FORENSIC BALLISTICS

MODULE 1: Introduction to Ballistics

MODULE 2: FIREARMS

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“ EVERY CRIME GUN HAS A STORY TO TELL”
 Introduction to ballistics

Forensic ballistics is a branch of forensic science that deals

with the study of firearms, ammunition, and the analysis of
related evidence. It plays a crucial role in criminal
investigations by helping investigators link firearms to specific
crimes, identify the type of weapon used, and reconstruct
shooting incidents. The term "ballistics" refers to the science
of the motion and behavior of projectiles, including bullets,
shells, and other projectiles launched from firearms.

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 Definitions of Terms
1. Ballistics is the study of the motion of the projectiles.
Origin of the Term “Ballistics”
a. Greek word Ballo or Ballein which means “to throw.”
b. Roman war machine Ballista, a “gigantic bow or catapult”
2. Science, as used in this subject, refers to the systematized body
of knowledge regarding
firearms.
3. Projectile refers to the bullet/slug/ball/pellet/flechette that passes
through the barrel of FA.
4. Forensic Ballistics is the science of firearms identification by
means of the ammunition fired
through them.
5. Forensic – as applied to ballistics or to any other subjects
suggests a relationship to a court of
justice and legal proceedings. Derived from the Latin word Forensis
which means “Forum,” that
means “a public/market place, wherein people gathered for
discussion of a subject in issue.
6. Motion - movement of projectile inside and outside barrel.
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 BRANCHES OF BALLISTICS :

INTERIOR BALLISTICS
- The study of projectile while it is still inside the barrel

EXTERIOR BALLISTICS
- From after leaving the muzzle to before immediately hitting the target

TERMINAL BALLISTICS
- Is the study of effects/impact of projectile to the target.

FORENSIC BALLISTICS
- is the science of FA identification by means of the ammunition fired through them.

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 FIREARMS:

INSTRUMENT USED FOR THE PROPULSION

OF PROJECTILES BY MEANS OF
EXPANSIVE FORCE OF GASSES COMING
FROM BURNING GUNPOWDER.

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 Definitions:

1. Firearms (Legal) – includes all rifles, revolvers, pistols, muskets, shotguns, carbines and all other
deadly weapons from which a projectile maybe discharged.

2. Firearms (Technical) – used in the propulsion of projectile by means of expansive force of gases
from burning gunpowder.

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:

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 Single Action vs. Double Action

The terms "single action" and "double action" refer to different

mechanisms in firearms, particularly in handguns. These terms
describe how the trigger performs its functions in relation to the
firing mechanism. Here are the key differences between single
action (SA) and double action (DA):

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 Single Action vs. Double Action
1. Trigger Operation:

Single Action (SA): In a single-action firearm, pulling the trigger serves only one function – releasing the
hammer or striker. The hammer must be manually cocked before the trigger is pulled.
Double Action (DA): In a double-action firearm, pulling the trigger performs two functions – both cocking and
releasing the hammer or striker. The trigger pull is typically longer and heavier in double action.

2. Cocking Mechanism:
Single Action (SA): The shooter must manually cock the hammer before firing each shot. In some semi-
automatic pistols, the action of chambering a round also cocks the hammer.
Double Action (DA): The trigger pull both cocks and releases the hammer or striker, allowing the firearm to
fire without manually cocking the hammer.

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 Single Action vs. Double Action
3. Trigger Pull:

Single Action (SA): Typically, single-action triggers have a shorter, lighter pull because they only release
the hammer or striker.
Double Action (DA): Double-action triggers often have a longer, heavier pull due to the additional function
of cocking the hammer or striker.

4. Applications:

Single Action (SA): Commonly found in revolvers and some semi-automatic pistols. Often associated with
target shooting and sports shooting.
Double Action (DA): Found in both revolvers and semi-automatic pistols. Double-action revolvers are
known for their ability to fire without manually cocking the hammer for each shot. Double-action semi-
automatic pistols may have both double-action and single-action modes.

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 Single Action vs. Double Action

5. Safety Considerations:

Single Action (SA): Some consider single-action firearms to have an added safety benefit, as the hammer
must be manually cocked before the firearm can be fired.
Double Action (DA): The longer and heavier trigger pull in double action can be seen as an additional
safety feature, making accidental discharges less likely.

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 General Types of FA According to Internal Barrel
Construction

1. Smooth-bore Firearm has no rifling (lands and

groove) inside its barrel such as Shotguns, muskets
and liberator.

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 General Types of FA According to Internal Barrel
Construction

2. Rifled-bore Firearm has rifling inside the barrel such

as pistols, revolvers and rifles.

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 MAIN TYPES OF FA
(FIREARMS)
1. Small Arms – include FA with one inch or less bore
diameter. Examples: Shoulder arms, Handguns & Machine
Guns
2. Artillery – more than one inch bore diameter. Examples:
Cannons, Mortars, etc.

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 SMALL ARMS
1. **Handguns:**
- **Pistols:** These are handheld firearms with a single chamber, typically held in one hand. They come
in various designs, including single-shot, semi-automatic, and automatic models.
- **Revolvers:** Revolvers have a rotating cylinder that holds multiple chambers, each containing a
cartridge. They are known for their reliability and ease of use.

2. **Rifles:**
- **Bolt-Action Rifles:** These rifles are manually operated, requiring the shooter to manually cycle the
bolt to load and eject cartridges.
- **Semi-Automatic Rifles:** These rifles automatically eject spent cartridges and load a new one with
each trigger pull but require a separate trigger pull for each shot.
- **Automatic (or Full-Automatic) Rifles:** These rifles can fire continuously as long as the trigger is held
down, cycling through the firing, extraction, and reloading process automatically.

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 SMALL ARMS
3. **Shotguns:**
- **Pump-Action Shotguns:** These shotguns are manually operated, requiring the user to pump the fore-
end to eject the spent shell and chamber a new one.
- **Break-Action Shotguns:** These shotguns have a hinged barrel that "breaks" open for loading and
unloading.
- **Semi-Automatic Shotguns:** Similar to semi-automatic rifles, these shotguns automatically eject spent
shells and load new ones with each trigger pull.

4. **Submachine Guns:**
- Submachine guns are compact, automatic firearms that fire pistol-caliber ammunition. They are
designed for rapid fire and close-quarters combat.
- They are often used by military and law enforcement for tasks where a compact and fully automatic
firearm is advantageous.

5. **Assault Rifles:**
- Assault rifles are a type of selective-fire rifle that can switch between semi-automatic and automatic
firing modes. They typically fire an intermediate cartridge.
- They are commonly used by military forces around the world and are characterized by their versatility
and effective range.
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 ARTILLERY
1. **Cannons:**
- Cannons are large-caliber, long-barreled firearms designed for firing projectiles at high velocities. They
are often classified into different types based on their use and design.
- **Field Cannons:** These are mobile cannons used on the battlefield. They can be maneuvered to
provide direct fire support for infantry.
- **Siege Cannons:** Larger and more powerful, siege cannons are designed for use in prolonged sieges
against fortifications.
2.**Mortars:**
- Mortars are short-barreled, portable artillery pieces that fire projectiles at high angles, allowing them to
reach targets behind cover or in trenches.
- **Infantry Mortars:** Smaller and more portable, infantry mortars are used by ground troops to provide
close-range indirect fire support.
- **Towed Mortars:** Larger mortars that are typically towed by vehicles.

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 CHARACTERISTICS OF FAs
1. Class Characteristics – these are firearms designs that were
set even before the manufacture of
FAs. These are the factory specifications. This includes the
following:

a. Caliber or Bore Diameter – determined with a bullet, shell, or

bore of the gun.
b. No. of Lands and Grooves – always the same in number.
c. Width of Lands and Grooves – how wide the lands and
grooves. NOT always the same.
d. Twist of Rifling – either RIGHT or LEFT.
e. Pitch of Rifling – one complete turn of bullet inside the barrel.
f. Depth of Grooves – how deep the groove or the height of every
land.

2. Individual Characteristics – are determined after the

manufacture of FA.

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 Types of Firearms According to Mechanical Construction

1. Single shot firearms – shoot only one shot

2. Repeating arms – loaded with more than one cartridge in the chamber.
3. Bolt action type – breech closure is in line with the bore at all times.
4. Lever action type – the breech mechanism is cycled by an external lever below the receiver
5. Slide/Pump Action - a movable forearms is actuated which is parallel to the barrel.
6. Semi-automatic type – requires a separate pull of trigger for each shot fired
7. Automatic action type – feeds cartridges, fires and ejects as long as trigger is depressed.
8. Machine gun type – (Heavy Machine Gun) used by military on combat. This is seldom encountered
by firearms examiner. The largest gun ever used in combat was Gustav Gun.
9. Sub-machine gun type (Light Machine Gun) - A light and portable machine gun
10.Shotguns

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 Miscellaneous Guns

1. Gas guns – fire tear gas and other forms of disabling gases.
2. Traps – designed for wild animals. It could be with the use of bullet of poison charge.
3. Cane gun & Knife pistol - These are known as Freakish Devices
4. Tools – maybe used to drive stud, punch holes, and which are also capable of accidentally firing live
ammunition.
5. Zip guns (US) Paltik (Phils) – homemade guns.
6. Multi-barreled guns Have 2 or more barrels in one firearm.
7. Liberator - made by the US Government capable of firing .45 cartridges, single shot and
smoothbore.
8. Flare guns - used in sending signals and used in seeing enemies in the dark
9. Harpoon Guns are used in hunting large fish.

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 The Gun Barrel

Process of Making Gun Barrel (Code is DRBL)

1. Drilling – making of hole of barrel with the use of barrel blank.
2. Reaming – with the drilled hole, it is being reamed from breech end to muzzle
to remove
imperfections, scratches and irregularities. This operation undergoes 1)
Roughing, 2) Finishing 3)
Burnishing.
3. Broaching - the making of rifling inside the barrel. Tools used are: 1) Cutter
2) Scraper 3) Broach
4) Button.
4. Lapping - smoothening/polishing of the inner surface of the barrel.

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PARTS OF 9mm PISTOL
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PARTS OF M16 A1 RIFLE
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