• comparison of bullets fired from
saccos revolver
8. JOHN C. GARAND
• designed and invented the semi-
automatic US RIFLE caliber 30. MI
GARAND
• 1 kalabit 1 shot) 5-6 bullets
• Ginamit noong WW2
 9. GEORGE HYDE
• a well-known expert in the field of
SMG (sub machine gun) (low powder
gun)
• also known as GREASE GUN developed
in 1941 M3A1 USA
10. EUGENE STONER
• designed the US M16 ARMALITE
• a type of rifled firearm that has more
than 22 in of barrel length
• carbine rifle less than 22 in of barrel
length
• under licensed by Colt Company from
July 1959 onwards
11. L.C. SMITH
• developed shotgun bearing of his
name now the Ithaca Gun Company
• (projectile- shots/ball)
12. JOHN T THOMPSON
• developed in the course of WW1 The
Thompson M1a1 And Model Of 1928
A1 (USA)
• pioneered the making of Thompson
Sub Machine Gun
• fired for 50 shots in one full of trigger
13. DANIEL B. WESSON
• associates of Horace Smith in the
making of revolver
14. DAVID “CARBINE” WILLIAMS
• maker of the first known carbine
15. OLIVER WINCHESTER
• one of the earlies rifle and pistol maker
IMPORTANT DATES IN THE EVOLUTION OF FIREARMS
1242 A.D. ROGER BACON
• black powder formula
• published the “De Marabili Postate
Artis et Naturae” or On the Marvelous
Power of Arts and Nature
1498 -INTRO OF THE RIFLING (LANDS AND GROOVES)
AND SIGHTS
• engraving or projectiles
• became better and breech loader were
attempted although never succeeded
• multiple shots arm due to lack of good
ignition system
1500’S THE DEVELOPMENT OF WHEEL LOCK
• operates the same principle as the
modern-day cigarette lighter
• snaphaunce was developed
• parang canyon-inaapuyan
1575 – PAPER CARTRIDGE WAS DEVELOPED
• ball and powder charged were
wrapped in chemically treated paper
to allow the carrying of numerous pre-
measured charges or pre-loaded
rounds
1750 – THE DEVELOPMENT OF BREECH LOADING
FIREARMS
• leading to the making of FERGUSON
RIFLE of Major Partrick Ferguson,
COLLIER RIFLE, which is a flint lock
repeating rifle operated on a revolving
principle and, HALL RIFLE patented in
1811 by Col. John Hall and was the 1st
breechloader adopted by the US Army.
1835 THE FIRST REAL CARTRIDGE
• was developed The Flobert Cap same
as the BB Gun
• was considered the forerunner of .22
short cartridge
1835 SAMUEL COLT
• patented the first revolver marketed in 1872
• a breech loading revolver
1846 SMOKELESS POWDER (WHITE)
• Smokeless Powder was used in
shotgun
• It was used in shotgun first in the year
1864 by Capt. Eschultze of Prussian
Army and in Rifle by the year 1884 by
M. Vielle of France
• Paul Marie Vielle
1873 Colt Peace Maker
• Model 1873
• .45 caliver
• The most famous revolver in history and
legend was manufactured.
1884 Automatic Machine Gun
• Hiram Maxim developed the first fully
automatic gun
FIREARM
• Is an instrument used for the propulsion of
projectile by means of the expansive force
gases coming from burning gunpowder
CLASSIFICATION OF FIREARMS
A. Two General Classification of Firearms
(According to Interior Barrel Construction)
1. Smooth Bore Firearms – firearms that
have no rifling (land and grooves)
inside their gun barrel
Ex: Shotgun (shots, pellet-paper) and
Musket)
2. Rifled Bore Firearms – firearms that
have rifling inside their gun barrel
Ex: Pistol, Revolver, and other modern
weapons)
B. Main Types of Firearms (According to the
Caliber of the Projectile Propelled)
1. Artillery – refers to those type of
firearms that propels with more than
one inch diameter
Ex: Cannons, Mortars and Bazookas
2. Small Arms – are firearm that propels
projectile with less than one inch
diameter (.45 9mm) and it can be
handled, moved and operated by one
man.
Ex. Machine gun, shoulder arms and
handguns
SHOULDER ARMS
a. Shoulder arms – are those type of
firearms that were normally fired from
the shoulder
(shotgun, long arms) buttstock
b. Rifles – a shoulder weapon designed
to fire a projectile with more accuracy
through a long-rifled bore barrel,
usually more than 22 inches barrel
length
c. Carbine – a short barrel rifle, with its
barrel rifle, measuring not longer than
22 inches barre length. It fires a single
projectile though a rifle-bore either
semi-automatic or fully automatic for
eve
d. Muskets - ancient smoothbore and
muzzle loading military shoulder arms
designed to fire a shot or a single
round lead ball.
e. Sub machine gun -– is a light portable
form of machine gun, utilizing a pistol
size ammunition, having a shoulder
stock that may or may be folded and
designed to be fired with both hands
- small, powered firearm, the
mechanism; several shots
f. Machine Guns – type of firearm that is
primarily designed for military use.
Even in investigation of shooting cases
done in the city, it is not usual or
common to encounter this type of
firearm having been used. It can be
grouped in 3 general types: (intended
to kill)
g. Shotgun- a smooth bore and a breech
loading shoulder arms designed to fire
several lead pellets or a shot in one
charge.
DIFFERENT BORE CONSTRUCTION
a. Cylinder bore type - which the bore
size is the same throughout the barrel
(same size-same size, paglabas spread
agad)
b. Choke bored gun (paliit ng paliit) –
designed with a diminishing or
reducing bore diameter type toward
the muzzle. This type is designed to
cause an effect to the travel of the
shots, it makes the shot travel longer
before it spreads. (shotgun)
c. Paradox gun – still in a very rear
occasion (may lands and grooves na 1
or 2in) another type of shotgun can be
observed to be having rifling only a few
inches from its muzzle point
d. Handguns – those type of firearms
that are designed or intended to be
fired using one hand
Ex: Pistol, Revolver)
a. Pistol – in early firearm
history, all handguns are
generally called as pistol.
There were 3 classes of pistol
in the period. (Glock, CZ752)
(Ammunition Storage-
Revolver- Cylindrical Feed;
Magazine Feed – Pistol)
i. Single shot pistol
ii. Semi-automatic
iii. Revolving Pistol
(Revolver)
 b. Revolver – type of firearm
designed to position cartridge
into position for firing with the
aid of a rotating cylinder
serving as its chamber. There
are 2 types of revolvers
according to its mechanical
firing action.
• Single Action – revolver that needs a
manual cocking of the hammer before
squeezing the trigger
• Double Action – a type of revolver that
does not need manual cocking. Just
the press trigger and it both cocked
and release the hammer causing a
must faster firing

TYPES OF FIREARMS (According of

Mechanical Construction)

1. Single shot firearms – types of

firearms designed to fire only one shot
every loading (Sniper, Riffle, Pistol,
Revolver)
2. Repeating Arms – a type of firearms
that is capable if being fired repeatedly
before having to manually reload new
ammunition into the weapon.
3. Automatic Firearm – a type of firearm
that constitutes a continuous firing in
a single press of the trigger and while
the trigger is press (Machine guns and
Rifles)
4. Slide Action Type- type of firearms in
which loading take place by back-and-
forth manipulation of the under/over
forearms of the gun (Shotgun and
Pistol)
5. Bolt Action Type – type if firearms in
which reloading takes place by
manipulating bolt back and forth (Rifle,
Shotgun, Machine Gun) (Kung saan
lumalabas ang bala dun din inilalagay
ang bala – breech loading gun)
6. Lever type (Break Type) – loading
takes place by lever action on the
firearms (Rifles and Shotgun) (may
hawakan yung kasahan)
FORENSIC BALLISTICS – MIDTERM EXAM REVIEWER
MISCELLANEOUS TYPES OF GUN
1. Cane gun, knife pistols, cellphone gun, etc. =
devices principally designed for other purpose
to which a gun mechanism is incorporated also
called as Freakish gun.
2. Flare gun = designed for tracing or sending
signals or locating enemy troops.
3. Freakish gun = a tool in which firearm
mechanism is attached to prevent easy
identification
4. Gas gun = generally referring to all gun
designed from firing tear gas.
5. Harpoon guns = refers to a barbed spear in
hunting large fisH
6. Liberator = U.S. government made smooth
bore gun used in Europe during war designed
to fire an automatic colt pistol cartridge caliber
.45
7. Multi –Barreled gun = refers to all types of gun
containing a number of barrels
8. Paradox gun = a type of gun which contains
lands and grooves a few inch from the muzzle
point.
9. Tools = are those devices which resembles a
gun designed but are generally used for
construction of furniture.
10. Traps = refers to gun used for trapping animals
that are fired to woods.
11. Zip Gun = refers to all type of home-made gun.
Ammunition
• refers to loaded shell for rifles, muskets,
carbine, shotgun, revolvers and pistols from
which a ball, shot shell or other missiles maybe
fired by means of gun powder or another
explosive. The term also includes ammunition
for air rifles as mentioned elsewhere in the
code. (Chapter VII, Sec.290 of NIRC as well as
Sec 877 RAC)
• refers to a group of cartridges or to a single
cartridge. Cartridge is a complete unfired unit
consisting of bullet (ball), primer (cap),
cartridge case (shell) and gunpowder
(propellant) – TECHNICAL DEFINTIION
• complete unfired unit refers to a single or
group of cartridges
• is complete unfired unit designed to be
propelled by a gun powder
• The word cartridge was derived from the Latin
word “Charta” meaning – a “paper” and also
from the French word “Cartouche” meaning –
a rolled paper. This only indicates that the first
type of cartridge was made up of a rolled
paper. It was about the turn of the 16th
century that the term “cartridge” comes to
use.
GENERAL TYPES OF AMMUNITION
a. Dummy – used as a model
b. Drill Ammunition – without gun
powder
c. Blank Ammunition – without
bullet
d. Live Ammunition
CLASSIFICATION OF CARTRIDGE
1. According to the Location of the Primer
a. Pin-Fire = is a type of cartridge in which
the ignition cap (primer) is concealed
inside the cartridge case and has a pin
resting upon it.
b. Rim fire = is a type of cartridge in which
the priming mixture is located at the
hallow rim of the case can be fired if the
cartridge is tuck by the firing pin on the
rim of the case (cavity rim).
c. Center fire = it refers to a cartridge in
which primer cup (ignition cap) is centrally
placed in the base of the cartridge case
and the priming mixture is exploded by
the impact of the firing pin and with the
support of the anvil
2. According to Rim Diameter
a. Rimmed Case Type
b. Semi – Rimmed Type
c. Rimless Type
d. Rebated Type – refers to the cartridge with
rimless pattern, but which has a rim diameter
smaller than the body of the case.
 e. Belted Type – a cartridge with a prominent barrel that can be prepared from one pound of
raise belt around its body just in form of the lead. At present the 10-gauge shotgun is
extraction groove.

considered with the biggest diameter while the

.410 as the smallest one. Listed below are the
equivalents of diameter in gauge to inch
3. According to Caliber SHOT GIN SHELL COMPRISOR
Calibers in cartridges in inches and their approximate
equivalent in mm and use:

INCHES MM.
Cal. .22 About 5.59 mm – used in
revolver, pistol and
rifles
Cal. .25 About 6.35 mm – used in
pistols and rifles
Cal. .30 About 7.63 mm
(mauser) – fore carbines
and other rifles
Cal. .32 About 7.64 mm for
automatic pistols and
revolvers
Cal. .380 About 9 mm – used for
pistols
Cal. .357 Used in magnum .357
revolvers
Cal. .45 About 11 mm – used in
automatic pistols

SHOTGUN CATRIDGE

• It refers to a complete unit of unfired cartridge

consisting of the pellets, primer, case, wads
and gunpowder.

GAUGE OF SHOTGUN
• Compared with other types of firearms,
shotgun has very unique characteristics in
terms of its diameter designation both for its
firearm and cartridge use. The unit of
measurement used in shotgun is expressed in
Gauge
• This is determined by the number of solid lead
balls of pure lead, each with diameter of the
TYPES OF SHOTS
1. Soft or Drop Shots = made by pure or nearly pure
lead, to which a small amount of arsenic has been
added to make it take on the form of a spherical drop
as it falls down the shot tower. This type is easy to
deformed or flattened, loose their velocity quicker,
low penetrating power and string out more.
2. Chilled or Hard Shot = is a type of shot with a small
amount of antimony mixed with lead to increase
 hardness. It does no deform easily, better patterns,
less string and more uniform velocity and penetration
3. Coated or Plated Shot = also called as “lubaloy” shot.
A chilled shot coated with thin copper through
electroplating design for greater strength and
elasticity, great resistance to deformation and leading
and better pattern.
• Buck Shot = a large size lead shot for used in
shotgun
BULLETS
• The word “Bullet” was derived from French
word “Boullette” which means a small ball.
This term is generally used when we are
referring to projectile fired from any small
arms, which has a variety of form, especially
during the earlier history.
• In a more technical sense, bullet refers to a
metallic or non-metallic cylindrical ball
propelled from a firearm it is sometimes
called as shots or slugs.
• Bullets have various types depending upon
their specific nature and purpose. In general
bullet can be classified as either Lead or
Jacketed
GENERAL TYPES OF BULLETS
1. Lead Type – is a type of a bullet that is basically
composed of lead metal. Its used was due to its
density; having a good weight is a small size
and easy for casting.
2. Jacketed Type – Is a type of bullet consisting of
the regular lead core, coated with a copper
alloy in order to prevent lead fouling of the
barrel and is generally used in pistols and other
high power
ACCORDING TO THEIR MAXIMUM EFFECTS TO
THEIR TARGETS
1. Ball Type – Is a type of bullet, which is intended
for anti-personnel and general use.
2. Armor piercing – is a type of military bullet
designed to penetrate light steel armor. Its
mechanical construction makes it capable of
penetrating through some light vehicles.
3. Explosive Bullet - Is a small bullet containing a
charge of explosive, which will detonate on
impact
4. Incendiary Bullet –Type of military bullet used
to cause fire in a target, generally designed to
use by aircraft armament in order for the fuel
tanks to ignite
5. Tracer Bullet – a type of military bullet capable
of leaving visible marks or traces while in flight
giving the gunner the chance to observe the
strike of the shot or make adjustments in the
event of a miss
MISCELLANEOUS TYPES OF BULLETS
a. Baton Round = also known as rubber bullet.
b. Discarding Sabot = also referred to as
“accelerator bullet by Remington arms.
Designed for greater velocity.
c. Multiple bullet = the duplex or triplex. A
cartridge loaded with two or three bullets
d. Compound bullet = those bullets made or
composed by different metallic substance
e. Flechette = needle-like bullet
f. Streamed line/boat tailed type = designed to
reduce drag of bullet
CARTRIDGE CASE
• is the metallic or non-metallic tabular
container usually of brass (70% copper and
30% zinc) designed to unite the bullet,
primer and the gunpowder into one unit. It
is also known as shell or casing.
FUNCTIONS OF THE CARTRIDGE CASE
1. It locates the bullet properly relative to the
bore of the firearm.
2. It is used to carry the means of ignition.
3. It provides gas seals at the breech against an
unwanted escape of propellant gas upon firing
4. Serves as waterproof container for the
propellant or powder charge.
5. Acts as the insulator between the propellant
and the hot walls of the chamber in a rapid
firing of firearms
PARTES OF THE CARTRIDGE CASE
1. Base = the bottom portion of the cartridge case
which contains the head stamp marking on the
base of the shell containing the caliber,
manufacturer and in some cases including the
date, trade name, and batch number
2. Rim = is the part of the cartridge designed to
limit the forward movement of the cartridge to
chamber
3. Extracting grooves = is the circular groove near
the rim of the shell designed for automatic
withdrawal of the case from the chamber
4. Primer Pocket =is that part of the shell which
provides the means for the primer to be put in
the central position. Its function is extended to:
a. hold the primer in place;
b. to provide means to prevent the escape of
gas;
c. to provide solid support for primer anvil
5. Body = is the cylindrical part of the shell which
house the gunpowder.
6. Shoulder = that part of the cartridge case
which support the neck of the cartridge which
is evident in a bottleneck type
7. Cannelure = is the cylindrical groove in the
outer surface of the cartridge case designed to
secure the shell to the chamber as well as
prevent bullet from being push down to the
powder charge. In some instance it is even
being utilized for identification.
8. Neck = is that part of the shell which is actually
occupied by the bullet. This is obvious in a
bottleneck type of shell but not with the
straight type
9. Crimp = is the cylindrical groove on the mouth
of the shell designed for two purposes: One (1)
is to hold the bullet and prevent it from being
pull out from the shell and Two (2) to offers
resistance to the bullet out of the neck to
ensure burning of the gun powder
10. Vent or Flash hole = is the hole at the bottom
of the primer pocket as the passage way for
the priming mixture to impart an ignition to
the propellant charge.
PRIMER
• also called CAP
• is the ignition system of the cartridge used
in a center fire type, containing a highly
sensitive chemical compound that would
easily ignite or bursts into flame when
struck by the firing pin. It may either be
Berdan or Boxer type.
• It is also known as the percussion cup
• The Berdan is a type of primer PARTS OF THE PRIMER
construction, which was designed in 1860s
1. Primer Cup = Is the brass gilding metal cup which
by Colonel Hiram S. Berdan of the U.S
contains the priming mixture, the disc and the anvil
Army Ordinance Department
2. Priming Mixture = Is the highly sensitive chemical
compound which ignites by the mechanical blow of
the firing pin. It is also called as percussion powder.
3. Anvil = Is that portion of the primer which provides
solid support and absorbs the blow of the firing pin
causing friction that would initiates ignition
4. Disc = Is a thin paper or foil which is pressed over
the priming mixture in order to protect it from
moisture attack
GUN POWDER

• also called as propellant or Power Charge

• The Boxer on the other hand, was
developed by Col. Edward M. Boxer of the
Royal Laboratory at Woolwich Arsenal in
the year 1866
• is that mixture of chemicals of various
compositions designed to propel the projectile
by means of its expansive force of gas when
burned
• Two of the most popular individual whose
name is always attached to gunpowder
discovery were Roger Bacon and Berthold
Schwartz

ROGER BACON

• (1242 A.D.) a Franciscan monk, who wrote

the ---“De Mirabili Potestate Artis et
Naturae” (On the Marvelous Power of Art
and Nature), including an anagram

BERTHOLD SCHWARTZ

• Constantin Anklitzen – real name

• a mysterious monk of Freiburg, who
according to legend that is supported by an
engraving dated 1643, while
experimenting on some powder in a cast
iron vessel, he ignited a charge and thus
blew off the lid, and from this deduced the
principle of containing a charge in a tube
and propelling a shot (Encyclopedia of
ammunition).
THE BLACK POWDER
• the oldest known explosive, was initially made
from saltpeter (Potassium Nitrate) (75%),
charcoal (15%) and sulfur (10%).
• These problems in the used of black powder
was later remedied with the introduction of
the smokeless powder. According to Harrison,
Captain E. Schultze of the Prussian Army, made
the 1st successful used of smokeless powder in
shotgun in the year 1864. (Although
historically nitroglycerine compound was first
discovered in 1846). The basic ingredient used
for smokeless powder is a nitrocellulose that
was first produced by adding a nitric acid to
cellulose fiber.
• Later, M. Vieille of French developed the first
smokeless powder for riffle in the year 1884
and named it “poudre B” taken after Gen.
Boulanger’s name. In 1887, Alfred Nobel
invented a smokeless powder with
nitroglycerine ( 40%) and nitrocellulose (60%)
as the main composition and called it
“Ballistite”
• In Great Britain, they utilized picrid acid in
addition to cellulose powder which they called
“Lyddite” and in germany TNT (Tri-nitrololeune
) was the one used, more powerful than picric
acid but much difficult to detonate. Also In the
year 1889, Prof. Abel, a British War dept.
Chemist developed “Cordite” a smokeless
powder with same composition as Nobel in the
form of cords or sticks.
• And in early 1890’s smokeless powder had
replaced black powder and became uniformly
used worldwide by the year 1900.
FIRE ARM CHARACTERISTICS
STAGES IN MANUFACURE OF BARREL
• Drilling
• Reaming
• Rifling
This process necessary for the making of the helical
groves inside the barrel and such can be performed in
any of the following methods:
1. Hook – cutter system (cutter)
2. Scrape – cutter system (scraper)
3. Broaching system – (broach)
4. Button – system (button
LAPPED
The Breech Face
• Just like any barrel of every firearm, the breech
face also bears with it the same important
TYPES OF CHARACTERISTICS IN FIREARMS
A. CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
• are those properties or attributes of a firearms
which can be determined even before the
manufacture of the gun. This is true for such
characteristics are considered to be a
manufacture’s designs or specifications and
security
1. Bore diameter (caliber or gauge) it is diameter
to which the bore was reamed. The distance
measured between two opposite lands inside
the bore in a hundredths or thousandths of an
inch. In most express in either caliber in inch or
in millimeters.
2. Number of lands and grooves - the number of
lands an grooves inside the barrel of a given
firearm are always the same or equal. It may
run from 3 to 8, but the most in the modern
firearm are five and six
• Lands - are the elevated portion of the bore of
the firearm.
• Grooves - are the depressed portion of the
bore between the lands
3. Width of the lands = is dependent upon the
bore diameter of the gun, grooves, width and
number. The lands are the remainders of the
circumference after subtracting all the grooves
width.
4. Width of the Grooves = is measured as the
shortest distance between the two dies or
edge of a grooves
5. Direction of Twist = rifling inside the barrel of
the gun is either twisted to the left or to the
right which cause bullet to rotate as it passes
through the bore, in order to ensure
gyroscopic stability in its flight
6. Pitch of Rifling = it is the measure of the
twisting of the lands and grooves. It refers to
the measure of the distance advance by the
rifling in order to make a complete turn inside
the barrel
7. Depth of the Grooves = the groove’s depth if
measured on a radius of the bore. Grooves are
usually few thousandths of an inch deep, which
equal to the height of the lands
B. INDIVIDUAL CHARACTERISTICS
• = are meant for those characteristics which are
being determined only after the firearm was
 already been manufactured. They are the
product of machine imperfections and some
later due to the used of the firearms
TYPES OF RIFLINGS
1. Steyer Type = is the type of rifling having four
(4) lands and grooves, right twist and the width
of the lands grooves. (4 RG=L)
2. Carbine Type = rifling having (4) lands and
grooves, right twist, the width of the grooves is
two (2) times the width of the lands (4RG2X)
3. Smith and Wesson = rifling having (5) lands
and grooves, right hand twist , the width of the
land and grooves are equal. (5RG=L)
4. Colt = type of rifling having six (6) lands and
grooves, left twist, the width of the grooves is
twice (2) the width of the lands. (6LG2X)
5. Browning = type of rifling having (6) lands and
grooves, right hand twist, the width of the
grooves is twice the width of the lands.
(6RG2X)
6. Webley = Rifling having seven (7) lands and
grooves, right hand twist, the width of the
groove is three time larger than the boarder of
the lands. (7RG3X)
7. Winchester = Rifling having six (6) lands and
grooves, right hand twist, the width of the
grooves is three time larger the width of the
lands
INDIVIDUAL CHARACTERISTICS IN FIREARMS
• are usually determined by the test firing which
will give us both the test bullet and the test
shell that will show the individuality of its
property based on the left marks on every
bullet and shell fired from it. Such marks are so
minute that the use of the lens with high
magnification is necessary to discover
individuality
MARKS FOUND OF FIRED BULLETS
a. Land Marks - marks left on a fired bullet caused
by its contact to the elevated portion (lands) of
the bore of the firearm. It appears as slight
depressions or scratches the cylindrical surface
of the fired bullet.
b. Groove Marks = marks found on a fired bullet
caused by the grooves of the barrel which is
the same number as that of the landmarks.
c. Skid Marks = Marks that are generally found
on fired bullet from a revolver. It is more or less
located at the anterior portion of the fired
bullet due to its forward movement from the
chamber to the barrel of the gun before it
initially rotates
d. Stripping Marks = marks found on those bullet
fired from a “loose-fit” barrel wherein the
rifling are already been badly worn-out.
Worn-out in the rifling of the firearms can be
cause by either chemical reaction brought
about by rust (corrosion) or through excessive
use (erosion)
e. Shaving Marks = marks commonly found on
bullet fired from a revolver cause by its
forward movement to the barrel that is poorly
aligned to the cylinder.
f. Slippage Marks = marks found on fired bullets
passing through either on oily or oversize
barrel
1. FIRING PIN MARK - mark generally found at
the base portion of the cartridge case more
specifically near center of the primer cup in a
center fire cartridge or at the rim cavity of a
rim-fire cartridge. Considered as one of the
most important marks for identification of
firearms using fired shell
2. BREECH FACE MARK = mark found at the base
portion of the shell cause by backward
movement to the breech face of the block of
the firearm
3. EXTRACTOR MARK = mark mostly found at the
extracting groove of the fired cartridge case.
Cause by its withdrawal from the chamber
4. EJECTOR MARK = mark generally found on
cartridge case fired from an automatic
firearms. It is located near the rim of the case
cause by the throwing of shell from the firearm
to the area of shooting
5. SHEARING MARK = sometimes called
“Secondary Firing Pin mark” found in the
primer near the firing pin mark
6. MAGAZINE LIP MARK = marking found at the
two sides of the rim cause by the magazine lips
during the loading of the cartridge into the
magazine for firing.
7. CHAMBER MARK = mark mostly found around
the body of the fired cartridge case cause by
the irregularities of nips inside the walls of the
chamber
• In fired cartridge case either of the Firing pin
mark and the Breech face marks can be used as
basis for identification, in the absence or none
use of these two, both the ejector and
extractor marks can be utilized as secondary
choice.
 PROBLEMS IN FORENSIC BALLISTICS
1. Given a fired bullet to determine the caliber,
type; make of firearm from which it was fired.
2. Given a fired shell to determine the caliber,
type, and make of firearm from which it was
fired
OBJECTIVES
1. FIRED A BULLET - to determine the caliber,
type and make of firearm from which it was
fired
2. A FIRED SHELL / CARTRIDGE CASE - to
determine the caliber, type and make of
firearm from which it was fired
3. Given a fired bullet and a suspected firearm, to
determine whether or not the fired bullet was
fired from the suspected firearm.
4. Given a fired shell and a suspected firearm, to
determine whether or not the fired bullet was
fired from the suspected firearm
5. Given two or more fired bullets, to determine
whether or not they were fired from one and
the same firearm.
6. Given two or more fired shell/cartridge case, to
MARKING OF EVIDENCE
determine whether or not they were fired
from one and the same firearm
BASIS OF FIRE ARM IDENTIFICATION
1. firearm identification is actually refined tool
mark identification
2. the natural wear and tear of the tools involved
3. when the softer surface comes in contact with
the harder surface. It is always the softer
surface that will be engraved or marked by
whatever impression or marks present on the
harder surface
4. the fact that no things are absolutely identical
or alike. There can be some sort of similarity in
general properties but not on the individual or
minute imperfections or details
PRINCIPLES INVOLVED IN BULLET IDENTIFICATION
1. no two barrel are microscopically identical or
alike as to the internal bore construction, all
barrel possesses individuality or characteristics
marks of their own
2. when a bullet is fired from a rifled gun barrel,
it becomes engraved by the rifling
characteristics of the barrel with varying
minute details
3. every barrel leaves its “thumbprints” or
“fingerprints” on every bullet fired on it
SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENT USED IN FIREARMS
IDENTIFICATION
a. Analytical or Torsion Balance (measure
equivalent weight of the bullet)
b. Bullet Comparison Microscope (used for
comparison of test bullets and fired bullets
or shells
c. Bullet Recovery box (used to obtain test
bullets and test shells) (test firing of at
least 3 cartridge)
d. Chronograph (used to measure velocity of
the bullet
e. Caliper (used to measure caliber of F/A,
bullet and shells)
f. CP-6 Comparison Projector
g. Electronic Gun maker
h. Helixometer (used to measure Pitch of
rifling
i. Micrometer (similar to caliper)
j. Onoscope
k. Shadowgraph
l. Stereoscopic Microscope
m. Taper Gauge
1. make use of a hard pointed instrument called
stylus in marking ballistics evidence such as
metallic or plastic cartridge case, bullet and
firearm. In case of paper cartridge case or shell,
it is better to use a fountain pen for marking
2. use distinctive marks such as initials of the
investigator, victim or suspects if identified
plus the date of recovery. It is more advisable
to use the victim/s initial for easy distinction
between the evidence of one case to another
3. put the mark on the surface of the evidence
that would not in any way alter its very nature
4. make a complete record of the mark used,
where it is placed and other distinctive marks
that the evidence possesses
5. if tags are to be used, make the necessary
entry, attach it securely before putting on the
evidence bag or container. Mark the container
or the evidence tag for proper entry.
6. keep a complete record of the chain
possession of the ballistics evidence