FORENSIC

BALLISTIC
ASTOR, CLARRILYN JOY, RCRIM, CFDP
BALLISTICS
Is the science of the motion of the projectile and the condition
that affects their motion. It is a science in itself for it is an
orderly arranged knowledge, which is a product of series of
experimentation, observation and testing.
PROJECTILE Is any metallic on non-metallic ball which is
propelled from a firearm. an object that can be fired or
launched, such as bullet, artillery shell, or rocket;
MOTION Refers to the mobility or movement of the projectile
from the time it leaves the shell empty, it leaves the gun muzzle
and until it reach its target or fall in the ground
1. DIRECT MOTION Is the forward
motion of the bullet or shots out of
the shell by the action of the
expansive force of gases from a
burning gunpowder.
2. ROTATORY MOTION Is the
action of the bullet passing
through a rifled bore barrel firearm
which is either twisted to the left
or to the right
3. TRANSLATIONAL MOTION Is the
action of bullet once it hits a target
and subsequently ricocheted
BRANCHES OF BALLISTICS
❖Interior Ballistics
❖Exterior Ballistics
❖Terminal Ballistics
INTERIOR (INTERNAL) BALLISTICS
It treats of the motion of the projectile while it is still inside the firearm (chamber
/barrel) which extends from the breech to the muzzle. The explosion of the bullet
is .0002 sec The bullets occupies the muzzle of the firearm for only 0.01 sec
THE CONDITIONS ATTRIBUTED TO INTERNAL BALLISTICS
ARE AS FOLLOWS:
1. FIRING PIN HITTING THE PRIMER
2. IGNITION OF THE PRIMING MIXTURE The priming
mixture (composing of the KCLO3, sulfur and carbon)
located either at the cavity rim or at the center of the
primer upon the striking effect of the firing pin will
ignite and such action is known as “Percussion action”
3. COMBUSTION OF THE GUN POWDER/POWDER
CHARGE OR PROPELLANT. Note: approx. 0.00001 sec
4. EXPANSION OF HEATED GAS.
5. PRESSURE DEVELOPED
6. ENERGY GENERATED
7. RECOIL OF THE GUN Is the equal and opposite reaction of the gun against the
forward movement of the bullet upon explosion. The backward or rearward
movement of the gun in relation to the forward movement of the bullet.
Jump is another portion of the recoil action characterized as the backward and
upward movement of that takes place before the bullet leaves the muzzle
8. VELOCITY OF THE BULLET INSIDE THE BARREL It is the relative speed of the
bullet per unit of time while it is still inside the barrel expressed in feet per
second
9. ROTATION OF THE BULLET INSIDE THE BARREL
10. ENGRAVING OF THE CYLINDRICAL SURFACE OF THE BULLET
MISFIRE Failure of the cartridge to explode after the firing pin
strikes the primer Defects:
1) Broken Firing Pin
2) Loose Firing Pin
3) Lacking length in Firing Pin (specially homemade gun)
HANGFIRE Delayed of explosion of the cartridge after the firing pin
strikes the primer Defects:
1. Wet Priming Mixture
2. 2. The Anvil is not properly fixed (slanting position)
3. 3. No vent or flash hole (Factory defect)
4. 4. No priming mixture at all (Factory defect)
EXTERIOR (EXTERNAL) BALLISTICS
• Treats of the attributes or movement of the projectile after leaving
the gun muzzle.
• From after leaving the muzzle to before immediately hitting the
target
• The study of the passage of the projectile through space or the air
• The primary factors that govern external ballistics are the weight and
shape of the bullet .
IT INVOLES THE FOLLOWING:
a. MUZZLE BLAST Is the noise created at the muzzle point of the
gun.
b. b. MUZZLE ENERGY Energy generated at the muzzle point
measured in foot-pound
C. TRAJECTORY - Refers to the parabola-like flight of the projectile from the time it
leaves the muzzle until it hits the target. It is also described as the actual curve
path taken by a bullet during its.
Stages of trajectory:
A.Straight horizontal line
B.Parabola like flight
C. Vertical drop (Reason: Pull of Gravity)
D. RANGE It refers to the imaginary straight distance between the
muzzle of the gun and the target
Accurate Range – shooter has control of his shots
Effective Range – bullet was fired it is still capable of inflicting fatal
injury (Lethal Range)
Maximum Range – farthest distance the bullet can travel
Maximum Effective Range – farthest distance that the bullet can
inflict fatal injury
Point Blank Range - A shot fired so closed to the target that no
sighting is necessary for effective aiming.
 Maximum Point Blank Range – Farthest distance the bullet will path
stays within critical zone. In other words the maximum range at which
you don't have to adjust your point of aim to hit the target's vital zone
E. VELOCITY Refers to the rate of speed of the bullet (during its flight) per
unit of time usually express is feet per second (ft/sec.)
• a. Revolver 600 ft/sec
• b. Pistol 1,200 ft/sec
• c. Rifle 2,500 ft/sec
• d. Shotgun 3,300 ft/sec
F. PULL OF GRAVITY It is the downward reaction of the bullet towards the
earth surface due to its weight.
G. AIR RESISTANCE Refers to the force of the air encounter by the bullet in
its flight.
H. PENETRATION – the entry of the bullet in the target.
I. RICOCHET – the bouncing of a projectile after hitting a surface
GYROSCOPIC ACTION - refers to the stillness of its rotating
motion and attained its highest momentum or stability in
flight and penetrating power.
YAW - the unstable rotating motion of a bullet.
TERMINAL BALLISTICS Is that branch of Ballistics which deals
with the effects of the impact of the projectile on the target
The science of terminal ballistics is most important to the
surgeon and is the most common source of controversy
when discussing ballistic wounding
Terminal ballisticians are involved in studying these phenomena:
1. TERMINAL ACCURACY It refers to the size of the bullet grouping on the
target.
2. TERMINAL ENERGY Is the energy or force of the projectile when it
strikes the target same as striking energy.
Shocking Power – the power of the bullet that results in the instantaneous
death of the victim.
Stopping Power – the power of the bullet that put the victim out of action
instantly.
3. TERMINAL VELOCITY Is the speed of the bullet upon striking the target.
4. TERMINAL PENETRATION Is the depth of entry of the bullet in the
target.
FORENSIC BALLISTICS
This branch of ballistics is the product of the
application of the ballistics to law. Forensic
Ballistics is defined as the study of the motion of
the projectile as applied to law or simply the
science of firearm identification by means of the
ammunition fired through them
FIREARM
• LEGAL DEFINITION OF FIREARM “FIREARMS” OR “ARMS” are herein used
includes rifles, muskets, carbines, shotguns, revolvers, pistols and all other
deadly weapons from which a bullet, ball, shot, shell or other missile may
discharge off by means of gunpowder or other explosives. The term also
includes air rifles EXCEPT such as being of small caliber and limited range
used as toys. The BARREL of any firearm shall be considered a COMPLETE
FIREARM for all purposes hereof (Sec. 877, Revised Administrative Code see
also Sec. 290 National Internal Revenue Code). 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 this Act, the BARREL, FRAME OR RECEIVER IS
CONSIDERED A FIREARM. (RA 10591)
SEC. 35. Use of an Imitation Firearm. – An imitation firearm
used in the commission of a crime shall be considered a real
firearm as defined in this Act and the person who committed the
crime shall be punished in accordance with this Act: Provided,
That injuries caused on the occasion of the conduct of
competitions, sports, games, or any recreation activities
involving imitation firearms shall not be punishable under this
Act. (RA 10591)

TECHNICAL DEFINITION OF FIREARM – Instrument used for the

propulsion of a projectile by means of expansive force of gases
from burning powder.
CLASSIFICATION OF FIREARMS ACCORDING TO INTERIOR BARREL
CONSTRUCTION
1.SMOOTH BORE FIREARMS = Firearms that have no rifling (lands and
grooves) inside their gun barrel. Examples: Shotguns and Musket
2. RIFLED BORE FIREARMS = Firearms that have rifling inside their gun
barrel. Examples: Pistols, Revolvers, and other modern weapons.
LANDS – that portion of the bore 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
ARTILLERY
Refers to those type of firearms that propels projectile with more than
one inch diameter. Examples: Cannons, Mortars and Bazookas:
HANDGUNS are those type of firearms that are designed or intended to be fired using one
hand.
TYPES OF HANDGUNS
a)PISTOL
b) REVOLVER
PISTOL A handgun that could be semi-auto or auto/full auto. A handgun that is magazine
feed. It is said that pistols were invented in the Italian town “PISTOIA” OR “PISTOLA” meaning
“CITY” DESIGNED LOAD CARTIDGES THROUGH THE HANDLE
REVOLVER A handgun with a corresponding cylinder that
revolves before the barrel which consists of different
chambers.
Kinds are Solid Frame (S.Colt), Swing-out (US), and Breaktop
(UK)
SINGLE ACTION, a type of revolver that needs a manual
cocking of the hammer before squeezing the trigger
DOUBLE ACTION, a type of revolver that does not need
manual cocking. Just press the trigger and it both cocked
and released the hammer causing a much faster firing.
ACCORDING OF MECHANICAL CONSTRUCTION
1.Single shot firearms = types of firearms designed to fire only one shot every
loading. Examples: Single shot pistols, Revolvers and shotguns.
2. Repeating Arms = A type of firearms designed to fire several loads (shot) in one
loading. Examples: Automatic pistols revolvers rifles and shotguns.
3. Automatic F/A = type of firearms that constitutes a continuous firing in a single
press of the trigger and while the trigger is press. Examples: Machine guns and rifles
4. Slide/Pump Action type = types of firearms in which loading take place by back
and forth manipulation of the under/over forearms of the gun. Examples: Shotgun
and pistols
5. Bolt Action Type = Type of firearms in which reloading takes place by
manipulating the both back and forth. Examples: Rifles, shotguns and machine guns.
6. Lever type (Break type) = loading takes place by lever action on the firearms.
Examples: Rifles and shotguns.
BARREL Gives direction to the bullet; the part of the gun that initiates the
path of the bullet
STAGES IN THE MANUFACTURE OF BARREL
1. Drilling – making of hole of barrel with the use of barrel blank.
2. 2. Reaming – with the drilled hole, it is being reamed from breech end
to muzzle to remove imperfections, scratches and irregularities. This
operation undergoes
 Roughing
 Finishing
Burnishing.
3. Broaching - the construction 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 .
LEGAL DEFINITION Ammunition refers to loaded shell for rifles,
muskets, carbine, shotgun, revolvers and pistols from which a ball,
shot shell or other missiles maybe fired by means of gun powder or
other explosive. The term also includes ammunition for air rifles as
mentioned elsewhere in the code. (Chapter VII, Sec.290 of NIRC as
well as Sec 877 RAC)
Ammunition refers to a complete unfixed unit consisting of a bullet,
gunpowder, cartridge case and primer or loaded shell for use in any
firearm (Sec. 3, RA no. 10591)
TECHNICAL DEFINITION
Ammunition refers to a group of cartridge or to a single cartridge.
Cartridge is a complete unfired unit consisting of bullet (ball), primer
(cap), cartridge case (shell) and gunpowder (propellant).
GENERAL TYPES OF AMMUNITION
DUMMY a carefully made replica of a cartridge, usually made of steel
and discreetly dimensioned to be used by weapons instructors,
inspectors, and repairmen when checking if weapons are functional
DRILL AMMO is completely inert and without an explosive propellant;
used in military training to practice loading and manipulation of
firearms
BLANK AMMO a cartridge without a bullet; may contain gunpowder
and priming mixture thus designed to produce gunshot to indicate
firing; used for theatrical performance and military training
LIVE AMMO the real ammunition since it is composed of a complete
unit of unfired cartridge
According to Rim Diameter (Center-Fire Cartridge)
RIMMED TYPE - has a diameter more than the cylindrical
portion
SEMI-RIMMED TYPE - diameter if the rim is slightly
greater than diameter of body
RIMLESS CARTRIDGE - based or head of the cartridge
has the same diameter as that of the cylindrical portion
REBATED TYPE - smaller than the body of cartridge case
BELTED TYPE - cartridge are attached in a series in a
canvass belt for successive fire
PARTS OF THE CARTRIDGE CASE BASE - the bottom portion of the case which holds:
a)the primer which contains the priming mixture;
b) the shell head which contains the head stamp, caliber, and year of manufacture.
RIM - is the part of the cartridge designed to limit the forward movement of the
cartridge to chamber.
EXTRACTING GROOVES - is the circular groove near the rim of the shell designed for
automatic withdrawal of the case from the chamber
PRIMER POCKET - is that part of the shell which provides the means for the primer
to be put in the central position. Its function is extended to:
(a) hold the primer in place;
(b) (b) to provide means to prevent the escape of gas;
(c) (c) to provide solid support for primer anvil.
BODY - is the cylindrical part of the shell which house the gunpowder
SHOULDER - that part of the cartridge case which support the neck of
the cartridge which is evident in a bottleneck type
NECK - is that part of the shell which is actually occupied by the
bullet. This is obvious in a bottleneck type of shell but not with the
straight type.
VENTS OR FLASH HOLES – the “vent” or “flash holes” is the hole in
the web or bottom of the primer pocket through which the primer
“flash” provides ignition to the powder charge. It is the “opening” or
“canal” that connects the priming mixture with the gunpowder