FORENSIC BALLISTICS By: KEISHA ALYSSA R. BRILLO, RC 3 rd Placer, October 2016 Criminologists Licensure Examination Cum Laude, Emilio Aguinaldo College-Manila
BALLISTICS It is the science of motion of projectile and the condition governing that motion. The word “Ballistics” was originated from the Greek word “ Ballo ” or “ Ballein ”.
Ballo or Ballein means to throw and from a Roman war machine called “Ballista”. Ballista - a gigantic bow or catapult used throw missiles and large objects such as stones at a particular distance to deter animal or enemy forces. From those words the term Ballistics was derived to indicate the science of moving projectile.
PROJECTILE It is the metallic or non-metallic objects propelled from a firearm.
MOTION In relation to ballistics, it refers to the movement or mobility of the projectile from one point to another.
Types of motion (DTR) D irect – the forward motion of the bullet inside the barrel as a result of gas expansion. T ranslation – the straight motion of the bullet where there is no rotation. It includes the bouncing of bullet after hitting a hard object. R otary – the spinning motion of the bullet as a result of the riflings .
BRANCHES OF BALLISTICS (TIE) T erminal Ballistics I nterior Ballistics E xternal Ballistics
INTERIOR/INTERNAL BALLISTICS The branch of ballistics which is concerned with the properties of the projectile or bullet while still inside the barrel of the gun and this extends from the breech to the muzzle.
This involves the following: (FICE-PERVE) a. F iring pin hitting the primer b. I gnition of the priming mixture c. C ombustion of the gunpowder d. E xpansion of the heated gas e. P ressure developed f. E nergy generated g. R ecoil of the gun h. V elocity of the bullet inside barrel i . E ngraving of the cylindrical surface of the bullet
EXTERIOR/EXTERNAL BALLISTICS This branch of ballistics is concerned with the movements and attributes of the bullet after it has left the muzzle of the gun.
This involves the following: Muzzle B last – the sudden noise or sound created at muzzle point of the gun by reason of the sudden escape of the expanding gas as it comes in contact with the air in the surrounding atmosphere. Muzzle E nergy - the energy generated at muzzle point R ange – the straight distance between muzzle and target. Effective range – the distance within which the shooter has control of his shots, meaning he can place his shots at a desired spot Maximum range – the farthest distance that a bullet can be propelled from the firearm.
This involves the following: T rajectory – the actual curved path of the bullet during its flight from the muzzle of the gun. V elocity - rate of speed of the bullet per unit of time. A ir resistance – the power or capacity of the bullet to resist air during its flight from the muzzle of the gun. P ull of gravity – that is when the bullet plunge or dive itself after attaining its effective range. P enetration – the depth to which the bullet has entered its target or object hit.
TERMINAL BALLISTICS This branch of ballistics is concerned with the effects of the impact of the projectile on the target, and this involves the following: (PAVE) Terminal P enetration – that depth of bullet penetration on the target or object hit. Terminal A ccuracy – that size of the bullet group on the target. Terminal V elocity – velocity of the projectile when it strikes the target. Terminal E nergy – that energy of the projectile when it strikes the target. It is otherwise referred as the striking force or energy.
FORENSIC BALLISTICS Technically, it is the science of firearms identification which scientifically examines ballistics exhibits such as : (BSFA) 1. Fired B ullets; 2. Fired S hells; 3. F irearms; and 4. A llied matters, used in crime.
FORENSIC BALLISTICS It 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.
FORENSIC BALLISTICS SCOPE: 1. Field Investigation; 2. Ballistics Technical Examination of the Exhibits; and 3. Legal Proceeding
FIREARM A firearm is a mechanical device that uses pressure from a burning powder to force a projectile through and out of a metal tube.
FIREARM It is an instrument used for the propulsion of projectile by means of the expansive force gases coming from burning gunpowder.
FIREARM Legally speaking, “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).
CLASSES OF FIREARM
Classification of Firearms 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.
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.
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.
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. Shotgun = A smooth bore and a breech loading shoulder arms designed to f ire 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 throughout 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.
Handguns = those type of firearms that are designed or intended to be fired using one hand. Ex. Pistols and Revolvers 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.
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. 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.
Types of Firearms (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 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.
Miscellaneous Types of Gun 1. Cane gun, knife pistols, cellphone gun, etc. = devices principally designed for other purpose to which a gun mechanism is incorporated also called as Freakish gun. Flare gun = designed for tracing or sending signals or locating enemy troops. Freakish gun = a tool in which firearm mechanism is attached to prevent easy identification. 4. Gas gun = generally referring to all gun designed from firing tear gas.
5. Harpoon guns = refers to a barbed spear in hunting large fish. 6. Liberator = U.S. government made smooth bore gun used in Europe during war designed to fire an automatic colt pistol cartridge caliber .45. 7. Multi –Barreled gun = refers to all types of gun containing a number of barrels. 8. Paradox gun = a type of gun which contains lands and grooves a few inch from the muzzle point.
9. Tools = are those devices which resembles a gun designed but are generally used for construction of furniture. 10. Traps = refers to gun used for trapping animals that are fired to woods. 11. Zip Gun = refers to all type of home made gun.
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)
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).
Origin The word cartridge was derived from the Latin word “Charta” meaning – a “paper” and also from the French word “Cartouche” meaning – a rolled paper. This only indicates that the first type of cartridge was made up of a rolled paper. It was about the turn of the 16th century that the term “cartridge” comes to use.
General types of Ammunition a. Dummy ( used as a model) b. Drill Ammunition (without gun powder) c. Black Ammunition (without bullet) d. Live Ammunition
Classification of Cartridge According to the Location of the Primer a. Pin-Fire = is a type of cartridge in which the ignition cap (primer) is concealed inside the cartridge case and has a pin resting upon it. b. Rim fire = is a type of cartridge in which the priming mixture is located at the hallow rim of the case. c. Center fire = t refers to a cartridge in which primer cup (ignition cap) is centrally placed in the base of the cartridge case and the priming mixture is exploded by the impact of the firing pin and with the support of the anvil.
Classification of Cartridge According to Rim Diameter a. Rimmed Case type. b. Semi-Rimmed type d. Rimless type d. Rebated type = refers to the cartridge with rimless pattern, but which has a rim diameter smaller than the body of the case e. Belted type = a cartridge with a prominent raise belt around its body just in front of the extraction groove.
Classification of Cartridge According Caliber Calibers in cartridges in inches and their approximate equivalent in mm and use: Inches MM. Cal. .22 about 5.59 mm- used in revolver, pistol and rifles Cal. .25 about 6.35 mm- used in pistols and rifles. Cal. .30 about 7.63 mm- ( mauser ) – for carbines and other rifles Cal. .30 about 7.63 mm (luger)
Cal. .32 about 7.65 mm for automatic pistols and revolvers Cal. .380 about 9 mm- used for pistols Cal. .357 used in magnum .357 revolvers Cal. .45 about 11 mm – used in automatic pistols Cal. .50 used in .50 cal. Machine gun
Shotgun Cartridge It refers to a complete unit of unfired cartridge consisting of the pellets, primer, case, wads and gunpowder . The unit of measurement used in shotgun is expressed in Gauge. This is determined by the number of solid lead balls of pure lead, each with diameter of the barrel that can be prepared from one pound of lead. At present the 10-gauge shotgun is considered with the biggest diameter while the .410 as the smallest one.
Gauge Inch 10 .775 inch 12 .729 inch 16 .670 inch 20 .615 inch 28 .550 inch .410 .410 inch
Types of Shots 1. Soft or Drop Shots = made by pure or nearly pure lead, to which a small amount of arsenic has been added to make it take on the form of a spherical drop as it falls down the shot tower. This type is easy to deformed or flattened, loose their velocity quicker, low penetrating power and string out more. 2. Chilled or Hard Shot = is a type of shot with a small amount of antimony mixed with lead to increase hardness. It does no deform easily, better patterns, less string and more uniform velocity and penetration.
3. Coated or Plated Shot = also called as “ lubaloy ” shot. A chilled shot coated with thin copper through electroplating design for greater strength and elasticity, great resistance to deformation and leading and better pattern. Buck Shot = a large size lead shot for used in shotgun
Bullets The word “Bullet” was derived from French word “ Boullette ” which means a small ball. This term is generally used when we are referring to projectile fired from any small arms, which has a variety of form, especially during the earlier history. In a more technical sense, bullet refers to a metallic or non-metallic cylindrical ball propelled from a firearm it is sometimes called as shots or slugs.
Bullets have various types depending upon their specific nature and purpose. In general bullet can be classified as either Lead or Jacketed. General Types of Bullets Lead Type – is a type of a bullet that is basically composed of lead metal. Its used was due to its density; having a good weight is a small size and easy for casting. Jacketed Type – Is a type of bullet consisting of the regular lead core, coated with a copper alloy in order to prevent lead fouling of the barrel and is generally used in pistols and other high power guns.
Types of Bullets According to their Maximum Effect to their targets 1. Ball Type – Is a type of bullet, which is intended for anti-personnel and general use. 2. Armor piercing – is a type of military bullet designed to penetrate light steel armor. Its mechanical construction makes it capable of penetrating through some light vehicles.
3. Explosive Bullet - Is a small bullet containing a charge of explosive, which will detonate on impact. 4. Incendiary Bullet –Type of military bullet used to cause fire in a target, generally designed to use by aircraft armament in order for the fuel tanks to ignite. 5. Tracer Bullet – a type of military bullet capable of leaving visible marks or traces while in flight giving the gunner the chance to observe the strike of the shot or make adjustments in the event of a miss
Cartridge Case Cartridge Case is the metallic or non-metallic tabular container usually of brass (70% copper and 30% zinc) designed to unite the bullet, primer and the gunpowder into one unit. It is also known as shell or casing .
Functions of the Cartridge Case 1. It locates the bullet properly relative to the bore of the firearm. 2. It is used to carry the means of ignition. 3. It provides gas seals at the breech against an unwanted escape of propellant gas upon firing. 4. Serves as waterproof container for the propellant or powder charge. 5. Acts as the insulator between the propellant and the hot walls of the chamber in a rapid firing of firearms.
Parts of the Cartridge Case 1. Base = the bottom portion of the cartridge case which contains the head stamp marking on the base of the shell containing the caliber, manufacturer and in some cases including the date, trade name, and batch number. 2. Rim= is the part of the cartridge designed to limit the forward movement of the cartridge to chamber. 3. Extracting grooves = is the circular groove near the rim of the shell designed for automatic withdrawal of the case from the chamber.
Parts of the Cartridge Case 4. 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) to provide means to prevent the escape of gas; (c) to provide solid support for primer anvil. 5. Body = is the cylindrical part of the shell which house the gunpowder. 6. Shoulder = that part of the cartridge case which support the neck of the cartridge which is evident in a bottleneck type.
Parts of the Cartridge Case 7. Cannelure = is the cylindrical groove in the outer surface of the cartridge case designed to secure the shell to the chamber as well as prevent bullet from being push down to the powder charge. In some instance it is even being utilized for identification. 8. 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.
Parts of the Cartridge Case 9. Crimp = is the cylindrical groove on the mouth of the shell designed for two purposes: One (1) is to hold the bullet and prevent it from being pull out from the shell and Two (2) to offers resistance to the bullet out of the neck to ensure burning of the gun powder. 10. Vent or Flash hole = is the hole at the bottom of the primer pocket as the passage way for the priming mixture to impart an ignition to the propellant charge.
Primer Primer (also called CAP) is the ignition system of the cartridge used in a center fire type, containing a highly sensitive chemical compound that would easily ignite or bursts into flame when struck by the firing pin. It may either be Berdan or Boxer type. It is also known as the percussion cup.
The Berdan is a type of primer construction, which was designed in 1860s by Colonel Hiram S. Berdan of the U.S Army Ordinance Department. In a cartridge designed for a Berdan primer the anvil is built into the primer pocket of the case, rather than the primer. These cases cannot be de-capped and reloaded by standard reloading tools. Its anvil forms part of the cartridge case and a number of flasholes to serve as the passage of ignition usually two (2).
The Boxer on the other hand, was developed by Col. Edward M. Boxer of the Royal Laboratory at Woolwich Arsenal in the year 1866 In a Boxer primer, the anvil is a separate stirrup piece that sits inverted in the primer cup providing sufficient resistance to the impact of the firing pin. The primer pocket in the case head has a single flash-hole in its center . This positioning makes little or no difference to the performance of the round, but it makes fired primers vastly easier to remove for re-loading
Parts of the Primer 1. Primer Cup 2. Priming mixture 3. Anvil 4. Disc or thin paper or foil
Types of Priming Mixture Compound 1. Corrosives – one consisting potassium chlorate added with antimony sulfide and mercury fulminate, which when ignite produces moisture causing formation of rust in the bore of the firearm. 2. Non-corrosives – one which is designed for less chances of rusting by replacing the potassium chlorate with barium nitrate.
Gun Powder Gunpowder (also called as propellant or Power Charge) is that mixture of chemicals of various compositions designed to propel the projectile by means of its expansive force of gas when burned. Two of the most popular individual whose name is always attached to gunpowder discovery were Roger Bacon and Berthold Schwartz.
Roger Bacon, (1242 A.D.) a Franciscan monk, who wrote the ---“De Mirabili Potestate Artis et Naturae ” (On the Marvelous Power of Art and Nature), including an anagram. Berthold Schwartz (whose real name was Constantin Anklitzen ), a mysterious monk of Freiburg, who experimenting on some powder in a cast iron vessel, he ignited a charge and thus blew off the lid, and from this deduced the principle of containing a charge in a tube and propelling a shot
The Black Powder Black powder, the oldest known explosive, was initially made from saltpeter (75%), charcoal (15%) and sulfur (10%). It is a propellant which when fired, produces large volumes of grayish smoke and considerable amount of residue left in the barrel of the gun. Black powder have three qualities which are typical in all explosives; 1) when ignited, it will burn rapidly by itself, without the aid of the air outside, 2) in burning, it gives off a large amount of gas and, 3) A considerable amount of heat is produced.
The smokeless powder is a propellant which when fired, does not give off huge cloud of white smoke like black powder. It is the most powerful propellants. Captain E. Schultze of the Prussian Army, made the 1st successful used of smokeless powder in shotgun in the year 1864. The basic ingredient used for smokeless powder is a nitrocellulose that was first produced by adding a nitric acid to cellulose fiber.
Two Types / Main Classes of Explosives 1. Low Explosives which is called gelatinized nitrocellulose. High Explosives is the other smokeless powder consists of a mixture of nitrocellulose with a high explosive and nitroglycerine. High explosives are designed to shatter or destroy the intended target
Firearms Characteristics Stages in the manufacture of barrel A. Drilling B. Reaming C. Rifling is the process necessary for the making of the helical groves inside the barrel D. Lapped
Types of Characteristics in Firearms A. Class Characteristics = are those properties or attributes of a firearms which can be determined even before the manufacture of the gun. This is true for such characteristics are considered to be a manufacture’s designs or specifications and security. B. Individual Characteristics = are meant for those characteristics which are being determined only after the firearm was already been manufactured. They are the product of machine imperfections and some later due to the used of the firearms.
Class Characteristics of Firearms Bore diameter (caliber or gauge) Number of lands and grooves. It may run from 3 to 8, but the most in the modern firearm are five and six. Lands = are the elevated portion of the bore of the firearm. Grooves = are the depressed portion of the bore between the lands. 3. Width of the lands = are the remainders of the circumference after subtracting all the grooves width.
4. Width of the Grooves 5. Direction of Twist 6. Pitch of Rifling = it is the measure of the twisting of the lands and grooves. It refers to the measure of the distance advance by the rifling in order to make a complete turn inside the barrel. 7. Depth of the Grooves are usually few thousandths of an inch deep, which equal to the height of the lands.
Types of Rifling 1. Steyer Type = is the type of rifling having four (4) lands and grooves, right twist and the width of the lands and grooves are equal. (4 RG=L) 2. Carbine Type = rifling having (4) lands and grooves, right twist, the width of the grooves is two (2) times the width of the lands (4RG2X). 3. Smith and Wesson = rifling having (5) lands and grooves, right hand twist , the width of the land and grooves are equal. (5RG=L)
4. Colt = type of rifling having six (6) lands and grooves, left twist, the width of the grooves is twice (2) the width of the lands. (6LG2X) 5. Browning = type of rifling having (6) lands and grooves, right hand twist, the width of the grooves is twice the width of the lands. (6RG2X) 6 . Webley = Rifling having seven (7) lands and grooves, right hand twist, the width of the groove is three time larger than the boarder of the lands. (7RG3X) 7. Winchester = Rifling having six (6) lands and grooves, right hand twist, the width of the grooves is three time larger the width of the lands. (6RG3X)
Individual Characteristics in Firearms Individual Characteristics in firearms are usually determined by the test firing which will give us both the test bullet and the test shell that will show the individuality of its property based on the left marks on every bullet and shell fired from it. Such marks are so minute that the use of the lens with high magnification is necessary to discover individuality.
Marks found of Fired Bullets 1. Land Marks = marks left on a fired bullet caused by its contact to the elevated portion (lands) of the bore of the firearm. It appears as slight depressions or scratches the cylindrical surface of the fired bullet. 2. Groove Marks = marks found on a fired bullet caused by the grooves of the barrel which is the same number as that of the landmarks.
3. Skid Marks = Marks that are generally found on fired bullet from a revolver. It is more or less located at the anterior portion of the fired bullet due to its forward movement from the chamber to the barrel of the gun before it initially rotates. 4. Stripping Marks = marks found on those bullet fired from a “loose-fit” barrel wherein the rifling are already been badly worn-out. Worn-out in the rifling of the firearms can be cause by either chemical reaction brought about by rust (corrosion) or through excessive use (erosion)
5. Shaving Marks = marks commonly found on bullet fired from a revolver cause by its forward movement to the barrel that is poorly aligned to the cylinder. 6. Slippage Marks = marks found on fired bullets passing through either on oily or oversize barrel.
Marks found on Fired Shells Firing Pin Mark = found at the base portion of the cartridge case more specifically near center of the primer cup in a center fire cartridge or at the rim cavity of a rim-fire cartridge. Breech Face Mark = found at the base portion of the shell cause by backward movement to the breech face of the block of the firearm. Extractor Mark = found at the extracting groove of the fired cartridge case cause by its withdrawal from the chamber.
4. Ejector mark = found on cartridge case fired from an automatic firearms. It is located near the rim of the case cause by the throwing of shell from the firearm to the area of shooting. 5. Shearing Mark = sometimes called “Secondary Firing Pin mark” found in the primer near the firing pin mark. 6. Magazine Lip Mark = found at the two sides of the rim cause by the magazine lips during the loading of the cartridge into the magazine for firing.
7. Chamber Mark = found around the body of the fired cartridge case cause by the irregularities of nips inside the walls of the chamber. In fired cartridge case either of the Firing pin mark and the Breech face marks can be used as basis for identification , in the absence or none use of these two, both the ejector and extractor marks can be utilized as secondary choice.
Problems in Forensic Ballistics Given a fired bullet to determine the caliber, type; make of firearm from which it was fired. Given a fired shell to determine the caliber, type, and make of firearm from which it was fired.
Problems in Forensic Ballistics 3. Given a fired bullet and a suspected firearm, to determine whether or not the fired bullet was fired from the suspected firearm. 4. Given a fired shell and a suspected firearm, to determine whether or not the fired bullet was fired from the suspected firearm.
Problems in Forensic Ballistics 5. Given two or more fired bullets, to determine whether or not they were fired from one and the same firearm. 6. Given two or more fired shell/cartridge case, to determine whether or not they were fired from one and the same firearm. 7. Given a suspected firearm, to determine whether it is serviceable or not.
Scientific Instrument Used in Firearms Identification 1. Analytical or Torsion Balance 2. Bullet Comparison Microscope 3. Bullet Recovery box
Scientific Instrument Used in Firearms Identification 4. Chronograph used for determining bullet velocity 5. Caliper used for measuring the opposites sides and diameter of the bore 6. CP-6 Comparison Projector