FORENSIC BALLISTICS UZIEL GAL

− Refers to the “Science of firearms • He invented a sub-machine gun in the 1950’s

identification” which involves the scientific which was used by the Israeli Army during its Sinai
examination of ballistic exhibits – fired bullet, campaign in 1956
fired shells, firearms, and allied matters – used
in crimes. ALEXANDER JOHN FORSYTH

BALLISTICS • He is the “FATHER OF THE PERCUSSION

IGNITION”
- Is the science of the motion of the projectile and
the condition that affects their motion. HENRY DERRINGER
- The word “Ballistics” was originated from the
Greek word “Ballo” or “Ballein”. • He is the manufacturer of the Pocket Pistol

Ballo or Ballein means to throw or to propel JOHN GARAND

Ballista-a gigantic bow or catapult used throw missiles • Designed and invented the Semi Automatic U.S
and large objects such as stones at a particular distance Rifle Cal. 30. M1 Garand.
to deter animal or enemy forces. From those words the
term Ballistics was derived to indicate the science of GEORGE HYDE
moving projectile.
• A well-known expert in the field of SMG developed
PROJECTILE in 1941.
- Is any metallic or non-metallic ball which is MIKHAIL KALSHNIKOV
propelled from a firearm. An object that can be fired
or launched • Designed the AK (Automat Kalashnikova)
47 adopted by the Russian Army in 1951
MOTION
EUGENE STONER
- The mobility or movement of the projectile from the
time it leaves the shell empty; it leaves the gun • Designed the U.S M16 Armalite under license by
muzzle and until it reach its target or fall in the Colt Company from July 1959
ground
OLIVE WINCHESTER
PERSONS BEHIND THE CREATION OF
FIREARMS • One of the earliest rifle and pistol maker
COL. CALVIN GODDARD

• Known as “The Father of Modern Ballistics” EVOLUTION OF FIREARMS

• He was able to establish a comparison microscope • Earliest known written formula for gunpowder,
used to determine whether or not a bullet or shell from China in 1044.
was fired on a particular firearm
• 10th Century China, the Fire lance was used. A
HORACE SMITH & DANIEL WESSON gunpowder weapon that is considered to be a

• Founded the Smith and Wesson proto-gun, the predecessor of the hand cannon and
the ancestor of all firearms 1242 AD
• The maker of the breech-loading rifles and
revolvers • Roger Bacon published the “De Mirabili
Potestate Artis et Naturae” (On the Marvelous
JOHN BROWNING Power of Arts and Nature), which noted Black
Powder Formula
• The “Wizard of Modern Firearm”
• Pioneered the breech-loading single shot rifled 1364
which was adopted by Winchester
• The earliest known type of handgun was simply a
JOHN THOMPSON small cannon that is called Hand Cannons.
• Pioneered the making of Thompson submachine EARLY 1400’s
gun
• The Matchlock was introduce, the 1st major
DAVID WILLIAMS advance in pistols that can be fired using one hand.

• Creator of the First-known Carbine 1498

SAMUEL COLT • The gun experienced its first major evolution with
the discovery of rifling
• Create the first practical revolver.
1517 1873

• Wheel lock- credited the creation to Johann • Colt Peacemaker, model 1873, .45 cal. The most
Kiefuss of Nuremberg, Germany. A type of FA that famous revolver in history and legend was
has a serrated wheel. manufactured
1570 1884

• Snaphaunce- early form of flintlock. A weapon • Automatic Machine Gun. Hiram Maxim developed
with a mainspring inside the lock plate and a the first fully automatic gun;
priming pan cover which had to be manually
1892
pushed back before firing
1575 • The first automatic pistol was created by Joseph
Laumann.
• Paper Cartridge was developed. Ball and powder
1896
charged were wrapped in chemically treated paper
to allow the carrying of numerous pre-measured • Creation of the self-loading pistol with the
charges or preloaded rounds introduction of 7.63 mm Mauser
1630 1898
• Flintlock - the same with the wheel lock but • Creation of the Luger Pistol;
replaced the iron pyrite with a flint
THREE TYPES OF MOTION
1640
a) DIRECT
• Miquelet - like the snaphaunce, it is also a type of - Is the forward motion of the bullet or shots out of
flintlock where the mainspring will be the shell by the action of the expansive force of
automatically pushed back before firing gasses from a burning gun powder.
b) ROTARY
1772
- Is the action of the bullet passing through a rifled
• Patrick Ferguson, a British Army officer, developed bore barrel firearm which is either twisted to the
the Ferguson rifle, a breechloading flintlock a left or to the right.
firearm c) TRANSLATIONAL
- The straight line movement where every part of the
1805 projectile follows a parallel path and no rotation
takes place
• The Percussion System. Alexander John Forsyth
discovered a compound that would ignite upon
blow that would ignite the powder charge. In 1840, BRANCHES OF BALLISTICS
it replaced the flintlock ignition and was adopted
Interior Ballistics
in 1838 by the British and in 1842 by the American
Transitional/Intermediate Ballistics
1835
External Ballistics
• Samuel Colt patented the first revolver and
marketed in 1872, a breech loading revolver Terminal Ballistics

1836 Forensic Ballistics

• The Le Faucheux, developed by the French which SUB-BRANCHES

used a Pin-Fire Cartridge, the first selfexpanding Shot Ballistics
cartridge;
Wound Ballistics
1861

• Richard Jordan Gatling patented the Gatling Gun,

INTERIOR/INTERNAL BALLISTICS
a six-barreled weapon capable of firing a
phenomenal 200 rounds per minute, considering - The branch of ballistics which is concerned with
its usefulness. It is considered the precursor to the the properties of the projectile or bullet while still
modern machine gun; inside the barrel of the gun and this extends from
the breech to the muzzle.
1846
- The explosion of the bullet is .0002 sec The bullets
• Smokeless powder was discovered. It was used in occupies the muzzle of the firearm for only 0.01
shotguns first in the year 1864 by Capt. sec.

Eschultze of the Prussian Army and in Rifle by the

year 1884 by Paul M. Vieille France THE CONDITIONS ATTRIBUTED TO
INTERNAL BALLISTICS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
1. Firing pin hitting the primer 8. Velocity of the bullet inside the barrel
MISFIRE 9. Rotation of the bullet inside the barrel
Failure of the cartridge to explode after the
firing pin strikes the primer 10. Engraving of the cylindrical surface of the bullet

MISFIRE DEFECTS:
TRANSITIONAL/INTERMEDIATE BALLISTICS
a. Broken Firing Pin
- It is the projectile’s behaviour from the time it
b. Loose Firing Pin leaves the muzzle until the pressure behind the
projectile is equalized.
c. Lacking length in Firing Pin (specially
homemade gun) TUMBLE

HANGFIRE Rotation of the bullet from its front side

Delayed of explosion of the cartridge after the WOBBLE

firing pin strikes the primer The unsteady and uneven spin or rotation of a bullet;
usually caused by insufficient twist in the riffle barrel
HANGFIRE DEFECTS
on its back side
a. Wet Priming Mixture

b. The Anvil is not properly fixed (slanting EXTERNAL/EXTERIOR BALLISTICS

position)
- Refers to the study of the bullets or missiles flight
after it leaves the gun muzzle and before it strikes
c. No vent or flash hole (Factory defect)
the target.
d. No priming mixture at all (Factory defect)
Conditions Attributed:
a. MUZZLE BLAST – The noise created at the muzzle
▪ A trigger is a mechanism that actuates the point.
firing sequence of a firearm.
b. MUZZLE ENERGY – The energy generated at
▪ A hammer is a part of a firearm that is used to the muzzle point.
strike the percussion cap/primer,
c. Conditions of the bullet in flight
or separate firing pin, to ignite the propellant
and fire the projectile. • YAW
▪ A firing pin is a lightweight part, which serves
• PRECESSION
to transfer energy from a springloaded hammer • NUTATION
to the primer. YAW
▪ A Primer/Cap is the ignition system of the The trembling or unstable rotating motion of bullet at
cartridge used in a center fire type, containing the start of its flight
a highly sensitive chemical compound that
would easily ignite or burst into flame when PRECESSION
struck by the firing pin. It is the rotating movement of the bullet

2. Ignition of the priming mixture NUTATION

The unsteady movement of the bullet or wobbling
3. Combustion of the gun powder/powder charge or
movement of the bullet
propellant
TRAJECTORY
4. Expansion of heated gas
Refers to the steady-flight or parabola-like flight of the
5. Pressure developed bullet

6. Energy generated d. RANGE – the distance between the muzzle

and the target
7. Recoil of the gun Accurate Range- the distance in which the shooter has
- Jump another portion of the recoil action the control of his shots.
characterized as the backward and upward Maximum Range- farthest distance the projectile can
movement that takes place before the bullet leaves be propelled.
the muzzle.
Effective Range (Wounding Capability)- distance
where the projectile can inflict damage
Wound Ballistics
Maximum Effective Range- the farthest distance the
- Refers to the study of projectile penetration on
projectile is effective against the intended target
tissues.
e. VELOCITY- rate of speed of the bullet in flight. It • Contact – gun muzzle pressed against an inch
is expressed in Feet per Second (F/S). or two of the body
• Close discharge – 6 inches to 2ft
f. AIR RESISTENCE/AERODYNAMIC DRAG- • Distance discharge – over 2 ft or 3ft.
resistance encountered by the bullet in flight.

g. PULL OF GRAVITY- the downward reaction of the SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS ON

bullet due to its weight BULLETS
a) SOUVENIR BULLET
h. PENETRATION- the depth to which the bullet – bullet has been lodged and has remained in
has entered its target or object hit the body
b) BULLET MIGRATION
– bullet that is not lodged in place where it was
TERMINAL BALLISTICS previously located
c) BULLET EMBOLISM
Refers to the impact or effect of the bullet on the – special form of bullet migration when the
target. bullet loses its momentum while inside the
This can be subdivided into two: chamber of the heart or inside the big blood
vessels and carried out by the circulating blood
PENETRATION POTENTIAL- capability of the bullet to some parts of the body where it may lodge
to penetrate various materials
WOUND BALLISTICS- effect of the bullet on the living
The "Odd and Even Rule" in Gunshot Wounds
tissue
- If the number of gunshot wounds of entrance and
Terminal ballistics involves the following: exit found in the body of the victim is even, the
presumption is that no bullet is lodged in the body.
Terminal Accuracy- refers to the size of the bullet - But if the number of the gunshot wounds of
groupings on the target entrance and exit is odd, the presumption is that
Terminal Energy- energy of the projectile when it hits one or more bullets might have been lodged in the
the target body.

Terminal Velocity- speed of the bullet once it hits the SHOTS BALLISTICS
target - Deals with the attributes and properties of shots
and pellets. Focused with the study of shots/pellets
Terminal Penetration- depth of the bullet to the target
from smoothbore firearms like shotguns and
Penetration- the depth to which a projectile sink muskets

SHOTGUN WOUND
FORENSIC BALLISTICS - It is an open wound produced by the penetration of
pellets or shots within the tissues of the body. In
It is a discipline that refers to the investigation and shotgun fire, the pellets penetrate and usually
identification of the cartridge and what firearm it is lodged inside the body and a tendency for a wider
specifically fired at. The branch of science which the dispersion of pellets at a certain distance except in
police used as their guide in their investigation. contact and near contact fires.

1. FIELD INVESTIGATION- it is all the COMPUTATIONS

investigative activities done in the field mm-Cal. and Cal. to mm
involving the use of firearms and ammunition. Cal to mm (x 25.4)
Cal .38– mm .38 x 25.4 = 9.652 or 9 mm
2. TECHNICAL EXAMINATION- a task done at Mm to Caliber (x .03937)
the laboratory. 5.56 mm– Cal 5.56 x .03937 = .2188972 or .22
Caliber
3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS- the presentation of
evidence and technical reports to the trial
court.
GUN SHOT WOUND
A gunshot wound, also known as GSW, ballistic
trauma or bullet wound, is a form of physical trauma
sustained from the discharge of arms or munitions.
 Republic Act 10591 defines firearms as:

▪ FIREARM refers to any handheld or portable

weapon, whether a small arm or light weapon, that
expels or is designed to expel a bullet, shot, slug,
missile or any projectile, which is discharged by
means of expansive force of gases from burning
gunpowder or other form of combustion or any
similar instrument or implement. For purposes of
SYSTEM OF CALIBER MEASUREMENTS this Act, the barrel, frame or receiver is considered a
1. American System (2 digits) firearm.
- Expressed in hundredths of an inch such as Cal .45,
.38, .25, .30. ▪ “FIREARMS” OR “ARMS” are herein used includes
2. English System (3 digits) rifles, muskets, carbines, shotguns, revolvers, pistols
- Expressed in thousandths of an inch such as Cal and all other deadly weapons from which a bullet,
.357, .380, .223. ball, shot, shell or other missile may discharge off by
3. Continental/ European System means of gunpowder or other explosives. The term
- Expressed in millimeters such as Cal 9mm, 5.56mm, also includes air rifles EXCEPT such as being of small
7.62mm. caliber and limited range used as toys. The BARREL
of any firearm shall be considered a COMPLETE
FIREARM for all purposes hereof

▪ Gun Barrel- Is the tube, usually made of metal,

through which a controlled explosion or rapid
expansion of gases are released to propel a projectile
out of the end at a high velocity.

Technical Definition
▪ A firearm is an instrument used for the propulsion of
projectiles by means of the expansive forces of gases
coming from burning gunpowder.
The 9 Problems in Forensic Ballistics
Other Definition of Firearm
1. Given an Evidence Bullet, the FA Examiner will - A firearm is an instrument used for the propulsion
determine its Caliber and the FA that was used of projectiles by means of the expansive forces of
2. Given an Evidence Cartridge Case / Shell, the FA gases coming from burning gunpowder.
Examiner determine its Caliber and the FA that
was used. o Rifle – designed to be fired from the shoulder
3. Given Two or more Evidence Bullets, the FA o Musket – smoothbore FA designed to shoot
Examiner determine if the evidence bullets were single pellet
fired from one and the same firearm, or two o Shotgun – smoothbore FA designed to shoot
different firearms. several pellets
4. Given Two or more Evidence Cartridge Cases o Revolver – handgun with rotating cylinder
/Shells, the FA Examiner determine if the o Pistol – handgun that could be semi-auto or
evidence cartridge cases were fired from one and auto/full auto
the same firearm or two different firearms o Kolibri auto pistol – smallest pistol in the world
5. Given an Evidence Bullet and an Evidence made in 1914
Firearm, the FA Examiner determine if the o Calibre .50 – most powerful handgun which
evidence bullet was fired from the evidence replaced Magnum .44
firearm. o Cabrine – French “carabine” a Cal .30 invented
6. Given an Evidence Cartridge Case and an by David William having a barrel not more
Evidence Firearm, the FA Examiner determine than 22 inches as shortened versions of full-
whether the evidence cartridge case/shell was length rifles.
fired from the evidence firearm. o Single action FA- requires manually cocking
7. Given an Evidence Firearm, the FA Examiner the hammer before squeezing the trigger when
determine if it is serviceable by test firing. firing
8. Given an ammunition (unfired) determine its o Double action FA – squeezing the trigger
serviceability automatically releases the hammer
9. Given pellets/shots, determine the size of shots.
GENERAL CLASSIFICATIONS OF FIREARMS

BASIC PRINCIPLES OF FIREARMS According To Interior Barrel Construction

Legal Definition
 Rifling- spiral grooves cut into the bore which impart
1.Smooth Bore FA a stabilizing spin to the bullet
-FA that have no riffling inside their
gun barrel.

2. Rifled Bore
Firearms
- Firearms that have
rifling inside their
gun barrel.

• LANDS–that Firing pin- indentations created when the firing pin

portion of the bore strikes the primer of centrefire cartridge case.
remaining after the rifling of grooves have been cut
• GROOVES–spiral cuts in a bore which cause the
bullet to spin as it travels down the barrel

According To the Caliber of The Projectile Propelled

1. Artillery
- type of firearms that propels projectile with
more than one inch diameter.
2. Small arms
- firearms that propel projectile with less than
Breech Face Marks- developed when the projectile
one inch diameter and it can be handled,
recoils rearwards under impact of high pressure of
moved and operated by one man.
gases produced by ignition of charge.
3. Machine Guns
- is a type of firearm that is primarily designed
for military use.
- designed to shoot, automatically more than
one shot without manual reloading, by a
single press of the trigger.
4. Sub Machine Gun
- a light, portable form of machine gun,
utilizing a pistol size ammunition, having a
shoulder stock that may or may not be folded
and designed to be fired with both hands
5. Shoulder Arms
- normally fired from the shoulder.
6. Rifles
- shoulder weapon designed to fire a projectile
with more accuracy through a long-rifled bore
barrel, usually more than 22 inches. Chamber Marks- striation marks produced from
the rough walls of the shamber during loading and
CHARACTERISTICS OF FIREARMS removing of cartridge
Class Characteristics
- These are firearms designs that were set even
before the manufacture of FAs. These are the
factory specifications.
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.
Calibre/ Gauge
- The distance between the opposite lands or grooves

Extractor Marks
- Striation marks formed by extractor of most auto
loading or repeating firearms.

Ejector Marks
- Striation marks developed from ejector present as
an opposing edge on the rear end during ejection of
the cartridge

According of Mechanical Construction

Individual Characteristics a) Single shot firearms- types of firearms designed
- Determined after the manufacture of FA to fire only one shot every loading.
b) Repeating Arms- A type of firearms designed to
a) Manufacturing Irregularities fire several loads (shot) in one loading.
- The random marks or imperfections c) Bolt Action Type - Type of firearms in which
produced incidentally during the reloading takes place by manipulating the bolt
manufacturing of a firearm by tools and back and forth.
machinery. d) Lever action type– the breech mechanism is
b) Striation Marks cycled by an external lever below the receiver
- The irregularities in the surface of the e) Slide/Pump Action type = types of firearms in
interior of the barrel produced due to wear which loading take place by back-and-forth
and tear with use, corrosion, or damage. manipulation of the under/over forearms of the
gun.
f) Semi-automatic type requires a separate pull of
TWIST OF RIFLINGS HANDGUNS trigger for each shot fired
g) Automatic F/A - type of firearms that
a) Steyer Type constitutes a continuous firing in a single press
- is the type of rifling having four (4) lands and of the trigger and while the trigger is press.
grooves, right twist and the width of the lands h) Machine Guns - is a type of firearm that
grooves. designed to shoot, automatically more than one
- (4 RG=L) shot without manual reloading, by a single
b) Carbine Type press of the trigger.
- rifling having (4) lands and grooves, right
twist, the width of the grooves is two (2)
times the width of the lands The Barrel Construction of Shotgun
- (4RG2X).
c) Smith and Wesson a) Single Barreled Shotgun- Loads, closes, fires
- rifling having (5) lands and grooves, right and deloads single cartridge
hand twist , the width of the land and grooves b) Double Barreled Shotgun- Side by side barrel
are equal. or over and under
- (5RG=L) c) Pump Action Type Shotgun/ Slide Action - The
d) Colt operated by means of sliding lever under the
- type of rifling having six (6) lands and barrel.
grooves, left twist, the width of the grooves d) Auto-Loading Shotguns- The same as auto
is twice (2) the width of the lands. loading rifles, the recoil action reloads the gun
- (6LG2X) from the magazine.
e) Cylinder Bore Type- which the bore size is the
e) Browning same throughout the barrel
- type of rifling having (6) lands and grooves, f) Choke Bored Gun - designed with a
right hand twist, the width of the grooves is diminishing or reducing bore diameter towards
twice the width of the lands. the muzzle
- (6RG2X)
f) Webley MISCELLANEOUS TYPES OF GUNS
- Rifling having seven (7) lands and grooves, 1. Cane gun, knife pistols, cell phone gun, etc.
right hand twist, the width of the groove is - devices principally designed for other
three time larger than the boarder of the purpose to which a gun mechanism is
lands. incorporated also called as Freakish gun.
- (7RG3X) 2. Freakish gun
g) Winchester - a tool in which firearm mechanism is
- Rifling having six (6) lands and grooves, right attached to prevent easy identification.
hand twist, the width of the grooves is three 3. Flare gun
time larger the width of the lands - designed for tracing or signals or enemy
- (6RG3X) troops.
4. Gas gun 12. Magazine
- generally referring to all gun designed from - A device for storing cartridges in a repeating
firing tear gas. firearm for loading into the chamber
5. Tools 13. Muzzle
- are those devices which resembles a gun - The end of the front end of the barrel where
designed but are generally used for the bullet or pellet exits
construction of furniture. 14. Front Sight
6. Traps - The fixed sight on top of the barrel near the
- refers to gun used for trapping animals that muzzle used to aim the gun at the target
are fired to woods 15. Rear Sight
7. Zip Gun - The sight found at the top of the breech area
- refers to all type of homemade gun 16. Recoil Spring
8. Harpoon Guns - The spring in automatic or self-loading
- used in hunting large fish. weapons which returns the bolt or breech
block after recoil; sometimes known as the
return spring
PARTS OF A GUN 17. Trigger
1. Barrel - The part of the gun that initiates the action
- Gives direction to the bullet. when the shooter is ready to fire his weapon
- Stages in the manufacture of barrel: 18. Trigger Guard
▪ Drilling – making of hole with barrel blank - The safety device designed to protect the
trigger from accidental bumping or pressing
▪ Reaming – drilled hole
that may result to accidental firing
▪ Riffling – construction of riffling in the
barrel
▪ Lapping – polishing of the inner surface
2. Breech
- Part of the barrel at the opposite end of the
muzzle
3. Breechblock
- Also known as bolt
- Steel block that closes the breech against
force of the charge during firing.
4. Butt
- Part of stock which is held against the
shoulder to stabilize the gun during firing.
5. Chamber
- The part of the bore into which a cartridge is
placed; the enlarged space at the breech of
the barrel where the cartridge is fed
6. Cylinder
- The part of the revolver that serves as the
magazine as well as chamber for cartridges
7. Ejector
- The mechanism that throws the empty shell
(cartridge case) from the firearm
8. Extractor
- The mechanism that pulls the empty shell
from the chamber
9. Frame
- Also called receiver, the part of the gun that
houses the internal parts; the body of a
firearm to which the barrel, stock, pistol
grip, sights, etc. are fixed and within which
lies the firing and breech mechanism
10. Grip
- The smaller part of the stock behind the
trigger guard (for rifles and shotguns); the
part of the gun firmly held by the shooter
thus stabilizing the aim while squeezing the
trigger
11. Hammer
- it strikes the firing pin causing the pin to
move forward and hit the primer