ORIGIN OF THE WORD BALLISTICS  Bullet passing through a rifled

bore firearm, twisted to the left or

 Derived from two Greek words:
right.
"ballo" and "ballein" meaning "to
throw". TRANSLATIONAL MOTION
 Also said to stem from the
 Action of a bullet once it hits a
Roman war machine called
target and ricochets.
"Ballista", a catapult used to hurl
missiles or large objects. DIVISIONS OF BALLISTICS
BALLISTICS  Initially, three divisions: Internal
Ballistics, Exterior (External)
 Science of the motion of
Ballistics, and Terminal Ballistics.
projectiles and conditions
affecting their motion. PRESENTLY, FOUR BRANCHES
 Result of experimentation, INCLUDING FORENSIC BALLISTICS.
observation, and testing.
 Not an exact science; subject to Branches of Ballistics
change and improvement. INTERIOR (INTERNAL) BALLISTICS
MOTION OF PROJECTILES CONDITIONS

 Refers to the movement from  Motion of the projectile within the

when it leaves the shell, exits the firearm (chamber/barrel).
gun muzzle, to when it reaches  Firing pin hitting the primer
the target or ground.  Ignition of the priming mixture
 Combustion of
PROJECTILES CAN BE: gunpowder/powder charge or
propellant
 Metallic or non-metallic balls
 Expansion of heated gas
propelled from firearms.
 Pressure developed
MOTION CATEGORIZED INTO:  Energy generated
 Recoil of the gun
 Direct motion
 Jump (recoil action)
 Rotatory motion
 Velocity inside the barrel
 Translational motion
 Rotation inside the barrel
3 TYPES OF MOTION  Engraving of the cylindrical
surface
DIRECT MOTION
EXTERIOR (EXTERNAL) BALLISTICS
 Forward motion of bullets due to
ATTRIBUTES
the expansive force of gases
from burning gunpowder.  Attributes or movement of the
projectile after leaving the gun
ROTATORY MOTION
muzzle.
 Muzzle Blast (noise at the muzzle
point)
  Muzzle Energy (measured in bullets, photomicrography under
foot-pounds) BCM, report preparation).
 Trajectory (parabola-like flight)
LEGAL PROCEEDING
 Range (distance from muzzle to
target) Examiner acts as an expert witness in
 Accurate Range court regarding reports.
 Effective Range
 Maximum Range
 Velocity (rate of speed in feet per NEW MODULE 3: PARTS OF
second) MODERN REVOLVER
 Pull of Gravity
 Air Resistance DOUBLE ACTION REVOLVER

TERMINAL BALLISTICS EFFECTS  BACK STRAP

 GRIP PANEL
 Effects of the projectile's impact  CYLINDER RELEASE
on the target.  FRAME
 Terminal Accuracy (bullet  HAMMER
grouping size on target)  REAR SIGHT
 Terminal Energy (force on target)  TOP STRAP
 Terminal Velocity (speed upon  BARREL
striking)  FRONT SIGHT
 Terminal Penetration (depth of  MUZZLE
entry)
CYLINDER
FORENSIC BALLISTICS USED IN
 EJECTOR ROD
 Application of ballistics to law.  EXTRACTOR
 Relationship to courts or legal  CRANE
proceedings.  CHAMBERS
 Study of projectile motion applied  RATCHET
to law.
 Science of firearm identification STATIONARY PARTS
through fired ammunition. THE GRIP
SCOPE OF FORENSIC BALLISTICS  Area where the shooter holds the
 Field Investigation weapon.
 Work of investigators in the field  Typically, the only wooden part of
(collection, marking, preservation, the gun.
packing, transmission).  Often has a fine checkered
 Ballistics Technical Examination pattern for better grip.
of the Exhibits  Can be customized to different
 Work of firearm identification sizes.
examiner in a laboratory (test THE FRONT AND REAR SIGHTS
Located on top of the barrel. THE EJECTOR ROD & EXTRACTOR
 Allow the shooter to align the  Allows the cylinder to turn.
weapon with the target.  Ejects spent cartridges at once
when pushed.
THE BARREL
THE CYLINDER RELEASE
 Secured along the top of the
weapon.  Small spring-loaded lever behind
 Inside has a spiral pattern called the cylinder for unloading and
lands and grooves for bullet spin loading.
and accuracy.
THE HAMMER
THE MUZZLE
Strikes firing pin or cartridge primer to
 End of the barrel where the bullet fire the revolver.
exits.
 Important for muzzle-awareness.
MODULE 3
THE TRIGGER GUARD
LEGAL DEFINITION OF FIREARMS
 Metal piece that surrounds the
trigger to prevent accidental  Firearms or arms include rifles,
engagement. muskets, carbines, shotguns,
pistols, revolvers, and other
THE FRAME
deadly weapons from which
 Single piece of metal acting as projectiles can be discharged
the "bones" of the weapon. using explosives like gunpowder.
 Air rifles are included except
MOVING PARTS
those small in caliber typically
THE TRIGGER used as toys.

 Located inside the trigger guard. GENERAL CLASSIFICATION OF

 In double-action models, pulls FIREARMS
back hammer and rotates
 Smooth Bore Firearms
cylinder.
 Firearms without rifling; the bore
 In single-action models, hammer
is smooth from end to end.
needs to be manually cocked.
 Examples: Shotguns and
THE CYLINDER muskets.
 Rifled Arms
 Steel with five or six chambers.  Firearms with rifling; the bore
 Rotates to align chamber and features longitudinal grooves.
round with the barrel.  Examples: Pistols, revolvers, and
 Modern revolvers allow the rifles.
cylinder to swing out for
reloading. MAIN TYPES OF FIREARMS
  Artillery  A short-barreled rifle with a barrel
 Firearms that propel projectiles not longer than 22 inches.
more than one inch in diameter.
Shotgun
 Examples: Cannons, mortars,
bazookas.  Long smooth-bored firearms with
 Small Arms a 25–30-inch barrel, designed to
 Firearms that propel projectiles shoot lead pellets in one charge.
less than one inch in diameter.
 Examples: Pistols, revolvers, Terms Related to Shotguns
rifles, submachine guns,  Gauge: Indicates the bore
shotguns. diameter equal to the diameter of
THREE MAJOR PARTS OF the lead ball whose weight in
FIREARMS pounds is the reciprocal of the
gauge index (e.g., 12 gauge =
Frame or Stock bore diameter equal to a lead ball
weighing 1/12 pound).
 The basic structure of the gun to
 Choke: The bore's partial
which other major parts are
constriction near the muzzle end
attached.
to hold shots over longer
Barrel distances.
 True Cylinder: A shotgun with a
 The long hollow tube through
uniform diameter throughout the
which the bullet travels to the
barrel.
target.
 Paradox Gun: A shotgun with
Action rifling at the muzzle end to fire a
large projectile instead of a
 Comprises all moving parts that charge of shot.
facilitate loading, firing, and
unloading. HANDGUN/SHORT ARMS

TWO GROUPS OF FIREARMS  Designed to be held in one hand,

differentiating them from long
Rifle guns like rifles and shotguns.
 Designed to be fired from the Pistol
shoulder.
 A handgun with a chamber
Musket integral with the barrel; usually
 A long smooth-bored firearm magazine fed.
designed to fire a single lead ball, Revolver
considered a muzzle-loading
firearm.  A handgun with a revolving
cylinder that holds cartridges in
Carbine multiple chambers revolving
before the barrel.
CLASSIFICATION OF REVOLVER  Main Types of Firearms
ACCORDING TO FIRING (According to Caliber of
MECHANISM: Projectiles Propelled)
 Single-action type: Requires the SMALL ARMS
hammer to be hand-cocked
 Propels projectiles less than 1
before each shot.
inch in diameter; operable by one
 Double-action type: Pulling the
person.
trigger cocks the hammer and
releases it. ARTILLERY
THREE MAIN PARTS OF REVOLVER  Propels projectiles more than 1
AND PISTOL inch in diameter.
 Barrel: Initiates the bullet's path. TYPES OF FIREARMS (ACCORDING
 Frame: Houses internal parts. TO MECHANICAL CONSTRUCTION)
 Cylinder: Acts as chamber and
magazine.  Single Shot Firearm: Fires one
shot per loading.
PARTS AND FUNCTIONS  Repeating Arms: Can fire
several shots per loading.
 Yoke, extractor, extractor rod,
 Bolt Action Type: Reloading
center pin, side plate, hammer
done by manipulating the bolt.
block, double action sear,
 Automatic Loading Type:
hammer, bolt, thumb latch, hand
Automatic loading after the first
(panel), cylinder stop, trigger,
shot.
trigger guard, rebound slide,
 Slide Action Type: Loading
trigger spring, trigger level, main
through manipulation of the under
spring, strain screw, trigger stop,
forearm.
rachet, cylinder notch.
 Lever Type (Break-type):
GENERAL CLASSIFICATION OF Loading via lever action.
FIREARMS
MACHINE GUN TYPE
 According to Gun Barrel Internal
 Fully automatic with a rifled
Construction
barrel.
SMOOTH-BORE FIREARMS
UNUSUAL OR MISCELLANEOUS
 No rifling inside the gun barrel; TYPES
smooth from end to end.
 Gas Guns: For firing tear gas.
RIFLED-BORE FIREARMS  Traps: Designed for animal
encounters.
 Rifling present inside the gun
 Cane gun, knife pistols:
barrel.
Contains gun mechanisms.
 Tools: Use cartridges to perform
tasks like driving studs.
  Zip Guns: Homemade guns.  Firearms that propel projectiles
 Multi-barreled Guns: With with more than one inch
multiple barrels. diameter.
 Liberator: U.S. government-
Examples: Cannons, Mortars, and
made single-shot, smooth-bore
Bazookas.
firearm for wartime use.
 Flare Guns: For signaling or SMALL ARMS
illumination.
 Harpoon Guns: For hunting  Firearms that propel projectiles
large fish. with less than one inch diameter
and can be handled, moved, and
operated by one man.
MODULE 4 Examples: Machine guns, shoulder
arms, and handguns.
TECHNICAL DEFINITION
MAIN TYPES OF FIREARMS
 Firearm is an instrument used for
the propulsion of a projectile by Machine Guns
means of the expansive force
 Primarily designed for military
gases coming from burning
gunpowder. (FBI manual of use.
Firearms Identification). Submachine Gun
CLASSIFICATION OF FIREARMS  A light, portable form of machine
 According to Interior Barrel gun, utilizing a pistol size
Construction ammunition.
 Smooth Bore Firearms Shoulder Arms
 Firearms that have no rifling
(lands and grooves) inside their  Firearms normally fired from the
gun barrel. shoulder.

Examples: Shotguns and Muskets. Rifles: Designed to fire a projectile with

more accuracy through a long-rifled
RIFLED BORE FIREARMS bore barrel.
 Firearms that have rifling inside Carbine: A short barrel rifle with a barrel
their gun barrel. measuring no longer than 22 inches.
Examples: Pistols, Revolvers, and other Muskets: Ancient smoothbore and
modern weapons. muzzle loading military shoulder arms.
ACCORDING TO THE CALIBER OF Shotgun: A smooth bore and breech
THE PROJECTILE PROPELLED loading shoulder arms designed to fire a
number of lead pellets or shots in one
ARTILLERY
charge.
TYPES OF SHOTGUNS trigger both cocks and releases the
hammer.
Cylinder Bore Type
ACCORDING TO MECHANICAL
 The bore size is the same
CONSTRUCTION
throughout the barrel.
SINGLE SHOT FIREARMS
Choke Bored Gun
 Designed to fire only one shot
 Designed with a diminishing bore
every loading.
diameter towards the muzzle to
prevent shot from scattering too Examples: Single shot pistols, revolvers,
widely. and shotguns.
Paradox Gun REPEATING ARMS
 Occasionally observed with rifling  Designed to fire several loads
a few inches from its muzzle (shot) in one loading.
points.
Examples: Automatic pistols, revolvers,
HANDGUNS rifles, and shotguns.
Pistols AUTOMATIC FIREARMS (F/A)
 Historically, all handguns were  Constitutes continuous firing with
called pistols. There are three a single press of the trigger.
classes: single shot pistol, semi-
Examples: Machine guns and rifles.
automatic, and the revolving
pistols now known as the SLIDE ACTION TYPE
revolver.
 Loading takes place by back-and-
Kolibri: The smallest commercially forth manipulation of the forearms
available pistol. of the gun.
Magnum .50: Considered the most Examples: Shotguns and pistols.
powerful handgun in the world.
BOLT ACTION TYPE
REVOLVERS
 Reloading takes place by
 Designed to position a cartridge manipulating the bolt back and
for firing with the aid of a rotating forth.
cylinder serving as its chamber.
Examples: Rifles.
Single Action Revolver: Requires
manual cocking of the hammer before LEVER TYPE (BREAK TYPE)
squeezing the trigger.  Loading takes place by lever
Double Action Revolver: Does not action on the firearms.
require manual cocking; pressing the Examples: Rifles and shotguns.
MISCELLANEOUS TYPES OF GUNS  Cane Gun, Knife Pistols,
Cellphone Gun, Etc.
Cane Gun, Knife Pistols, Cellphone
 Devices principally designed for
Gun, etc.
other purposes to which a gun
 Devices principally designed for mechanism is incorporated.
other purposes to which a gun  Also called Freakish guns.
mechanism is incorporated.
FLARE GUN
FLARE GUN
 Designed for tracing or sending
 Designed for tracing or sending signals or locating enemy troops.
signals or locating enemy troops.
GAS GUN
GAS GUN
 Generally, refers to all guns
 Generally referring to all guns designed for firing tear gas.
designed for firing tear gas.
HARPOON GUNS
HARPOON GUNS
 Refers to a barbed spear used in
 Refers to a barbed spear in hunting large fish.
hunting large fish.
PARADOX GUN
PARADOX GUN
 A type of gun which contains
 Contains lands and grooves a lands and grooves a few inches
few inches from the muzzle point. from the muzzle point.
TOOLS TOOLS
 Devices resembling a gun design  Devices that resemble a gun
but used for construction of design but are generally used for
furniture. the construction of furniture.
TRAPS TRAPS
 Guns used for trapping animals  Refers to guns used for trapping
that are fired to woods. animals that are fired into woods.
ZIP GUN ZIP GUN
 Refers to all types of homemade  Refers to all types of homemade
guns. guns.

MODULE 5
MISCELLANEOUS TYPES OF GUN
MODULE 6 ACCORDING to the Location of the
Primer
AMMUNITION
 Pin-Fire
 Legal Definition o Primer is concealed inside
o Refers to loaded shells for the cartridge case with a
various firearms from pin resting upon it.
which a ball, shot shell, or  Rim Fire
other missiles may be fired o Priming mixture is located
by gun powder or other in the hollow rim of the
explosives. case.
o Includes ammunition for  Center Fire
air rifles. o Primer cup is centrally
 Technical Definition placed in the base of the
o Refers to a group of cartridge case.
cartridges or a single
cartridge. According to Rim DIAMETER
o A cartridge consists of a
bullet, primer, cartridge  Rimmed Case Type
case, and gunpowder. o Commonly used for
 Origin revolvers.
o Derived from Latin  Semi-Rimmed Type
"Charta" (paper) and o Invented by John
French "Cartouche" (rolled Browning; rim is slightly
paper). greater than the body
o First cartridges were made diameter.
of rolled paper; term  Rimless Type
"cartridge" used since the o Rim diameter is equal to
16th century. the body diameter with an
extracting groove.
GENERAL TYPES OF AMMUNITION  Rebated Type
o Rim diameter is smaller
 Dummy than the body of the case.
o Used as a model by  Belted Type
weapons instructors, o Prominent raised belt
inspectors, and repairmen. around its body in front of
 Drill Ammunition the extraction groove.
o Used for training; lacks
gunpowder. According to CALIBER
 Blank Ammunition
o Contains no bullet.  Caliber in Inches and MM
 Live Ammunition o Cal. .22 = 5.59 mm
(revolvers, pistols, rifles)
CLASSIFICATION OF CARTRIDGE o Cal. .25 = 6.35 mm
(pistols, rifles)
 o Cal. .30 = 7.63 mm o Chilled shot with copper
(Mauser for carbines and coating; known for
rifles) strength and elasticity.
o Cal. .32 = 7.65 mm  Buck Shot
(automatic pistols, o Large size lead shot used
revolvers) in shotguns.
o Cal. .380 = 9 mm (pistols)
o Cal. .357 = Magnum .357 Parts of the Shotgun CARTRIDGE
revolvers
o Cal. .45 = 11 mm  Case: Houses the powder,
(automatic pistols) pellets, and wads.
o Cal. .50 = .50 cal. machine  Primer: Battery type containing
gun the igniter.
 Pellets: Lead shots contained in
Shotgun CARTRIDGE the case.
 Wad: Separates pellets from the
 Definition powder charge.
o A complete unit consisting  Powder Charge: Known as
of pellets, primer, case, propellant.
wads, and gunpowder.
 Gauge of Shotgun BULLET
o Expressed in gauge,
determined by the number  Definition
of lead balls fitting the o Derived from French
barrel diameter from one "Boullette," meaning small
pound of lead. ball.
o Examples: o Refers to a projectile fired
 10-gauge = .775 from small arms.
inch  Types of Bullets
 12-gauge = .729 o Lead Type: Composed of
inch lead metal, valued for
density.
TYPES OF SHOTS o Jacketed Type: Lead core
coated with copper alloy,
 Soft or Drop Shots prevents lead fouling.
o Made from nearly pure
lead; deforms easily, low ACCORDING TO MAXIMUM EFFECT
penetration. TO TARGETS
 Chilled or Hard Shot
o Mixed with antimony for  Ball Type
hardness; less o Intended for anti-personnel
deformation, better and general use.
penetration.  Armor Piercing
 Coated or Plated Shot o Designed to penetrate light
steel armor.
 Explosive Bullet
 o Contains a charge of
explosive that detonates
on impact.
 Incendiary Bullet
o Used to cause fire,
designed primarily for
aircraft armament.
 Tracer Bullet
o Leaves visible marks or
traces during flight.

MISCELLANEOUS TYPES OF
BULLETS

 Baton Round
o Also known as rubber
bullet; non-lethal
alternative.
 Dum Dum Bullets (Expanding
Bullets)
o Designed to expand upon
impact; includes hollow
point and soft-point
versions.
 Sabot Round
o Device used to fire a
projectile smaller than the
bore diameter.
 Flechette Bullet
o Pointed steel projectile
with a vaned tail for stable
flight.
 Heel Bullet
o Rear portion reduced to fit
the mouth of the shell.
 Frangible Ball Type
o Designed for training; does
not cause damage but
leaves a paint mark.
 Spitzer Bullet
o Referring to a pointed
bullet.
 Multiple Bullet
o Refers to cartridges
formed with two or three
bullets.