University of the Visayas

FORENSIC BALLISTICS
GRACE M. ARANDA , RCRIM, CSP
Lecturer
 BALLISTICS

 " Ballistics“- originated from the Greek

word "Ballein" or "Ballo" which means “to
throw" and from a Roman war machine called
"Ballista“

It is the science dealing with the motion of

projectiles in flight and the conditions governing
that motion or the study of natural laws relating to
the performance of gunpowder and projectiles in
firearms.
History and Basic Concept of Ballistics

Before the mass

manufacturing of guns
began, barrels and bullet
molds were handmade
by gunsmiths.
Ancient
weapon
The first bullet comparison
MODERN FORENSIC BULLET
COMPARISON
4 BRANCHES OF BALLISTICS
1) Internal Ballistics
2) Exterior Ballistics
3) Terminal Ballistics
4) Forensic Ballistics
INTERNAL BALLISTICS / interior ballistics

- Is the study of the motion of the projectile while it is

still inside the firearm which extends from the breach to
the muzzle .
Ignition system (2 TYPES OF primer)
•Boxer System
•Berdan System
Exterior ballistics
•- Treats of the attributes or movement of the projectile after leaving the gun.
Terminal ballistics
•Is the study of the impact of the projectile to the target.
 FORENSIC BALLISTICS

 Is one branch of ballistics which refers to the

investigation and identification of firearms by means of
ammunition fired through them.

Is the study of firearms identification and investigation by means of

ammunition fired through them . It also deals with the principles in the
microscopic and macroscopic examination of firearm evidence and the
preparation of reports for legal proceedings in the solution of cases
involving firearms.
 DIVISION OF FORENSIC BALLISTICS

• FIELD INVESTIGATION – It concerns mostly

with the collection, marking, preservation,
packing and transmission of firearms
evidences including the study of the class
characteristics of firearms and bullets.

• TECHNICAL EXAMINATION – Examination

of bullets and/or shells whether they were
fired from also whether or not cartridges were
loaded and ejected by the suspected firearm
submitted.
FIELD INVESTIGATION
•This procedure involves the documentation, collection, marking, preservation,
packing , and transmission of evidence firearms, bullets, cartridge cases and
allied pieces of evidence.
GMA
EX. 1
02-16-23
TECHNICAL EXAMINATION
- It refers to the role of the forensic examiner in the laboratory.
PROCEDURES THAT THE EXAMINER
SHOULD FOLLOW IN EXAMINING
BALLISTICS RELATED PIECES OF EVIDENCE:
1) Ask for the letter or request from the requesting party before all physical evidence such
as evidence bullets, evidence shells, evidence firearms and other allied items are
accepted.
2) Check if all the actual pieces of evidence submitted are written in letter of request
3) Check if all items submitted are properly marks.
4) Correct the markings made by the investigator if found inaccurate. In addition, inform
the requesting party of the said corrections.
5) Conduct test firing in order to obtain simple cartridge cases and bullets.
6) Examine and compare the evidence and test fired items as to their respective
characteristics.
7) Prepare the ballistics report
DIFFERENT MARKINGS OF TEST FIRED
CARTRIDGE CASES AND BULLETS
• ORIGINAL HOMEMADE OR HOMEMADE OR
FIREARM: PALTIK FIREARM
PALTIK FIREARM
WITH SERIAL
NUMBER WITHOUT SERIAL
NUMBER

• T-29-1 P-29-1
T-P-1
P-29-2 T-P-2
• T-29-2 T-P-3
• T-29-3 P-29-3
 FIREARMS IDENTIFICATION

• A discipline of forensic science which has

its primary concern to determine if a bullet,
cartridge case or other ammunition
component was fired by a particular
firearm.
 FIREARMS
Is any instrument used for the
propulsion of projectiles by means of
expansive force of gasses coming
from burning gunpowder.(technical
definition)
 FIREARM:
Under Section 877 of the Revised
Administrative Code & Section 290 of the
National Internal Revenue Code:

Firearms or arms as herein used,

includes rifles, muskets, carbines, shotguns,
pistols, revolvers, and all other deadly weapons from
which bullets, balls, shots, shells, or other missiles
may be discharged by means of gunpowder
or other explosives. This term also includes air rifles
except such as being of small caliber and of
limited range used as toys. The barrel of any
firearm shall be considered as a complete firearm for
all purposes hereof.
CALIBER/ BORE DIAMETER OF
THE FIREARM

The caliber of the firearm

is the diameter of the bore
of the barrel measured
from land to land in rifled
firearm. It is expressed in
inches or fraction of an
inch by the American and
English manufacturers
and millimeters or in
centimeters or fraction
there by manufacturers in
Continental Europe.
Gauge – As applied to shotgun indicates the bore diameter is equal to the
diameter of the lead ball whose weight in pound is equal to the reciprocal
gauge index.
Ex. 12 gauge indicate the bore diameter is equal to the lead ball
weighing 1/12 of a pound.

Gauge Bore Diameter (in inches)

4 .935
8 .835
10 .775
12 .729
16 .662
20 .615
28 .550
410 .410

A term used in the identification of a shotgun bore. The number of round

lead balls of bore diameter that equal one pound. Thus 12 gauge is the
diameter of a round lead ball weighing 1/12 pound (AFTE).
What makes a firearm different from the others?
What are the bases or basic principles involved?
CLASSIFICATION OF FIREARM
1. According to Bore:

a. Rifled Bore Firearms - are those that contain

rifling inside the gun barrel. Ex. Pistols,
revolvers and rifles

b. Smooth Bore Firearms - those that have no

rifling inside the gun barrel from the breech
end up to the muzzle of a firearm. Ex.
Shotguns, Muskets.
 The rifling in firearms may be divided into the following:

Styr type – four grooves, right hand twist, grooves and lands of
equal width. (4R G-L)

Smith and Wesson type – five grooves, right hand twist,

grooves and lands of equal width. (5R G-L)

Browning type – six grooves, right hand twist, narrow lands

and broader grooves. (6R G2X)

Colt type – six grooves, left hand twist, narrow lands and
broader grooves. (6L G2X)

Webley type – seven grooves, right hand twist, narrow lands

and broader grooves. (7R G3X)

Army type – four grooves, right hand twist, narrow lands and
broader grooves. (4R G3X)
• PURPOSE OF RIFLINGS

Is to impart a motion of rotation to a bullet

during its passage inside the barrel in order to insure
gyroscopic stability in the flight, and so that it will
travel nose-on towards the target.
 CLASSIFICATION OF FIREARM
2. According to Mechanical Construction:

a. Single Action Firearms - those that are designed to shot only

one shot in one loading.

b. Repeating Arms - those that can fire several shots in one

loading.

c. Bolt Action Type - those that bolt is used in order to load.

d. Automatic Loading Type - there is an automatic in the

loading.

f. Single Action Type - known as trombone

g. Lever Type - such as of the rifles and shotgun

 CLASSIFICATION OF FIREARM
3. According to Use

a. Military Firearms
pistol
revolver
rifles
shotgun
machine gun

b. Pocket and Home Defense

pistol
revolver
rifles
 CLASSIFICATION OF FIREARM
3. According to Use

c. Target and Outdoorsman known as Sporting

pistol
revolver
rifles
shotgun

d. Unusual/Miscellaneous Firearms-those that are

unique in mechanism and construction
gas gun knife pistol
traps gun zip guns/paltiks
cane gun multi-barreled guns
 CLASSIFICATION OF FIREARMS

4. According to Power Pursuant to R.A. 8294

 Equivalent of Calibers in Inches and

Millimeters

•Caliber .22 about 5.59 mm

•Caliber .25 about 6.35 mm
•Caliber .30 about 7. 63 mm (Mouser)
•Caliber .30 about 7.65 mm (Luger)
•Caliber.32 about 7.65 mm
•Caliber .38 about 9mm
•Caliber .45 about 11 mm
 CLASSIFICATION OF FIREARMS

4. According to Power Pursuant to R.A. 8294

a. High Powered Firearm

caliber .45
caliber .44
caliber .357 magnum
10 mm/ .40
caliber .41
.22 magnum center fire
Automatic rifles Firearms with capability to fire 2 or 3
burst Shotgun gauges 410, 10,12, 16, 20 and 28
Homemade firearm w/ bore diameter bigger than cal.
38/9mm or any caliber but capable of automatic Air
rifle classified as firearm mode under EO 712
 CLASSIFICATION OF FIREARMS

4. According to Power Pursuant to R.A. 8294

b. Low Powered Firearm

 caliber .22 short
caliber .22 long
caliber .22 long rifle
caliber .22magnum
caliber .25
caliber .32
caliber .380
caliber .38
caliber .38 super
9mm
 CLASSIFICATION OF FIREARMS
5. According to its Mechanical Operation

Single Action – a firearm that must be manually cocked

before firing. The trigger performs single function of
releasing the hammer to fire the gun.

Single Action Semi Automatic – nee only be cocked for

the first shot, the hammer is cocked automatically for
subsequent shots.

Double Action – a handgun that can be fired without first

cocking the hammer. The trigger performs two functions
of cocking and releasing the hammer.
CLASSIFICATION OF FIREARMS

5. According to its Mechanical Operation

Gas Operated - An automatic/semi automatic firearm with

a locked breech that uses a small amount of the expanding
gases created by the burning powder charge to cycle the
action.
Blowback - A semi-automatic or automatic system in which
the breech is not locked during firing, but held closed only
by the recoil spring and the weight of the bolt.
Automatic – Technically, a firearm that chambers and fires
rounds continuously as long as its trigger is held down.
CLASSIFICATION OF FIREARMS
5. According to its Mechanical Operation

Semi-Automatic – a repeating firearm that uses

some of the energy generated upon firing to
eject the empty shell and chamber a fresh
round. Only one shot is fired each time the
trigger is pulled.
Recoil Operated - A locked breech semi-
automatic or automatic system using a portion
of the recoil energy to cycle the operation.
AMMUNITION/CARTRIDGE
AMMUNITION/CARTRIDGE
is a complete unfired unit consisting of
bullet, cartridge case, gunpowder and the
primer. (technical)

It refers to a "loaded shell" for rifles,

muskets, carbines, shotguns, revolvers
and pistols from which a ball, bullet, shot,
shell or other missile may be fired by
means of gunpowder or other explosives.
 COMPONENTS OF A CARTRIDGE/AMMUNITION:

• BULLET

• GUNPOWDER

• CARTRIDGE CASE

• PRIMER
 TYPES OF CARTRIDGE

Pin-fire – the pin extend radially through the head of the

cartridge case into the primer.

Rim-fire – the priming mixture is placed in the cavity formed

in the rim of the head of the cartridge case. The flame
produced is in direct communication with the powder
charge. Used in calibers .22, .25 and .45 Derringer pistols.

Center-fire – the primer cut is forced into the middle portion

of the head of the cartridge case and the priming mixture is
exploded by the impact of the firing pin. The flame is
communicated to the powder charge through the vents
leading into the powder charge.
TYPES OF CENTER-FIRE CARTRIDGES
Rimmed type – the rim of the cartridge case is greater than
the diameter of the body of the cartridge case. Ex. Cal .38 and
Cal .22

Semi-rimmed type – the rim of the cartridge case is slightly

greater than the diameter of the body of the cartridge case. Ex.
Cal. Super .38 Auto pistol, .32 and .25

Rimmed less type – the rim of the cartridge case is equal to

the diameter of the body of the cartridge case. Ex. Cal. .45
Auto pistol, Cal. .30 Carbine, Cal. .223 Armalite
TWO (2) PRINCIPLES OF FIREARMS
IDENTIFICATION
1. BULLET IDENTIFICATION :

No two barrels are microscopically identical as the surfaces of

their bores all possess individual and characteristic markings
of their own.

When a bullet is fired from a rifled barrel, it becomes

engraved by the rifling and this engraving will vary in its
minute details with every individual bore. So it happens that
the engravings on the bullet fired from one barrel will be
different from that on a similar bullet fired from another
barrel. And conversely, the engravings on bullets fired from
the same barrel will be the same.
 TWO (2) PRINCIPLES OF FIREARMS
IDENTIFICATION
2. CARTIDGE CASE/SHELLS IDENTIFICATION:

• The breech face and the striker (firing pin) of every single firearm
have microscopic individualities of their own.

• Every firearm leaves its “fingerprints” or “thumb mark” on every

cartridge it fires.

• The whole principle of identification of cartridge cases/shells is

based on the fact that since the breech face of every weapon must
be individually distinct, the cartridge cases which are fired are
imprinted with this individuality. The imprints of all cartridge cases
fired from the same weapon are always the same, and those on
cartridge cases fired from different weapons are different.
TWO (2) GOVERNING CHARACTERISTICS IN
FIREARMS IDENTIFICATION

1. CLASS CHARACTERISTICS :

2. INDIVIDUAL CHARACTERISTICSaqd
 Class Characteristics
Those characteristics that are determinable prior to the manufacture of the firearms.
These characteristics are the factory specifications and are with in the control of man
and they serve as basis to identify a certain group or class of firearms.

a. Bore Diameter/Caliber
b. Number of Lands and Grooves
c. Width of Lands
d. Width of Grooves
e. Depth of Grooves
caliber
f. height of the Lands
g. Direction of Twist
h. Pitch of Rifling
 The rifling in firearms may be divided into the following:

Styr type – four grooves, right hand twist, grooves and lands of
equal width. (4R G-L)

Smith and Wesson type – five grooves, right hand twist,

grooves and lands of equal width. (5R G-L)

Browning type – six grooves, right hand twist, narrow lands

and broader grooves. (6R G2X)

Colt type – six grooves, left hand twist, narrow lands and
broader grooves. (6L G2X)

Webley type – seven grooves, right hand twist, narrow lands

and broader grooves. (7R G3X)

Army type – four grooves, right hand twist, narrow lands and
broader grooves. (4R G3X)
 Two bullets with the same class characteristics
a. Caliber d. No. of lands and grooves
b. Width of lands and grooves e. Other class characteristics
c. Twist of the rifling
Caliber

θ
5 - Right

Angle of Twist

Cannelure

Groove width

Landmark Width
Note: Weight and length of the bullets is disregarded
 Individual Characteristics

Markings peculiar or distinct in a

particular firearm

Markings which are determinable after the

manufacture of the firearm and whose existence
is beyond the control of the manufacturer.

Markings which are randomly distributed inside

the gun and whose existence is brought about by
the tools used in their manufacture and machine
operation resulting through wear, tear, abuse,
mutilation, corrosion, erosion and other
fortuitous causes.
Ordnance and Commercial Ammunition Components
Marking of Evidence
 Bullet’s base

never on the body

On the nose
Marking a pistol
On the barrel,
(example: engraved
marked “ABC” 10-14-08)

Slide, and
(example:
engraved
Frame or receiver marked
(example: engraved “ABC” 10-
14-08
marked “ABC 10-14-08”
 Marking a revolver

Barrel, “ ABC” “10-25-04”

Cylinder, “ABC” “10-25-04”

Frame, “ABC” “10-25-04”
 Marking a rifle
Upper receiver,
(example: engraved Barrel, (example:
marked “ABC” “10- engraved marked
25-04” “ABC” “ 10-25-04”

Lower receiver,
(example: engraved
marked “ABC” “10-25-
04” Bolt, (example: engraved
marked “ABC” ”10-25-
04”
 TRANSMITTAL OF THE RECOVERED EVIDENCE TO CRIME LAB:

1. All collected evidence must be transmitted to the Firearms

Identification Division and concerned CL offices for
examination as soon as possible.
2. All evidence must be photographed for future identification.
3. Take precautions to preserve the evidence.
4. Wrap and seal each item of evidence separately to avoid
contamination.
5. Pack live ammunition in a clean, dry cardboard container
separately from firearms.
6. Stabilize the evidence to avoid movement or friction during
shipment.
7. Seal the container with tape.
8. If any of the evidence needs to be examined for latent prints,
label LATENT on the container.
9. Label the outer container with “Evidence” label.
10. Always observe the Chain of Custody.
Evidence Tag
RELATED LABORATORY
EXAMINATIONS
for GPR examination by Chemistry Division
for SEROLOGY examination by Medico Legal Division
Fuming Box (for developing latent prints)
 Defaced Serial number

for Macro-Etching examination by Physical Identification Division

Bullet Recovery Tube
 PROCEDURES IN REQUESTING FOR LABORATORY EXAMINATIONS

1. Letter requests for examinations - should be addressed to the Director, Crime

Laboratory (D, CL), attention: Chief, Firearms Identification Division (C, FAID).

The requests must contain the following information:

a. The submitting contact person’s name, agency, address, and telephone

number.

b. Nature and the basic facts of the case.

c. The name(s) and descriptive data about the individual(s) involved (subject,
suspect, victim, or a combination of those categories) and the unit-assigned
case identification number, if there is any.

d. List of the evidence being submitted or under separate cover.

PROCEDURES IN REQUESTING FOR LABORATORY EXAMINATIONS
2. Physical examination of the evidence being referred to for examination

3. Referral of the evidence to other Technical divisions:

a. Fingerprint Division - for possible recovery of latent prints.

b. Photography Division – for documentation through photography.

c. Medico Legal Division - for possible Serology on evidence

firearms.

d. Physical Identification Division – responsible in the examination

of allied examination, like; Bullet Trajectory Analysis and Serial
Number Restoration

e. Chemistry Division – for Gunpowder Residue Analysis

 PROCEDURES IN REQUESTING FOR LABORATORY EXAMINATIONS

4. Test firing of evidence of the evidence firearm.

5. Microscopic examination of the evidence bullet/cartridge cases

6. Preparation of worksheet

7. Preparation of Laboratory report

8. Retrieval of related laboratory reports

9. Turn-over of evidence to the evidence custodian for safekeeping

10. Release of laboratory report.

PROBLEMS IN FIREARMS
IDENTIFICATION
 Problems in Firearms Identification

Evidence bullet

Identification of the caliber,

type and possible make of
firearm
fired cartridge case (empty shell)

Identification of the caliber,

type and possible make of
firearm.
Two or more bullets

Determination whether the said

bullets were fired from one and the
same firearm.
Two or more evidence fired cartridge
cases

Determination whether or not the fired

cartridge cases were fired from one and
the same firearm.
Evidence bullet and
suspected firearm

Identification whether the

bullet was fired from the
firearm
.

.
Cartridge case (shell)
and suspected firearm

Determination whether
the spent shell was fired
from the said firearm.
Firearms

Serviceability tests
Determination of its authenticity
Classification pur to RA 8294.
 Ammunition

Serviceability tests
 SUMMARY

After discussing this lesson, the participants are

expected to have heartedly understood and grasped
all the enumerated learning objectives in the lesson
plan. This will be evaluated thru the conduct of an
objective type of examination and practical exercises
as to the evidentiary value of firearm evidence like,
spent bullet and spent cartridge in investigation..