John Oswald Cruz FORENSIC BALLISTIC

BS CRIMINOLOGY 4TH YEAR 2ND SEM

WEEK 12

The specialized equipment used by firearms examiners includes microscopes,

measuring tools, testing tools, and balances. These tools enable the examiner to carry

out the various aspects of firearms examination and comparison. The need for

proficiency with microscopes emphasizes the importance of examiners having an

academic background in science. Other equipment, such as measuring background in

science. Other equipment, such as measuring and weighing devices, are also familiar

items to anyone who has a science background.

The firearms or tool marks examiner primarily uses two different types of

microscopes on a regular basis. The first is the stereomicro-scope. This microscope sits

on the workable and is usually mounted on a boom or arm extending from a stand. It

usually has zoom capabilities for magnification from about 3X to about 10X. Initial

examinations of weapons, ammunition components, tools, and objects with tool marks

on them are done with the stereomicroscope. The relatively low power gives plenty of

working room so that the examiner can manipulate various cumbersome objects into the

field of view.

The workhorse of the firearms or tool marks section is the forensic comparison

microscope, which is actually two microscopes connected via an optical bridge. When

one looks through the eyepieces, both stages are visible via a split screen. In this way

evidence tool marks on a surface can be compared directly to test tool marks on a

similar surface.

Identifying a Weapon
John Oswald Cruz FORENSIC BALLISTIC
BS CRIMINOLOGY 4TH YEAR 2ND SEM

Most guns have their own unique identifying features and even if the gun has not

been left at the crime scene many degrees of information can be determined from the

bullet, the nature of the wound and any residue that is left around it.

Bullets contain a mixture of gunpowder and cordite and these leave burn marks

on the skin of the individual either wounded or killed, they also leave a fine residue on

the fingers and hands of the individual firing the gun. These burn marks can signify

closeness of the victim to the perpetrator, kind of weapon and also if the weapon has

had any modifications made to it. Some weapons have been disarmed by having the

firing pins and mechanisms removed but there are individuals who can ‘reactivate’ these

weapons for use again.

Also, each weapon’s barrel contains small ligatures and grooves, which, when a

bullet is fired from them, make marks on the shell casing, which can be used as a

means of identifying the make and model of gun if these shell casings are found at the

scene.

It is also worth noting that an automatic – or semi-automatic weapon – will expel

shell casings as the weapon fires a round whereas a revolver will fire the round but

retain the shell casing within the barrel.

Investigating

The field of ballistics is able to identify rifling patterns, marks made by using

suppressors (silencers), shell casings, powder burn and many other different areas

relating to the use of firearms and the evidence they leave behind.
John Oswald Cruz FORENSIC BALLISTIC
BS CRIMINOLOGY 4TH YEAR 2ND SEM

Indeed most ballistics experts will be able to tell you the particular weapon simply

by the sound of it being fired. They will also be able to carry out distance and depth

tests which include firing rounds of ammunition into water, sand and other substances

to determine how close a person would have to be to receive a life threatening wound

from a gun.

Ballistics is a very important part of the world of forensic science and much of its

evidence is used in criminal proceedings. In some cases the use of ballistics research

can prove a link between many different crimes carried out over a lengthy period of

time. This is also an important function of the ballistics team as many weapons are

passed and sold on between criminals during their life cycle.

Equipments Used in a Ballistics Laboratory

Comparison Microscope – This valuable instrument is specially designed to permit the

firearm examiner to determine the similarity and dissimilarity between two fired bullets

or two fired cartridge cases by simultaneously observing their magnified image. It is

actually two microscope couple together with a single or two eye piece, so that when

one looks through this comparison eye piece, he is seeing one half of what is under the

other – in other words, half of the evidence bullet and half of the test bullet.

Bullet Comparator Microscope – is specially designed to permit firearms examiner to

determine the similarity and dissimilarity between two fired bullets or two fired cartridge

cases.

Forensic comparison microscopes have special holders that fit on the stages so

that a wide variety of evidence items, such as bullets, cartridge cases, shot shells, tools,
John Oswald Cruz FORENSIC BALLISTIC
BS CRIMINOLOGY 4TH YEAR 2ND SEM

and firearms and parts, can be examined. The examiner must sometimes improvise in

order to get a desired part under the microscope. Comparison microscopes are fitted

with multiple objectives so that a range of magnification is available to the examiner. A

maximum of about 40X magnification is typically adequate for firearms or tool marks

examination.

The comparison microscope is usually fitted with a video imaging system for use

in training and for case documentation purposes. Digital images showing the specific

areas of identification provide visual support for the examiner’s written notes and

conclusions. Not everyone supports the use of photography. Critics argue against

photographing.

Early configurations of comparison microscopes consisted of a matched pair of

compound microscopes with conventional specimen stages. These were joined by a

system of lenses, prisms, and mirrors in what was termed an optical bridge. The

separated but optically joined objects simultaneously in a single field of view. This field

of view was split by an optical hairline. However, the specimen stages of these early

comparison microscopes were not configured for forensic firearms examinations and in

fact predated the field of firearms identification by nearly two decades.

Before the use of comparison microscopy, forensic firearms examinations

typically involved

 The sequential examination of fired components using a single compound

microscope,
John Oswald Cruz FORENSIC BALLISTIC
BS CRIMINOLOGY 4TH YEAR 2ND SEM

 Large format photography of microscopic details for each component through a

compound microscope,

 Side-by-side comparison of the photographic results,

 Preparation of exhibits based on the photographs.

Problems associated with this approach included these:

 The evidence items were examined in sequence, not simultaneously.

 The evidence items could only be simultaneously compared using photographic

prints.

 The photographs taken were two-dimensional representations of three-

dimensional objects.

The comparison microscope was invented in the 1920s by American Army Colonel

Calvin Goddard (1891-1955) who was working for the Bureau of Forensic Ballistics of

the City of New York. Goddard also benefited from the help of Colonel Charles Waite,

Philip Gravelle, and John Fisher. At the time, the comparison microscope was used to

compare fired bullets and casings. In the late 1920s, Swedish criminalist Harry

Soderman (1902-1956) drastically improved the comparison microscope by inventing a

system for rotating the bullets under the objectives. This allowed for a much faster

comparison of lands of grooves of bullets by simultaneous rtation of both the suspect

and comparison bullets. Soderman gave the name Hastoscope to his invention.

Early in 1925, Colonel Calvin Goddard (generally acknowledge as the father of

firearms identification in the United States) and his associate, Phillip O. Gravelle,
John Oswald Cruz FORENSIC BALLISTIC
BS CRIMINOLOGY 4TH YEAR 2ND SEM

(microscopist, tool designer, and photographer) adapted the existing compound

microscope to accommodate simultaneous microscopic forensic bullet comparisons.

They achieved this by using an optical bridge to join together the stages of two

compound microscopes.

This basic monocular instrument has evolved considerably over the past eight

years into the sophisticated instruments used today.

Some if the features:

 Binocular viewing

 Rotating nose pieces with a variety of objective lenses

 A choice of illumination systems, e.g., variable fiber optic, LED, and high-intensity

fluorescent light sources.

 Push-button focusing

 Image capture systems with file export and printing capabilities

 Specialized specimen mounts

 Motorized control of the x, y, and z axis settings, which can be saved for

reproducibility

 Monitors to facilitate examinations, trainings, and image capture

 Optical and digital capability for image superimposition or conventional side-by-

side comparisons.
John Oswald Cruz FORENSIC BALLISTIC
BS CRIMINOLOGY 4TH YEAR 2ND SEM

 Digital reference marks to easily return to areas of interest identifications on the

basis that two-dimensional photographs do not fully represent the three-

dimensional tool marks.

Stereoscopic Microscope – This is generally used in the preliminary examination of

fired bullets and fired shells. To determine the location of the extractor marks and

ejector marks for orientation purposes. It can be used also in lose-up examination of

tampered serial numbers of firearms. A stereo microscope that can observe and work in

a bright field of view with little influence on WD duw to the LED illumination built into the

stand. SPZ-50PG and DSZ-44PG are zoom type, and NSW-40PG is a zooming type.

The lighting device uses 60 balls of LED. With dimmer. Comes with a light protection

cover (double-sided frost / single-sided frost).

Binocular stereomicroscopes are a matched pair of microscopes mounted side

by side with a small angle between the optical axes. The object is imaged independently

to each eye, and the stereoscopic effect, which permits discrimination of relief on the

object, is retained. The effect can be exaggerated by proper choice of the design

parameters for the microscopes. For practical reasons, the magnifying power of such

instruments is usually in the range of 5-20x. Such microscopes are important in any

work in which fine adjustments of tools or devices is to be made. For example, the

stereomicroscope is often used in biological laboratories for dissection of subject and in

the operating room for microsurgical procedures. Moderate-power stereomicroscopes

are even more widely used in the electronics manufacturing industry, where they enable

technicians to monitor the bonding of leads to integrated circuits.

John Oswald Cruz FORENSIC BALLISTIC
BS CRIMINOLOGY 4TH YEAR 2ND SEM

Comparison Projector – This is generally used in the preliminary examination of fired

bullets and fired shells. To determine the location of the extractor marks and ejector

marks for orientation purposes. It can be used also in one close-up examination of

tampered serial numbers of firearms.

These 3 Chip DLP technology produce maximum brightness output and

spectacular image in large venue applications, DLP 3 Chip Projectors are used for high-

performance, high brightness applications in large rooms such as lecture halls, digital

cinemas (yes, in your local Cineplex), and other large audience venues. 3 chip systems

produce stunning images in almost any environment. 3 chip DLP technology is currently

considered the top of the line technology for digital projection. The 3 chip system is

based on light passing through a prism that divides it into red, green, and blue. Each

chip is identified with one of these three colors. Micromirrors reflect this colored light,

with their digital (on/off) mirrors. The light gets recombined, and out lens to the screen.

Bullet Recovery Box – For obtaining best fired bullet or test fired cartridge cases from

the suspected firearms submitted to the ballistics laboratory. In test firing suspected

firearms, it is standard procedure to use ammunition that are of the same caliber, make

or brand and manufactured in the same year with that of the evidence bullet or shell.

Water is one of the means to obtain test bullets and test shells because the microscope

marks n the cylindrical or peripheral surface of the bullets are preserves for good use.

The same is true with cotton.

Measuring Projector – This projector determines the width of the lands, width of

grooves, diameter and twist of fired bullets.

John Oswald Cruz FORENSIC BALLISTIC
BS CRIMINOLOGY 4TH YEAR 2ND SEM

This is a back-plunger model that is highly resilient and robust. The ABSOLUTE

Digmatic Indicator ID-B will give the following features:

 It is a back plunger type, with the display viewed from above.

 Its slim body design is ideal for multi-point measurements.

 The ABSOLUTE sensor means you don’t have to carry out origin setting every

time you power it on, saving you time and hassle.

 It has excellent resistance against water and dust (IP66 protection level) allowing

you to use it in machining situations that include splashing coolant fluid.

 Switchable display orientation gives you more mounting options.

 You can perform GO/NG judgement.

Verneir Caliper – This instrument determines the bullet diameter and barrel length.

Analytical Balance – This more or less determines the weight of the bullets, shots and

pellets for possible type, caliber and make for firearm from which they were fired.

Analytical balances are highly sensitive lab instruments designed to accurately measure

mass. Their readability has a range between 0.1mg – 0.01mg. Analytical balances have

a draft shield or weighing chamber to prevent the very small samples from being

affected by air currents. They’re meant to detect very fine increments, so the slightest

vibrations or breeze can impact the results. As such, analytical balances should be used

in a dedicated room with as few disturbances as possible. Analytical balances need to

be monitored carefully and calibrated frequently. Most analytical balances have both
John Oswald Cruz FORENSIC BALLISTIC
BS CRIMINOLOGY 4TH YEAR 2ND SEM

automatic internal motorized calibration and calibration with external weights. You can

get calibration weight sets here.

What makes analytical balances different from other balances?

Analytical balances are designed for very precise measurements of very small

samples. Precision balances usually have a higher capacity than analytical balances do

and typically deliver results of 0.1g, 0.01g or 1mg. Analytical balances have finer

readability, are much more sensitive to changes, and can detect smaller variations in

mass. Precision balances have more variety in body style and options, but they do not

offer readabilities greater than three decimal places. For acute measurements in labs,

analytical balances are the right choice.

Unlike top-loading balances, analytical balances like the nimbus usually have a

weighing chamber that encloses the weighing pan with glass doors to prevent

interference from vibration or air currents. The weighing pan is usually smaller than in

precision balances, and can only accommodate small samples.

Micrometer or Micrometer Caliper – It is an instrument for making precise linear

measurements of dimensions such as diameters, thickness, and lengths of solid bodies;

it consists of a C-shaped frame with a moveable jaw operated by an integral screw. The

fineness of the measurement that can be made depends on the lead of the screw i.e.,

the amount the spindle moves toward or away from the anvil in one revolution and the

means provided for indicating fractional parts of a revolution. The accuracy of the

measurements depends on the accuracy of the screw-nut combination.

John Oswald Cruz FORENSIC BALLISTIC
BS CRIMINOLOGY 4TH YEAR 2ND SEM

Taper Gauges – Used for determining the diameter of the bore of the firearms. A taper

gauge is a measuring tool that measures sizes such as the width of gaps and grooves,

hole diameter, and pipe inner diameter. In addition to models made of metals such as

carbon tool steel and stainless steel, there are also models made of plastic that do not

easily damage the object. Metal models with round cut gauge tips are even safer. They

can make accurate measurements with a scale of 0.05mm from 1 to 60 mm. A taper

gauges has a case or cap made of brass of polycarbonate for easy carrying, so there

are many types that can easily fit in the breast pocket. There is a type that can measure

just by inserting it, and a type that can be used when the scale cannot be checked from

the top. There are also compact bench centers that can measure the amount of

eccentricity of precision shafts, round work pieces and precision gears, etc.

Onoscope - Used for examining the interior surface of the barrel.

Helixometer – a tubular instrument in which an electric light and a prism and lens

system enable visual examination of a small-arms bore (as in criminal investigation) and

it is for measuring the pitch of the rifling. Pitch of rifling is the distance advanced by the

rifling in one complete turn or a distance traveled by the bullet in one complete turn.

Chronograph – used for determining the speed of the bullet or the muzzle velocity of

the bullet.

Shadowgraph – a photographic image produced on a radiosensitive surface by

radiation other than visible light (especially by X-rays or gamma rays)