Group 2

Ma. Czarina Viel L. Lina

Isabel Garcia
Ma. Eloisa Laisan
Mariah Nichol Ramos
Lorry May Cabuhat
Jeffrey Adriatico
Ace Robles
Lj Dela Rosa
John Michael VergAnio
Paolo Tolentino
Kervin Perolina
Carlo Mortel
 2
FIREARMS

A discipline of Forensic
Science which has as its
An assembly of a barrel and
primary concern to determine
action from which a
if a bullet, cartridge case, or
projectile(s) is discharged by
other ammunition component
means of a rapidly burning
was fired in a particular
propellant. Also called a
firearm to the exclusion of all
weapon, gun, handgun, long
others.
gun, pistol, revolver, etc.
 DOCUMENTATION OF FIREARMS 3

The range of evidence in firearms-related cases can be as

small as a piece of a bullet fragment which has rifling
marks or as large as hundreds of bullets and cartridge
cases and numerous firearms. Even from small samples, By examining wadding materials, the
information can be developed to indicate the type of examiner may be able to determine
firearm used and possibly identify the actual firearm that • the gauge of the shotgun
was used. Other firearms evidence that could be found at • the manufacturer or marketer
• a range of possible shot sizes based on
a shooting scene includes shotshell wads and shot pellets;
impressions in the shotshell wad
these can indicate the gauge of the shotgun. Wads and • individual characteristics (in some cases)
pellets can be gathered and preserved in the same manner
as bullets and cartridge cases.
 Marking Of Firearms
Marking is a fundamental element of any tracing system. It
allows for the unique identification of weapons and the
establishment of associated records. Universal requirements
for marking are outlined in the UN’s International Tracing
Instrument (ITI, or, in full, the ‘International Instrument to
Enable States to Identify and Trace, in a Timely and Reliable
Manner, Illicit Small Arms and Light Weapons’).
 5

Marking Of Firearms
Marking of Firearms and Ammunition, a new Research Note from the Small Arms Survey,
describes the standards that regulate the marking of firearms, and presents the various
technologies available for both firearm and ammunition marking, explaining the strengths
and limitations of each.nt

Traditional methods of ammunition marking—such as ‘headstamps’ applied to the rim of the

cartridge cases—are made early in the production process, prior to priming (the stage when
the charge of explosive powder is added). New laser-marking technologies allow more
information to be recorded on each round of ammunition, and can be applied later in the
process. This technology allows additional and detailed information, such as the identity of
the purchaser, to be recorded on each round.

Marking of Firearms and Ammunition shows that standards for marking

ammunition are much less developed than those that apply to weapons and are
not of universal application. Nevertheless, new technologies, especially laser
marking, have the ability to increase the traceability of ammunition by enabling
more relevant information to be marked on small-calibre cartridges.
 Fireamrs Evidence 6

Description
Firearms evidence is usually encountered in crimes against persons such as homicide, assault and robbery; but
may also be found in other crimes such as burglary, rape, and narcotics violations. While comparisons of
bullets and cartridge cases to specific firearms are the most common examinations requested, other
examinations are possible such as: distance determinations based on powder residue or shot spread;
examination of firearms for functioning or modification; sequence of shots fired and trajectories; list of
possible weapons used; serial number restoration and ownership tracing. Evidence of firing or handling a
firearm may be detected through the analysis of gunshot residue collected from a persons hands or other body
surfaces.
 Fireamrs Evidence 7

Description
The location and condition of firearms and related evidence at a crime scene should be diagramed and
photographed before recovering and securing. Although physical evidence is important, safety must be the
first consideration. Each situation should be evaluated before deciding to unload an evidence firearm.
(Caution, treat a firearm at all times as if it were loaded). If the weapon is a type that can be safely transported
in a loaded condition, this can be done. However, depending on the circumstances it may be unnecessary or
unwise to transport a loaded firearm. It should then be unloaded, with care taken to preserve all types of
possible evidence. This evidence includes fingerprints, blood, hair or fibers, cylinder "halos", and debris in the
barrel and/or cylinder. The weapon should be handled on those areas least likely to retain latent fingerprints
such as knurled or checkered areas.
 8
• Ammunition (informally ammo) is the
material fired, scattered, dropped or
detonated from any weapon or weapon
system.
• Ammunition is both expendable
weapons (e.g., bombs, missiles,
grenades, land mines) and the
component parts of other weapons that
create the effect on a target (e.g., bullets
and warheads). Nearly all mechanical
weapons require some form of
ammunition to operate.
• The term ammunition can be traced 9
back to the mid-17th century. The
word comes from the French la
munition, for the material used for war.
• The purpose of ammunition is to
project a force against a selected
target to have an effect (usually, but
not always, lethal). The most iconic
example of ammunition is the firearm
cartridge, which includes all
components required to deliver the
weapon effect in a single package.
 10

• Ammunition comes in a great range of sizes and

types and is often designed to work only in specific
weapons systems.
 11

• There are also specific types of ammunition that are

designed to have a specialized effect on a target,
such as armor-piercing shells and tracer
ammunition, used only in certain circumstances.
 12
• Armor-piercing ammunition (armour-piercing
ammunition in Traditional English; AP for short) is
a type of projectile designed to penetrate either
body armor or vehicle armor.
• Tracer ammunition (tracers) are bullets or
cannon-caliber projectiles that are built with a
small pyrotechnic charge in their base.
 13
• When fired, the
pyrotechnic
composition is
ignited by the
burning powder and
burns very brightly,
making the projectile
trajectory visible to
the naked eye during
daylight, and very
bright during
nighttime firing
14
 15

Revolvers
➜ Handgun that has a cylinder with holes to contain the cartridges. The cylinder
revolves to bring the cartridge into position to be fired. This is "single-action"
when the hammer must be cocked before the trigger can fire the weapon. It is
"double-action" when pulling the trigger both cocks and fires the gun.
 16

Parts Of Revolvers
 17

KINDS Of Revolvers
 Gunshot Residue 18

The total residues resulting from the discharge of a firearm; including gunpowder (nitrite) and primer
residues (lead vapor), metallic residues from projectiles, fouling, etc
 19
EVIDENCE OF GUNSHOT RESIDUE

Gunshot residue has been known to be one of the most

common and most scrutinized sources of evidence that is
examined in violent crime investigations. As previously
stated, gunshot residue may be found on either the person
who fired the gun, the entrance wound of the victim, or in
the surrounding area of the crime.
 20
CASE STUDY, TRACE
5 years EVIDENCE.
component particle is only indicative of the discharge of a
firearm, not the discharge of a specific firearm. Are you able to tell how
long particles have been present on a surface? an item of clothing
containing GSR is left undisturbed for 5 years, the GSR will be the
same as the day it was deposited.
Law enforcement investigators test the clothing and skin of people for
gunshot residue to determine if they were near a gun when it
discharged. Gunshot residue can travel over 3–5 feet (0.9–1.5 meters)
from the gun. At the farthest distance, only a few trace particles may be
present.
 21
EXAMPLE OF GUNSHOT
EVIDENCE:
 22
GUNSHOT RESIDUE DETECTED AND SOLVED
CASES

With a new portable sensor, detectives can quickly swab a suspect's

hands with an electrode and determine whether the person recently
fired a gun. Currently, investigators swab suspects' hands to collect
samples and then bring those samples to a laboratory to detect
gunshot residue.
23
 24
Gunshot residue
Collection methods
➜ Gunshot residues fall into two categories. The first type is gathered from the suspected
shooter’s hands with a collection kit. The purpose of the examination is to determine if
a person has recently handled or fired a weapon. Since it doesn’t determine which
firearm was fired or when, this testing has limited value, and many laboratories have
stopped performing these examinations. The second type looks for residues on items
such as a victim’s clothing in an effort to determine the muzzle-to-target distance. Many
times this type of evidence is not visible to the naked eye and requires microscopic
examination and chemical testing to develop. The victim’s clothing must be handled
with care, air dried and stored in paper containers in order to provide useful evidence.
 25
Gunshot residue
Collection methods
Gunshot residue (GSR) found at the crime scene is very fragile and therefore should be
collected as soon as possible after firearm discharge. Collection of GSR on live subjects can
be done by the use of laboratory supplied kits or commercial kits. Currently, there are the
two commonly used techniques for GSR collection: the SEM disc lifting method and atomic
absorption (AA) swabbing methods (as shown in Fig. 7.29 below). Investigators should
consult with their local forensic laboratory as to which test the laboratory performs. The
collection of the GSR must be done within 6 hours on live subjects, and they should not be
allowed to wash their hands or extensively contact their hands with other surfaces in case
they loosen the GSR particles. If a body is to be sampled for GSR, the sampling must be
done before the body is moved. If no sampling can be done at the scene, then bagging the
hands with paper bags should be done.
 26

TOOL MARK EVIDENCE

➜ A tool mark is defined as the impression left by the contact of a

tool or similar object on to a surface.
➜ Tools leave distinct marks because they are generally made of
metals harder than the surface with which they normally come
in contact.
➜ Tool marks are more or less permanent, hence the same can be
use to link the criminal with the crime scene, even after long
time.
 27

TYPES OF TOOL MARK

Compression or indented tool marks
- when a tool is pressed into softer material. Such marks often show the
outline of the working surface of the tool, so the class characteristics of the tool
can be determined.
Sliding tool marks
- it is created a tool slides along a surface. Such marks usually consists of
pattern or parallel striations class characteristics are more difficult to determine
from sliding tool mark
Cutting tool marks
- it is the combination of compression or sliding tool marks. The cutting
tool indents the material being cut and it does the working surfaces of the tool
slide over the cut surfaces.
 28

COLLECTING EVIDENCE

Tools and tool marks may contain trace evidence which needs to be collected

Always look for tool marks at points of entry

Suspect tool and tool marks must be packed in separate containers

Never put a tool within the tool mark to look for a match.

Any contact between the tool and the marked surface may alter the mark and
will, at the least, raise serious questions about the integrity of the evidence.
 29

Proper packaging
of Dry evidence

Each piece of evidence gathered is packaged separately to avoid

damage and cross-contamination. Most dry trace evidence is placed
in druggist‘s folds, which are small, folded papers. Envelopes, canisters,
plastic pill bottles, and paper or plastic bags may also be used.
Documents are sealed in plastic covers before they’re transported to the
lab.
30
 31
Different types of Proper packaging of And
Dry wet evidence
Fingerprints (also includes palm prints and bare footprints) are the best evidence to
place an individual at the scene of a crime.

Blood and Body Fluids If using the RFLP method of DNA analysis, then blood and
seminal fluid can be matched back to an individual with a high degree of probability

Shoeprints and Tire Tracks Shoeprints and tire tracks can be matched positively to a
pair of shoes or to tires in a suspect's possession. Shoeprints and tire tracks can
sometimes tell investigators what type of shoes or tires to look for when searching a
suspect's residence or vehicles.

Glass can be said that it has the same characteristics as glass found in the possession
of a suspect.
 32
Proper packaging of wet evidence

Yellow
Is the color of gold, butter and
ripe lemons. In the spectrum of
visible light, yellow is found
between green and orange.
33
34
 35

TYPES OF IMPRESSIONS
Three basic categories:
 Patent impressions
 Latent impressions
 Plastic impressions
 36
TYPES OF IMPRESSIONS
Patent impressions.
• Two-dimensional impressions.
• Visible.
• Produced when material (such
as soil, dust, paint, blood, etc.) is
transferred from an object (e.g.
the sole of a shoe, tread of a
tyre, etc.) and deposited onto a
hard flat surface.
 37
TYPES OF IMPRESSIONS
Latent impressions.
• Two-dimensional impressions.
• Invisible to the naked eye, but
can be made visible by dusting
and electrostatic techniques or
chemicals.
• Produced when minute debriss
(such as oil, fine soil, etc.) is
transferred from an object (the
sole of a shoe) and deposited
onto a clean floor.
 38

TYPES OF IMPRESSIONS
Plastic impressions.
• Three-dimensional imprints.
• Visible.
• Produced when an object (e.g.
the sole of a shoe, tread of a
tyre, etc.) is pressed into
soft, plastic material such as
mud, sand or snow.
 39

Shoe IMPRESSIONS
Much information can be obtained from a shoe impression,
including:

Size of shoe imprint size of a person's foot.

Depth of shoe or foot imprint person's weight.

Type of shoe (e.g. work boot v flat dress shoe) > information
on the person's job or personality.

Brand of shoe information about the buyer.

 40
SHOE IMPRESSIONS
Shoe wear patterns.
Wear patterns on a shoe are
different from person to person.
 Even on the same type of shoe!
Factors that personalize a shoe
pattern includes:
 Body weight.
 Shape of the foot.
 Whether the person walks with
their toes pointing straight ahead or
pointing in or out.
 The wearer's activities.
 41
SHOE IMPRESSIONS
Gait and tracks.
 A person's walking habits (gait) can
be determined by examining numerous
prints together.
e.g. A limp will result in an asymmetrical
gait.
 The tracks can indicate whether a person
is walking or running.
Based on length of stride and the pressure
and shape of the impression
 42
Collection Of SHOE IMPRESSIONS
Evidence
1. Photograph impressions
2. Lifting latent impressions.
 Using a range of methods including:
Luminol- for bloody footprints.
Dusting.
Electrostatic lifting.
3.Casting plastic impressions.
A cast can be made of a three-dimensional shoeprint.
Exact method depends on conditions at the crime
Scence.
 e.g. on sand:
Hair spray is sprayed onto impression.
Plaster of Paris is poured into impression.
 43
TYRE TREADS AND IMPRESSIONS
 Tyre marks may indicate the speed a car travelled when it
skidded off the road, or the direction it travelled as it
accelerated from the crime scene.

 Motor vehicles can leave patent, latent or plastic tyre patterns.

 44
TYRE TREADS AND IMPRESSIONS
 Tyre tread and impressions are examined for two
characteristics at a crime scene:
1.Tread pattern & measurements.
To identity the type of tyre and perhaps make & model of the
car.
Tyre tread impressions > tyre brand.
Track width, wheel base & turning
circle make & model of car.
2.Nature of the impression.
To determine how the vehicle was
driven.
 45

A bullet is a kinetic projectile, a

component of a firearm ammunition
that is shot from a gun barrel. The
term is from middle French,
BULLET
originating as the diminutive of the
word boulle (boullet), which means
“small ball”
 46
PARTS OF BULLETS
●Cartridge Case- is the envelope or container of a
cartridge.
●Gun Powder- as it came to be known, is a mixture
saltpeter (potassium nitrate), sulfur, and charcoal.
●Rim Containing Primer- use a thin brass case with a
hollow bulge, or rim round the back end.
●Primer – is the chemical or the device responsible for
initiating the propellant combustion that will push the
projectiles out of the gun barrel.
 TRACE EVIDENCE 47

➜ Human and animal fur, natural and synthetic fibers, fabrics, rope, soil, glass, and building materials are
common trace evidence samples. Trace evidence may also include a wide variety of other components,
such as fire ash, cosmetics, plastics, pollens, soils, bullet residue, and lamp filaments, in addition to
these common types of samples. Trace proof, by definition, refers to all small pieces of evidence
obtained from crime scenes and accidents that aid in the investigation of these events.

➜ These traces are mostly microscopic, and they are left at the crime scene by the offenders unknowingly
as a result of interactions between objects and people. Despite the fact that many trace evidence
samples are tiny, they may provide a wealth of information about the crime that was committed, the
sample's origin, and how it was transported.
 48

PARTS OF FIREARMS
• Barrel the part of a gun that a bullet is fired through.
• Magazine the part of a gun in which you put the bullets
• Muzzle the end of a gun barrel where the bullets come out.
• Safety the part of a gun that stops you from accidentally shooting it
• Trigger the part of a gun that you move with your finger to make the
gun fire.
• Hammer the part of a gun that pushes against the bullet to make the
explosion when you pull the trigger with your finger.
• Grip it is generally used by the operators dominant for holding the
handgun that operates the trigger.
 49

PARTS OF FIREARMS
• Rear Sight The rear sight is used to align the weapon with the front
sight and direct the muzzle of the gun towards the target.
• Front Sight Its forms include the simple iron sights on pistols and the
more complex front and rear sights on target and high-powered sporting
rifles.
• Slide Stop/lock it is a simple locking device used to lock the slide in
the rearward position. This can be done manually by the operator to
ensure the chamber is empty or to expose the chamber to help clear a
misfeed/misfire
• Magazine Release is used to eject the magazine from the grip of the
handgun.
 50

PARTS OF FIREARMS
• Disassembly Lever is rotatable in the receiver in the one end position.
• Slide the slide is usually contains a ribbed pattern for gripping and is
pulled back manually to load the gun.
 51
PARAFFIN TEST

DERMAL NITRATE TEST

A forensic test to indicate whether a person has recently

fired a gun, in which the person’s hand is coated in hot
paraffin wax which cools and sets and is peeled off and
tested for the presence of residue from the gun.
 52
PARAFFIN TEST

PARAFFIN

A waxy, white or colorless solid mixture of hydrocarnbons

made from petroleum and used to make candles, wax paper,
lubricants and waterproof coatings.
 53
PARAFFIN TEST

PARAFFIN WAX
A solid form used as a lubricant and for the othe
application.
 54
PARAFFIN TEST
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF PARAFFIN
TEST?
The basis of this test is the presence of nitrates in the
gunpowder residue.
The test is done by applying warm melted paraffin wax on the
hands of the alleged shooter and causes the pores of the skin to
open and exude the particles of gunpowder residue.
 55
PARAFFIN TEST METHOD

• Molten parrafin wax is brushed on the suspect’s hand.

• After hardening it is peeled off.
• The inner surface of the wax cast is then treated with
diphenylamine or diphenhlbenzidine reagant.
• 'Blue color’ develops whenever the powder residue is
present.
 TRACE EVIDENCE 56

➜ The persons involved in the Mactan Isla Resort and Spa shooting incident at 3 a.m. Aug. 10, were
subjected to paraffin test to determine if they were able to use their firearms during the incident| via
Allan Cuizon
57
 PARAFFIN TEST 58

Paraffin Drawbacks

• False Negative Result

False Positive Result
 59
PARAFFIN TEST

False Negative Result

• Washed hand
Delay in doing the test.
• Weapon is well constructed.
 60
PARAFFIN TEST

False Positive Result

• Hand contaminated with nitrogenous compounds Tobacco, leguminous

plants, soil, cosmetics, fertilizers, etc.
THANKYOU!