FIRST NOTES ON

FORENSIC BALLISTICS

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. Ballistics is not an exact science rather it is applied physics or applied science,
which is subject to changes and improvement depending upon the demands of the modern civilization.
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. A projectile is any metallic on non-metallic
ball which is propelled from a firearm. Its motion can be categories into three general types: Direct motion,
Rotatory motion and Translation motion.

3 Types of Motion
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 = is the action of bullet once it hits a target and subsequently ricocheted.

Origin of the Word Ballistics

The word Ballistics was derived from two Greek words. The word “ballo” and the word “ballein”
which literally mean, “to throw”.
The term also said to have been derived from the Roman war machine called “Ballista”, a gigantic
catapult that was used to furl missiles or large object at a distance like stone, dead animal or even dead
person.
The study of Ballistics in the early age is divided into (3) three Divisions: Internal Ballistics, Exterior
or External Ballistics and Terminal Ballistics. From the time the gun was fired until it reach the target and
have its maximum effect. At present ballistics is branches into four (4) and this is due to its subsequent
used in solving problems in connection with the administration of justice particularly cases involving firearms
and ammunition which is termed as Forensic Ballistics.

Branches of Ballistics
1. 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 conditions attributed to internal
ballistics are as follows:
a. Firing pin hitting the primer
b. 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”.
c. Combustion of the gun powder/powder charge or propellant.
d. Expansion of heated gas.
e. Pressure developed
f. Energy generated
g. 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.
h. 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.
i. Rotation of the bullet inside the barrel
j. Engraving of the cylindrical surface of the bullet
2. Exterior (External) Ballistics = treats of the attributes or movement of the projectile after leaving the
gun muzzle.
a. Muzzle Blast
Is the noise created at the muzzle point of the gun
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.
d. Range
It refers to the imaginary straight distance between the muzzle of the gun and the target.
d.1. Accurate Range= the distance within which the shooter or gunner has control
of his shots.
d.2. Effective Range = the distance within which when the bullet was fired it is still
capable of inflicting fatal injury.
d.3. Maximum Range= the distance that a projectile can be propelled from a
firearm. The farthest distance the bullet could travel.
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.)
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.

3. Terminal Ballistics= is that branch of Ballistics which deals with the effects of the impact of the projectile
on the target.
a. Terminal Accuracy
It refers to the size of the bullet grouping on the target.
b. Terminal Energy
Is the energy or force of the projectile when it strikes the target same as striking energy.
c. Terminal Velocity
Is the speed of the bullet upon striking the target
d. Terminal Penetration
Is the depth of entry of the bullet in the target

4. Forensic Ballistics
This branch of ballistics is the product of the application of the ballistics to law. The idea comes
with the used of the word forensic. The word Forensic was derived from the Latin word “forum” meaning
a “market place” where people gathered for public disputation or public discussion. When used in
connection with the word ballistics or other natural science, it suggests a relationship to the courts of justice
or legal proceedings.
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.

Scope of Forensic Ballistics

1. Field Investigation
2. Ballistics Technical Examination of the Exhibits
3. Legal Proceeding

The Evolution of Firearms

MAN BEHIND FIREARMS
1. John M. Browning - Wizard of the modern firearms and pioneered the breech loading single shot
rifled which was adopted by Winchester.
2. Samuel Colt - Patented the first practical revolver and maker of the Colt Peace Maker, a famous
revolver in the history.
 3. Alexander John Forsyth - Father of the percussion powder.
4. Major Uziel Gal - An Israeli army who designed UZI (Israel) in the year 1950.
5. Col. Calvin H. Goddard - Father of modern Ballistics.
6. John C. Garand - Designed and invented the Semi automatic U.S. Rifle Cal. 30. M1 garand.
7. George Hyde - A well-known expert in the field of SMG, (also known as grease gun) developed in
1941. M3A1 (USA).
8. Michael Kalashnikov - Designed the AK (Automat Kalashnikova) 47 (Soviet Union) adopted by
the Russian Army in the year 1951.
9. Horace Smith - Founded the great firm of Smith and Wesson and pioneered in making breech
loading rifles.
10. Eugene Stoner - Designed the U.S. M16 Armalite under licensed by Colt Company from July 1959
onwards.
11. L.C. Smith - Developed shotgun bearing his name now the Ithaca gun Company.
12. John T. Thompson - Developed in the course of WW1 the Thompson M1A1 and model of 1928
A1 (USA). Pioneered the making of Thompson sub-machine gun.
13. Daniel B. Wesson - Associates of Horace Smith in the making of Revolver.
14. David “Carbine” Williams - Maker of the first known Carbine.
15. Oliver Winchester - One of the earliest rifle and pistol maker.

FIREARMS

Legal Definition of Firearm

Firearms or arms as herein used, includes rifles, muskets, carbines, shotgun, pistol, revolvers,
and all other deadly weapons, to which a bullet, ball, shot, shell, or other missiles maybe discharge by
means of gun powder or other explosives. This term also includes air rifle, except such of 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/ Sec. 290 national Internal Revenue Code).

Technical Definition
Firearm is an instrument used for the propulsion of projectile by means of the expansive force
gases coming from burning gunpowder. (FBI manual of Firearms Identification).

A. Classification of Firearms
A. Two General 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.

B. Main Types of Firearms

(According to the Caliber of the projectile propelled)
1. Artillery = Refers to those type of firearms that propels projectile with more than one inch diameter.
Examples: Cannons, Mortars and Bazookas:
2. Small Arms = Are firearms that propels projectile with less than one inch diameter and it can be handled,
moved and operated by one man.
Examples: Machine gun, shoulder arms and handguns.
2.1 Machine guns
Machine gun is a type of firearm that is primarily designed for military use. Even in
investigation of shooting cases done in the city, it is not usual or common to encounter this type of
firearm having been used. It can be grouped in three general types:

Sub Machine Gun

 Is 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.

2.2 Shoulder Arms

Shoulder Arms are those types of firearm that were normally fired from the shoulder.
Rifles= A shoulder weapon designed to fire a projectile with more accuracy through a long rifled
bore barrel, usually more than 22 inches.
Carbine = A short barrel rifle, with its barrel rifle, measuring not longer than 22 inches. It fires a
single projectile though a rifle-bore either semi-automatic or fully automatic, for every press of the
trigger.
Muskets = is an ancient smoothbore and muzzle loading military shoulder arms designed to fire a
shots or a single round lead ball. A more detailed discussion of musketeers can be found on chapter
8 in the discussion of ignition system.
Shotgun = A smooth bore and a breech loading shoulder arms designed to fire a number of lead
pellets or a shots in one charge (FBA Manual)

The barrel construction of shotgun may also be found in different bore construction.
A. cylinder bore type = which the bore size is the same through out the barrel
B. choke bored gun = designed with a diminishing or reducing bore diameter type towards the
muzzle. This type is designed to cause an effect to the travel of the shots. It makes the shots
travel longer before it spreads.
C. “paradox gun”.= still in a very rear occasions another type of shotgun can be observed to be
having rifling only a few inch from its muzzle points.

2.3 Handguns = those type of firearms that are designed or intended to be fired using one hand.
Ex. Pistols and Revolvers
Pistol
Pistol refers to a handgun having one chamber integral with the barrel or it is a magazine
fed type of handgun designed to fire a single projectile through a rifled bore for every press of the
trigger.
Kolibri – smallest pistol in the world

In early firearm history, all handguns are generally called as pistols. There were three
classes of pistols in the period. The single shot pistol, the semi automatic and the revolving pistols
now known as the revolver.

Revolver
Revolver is a type of firearm designed to position cartridge into position for firing with the
aid of a rotating cylinder serving as its chamber. There are two types of revolvers according to its
mechanical firing action. T

Single action, a type of revolver that needs a manual cocking of the hammer before
squeezing the trigger and the other is 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.