Ballistic notes.

Barrel
Definition: The tube through which the bullet travels when fired.
Types:
Smoothbore: Used in shotguns, lacks rifling.
Rifled: Contains spiral grooves that impart a spin to the bullet, stabilizing it for
improved accuracy.
2. Action
Definition: The mechanism that loads, fires, and ejects the cartridges.
Components:
Bolt: Moves to chamber a round and lock the action.
Trigger: Initiates the firing process.
Hammer/Striker: Strikes the firing pin or primer to ignite the cartridge.
Ejector: Removes spent cartridges from the chamber.
Extractor: Pulls the spent cartridge from the chamber after firing.
3. Stock
Definition: The part of the firearm that is held against the shoulder (in rifles
and shotguns) or the grip (in handguns).
Types:
Fixed: Non-adjustable stock.
Adjustable: Can be altered in length or shape.
Folding: Can be folded to reduce the firearm's length.
4. Magazine
Definition: The device that holds and feeds ammunition into the firearm.
Types:
Detachable: Can be removed and replaced.
Internal/Fixed: Built into the firearm, typically loaded from the top or bottom.
5. Receiver
Definition: The main body of the firearm, housing the operating parts.
Components:
Trigger assembly: Includes the trigger, sear, and other parts that control firing.
Bolt carrier group: Houses the bolt and related parts (in semi-automatic and
automatic firearms).
6. Muzzle
Definition: The end of the barrel where the bullet exits.
Components:
Muzzle brake: Reduces recoil by redirecting gases.
Flash suppressor: Reduces visible muzzle flash.
7. Sights
Definition: Aiming devices on the firearm.
Types:
Iron sights: Simple metal sights, including front and rear sights.
Optical sights: Scopes that magnify the target.
Red dot sights: Non-magnifying reflectors or holographic sights.
Laser sights: Project a laser beam onto the target.
8. Trigger Guard
Definition: A protective loop surrounding the trigger to prevent accidental
discharge.
9. Safety
Definition: A mechanism that prevents the firearm from discharging
accidentally.
Types:
Manual safety: Engaged or disengaged by the user.
Grip safety: Requires the shooter to grip the firearm properly to disengage.
Drop safety: Prevents the firearm from firing if dropped.
10. Handguard/Fore-end
Definition: The part of a rifle or shotgun that is held by the non-dominant hand,
often used to protect the hand from the heat of the barrel.
11. Trigger
Definition: The lever that the shooter pulls to fire the firearm.
12. Chamber
Definition: The portion of the barrel or cylinder where the cartridge is held
ready for firing.
13. Firing Pin
Definition: A pin that strikes the primer of a cartridge to ignite it.
14. Buttstock/Butt
Definition: The rear part of the stock that rests against the shooter’s shoulder.
15. Grip
Definition: The part of the firearm held by the shooting hand (in handguns and
some rifles/shotguns).
16. Slide (in semi-automatic pistols)
Definition: The part that moves back and forth to chamber rounds and eject
spent cartridges.
Understanding these components helps in comprehending how firearms
function, their maintenance, and their safe handling.
FORENSIC BALLISTICS
Wound ballistics
WOUND BALLISTIC –
It is the study of effects of projectile to human body.
Gunshot Wound (GSW) –
It is an open produced by the penetration of bullets slug within the tissues of the
body. The bullet which was propelled from the gun as the flame from the heated
expanded gases in short range fore is the one that produces injury.
Three Basic Kinds of GSW Distinguished by the Proximity of the Weapon: 1.
Contact –
Gun muzzle pressed against, or within an inch or two, of the body.
2. Close discharge –
6 inches to 2ft.
3. Distance Discharge –
over 2 ft. or 3 ft.
RANGE OF FIRE – an important aspect of forensic ballistics.
Muzzle Pattern –
indicates contact and are often observed in suicide cases. The whole
charge(projectile, if any, smoke, unburnt or semi-burnt powder particles
and hot gases) enter into the target.No burning, blackening and tattooing
are observed. Instead, they are observed inside the holethrough careful
examination. The edges are found ragged (torn in star shape) and the wound is
likean exit wound.
2. Scorching –
caused by the flame or hot gases not by the hot projectiles as is commonly
believed,a.k.a burning or charring.
3. Blackening or Smudging–
caused by the deposition of smoke particles by all types of powders atclose
ranges. Being light particles, they soon lose their velocity and get deposited on
any materialavailable in the path.- The wound of entry will show deposit of
smoke and soot from the burned powder, producinga dirty, grimy appearance.
4. Tattooing (a.k.a. peppering) –
caused by the embedding of unburnt and semi burnt powder particlesinto the
surface of the target. These particles are slightly heavier than the smoke
particles. Theyretain motion to somewhat longer intervals and consequently
cause tattooing to a distance of about one and a-half times blackening range.-
A pattern of unburned powder granules and particles of molten metal from the
bullet is embedded into the skin.
Other GSW Characteristics:1. Pink Coloration –
caused by absorbed carbon monoxide in the skin and flesh.
2. Dirt Ring –
deposited by some projectile (which carry gases on item) around the wound.
Existence of this indicates the entrance side of a firearm injury & does
not indicate range.
3. Contusion –
caused by the impact of the projectile (reddish dark to bluish dark – varies
somewhat with the age of the injury). It takes the form of a belt around
the wound. It is of uniform in thickness.

Mcq
Sample Question for Board Review1.

Is the science of the motion of the projectile?

a. Forensic Ballistic c. Ballistic b.
Trajectory d. Cartography
2.Known as the Father of Modern Ballistics
a. Horace Smith c. Col. Calvin H. Goddard b.
Berthold Schwarts d. Alexander John Forsyth
3.Father of percussion ignition (inventor of priming mixture)

.a.Horace Smith c. Col. Calvin H. Goddard b.Berthold Sch

warts d. Alexander John Forsyth4.

The person who successful invented gun powder?

a. Daniel Wesson c. Eduard Boxer b.
Berthold Schwarts d. Col. Hiram Berdan5.
Is that branch of ballistic which treats of the motion of the
projectile while it is still inside the gun barrel?
A .External Ballistic c. Internal Ballistic b.
Terminal Ballistic d. Forensic Ballistic6.

Is that branch of ballistic which treats of the motion of the

projectile while in its flight?(from the muzzle to the target).
a. External Ballistic c. Internal Ballistic b.

Terminal Ballistic d.
Forensic Ballistic .Is a Latin word from which the word
“ballistics” was derived which means “to throw”
a. Ballistics c. Ballein or ballo b.

Catapult d. Ballista8.

A roman war machine designed to throw an object at a

distance:
a. Ballistics c. Ballein or ballo b.
Catapult d. Ballista
9. The word “forensic” as used in con junction with the word
ballistics meaa.
Forum c. Legal b. Market place d. Public discussion
10.It refers to the motion of the projectile once it enters a
rifled barrel of a gun
.a. Direct c. Translational b. Rotatory d.
11.Is the rearward reaction of the firearm in relation to the
forward movement of the bullet upon firing?
a.Back Fire c. Buck shots b.

Recoil d. Ricochet12.

It is means of ignition of a propellant charge by the

mechanical blow against the primer or percussion cup.
A .Recoil c. Priming mixture b.
Percussion action d. Friction13.

It is the stillness or steadiness of the bullet in its flight until it

finally reaches the target ?
a. Rifling c. Ricochet b.
Gyroscopic action d. Trajectory14.
The actual pattern or curve path of the bullet in flight
.a. Ricochet c. Gyroscopic action b. Trajectory d. Rang