Branches of Ballistics

The study of Ballistics was initially divided in three (3) divisions: Internal Ballistics,
Exterior Ballistics, Terminal Ballistics. These encompass the time from which the
bullet is fired from the gun until it reaches the target and has its maximum effect, but
due to the current application of ballistics in solving cases involving the use of
firearms and ammunitions, a fourth branch has emerged, namely, Forensic
Ballistics. At present, these branches are divided as follows:

1. Interior/Internal Ballistics – is that branch of ballistics which 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:

a. Firing pin hitting the primer – upon the squeeze of the trigger, the
hammer will be released which causes the firing pin to be pushed and hit
the base portion of the cartridge where the primer is located.

b. Ignition of the priming mixture (percussion action) – the priming

mixture (composing of the KCLO3, sulfur and carbon) located either at
the cavity rim or at the center of the primer upon striking effect of the
firing pin will ignite and such is known as “percussion action”.

c. Combustion of the gun powder/powder charge or propellant –

after the ignition is imparted to the gunpowder by passing through the
vent or flash hole, thus burning the gun powder and converts it into and
expanded hot gas.

d. Expansion of heated gas – once burned, the charged powder is

converted into a heated gas, and due to more elastic property of gases,
its particles will spread and fill the entire container (cartridge case/shell).
 e. Pressure/Force developed – the outward push of the gases to the
burned powder pressure is developed due to the great amount of the gas
that is expanding within the shell causing the withdrawal of the bullet
from the shell.

f. Recoil of the gun – this is the equal and opposite reaction of the g un
against the forward movement of the bullet upon explosion.

g. Rotation of the bullet inside the barrel – it refers to the twist of the
bullet caused by the cylindrical grooved portion of the barrel of most
firearms, in some instance, this condition may not be possible especially
when the bullet passes through a smooth bore barrel.
Note: From the release of the firing pin to the moment the sound of the shot
can be heard as it leaves the muzzle occupies only about 0.01 seconds, in a
modern rifle.

Reaction inside a bullet once

the trigger has been pressed.

2. Exterior (external) Ballistics – treats of the attributes or movement of the

projectile after leaving the gun muzzle point of the gun muzzle. It is extended
from the muzzle end of the gun to the target or any attributes to the motion of
the projectile while it is in its flight and before reaching the target. The
condition attributed to external ballistics are as follows:

a. Muzzle Blast – it refers to the noise created at the muzzle point of the gun
brought by chemical reaction between the expanded gases and the air
outside. Given that most propellant is composed of compounds of nitrates, it
produces the accompanying loud once these are burned and mixed with the
air where oxygen, carbon, hydrogen, and other gaseous maters are present.
b. Muzzle Energy – it is the energy generated at the muzzle point measured
in foot-pound. This is attributed to the hot gas liberating at the muzzle point.

c. Trajectory – this refers to the actual curved path parabola-like flight of

the projectile from the time it leaves the muzzle until it hits the target. A
trajectory has three (3) stages when bullet is fired to its maximum range.
These are: The straight travel or the stage at which the bullet travel
straight or maintain its accurate travel (gyroscopic action), the curving of
the bullet in flight due to the gradual loss of its energy, and the drop of
the bullet to the ground due its weight and upon reaching the maximum
distance of its travel and hits nothing. The trajectory plays an important role
in the investigation of shooting incidents for its gives reference to the
possible position of the shooter on relation to the target. This is associated to
the point of entry and exit of the bullet.

d. Range – the range refers to the imaginary straight distance from the muzzle
of the gun to the target.

d.a Accurate Range – the distance within which the shooter or

gunner has control of his shots.
d.b Effective Range – the distance within which a bullet is still capable
of inflicting injury after it has been fired.
d.c Maximum Range – the distance that a projectile can be propelled
from a firearm or the farthest distance the bullet could travel.

e. Velocity – this refers to the rate of speed of the bullet (during its flight) per
unit of time, and usually expressed in feet per second (ft/sec.) and
measured through the use of chronograph machine (an instrument used in
determining the velocity of a projectile). The velocity of a bullet fired upward
has an equal velocity downward due to the principle of the gravitational pull.
They only differ in direction and transformation. A bullet fired upward ha its
maximum velocity upon leaving the muzzle and little by little loses its power
and velocity as its moves upward. While the bullet that falls downward
reaching its maximum heights has an increasing velocity as it goes
downward.
 f. Pull of Gravity – this is the downward reaction of the bullet towards the
earth surface due to its weight. This is based on the principle that anything
goes up must goes down.

g. Air Resistance – it is the force of the air encountered by the bullet in its
flight. A slow-moving object occupies smaller space at a given time while a
fast-moving object occupies larger space in a short time. Thus, since the
bullet travels fast it encounter more air than a running man.

3. Terminal Ballistics – is that branch of the Ballistics that deals with the effects
of the projectile’s impact on the target. The condition attributed to terminal
ballistics are as follows:

a. Terminal Accuracy – it refers to the size of the bullet grouping on the

target. A bullet grouping that is bigger has a lesser chance to produce
substantial damage, hence lowering its chance to be lethal. On the other
hand, the smaller the size of the bullet grouping on the target, the more
accurate and effective the shot become.

b. Terminal Energy – it is the energy or force of the projectile when it strikes

the target. A smaller caliber has lesser energy though it penetrates greatly
into the target.

c. Terminal Velocity – it is the speed of the bullet once it strikes the target
and penetrates it.

d. Terminal Penetration – it is the depth of the bullet’s entry into the target.

4. Forensic Ballistics – this branch of ballistics is the product of the application

of the ballistics into law. When used in connection with the word ballistics or
other natural science, its suggests a relationship to the courts of justice or legal
proceedings. Forensic Ballistics is defined as the study of the motion of the
projectile as applied to law or simply the science of firearm by means of the
ammunition fired through them.

Importance of Forensic Ballistics

1. It can be used to control gun ownership;
2. It aids the investigator in identifying the shooter in a shooting incident;
3. It is indispensable if firearm identification.

Scope of Forensic Ballistics

1. Field Investigation – this the work of the first officer on the case on the
field. It is primarily a routine job of an investigating officer. Such work
includes recognition, collection, markings, preservation, packing and
transmittal of ballistics exhibits. At present, in cases of highly sensational
offense like shooting incidents, the investigator on case seeks the assistance
of Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO). It will the SOCO members who
will facilitate the processing of the crime scene although everything
transpires and all that is undertaken by the SOCO shall properly be
coordinated with the investigator on case who makes the necessary note
taking.

2. Ballistics Technical Examination of the Exhibits – this phase involves

the participation of firearms identification examiner. Its scope covers the
marking of evidence, test-firing (to obtain test bullet and test shell in case a
suspected firearm is recovered), examination of ballistics exhibits using
caliper, bullet comparison microscope and other scientific instruments,
preparation of comparative chart and reports on the findings and conclusions
as regards to the examination undertaken.

3. Legal Proceedings – this is the last and yet one of the most critical part in
the field of firearm identification. Here the examiner has to go to court and
testify as an expert witness regarding the ballistics examination and report
that she/he has prepared. It is also in this stage that the qualification and
competence and expertise of the examiner is determined and tested.
Members: (group 4) 057

Angeles, JefferSon
Cuenza, Ma. Kryzel
Maceda, Kaye Catherine
Peñeda, Albert