Area: Forensic Ballistics

Content: Branches of Ballistics, History of Forensic Ballistics, Firearms, Ammunition, Crime Scene Search,
Gunshot Residue Analysis, Examination of Evidence, Ballistic Exhibit

I. Definitions and Branches (c) Trajectory- it is the actual curved path of

the bullet
A. Definitions (d) Range- it is the straight distance between
the muzzle and the target
Forensic Ballistics is the science of 1. Effective range- the
firearms identification which involves the distance in which the
scientific examination of fired bullets, fired shells, shooter has total control of
firearms, and other allied matters the target
2. Maximum range-the
Ballistics- the study of motion of projectile farthest distance the bullet
Forensic- application of science (knowledge and can travel
technology) to law, to settle legal issues for the (e) Velocity- it is the speed of the bullet per
administration of justice unit of time
Science- it is the systematic body of knowledge (f) Air Resistance- it is the atmospheric
Motion- it refers to movements of the bullet resistance encountered by the bullet
during its flight
Types of Motion (g) Pull of Gravity- it is the downward force
 Direct- it is the forward motion of the that let the bullet drops
bullet caused by exploding force of (h) Penetration- it is the depth of entry of the
gunpowder. bullet to the target
 Rotary/ Rotational- it is the spinning
movement of the bullet during its flight 3. Terminal Ballistics- it is the branch of
due to helical formation of rifling. ballistics that has attributes and properties
 Translational- it is the deflecting of when the bullet has strike the target.
bullet from the target upon its strike to an (a) Terminal Accuracy- it is the grouping of
object causing it to failure of hitting the the bullets to the target
target. (b) Terminal Velocity- it is the speed of the
bullet when it hit the target
B. Branches of Ballistics (c) Terminal Energy- it is the energy of the
1. Internal Ballistics- it is the branch of bullet when it hit the target
ballistics that have attributes and properties (d) Terminal Penetration- it is the depth of
when the bullet is moving inside the firearm. the bullet when it penetrated the target
Attributes
(a) Firing pin hitting the primer 4. Forensic Ballistics- it is the study of firearm
(b) Ignition of priming mixture identifications
(c) Combustion of gunpowder (a) Field investigation- it is the branch
(d) Expansion of heated gas of forensic ballistics that concerns on
(e) Pressure develops the collection of physical evidence
(f) Energy generated from the crime scene
(g) Recoil of the gun (b) Technical Examination- it is the
(h) Velocity of the bullet inside the barrel analysis, evaluation and comparison
(i) Rotation of the bullet of the physical evidence submitted to
(j) Engraving of cylindrical surface of the the crime laboratory
bullet (c) Court Presentation- it is the
presentation of ballistic exhibit to the
2. External Ballistics- it is the branch of court
ballistics that has attributes and properties
when the bullets is moving during its flight. 5. Shot Ballistics- it is the new branch of
Attributes ballistics that deals with the study of smooth
(a) Muzzle Blast- it is the noise created in bored firearms.
the muzzle of the firearm
(b) Muzzle Energy- it is the energy created
in the muzzle of the firearm
Classes of Shotgun Projectiles

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  Birdshot- a projectile that are typically 1889- Alexander Lacassagne attempted to
smaller and more numerous & individualize bullets to firearm; the basis of comparison
commonly use for hunting is the lands and grooves marks found in the bullet
 Buckshot- a projectile that is larger than
birdshot and commonly use in law
1898- Paul Jesrich–took microphotograph of two
enforcement and home defense.
 Single Projectile (Rifled slug) – a slug bullets for comparison
for shotgun.
1910- Victor Balthazard used enlarge photograph of
Gauge bullets to determine the type of weapons
Gauge is the nominal caliber of shotgun
expressed in the ratio of weight of a lead ball 1920- Calvin Goddard, Charles Waite and Phillip
to a pound whose diameter is equal to the bore.
Gravell developed the bullet comparison microscope
Grade of Barrel’s Choke and established the Bureau of Forensics on 1923
 Unchoked
 Choked 1926- Goddard took over the Bureau and used the
findings of ballistics examination by using the bullet
6. Wound Ballistics- it is the new branch of comparison microscope in the case of Saco and
ballistics that deals with the study of the Venzetti
effects of gunshot to human body
1991- Walsh Automation Inc. developed the
Gunshot Wound- it is a wound incurred by a person Integrated Ballistics Identification System (IBIS)
due to gunshot
1999- A memorandum of understanding between FBI
Types of Gunshot Wound
 Entrance Wound- wound in which the and ATF to use the National Integrated Ballistics
bullet has entered Network
 Exit Wound- wound in which the bullet went
out Important Personalities in Firearms
Types According to Range
 Contact discharge- pressed against the skin Col. Calvin H. Goddard MD - Father of Modern
up to 2 inches Ballistics
 Close discharge- 2 to 6 inches Horace Smith – Founder of Smith and Wesson and
 Distant discharge- beyond 6 inches Pioneered the making id the Breech-loading rifles.
Features of GSW Daniel B. Wesson – Partner of Smith in revolver
 Permanent Cavity- it is the damage in the making.
skin incurred by the bullet John M. Browning – Wizard of modern firearms and
 Contact Ring- burns incurred due to the pioneered the breech-loading single shot rifle.
contact of bore to the skin
John T. Thompson – Pioneered the Making of
 Grey Ring- dirt deposits at the margin of
wound composed of oil and scrape metals
Thompson Submachine Gun.
filing David “carbine” Williams – Maker of the first
 Micro Tears- small tears at the margin known carbine.
usually caused by high velocity rifle Alexander John Forsyth – Father of the Percussion
 Branding- burning of wound caused by hot ignition
gases from gunpowder Elisha King Root – Designed the Machinery for
 Tattooing- deposition of unburned making Colt firearms.
gunpowder around the wound Samuel Colt – Produced the first practical revolver.
 Smudging- deposition of smoke around the Henry Deringer – He gave his name to whole class
wound of firearms.
Hiram Maxim – Automatic machine gun
Factors that affect GSW James Wolf – Model 1885 rifle musket
As to Target’s strength
 Density of organ
III. Firearms
 Length of tissue
A. Definition
 Nature of media (air or water)
As to the Bullet Characteristic Firearm- an instrument designed to propel bullets
 Bullet Mass using the expansive force of gunpowder
 Energy & Speed of the Bullet
 Size and Shape of Bullet B. Typologies
 Movement ofBullet i. Two Groups of Firearms
ii. Long Arms/ Shoulder Arms– firearms
meant to be fired from shoulder
II. History of Firearm identification
(a) Rifles- firearms that have single
chamber, rifled barrel and barrel

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 length of at least twenty two inches are available ammunitions in stock and
(22 inch.) the trigger is pressed.
(b) Carbines- firearms that have
specifications similar to the rifles C. Parts of Firearm
except that the barrel length that does 1. Pistol
not exceed more than 22 inches. i. Frame Assembly- this consists of main
(c) Shotgun- a smooth bored firearm frame, hand grip, charging spring,
that can propel pellets in one shot magazine well, hammer, main spring,
(d) Machine Gun-a firearm that is trigger, trigger guard, thumb safety
primarily used for military that can button, slide release button, magazine
propel large amount of bullets release button, and side straps
(e) Sub Machine Gun- a firearm that ii. Slide Assembly- it consists of top strap,
has mechanical specification similar ejecting port, ejector, extractor, charging
to machine gun but propels handgun grip, front sight, rear sight, breech, firing
bullets pin and firing pin spring
iii. Short Arms/ Hand Arms iii. Barrel Assembly- it consists of the barrel
(a) Pistol- a single chambered, firearm tube, chamber, bore, muzzle and rifling
with charging slide and magazine fed iv. Magazine Assembly- it consists of
mechanism magazine case, ramp, spring, magazine
(b) Revolver- a firearm with revolving lips and magazine butt
cylinder containing chambers and the
actuation of hammer and rotation of 2. Revolver
cylinder i. Frame Assembly- it consists of frame,
2. General Classification (internal construction) hand grip, side strap main spring,
i. Smooth bored firearm- firearms in hammer, trigger, trigger guard, top strap,
which the muzzles have no rifling cylinder release notch, and rear sight
ii. Rifled Arms- firearms in which the ii. Barrel assembly- it consists of barrel
muzzles have rifling tube, bore, muzzle, rifling, and front sight
3. Main Types of Firearms (acc. to iii. Cylinder Assembly- it consists of
caliber/projectile propelled) cylinder, chambers, ejector, ejector spring
i. Artillery- firearms in which the caliber is and yoke
greater than one inch
ii. Small Arms- firearms in which the 3. Long arms
caliber is less than one inch i. Frame Assembly- it consists of frame,
4. Classification according to Trigger shoulder butt, trigger, trigger guard, rear
mechanism sight and fore handle
i. Single Action- firearm in which the ii. Barrel Assembly- it consists of barrel
trigger releases only the hammer tube, bore, muzzle, rifling, front sight and
ii. Double Action – firearm in which trigger chamber
both pulls and releases the hammer iii. Stock Assembly- it consists of bolt,
5. Types According to Mechanical Construction hammer, firing pin, firing pin spring.
i. Single shot firearms- a firearm that can
discharge one bullet per loading IV. Ammunitions
ii. Repeating Arms- a firearm that can A. Definitions
discharge several bullets per loading Ammunition- is the complete unfired
iii. Bolt Action Type- a firearm that has unit composed of cartridge shell, bullet, primer and
outside bolt that is being pulled manually gunpowder.
to load and eject ammunitions
iv. Lever Action Type- a firearm in which
the loading and ejecting of ammunition is
manipulated by moving the outside lever B. Parts of Ammunition
placed adjacent to trigger and handle 1. Bullet- it serves as the projectile of the
v. Slide Action Type- a firearm in which the ammunition
loading and ejecting is performed by 2. Shell- it is the metallic case that holds the parts
pulling the handle below the barrel line. into one complete unit
vi. Semi Automatic Type- it is the firearm 3. Gunpowder- it is the propellant that moves
that propels single bullet in one squeeze the bullet upon its combustion
of trigger 4. Primer- it is the part of ammunition that
vii. Automatic Type- it is the firearm that ignites the propellant
continuously propels bullets while there

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 C. Types
1. According to Power ii. Types According to Shape of Nose
i. Low power-cartridge that has a muzzle (a) Round
velocity of less than 1,850 fps. (b) Pointed
ii. High Power- cartridge that has a muzzle (c) Flat
velocity between 1,925 fps and 2,500 fps. (d) Hollow Point
iii. High Intensity- cartridge that has a (e) Wad
muzzle velocity of more than 2,500 fps (f) Semi Wad
2. According to Firearm where it is used
i. Handgun Ammunition- these are iii. Types According to Shape of Base
ammunitions used in handguns usually (a) Flat base
with straight shaped shells (b) Round Base
ii. Rifle Ammunition- these are (c) Hollow base
ammunitions that are used in long arms (d) Boat tail
with bottle necked shell and pointed/ or
boat tail shaped bullets. iv. Other Types
iii. Shotgun Ammunition- these are (a) Armor Piercing- a bullet designed to
ammunitions for shotguns with straight penetrate armors
shaped shells with wad inside the shell (b) Tracer bullet- bullet that illuminates
that pushed the pellets upon combustion when discharge to guide the shooter
of gunpowder. whether the bullets strikes the target
or not
D. Bullet (c) Incendiary bullet- bullet that
1. Definition explodes due to explosives in the core
Bullet- it is the metallic or non metallic and fuse at the nose.
cylindrical part of ammunition that serves as (d) Fragmentary Bullet- bullet that
its projectile dismember when it strike the target
(e) Soft Point- bullet that has a hollow
2. Parts point but has a rubber that expands to
i. Base- it is the part of the bullet that avoid penetration beyond the
receives the impact of explosion of targeted human
gunpowder
ii. Heel- it is the part of bullet where the heel E. Shell
and bearing surface meet 1. Definition
iii. Bearing Surface-it is the peripheral part Shell/ Casing- it is the container for the
of bullet that encounters friction with the ammunition and holds all the parts together.
muzzle surface when the bullet moves
iv. Core- it is the mass part of the bullet 2. Parts
v. Cannelure-a depression around the i. Mouth- it is the opening where the bullet
bearing surface that locks the bullet to the is inserted during manufacturing process
crimp during manufacture process ii. Crimp- the part of the mouth that locks
vi. Shoulder- it is the meeting point between the bullet to avoid unnecessary movement
ogive and bearing surface iii. Cannelure- it is the part inside the bullet
vii. Head Height-it is the length of the head where the bullet is based to avoid
between the bearing surface towards the shrinking inside the shell
point iv. Neck- it is the part that holds the bullet
viii. Ogive-it is the curved part of the bullet v. Shoulder- it is the part that supports the
extending from shoulder towards the nose neck
ix. Nose/Point- it is the most anterior part of vi. Brass case- it is the tubular metallic part
the bullet that hits directly the target that covers the propellant
x. Meplat- it is the diameter of the bullet’s vii. Extracting groove- a groove around the
nose. anterior part of shell that is being held by
the extractor of firearm for easy extraction
3. Types during unloading
i. According to mechanical Structure viii. Rim- it is the part of shell that prevents
(a) Lead Bullet- the type of bullet that is the shell from moving forward while
made up of lead, tin and steel inside the chamber
(b) Jacketed Bullet- type of bullet that is ix. Base- it is the part of shell behind the rim
covered by copper/nickel strips that x. Shell head- it is the surface of the rim
prevents it to be dismembered where stamps are located

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 xi. Stamp- these are entries indicating the i. Berdan – primer that is large and anvil is
brand and caliber of ammunition attached to shell of ammunition
xii. Primer Pocket- it is the space at the base ii. Boxer- smaller primer in which the anvil
where the primer shall be inserted is placed inside the cup
xiii. Vent/Flash hole- it is the hole extending
from primer pocket towards inside the 4. Types of Priming Mixture
shell that allows flame to combust the i. Corrosive
propellant. ii. Non corrosive

3. Classifications V. General Characteristics of Firearms

i. According to Shape
(a) Straight- shell with no shoulder A. Definition
(b) Bottle necked- shell with shoulder General Characteristics pertain to the set
and neck is smaller than shell of indicators that comprises the identity of the
(c) Tapered- an obsolete type used in Jet firearm.
magnum .22 B. Types of General Characteristics
1. Class Characteristics- these are
ii. According to Rim characteristics of firearms that is within the
(a) Rimmed- the diameter of rim is will of manufacturer.
larger than the diameter of the shell 2. Individual Characteristics- these are
(b) Semi rimmed- the diameter of rim is characteristics of firearm that is beyond the
quite larger than the diameter of the control of manufacturer
shell
(c) Rimless- the diameter of rim and of C. Class Characteristics
the shell are equal 1. Parts of Class Characteristics
(d) Rebated- the diameter of rim is i. Caliber
smaller than the diameter of the shell ii. Number of land
(e) Belted type- the shell has a ring iii. Number of groove
above the extracting groove iv. Height of land
v. Depth of groove
F. Gunpowder vi. Twist
1. Definition vii. Pitch of rifling
It is a solid powdered substance inside the
shell that is combusted to propel the bullet 2. Common Class Characteristics
i. Steyr Type 4R-GL
2. Types ii. Smith and Wesson Type 5R-GL
i. Black powder-it is composed of the iii. Browning Type 6R-G2X
following iv. Colt Type 6L-G2X
(a) Potassium Nitrate (Saltpeter)75% v. Webley Type 7R-G3X
(b) Carbon 15% vi. Army Type 4R-G3X
(c) Sulfur 10%
D. Individual Characteristics
ii. Smokeless type 1. Sources
i. Imperfection of Machine Tools
G. Primer ii. Wear and tear of firearm parts
1. Definition
It is the part of the ammunition that ignites 2. Striations- these are tiny scratches left by the
the gunpowder by means of percussion firearm to shells and bullets it discharges;
these markings are identical to all shell and
2. Parts bullets that were discharge from it
i. Priming cup- the metallic container of
sensitive material E. Marks left by the Firearm
ii. Priming mixture- it is a sensitive 1. Bullet
material that ignites by percussion i. Land mark- mark left due to friction that
iii. Disc- it is a paper placed above the occurred between land and bearing
mixture to avoid displacement surface
iv. Anvil- it is a metal where the mixture was ii. Groove mark- mark left between
crushed against to ignite landmarks

3. Types of Primer

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 iii. Skid mark- marks left indicating the
movement of bullet without spinning; it D. Recording of Evidence
occurs usually on eroded muzzles 1. Photographs
iv. Slippage mark- marks left usually to 2. Sketches
over sized bullet 3. Evidence Log Sheet
v. Shave mark- marks left to bullet in which 4. Report
a part was sliced due to imperfect 5. Labels and Tags
alignment E. Collection of Evidence
1. Firearms must be collected by inserting shoe
2. Shell lace/strings/ or handkerchiefs to trigger guard
i. Firing pin mark- mark left by the firing for lifting.
pin at the priming cup 2. Shells, bullets, and ammunition may be picked
ii. Breech face mark- marks left by the using tweezers or thongs; hand picking is
breech to priming cup due to pressure allowed provided that gloves are worn prior to
against it during combustion collection.
iii. Chamber mark- mark left by chamber to
shell F. Marking of Evidence
iv. Pivot mark- mark indicating the spin of 1. Place initials and date
shell inside the chamber 2. Don’t use X
v. Extractor mark- mark left by extracting 3. Place marks on barrel, slide, frame, and
pin when the shell was pressed against it cylinder in case of firearm
vi. Ejector mark- mark left by ejector to 4. Place marks on brass case and mouth in case
shell head during automatic withdrawal of shell
when it was discharge 5. Place marks on ogive and base of the bullet
vii. Magazine lip mark- mark left by
magazine lip during feeding process G. Preservation of Evidence
1. Place the firearm on envelopes or paper bags
VI. Crime Scene Search 2. For bullets and shells, wrap each to a piece of
cotton and place separately either in film caps
A. Definition or coin/mail envelope.
It is the act performed to identify, collect,
record, mark and preserve physical evidence VII. Gunshot Residue Analysis
found in the crime scene
A. Definition
B. Activities During the Search Gunshot residues are particles left in the
1. Identification- it is the recognition of objects hands after firearm discharge.
in the crime scene that have evidentiary value.
2. Recording- it is the keeping of evidence’ data Gunshot residues analysis- it is the
and information. evaluation made to a person to determine whether
3. Collection- it is the act of recovering physical such has discharged a firearm or not by
evidence from the crime scene establishing the presence of gunshot residues in
4. Marking- it is the placing of marks to hands and other body parts.
evidence for securing prior to storing in
evidence room B. Types of Gunshot Residue Analysis
5. Preservation- it is the placing of evidence to 1. Dermal Nitrate Test (Paraffin Test)- a test
container with proper tags and labels using paraffin wax as primary reagent and
detects the presence of Nitrate Compounds
C. Identification of Ballistic Relevant Items 2. Harrison and Gilroy Test- a test using Dilute
1. Types of Evidence Relevant to Ballistics Hydrochloric Acid, and other reagents to
i. Firearm determine the presence of priming mixtures
ii. Fired Bullet like lead, mercury, and barium.
iii. Fired Shell
iv. Ammunitions VIII. Technical Examination
v. Gloves A. Laboratory Equipment
vi. Magazine 1. Bullet Comparison microscope- a device
vii. Silencer used to compare fired bullets and fired shells
2. Stereoscopic microscope- a device used to
2. Requirement for Evidence’ Admissibility determine the whether the serial number of
i. It must be relevant firearm is real
ii. It must be material

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 3. Shadowgraph- it is used to determine the
class characteristics of firearm
4. CP-6 Projector- it is a projector that displays
the magnified images of bullets and shells that
are being compared
5. Bullet Recovery Box- it is a box used in test
firing
6. Helixometer- it is a device used to determine
the pitch of rifling
7. Micrometer- it is used to measure the precise
measurement of an object
8. Caliper- it is used to measure the accurate size
of an object
9. Torsion balance- it is used to measure the
weight of projectile
10. Onoscope- it is used to examine the internal
muzzle of the firearm
11. Taper gauge- it is used to measure the caliber
of firearm
12. Electric Gun Marker- it is used to place
marks in the found specimen
13. Chronograph- it is used to measure the speed
of the bullet

B. Problems Encountered in Ballistics Examination

1. Problem No. 1- the specimen is one piece of
bullet; the purpose is to determine the firearm
source of the found bullet
2. Problem No. 2- the specimen given is one
piece of shell; the purpose is to determine the
firearm source of the found shell
3. Problem No. 3- the given are one piece of
firearm and one piece of fired bullet; the
purpose is to determine whether the found
bullet has came from the recovered firearm.
4. Problem No. 4- the given are one piece of
firearm and one piece of shell; the purpose is
to determine whether the found shell has came
from the recovered firearm
5. Problem No. 5- the given are two or more
pieces of fired bullets; the purpose is to
determine whether the fired bullets are
identical or not
6. Problem No. 6- the given are two or more
pieces of fired shells; the purpose is to
determine whether the fired shells are identical
or not
7. Problem No. 7- the given is one firearm only
and the purpose is to determine whether the
firearm is serviceable or not.

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