FORENSIC BALLISTICS
INTRODUCTION TO BALLISTICS
Ballistics
Ballistics
➢A science that deals with the motion of projectiles.
➢Motion refers to the movement or mobility
THREE TYPES OF MOTION
• Direct Motion - is the forward movement of the bullet or
shots out of the shell by the action of the expansive force of
gases from burning gun powder.
THREE TYPES OF MOTION
• 2. Gyroscopic Motion
• - is the action of the
bullet passing through a
rifled bore barrel firearm
which is either twisted
to the left or right.
• is the spinning motion of
the bullet while in flight
THREE TYPES OF MOTION
• 3. Translational Motion - is the action of the bullet once it hits a
target and subsequently ricocheted.
• a. Ricochet - a bouncing of the bullet from its original trajectory.
THREE TYPES OF MOTION
• 3. Translational Motion -
is the action of the bullet
once it hits a target and
subsequently ricocheted.
• b. Yaw - is the unstable
rotating motion of the
projectile.
•
THREE TYPES OF
MOTION
• 3. Translational Motion -
is the action of the bullet
once it hits a target and
subsequently ricocheted.
• c. Tailwag – it is the end
of the projectile wobbles
before it picks up a
smooth fight path
• Projectile means
the metallic and
non-metallic
objects propelled
by means of
force.
Origin
➢ It was derived from the Greek word “ballo” or
“Ballien” which means “to throw”.
➢ It root was said to be derived from the Roman
weapon “ballista”.
FORENSIC BALLISTICS
➢Is the study of firearm identification by
means of the ammunition of fired
through them.
➢This involves the investigation and
identification of the firearms by means
of ammunitions fired through them.
BRANCHES OF
BALLISTICS
INTERIOR BALLLISTICS
• refers to the motion of
projectiles while it is
inside the firearm.
FICEPERVRE
• Firing pin hitting the primer
• Ignition of the priming mixture
• Combustion of the gunpowder
• Expansion of the heated gas
• Pressure developed
• Energy generated
• Recoil of the gun
• Velocity of the bullet inside the
barrel
• A. Firing pin hitting the primer
B. Ignition of the priming mixture and
Combustion of gun powder
Cartridge Parts and How it Works
Cartridge Case
Lead Bullet
Primer Gun Powder
D. Expansion of heated gas
2. Exterior (External)
Ballistics - 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 flight.
Drift- the curve taken by
the bullet
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 or death
Point blank range - can kill even without sighting.
d.3. Maximum Range= the distance that a projectile can be propelled from a
firearm. The farthest distance the bullet could travel.
Velocity – the speed of the bullet
Chronograph - is an instrument used to measure
the velocity of a projectile fired by a gun
• 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.
TERMINAL BALLISTICS
• It is a branch of science that deals with the effects of
the impact of the projectile on the target.
• It is the study of how a projectile behaves when it
hits its target and transfers its kinetic energy to the
target.
• It is concerned with the forces operating at the end
of the projectile’s trajectory, that is, at the target..
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. indicating the
shooter's ability to repeatedly hit the same point with minimal spread.
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.
FORENSIC BALLISTICS
➢Is the study of firearm identification by
means of the ammunition of fired
through them.
➢This involves the investigation and
identification of the firearms by means
of ammunitions fired through them.
Stages of Forensic Ballistics
➢Field Investigation
Refers to the work of an investigator in the field.
It concerns mostly with the collection, markings,
preservation, packing and transmission of firearms
evidences.
It includes the study of class characteristics of
firearms and bullets.
Stages of Forensic Ballistics
➢ Technical Examination
• Refers to the examiners who examine bullets and/or
to determine also whether or not cartridge cases
were loaded or ejected from the suspected firearm
submitted.
• Reports are made by the examiners and testify in
court regarding their report.
Stages of Forensic Ballistics
➢Legal Proceeding/Court Presentation
Presentation of Ballistics reports, firearm,
bullets, cartridges cases and allied exhibits in
the court.
Appearance of the examiner in court as an
expert witness.
SHOT BALLISTICS
•It is the study of
shotgun
ammunition
including its
characteristics
spread and trailing.
• Choke - the diameter of a barrel
of a shotgun is the same
throughout the bore. The bore
of the gun is sometimes
constricted near the muzzle
end. That is, the diameter near
the muzzle end is slightly
smaller than the diameter of the
bore of the rest of the barrel.
The amount of spread in the
shot is controlled by the choke.
• Full Choke - bore constriction is
reduced by one mm. A full choke
12-gauge gun will kill ducks that are
about 60 to 65 yards (55 to 59
meters) away.
• Half Choke - bore constriction is
reduced by one-half mm. c.
• Quarter Choke - bore constriction is
reduced by ¼ mm.
• Improved Choke - bore constriction
is reduced by about 1/10 mm or
about 50 percent of shots.
• Modified Choke - it will deliver
about 60 percent.
Antimony is the alloying metal used to harden
lead.
• Chilled Shot - shotgun
pellets made from
lead especially
hardened by the
addition of a slight
amount of antimony.
WOUND BALLISTICS
• Kinds of GSW (Punctured Wound)
1. penetrating wound, the bullet
enters an object and remains
inside.
1. perforating wound, the bullet
passes completely through the
object.
Differentiation between entrance and exit
wound
ENTRANCE WOUND EXIT WOUND
SMALLER SIZE OF WOUND BIGGER SIZE THAN MISSILES
INVERTED EDGE OF WOUND EVERTED EDGES/ NO DEFINITE SHAPE
POSITIVE PARAFFIN TEST IN CONTACT OR NEAR FIRE NEGATIVE
GUNSHOT WOUND CHARACTERISTICS:
1. BLACKENING- caused by deposition of smoke particles of powders at close
ranges.
2. SCORCHING- caused by hot flames or hot gases
3. Muzzle Pattern- indicates contact wound and are often observed in suicide
cases.
4. TATTOOING AKA “PEPPERING”- EMBEDDED SEMI BURNT OR UNBURNT
POWDER.
5. PINK COLORATION- caused by absorbed carbon monoxide in the skin and
flesh.
6. CONTUSION- caused by the impact of the projectile. Form of a belt around
the wound.
BLACKENING
Pink coloration
tattooing
Muzzle pattern
Contusion of wound
