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ballistic.
Forensic ballistics - is the science of analyzing
Some Factors to be Considered in designing a
firearms usage in crimes. It involves analysis of bullets
Firearm
and bullets impact to determine information of use to a
1. reliability of firing
court or other part of legal system. Separately from the
2. accuracy of projectile
ballistics information, firearm and tool mark
3. force of projectile
examinations also involves analyzing firearm,
4. speed of firing
ammunition and tool mark evidence in order to
established whether a certain firearm or tool was used
Characteristics of a Muzzle Loader Firearm
in the commission of crime.
1. powder and bullet loaded from top of the barrel
2. smooth bore with a round lead ball.
Ballistics -(ballein "to throw") - is the science of
3. limited range and accuracy
mechanics that deals with the flight, behavior and
effects of projectiles especially bullet, gravity bombs,
Accuracy is Increased
rockets or the like.
1. by longer bore or length of metal tube
2. putting spiral grooves in the bore (riffling)
Ballistic missile - is a missile, only guided during the
relative brief initial powered phase of flight whose
Breech loading firearm - is a firearm in which the
course is subsequently governed by the laws of
cartridge or shell is inserted or loaded into a chamber
classical mechanics.
integral to the rear portion of a barrel.
Flight - is the process by which an object moves
Sir Hiram Maxim - an American inventor of the
through an atmosphere by generating aerodynamic lift,
machine gun or the maxim gun.
propulsive thrust, aerostatically using buoyancy or by
ballistic movement without any direct solid mechanical
Richard Gatling - inventor of the Gatling gun, a
support from the ground.
machine gun with a six barrel capable of firing 200
rounds per minute at the earliest stages of
Firearms identification - the identification of fired
development.
bullets, cartridge cases or other
ammunition components as having been fired from a
Gatling Gun - a hand driven, crank operated multi
specific firearm.
barrel machine gun.
Rifling - is the process of making helical grooves in the
note: velocities of bullets are increased with the use of
barrel of a gun or firearm which imparts a spin to a
a jacket of a metal such as copper or copper alloys that
projectile around its long axis. This spin stabilize the
covers a lead core and allow the bullet to glide down
projectile, improving its stability and accuracy.
the barrel more easily than exposed lead. Such bullets
are less likely to fragment on impact and are more
Projectile - is any object projected into space by the
likely to traverse through a target while imparting less
exertion of a force.
energy.
Trajectory - is the path that a moving object follows
Fouling - deposits of unburned powder residue in the
through space as a function of time.
bore of a gun.
Firearm - is a weapon that launches one or many
What is the indispensable tool of the firearm
projectiles at high velocity through confined burning of
examiner? comparison microscope.
a propellant.
7. Butt or Buttstock - the portion of the gun which 25. Revolver - handgun that has a cylinder with
is held or shouldered. holes to contain the cartridges. The cylinder
8. Caliber - the diameter of the bore measured from revolves to bring the cartridge into position to be
land to land, usually expressed in hundredths of an fired. This is a single action when the hammer
inch (.22 cal) or in millimeters (9mm). must be cocked before the trigger can fire the weapon.
9. Cartridge - also called a round - packages the It is double action when pulling the trigger both
bullet, propellant and primer into a single unit within cock and fires the gun.
a containing metallic case that is precisely made to 26. Riffling - the spiral grooves cut inside a gun
fit within the firing chamber of a firearm. barrel that give the bullet a spinning motion. The
metal between the grooves is called a land.
Parts of a cartridge 27. Rimfire - the cartridge has the primer distributed
a. bullet around the periphery of the base.
b. case/shell 28. Safety - a mechanism of an action to prevent
c. powder firing of the gun.
d. primer 29. Shotgun - a gun with a smooth bore that shoots
cartridges that contain "shot" or small metal pellets
10. Centerfire - the cartridge contains the primer in of lead or steel as the projectiles.
the center of the base where it can be struck by 30. Smoothbore weapons - have no riflings,
firing pin of the action. typically shotguns. Most handguns and rifles have
11. Chamber - the portion of the action that holds riflings.
the cartridge ready for firing. 31. Sights - the device on top of the barrel that allow
12. Choke - a constriction of a shotgun bore at the the gun to be aimed.
muzzle that determines the pattern of the fired 32. Silencer - a device that fits over the muzzle of
shot. the barrel to muffle the sound of a gunshot. Most
13. Double Action - Pulling the trigger both cocks work by baffling the escape of gases.
the hammer and fires the gun. 33. Single Action - the hammer must be manually
14. Double Barrel - two barrels side by side or one cocked before the trigger can be pulled to fire the
on top of the other usually on a shotgun. gun
15. Gauge - refers to the diameter of the barrel on a 34. Smokeless Powder - refers to modern gun
shotgun in terms of the number of lead balls the powder which is not really powder but flakes or
size of the bore it would take to weigh one pound nitrocellulose and other substances. Not really
(10 gauge,12 gauge etc.) "410" gauge really refer smokeless but much less so than black powder.
to caliber, but it is worded as such to refer to a 35. Stock - a wood, metal, or plastic frame that holds
shotgun. the barrel and action and allows the gun to be held
16. Hammer - a metal rod or plate that typically firmly.
drives a firing pin to strike the cartridge primer to
detonate the powder. Composition of Gunpowder
17. Ignition - the way in which powder is ignited. Old 1. Sulfur
muzzle loading weapons used flintlock or 2. Charcoal
percussion caps. Modern guns use primers that are 3. Saltpeter (potassium nitrate)
rimfire or centerfire. - gun powder first appeared in china but used
18. Lands and Grooves - lands are the metal inside primarily in firecrackers.
the barrel left after the spiral grooves are cut to
produce the rifling. Different Firing Mechanisms of Firearm
19. Magazine - this is a device for storing cartridges 1. Matchlock - employed a burning wick on a spring
in a repeating firearm for loading into the chamber. that was "locked" back and released into a pan of
20. Magnum - for rifles and handguns, an improved powder upon pulling a trigger. The powder in the
version of a standard cartridge which uses the pan then ignited, sending flame through a small
same caliber and bullets, but has more powder, hole into the barrel chamber of the weapon,
giving the fired bullet more energy. For shotgun igniting a larger powder charge in the chamber and
loads, magnum shells have more powder and may sending the projectile (bullet) forward.
have increased length with more shot pellets. 2 Wheellock - in the early 16th century, improvement
21. Muzzle - the end of the barrel out of which the included the wheellock mechanism in which a
bullet comes. spinning wheel against a metal plate showered
22. Pistol - synonym for a handgun that does not sparks into the pan holding the priming powder.
have a revolving cylinder. 3. Flintlock - developed in the early 17th century,
flint is released by the trigger mechanism that Ballistics - the study of a projectile in motion,
strikes a steel plate to shower sparks into the pan following the projectile travel from primer ignition to
filled with powder. barrel exit, to target entry and until motion is stopped.
4. Percussion - evolved in the 19th century,
consisted of a hammer that was locked and when Ballistics, exterior - The study of the motion of the
released, struck a cap containing a volatile projectile after it leaves the barrel of the firearm.
"primer" that ignites on impact, sending a flame
through a small tube into the barrel chamber. Ballistics, Interior - the study of the motion of the
projectile within the firearm from the moment of
ignition until it leaves the barrel.
Forensic Ballistics Definition of Terms
Ballistics, terminal - the study of the projectiles
Acetone - The simplest ketone. A solvent for gun impact on the target.
powder. A highly flammable, water-soluble solvent.
Barium - alkaline earth metal with chemical symbol
Action - the action of the gun consists of all the Ba, atomic number 56.Present as barium nitrate in the
moving parts that facilitate the loading, firing, primer.
discharging of the empty case and unloading of the
gun. Barium nitrate - a common oxidizer of the primer
compound used in gun cartridges.
Action, revolver - a firearm, usually a handgun with a
cylinder having several chambers so arrange as to Barrel - that part of a firearm through which a
rotate around an axis and be discharge successively by projectile travels under the impetus of powder gases,
the same firing mechanism. compressed air, or other like means, may be rifled or
smooth.
Action, semi-automatic - a repeating firearm
requiring a separate pull of the trigger for each shot BB - air rifle projectile of 0.177 in. diameter or a
fired and which uses the energy of discharge to perform shotgun pellet of 0.18 in. diameter.
a portion of the operating or firing cycle (usually the
loading portion). BBB shot - shotgun pellet of 0.19 in. diameter.
Actuator - part of the firing mechanism in certain Beretta - is an Italian firearms manufacturer. It is the
automatic firearms that slides forward and back in oldest active firearms manufacturer in the world.
preparing each cartridge to be fired. Also, called trigger
actuator. Beveling - (external or internal) defects that occur
when a projectile pass through a flat bone. The
Ammunition - one or more loaded cartridges perforation in the bone is typically larger and more
consisting of a primed case, propellant and with one or cone shaped as the bullet passes from the entrance
more projectiles. through the bone to the exit.
Anvil marks - microscopic marks impressed on Bipod - is an attachment for a weapon that creates a
the forward face of the rim of a rimfire cartridge case steady plane for whatever it may be attached.
as it is forced against the breech end of the barrel by A two-legged rest or stand as for rifle or
the firing pin. These marks are characteristic of the machine gun.
breech under the firing pin and have been used to
identify firearm. Black powder - the earliest form of propellant. It is a
mechanical mixture of potassium nitrate or sodium
AP - abbreviation for armor-piercing ammunition. nitrate, charcoal and sulfur.
Apogee - the maximum altitude a projectile will reach Blasting cap - a small explosive charge triggered by
when shot in the air. lighting a safety fuse or applying an electric current
used to detonate high explosives.
Assault rifle - automatic weapon designed to be fired
by one man. Ammunition is fed from a magazine. Blunderbuss - is a muzzle-loading firearm with a
short, large caliber barrel which is flared at the muzzle
Automatic - a firearm capable of ejecting a cartridge and frequently throughout the entire bore and used
casing following discharge and reloading the next with shot and other projectiles of relevant quantity
cartridge from the magazine. and/or caliber.
Automatic action - a firearm design that feeds Bolt action - is a type of firearm action in which the
cartridges, fires, and ejects cartridge cases as long as weapons bolt is operated manually by opening and
the trigger is fully depressed and there are cartridges closing of the breech (barrel) with a small handle most
available in the feed system. commonly placed on the right hand side of the weapon
for (right hand users).
Auto-safety - a locking device on some firearms A firearm in which the breech closure is
designed to return to the on or safe position when the in line with the bore at all times. It is manually
firearm is opened. reciprocated to load, unload and cock and is locked in
place by breech-bolt lugs and engaging abutments
Azo dye - a result of the Griess test where nitrates usually in the receiver.
from gunpowder residues are converted to an orange-
red dye. Ball ammunition - military small arms Bore - the interior of a barrel, forward of the chamber.
ammunition with full metal jacket bullets, also known
as hard ball. Bore brush - A brush usually having brass, nylon, or
plastic bristles which is used to clean deposits from the lead, carbon, oil and dirt brushed from a bullet as it
bore of a firearm. enters the skin and found around the entry wound. The
discolored area on the immediate periphery of a bullet
Bore diameter - in a rifled barrel, it is the minor hole, caused by bullet lubricant, lead, smoke bore
diameter of a barrel which is the diameter of a circle debris or possibly, jacket material. Sometimes called
formed by the tops of the lands. In a shotgun, it is burnishing or leaded edge.
the interior dimensions of the barrel forward of the
chamber but before the choke. Burr striations - a roughness or rough edge especially
one left on metal in casting or cutting. A tool or device
Brass - a slang term sometimes used for fired that raises a burr.
cartridge cases.
Butt - in handguns, the bottom part of the grip frame.
Breech - the part of the firearm at the rear of the bore In long guns, it is the rear of shoulder end of the stock.
into which the cartridge of propellant is inserted. Caliber - the approximate diameter of the circle formed
by the tops of the lands of a rifled barrel.
Breech block - the locking and cartridge head-
supporting mechanism of a firearm that does not Cannelure - a circumferential groove generally of a
operate in line with the axis of the bore. knurled or plain appearance in a bullet or the head of a
rimless cartridge case.
Breech blot - the locking and cartridge head-
supporting mechanism of a firearm that operates in Carbine - a rifle of short length and lightweight
line with the axis of the bore. originally designed for mounted troops.
Breech face - that part of the breech block or breech Cartridge - is also called a round, packages the bullet,
bolt that is against the head of the cartridge case or propellant (usually smokeless powder or gun powder)
shot shell during firing. and primer into a single unit within a containing
metallic case that is precisely made to fit within the
Breech face markings - negative impression of the firing chamber of the firearm.
breech face of the firearm found on the head of the
cartridge case after firing. Cartridge case head - the base of the cartridge case
which contains the primer.
Breech-loading weapon - is a firearm in which the
cartridge or shell is inserted or loaded into a chamber Cartridge, centerfire - any cartridge that has its
integral to the rear portion of a barrel. primer central to the axis in the head of the case.
Broach - rifling tool consisting of a series of circular Cartridge, rimfire - a flange-headed cartridge
cutting tools mounted on a long rod. The rifling is cut in containing the priming mixture inside the rim cavity.
on pass of the broach through the gun barrel.
Center of impact - the points of impact of the
Browning arms co. - is a maker of firearms founded projectiles being dispersed about a single point.
in Utah in 1927.
Chamber - the rear part of the barrel bore that has
Buckshot - lead pellet ranging in size from 0.20 in. to been formed to accept a specific cartridge. Revolver
0.36 in. diameter. cylinders are multi-chambered.
Bullet - is a projectile propelled by a firearm, sling, or Chamber mark - individual microscopic marks placed
air gun. upon a cartridge case by the chamber wall as a result
of any or all of the following 1. chambering 2.
Bullet-bearing surface - that part of the outer expansion during firing 3. extraction.
surface of a bullet that comes into direct contact with
the interior surface of the barrel. Choke - (shotgun) the constriction of the barrel of a
shotgun to reduce the spread of shot as it leaves the
Bullet creep - the movement of a bullet out of the gun to increase its effective range.
cartridge case due to the recoil of the firearm and the
inertia of the bullet. Also called bullet starting. Also Clip - a separate cartridge container used to rapidly
known as popping. reload the magazine of a firearm. Also called stripper.
Bullet, frangible - a projectile designed to disintegrate Coefficient of form - a numerical term indicating the
upon impact on a hard surface in order to minimize general profile of a projectile.
ricochet or spatter.
Combination gun - a multiple-barreled firearm
Bullet jacket - usually a metallic cover over the core. designed to handle different sizes or types of
ammunition.
Bullet, lead - a standard lead bullet having a harder
metal jacket over the nose formed from a lead alloy, Concentric fractures - patterns of cracks in glass
also known as metal-point bullet. This non spherical pierced by a missile like a bullet which runs between
projectiles is for use in a rifled barrel. the radial fractures and which originate on the side of
the glass from which the impact came.
Bullet recovery system - any method that will allow
the undamaged recovery of a fired bullet. Water tanks Copper-clad steel - a composite structure of copper
and cotton boxes are most commonly in use. and steel used for the manufacture of certain bullet
jackets. Metallic element with the chemical symbol Cu
Bullet wipe - a dark ring-shaped mark made up of and atomic number 29 that commonly comprises
"cartridge brass" that is typically 70% copper and 30% rim from contact with the ejector.
zinc (Zn)
Extractor - a mechanism for withdrawing a cartridge
Centerfire - is a cartridge with a primer located in the or cartridge case from the chamber of a firearm.
center of the cartridge case head. Unlike rimfire
cartridges, the primer is a separate and replaceable Extraction mark - tool mark produced upon a
component. cartridge or cartridge case from contact with the
extractor. These are always found on or just ahead of
Chamber - is that portion of the barrel or firing the rim.
cylinder in which the cartridge is inserted prior to being
fired. Firearm identification - a discipline of forensic
science that has as its primarily concern determining
Clay pigeon shooting - (clay target shooting) formally whether a bullet, cartridge case or other ammunition
known as inanimate bird shooting is the art of shooting component was fired by a particular firearm.
at special flying targets known as clay pigeons or clay
targets with a shotgun or any type of firearm. Firing pin - that part of a firearm mechanism that
strikes the primer of a cartridge to initiate ignition.
Cylinder - rotating chambered breech of a revolver. Sometimes called hammer nose or striker.
Damascus barrel - an obsolete barrel-making process.
The barrel is formed by twisting or braiding together Firing pin drag marks - the tool mark produced when
steel and iron wires or bars. The resulting cable is then a projecting firing pin comes into contact with a
wound around a mandrel and forged into a barrel tube. cartridge case or shot-shell during the extraction and
This type of barrel is also called a laminated barrel. ejection cycle.
Firing pin impression - the indentation in the primer of a
Decant - the process of pouring off the supernatant centerfire cartridge case or in the rim of a rimfire cartridge
during separation from a pellet after a mixture has case caused when it struck by the firing pin.
been centrifuged or left to settle.
Flash hole - vent leading from the primer pocket to the body
Derringer - the generic term applied to many
of the cartridge case.
variations of pocket size pistols either percussion or
cartridge made by manufacturers other that Henry
Derringer up to present time. Fouling - the residual deposits remaining in the bore of a
firearm after firing. Fouling can change the character of the
Discharge - to cause a firearm to fire. identifiable striations imparted to the projectile from one shot
to another.
Disconnector - a device to prevent a semi-automatic
firearm from firing full automatic. Some pump action Fragment - a piece of solid metal resulting from an exploding
shotguns also have disconnectors. or exploded bomb or a piece of projectile from a firearm.
Distance determination - the process of determining Gauge - the interior diameter of the barrel of a shotgun
the distance from the firearm, usually the muzzle, to
expressed by the number or spherical lead bullets fitting it
the target based upon pattern of gunpowder or gunshot
that are required to make a pound. Thus a 12 gauge in the
residues deposited upon that target. Where multiple
diameter of a round lead ball using 1/12 of a pound.
projectiles such as shot have been fired, the spread of
those projectiles is also indicative of distance.
Gas cutting - an erosive effect in a firearm caused by the
Double action - a gun action where the pulling of high velocity, high temperature propellant gases.
trigger to fire a round recocks the gun so that the next - The erosion that occurs from the hot gases on
round is ready to be fired. the bearing surface and base of a fired bullet.
Drawback effect - the presence of blood in the barrel General rifling characteristics - the number, width and
of a firearm that has been drawn awkward due to the direction of twist of the rifling grooves in a barrel of a given
effect created by discharged gasses. This is seen caliber firearm.
frequently in close-range contact gunshot injuries.
Granules - the individual particles of propellant powder.
Driving edge, fired bullet - the driving edge of a fired
bullet with a right twist is the left edge of the groove
impression or the right edge of the land impression. Griess test - a chemical test for the detection of nitrates. It
The driving edge of a fired bullet with left twist is the is used by firearms examiners to develop patterns of
right edge of the groove impression or the left edge of gunpowder residues (nitrates) around bullet holes.
the hand impression.
Grips - a pair of pieces designed to fit the frame of a weapon
Ejection - the act of expelling a cartridge or cartridge providing a form fit gripping, usually plastic or wood.
cases from a firearm.
Groove diameter - the major diameter in a barrel that is the
Ejection pattern - the charting of where a particular diameter of a circle circumscribed by the bottom of the
firearm ejects fired cartridge cases. grooves in a rifled barrel.
Gunpowder residue - unburned gunpowder, partially Holster stock - a holster, usually made of wood that
burned gunpowder, and smoke from completely burned attaches to the rear of the pistol grip of certain handguns and
gunpowder. Gunpowder residues are the largest part of serves as a shoulder stock.
gunshot residues.
Hydrochloric acid - a chemical reagent used in the sodium
Gunshot residue - the total residues resulting from the rhodizonate test for lead and other primer residues.
discharge of a firearm. It includes both gunpowder and primer IBIS (integrated ballistics information system) - a database
residues plus metallic residues from projectiles, fouling etc. used for acquiring, storing, and analyzing images of bullets
and cartridge casings. Jacket - cylinder of steel covering and
Gyroscopic stability - the ability of a fired bullet to remain strengthening the breech end of a gun; the envelope
stable in flight due to its spin. enclosing the lead core.
Firearm - an assembly of a barrel and action from which a Kinetics - a dynamic process involving motion.
projectile is propelled by products of combustion.
Lacquer - a sealant used by some ammunition
Flash suppressor - also known as a flash guard, flash manufacturers to seal the primer and/or bullet in the
eliminator, flash hider, or flash cone, is a device attached to cartridge case. It is used as a waterproofing agent.
the muzzle of a rifle or other gun that reduces the chances
that the shooter will be blinded in dark conditions. Land - the raised portion between the grooves in a rifled
bore.
Frame or stock - The frame is the basic structure of the gun
to which the other major parts are attached. The stock is for Land and groove impressions (right and left turn) - the
rifles and shotguns. Handguns do not have a stock but rather negative impressions on the surface of a bullet caused by the
what is called a grip. rifling in the barrel from which it was fired.
Game - is any animal hunted for food or not normally Lead - element with the chemical symbol (Pb) and atomic
domesticated. number 82.Used in the fabrication of bullet and shot for its
formability and lubrication properties.
Griess test - is a chemical analysis test which detects the
presence of organic nitrate compounds. Leading - The accumulation of lead in the bore of a firearm
from the passage of lead shot or bullets. Also, called metal
Half-cock - the position of the hammer of a firearm when fouling.
about half retracted and held by the sear so that it cannot be
operated by a normal pull of the trigger. Lever action - is a type of firearm action which uses a lever
located around the trigger guard area (often including the
Hammer - a component part of the firing mechanism that trigger guard itself) to load fresh cartridges into the chamber
gives impulse to the firing pin or primer. of the barrel when the lever is worked.
Handguard - a wooden, plastic, or metal type of Luger - a German semi-automatic pistol widely used in
forend/forearm that generally encircles the forward portion of Europe as a military sidearm, manufactured in various
the barrel to protect the hands from heat when firing. calibers most commonly 7.65 mm and 9 mm.
Handgun - a firearm designed to be held and fired with one Machine gun - Bipod or tripod mounted or handheld
hand. automatic weapon whose ammunition is fed from a magazine
or a belt.
Head,(cartridge case head) - the base of the cartridge
case that contains the primer. Magazine - is an ammunition storage and feeding device
within or attached to a repeating firearm.
Headspace - the distance from the face of the closed breech
of a firearm to the surface in the chamber on which the Magazine clip - a container for cartridges that has a spring
cartridge case bears. and follower to feed the cartridges into the chamber of a
firearm.
Headspace Gage - an instrument for measuring the
distance from the breech face of a firearm to the portion of Mannlicher type bolt - a bolt-action rifle that was designed
the chamber against which the cartridge bears. for the receiver bridge; has a gap at the top to allow passage
of the bolt handle.
Mercury bath - a process using mercury for the removal of that is used to initiate the burning of a propellant.
lead residue from a barrel.
Primer cratering - the extrusion of the primer into the firing
Metal fouling - metallic bullet material left in the bore after pin hole, this phenomenon can produce identifiable marks.
firing. Also known as primer flowback.
Microscopic marks - striae or patterns on minute lines or Primer/Fuse - any igniter that is used to initiate the burning
grooves in an object. In firearm and toolmark identification, of a propellant.
these marks are characteristics of the object that produced
them and are the basis for identification. Proof mark - a stamp applied at or near the breech of a
firearm after it has passed a proof test.
Misfire - failure of the primer mixture to ignite.
Proof test - the firing of a deliberate overload to test the
Mushroom - used to describe the expansion of a projectile strength of a firearm barrel and/or action.
upon impacting a target.
Proof load - a cartridge loaded to specified pressure higher
Musket - is a muzzle-loading, smooth-bore long gun fired than service loads to test firearms barrels during manufacture
from the shoulder. but before assembly, sometimes called blue pill.
Muzzle - is the end of the barrel from which the projectile will Propellant - the chemical composition which when ignited by
exit. a primer, generates gas. The gas propels the projectile. Also
Obliteration/Obliterated - most often used to refer to serial called powder, gunpowder, powder, or smokeless.
numbers of firearms that are no longer readable.
Propellant gases - the gases created by the burning powder
Obturation - the act of sealing or preventing the escape of that force the projectile from the gun.
propellant gasses from the breech of a gun.
Pump-action - is a rifle or shotgun in which the hand-grip
Orient - the aligning of two bullets that were fired from the can be pump back and forth in order to eject a spent round of
same barrel on the comparison microscope so that the land ammunition and to chamber a fresh one.
and groove impressions on those bullets which were Rate of trust - the distance required for the rifling to complete
produced by the same lands and grooves in the barrel are one revolution.
opposite each other. Sometimes called phasing or indexing.
Parabellum - a Latin term meaning "for war" used as a Recoil - the backward movement of thrust of a gun caused
cartridge designation. by the pressure of the propellant gases in the process of
pushing the projectile forward through the bore.
Pattern - the distribution of a series of shots fired from one
gun or a battery of guns under conditions as nearly identical Recoil operation - an operating principle of automatic and
as possible to that which occurred at the crime scene. semi-automatic firearms. When the weapon is fired, the
barrel and breechblock initially recoil together. After traveling
Pellet - common name for the smooth, spherical projectiles a short distance, the barrel and breechblock unlock and the
loaded into shot-shells, also referred to as shot. Also a non- breechblock continues to travel to the rear, extracting and
spherical projectile used in airguns. ejecting the expended cartridge.
Percussion cap - a small metal cap with a priming mix that Reference collections - a collection of various types of
is placed on the nipple of a percussion lock. firearms and ammunition used by the firearms examiner for
the purpose of test firing weapons for identification of
Philadelphia derringer - is a small percussion handgun ammunition and firearms.
designed by Henry Derringer and a popular concealed carry
handgun of the era. Reload - a cartridge that has been reassembled with a new
primer powder, projectile, or other components. Also, to place
Pinfire - is an obsolete type of metallic cartridge in which the fresh ammunition into the firearm.
priming compound is ignited by striking a small pin which
protrudes radially from hust above the base of the cartridge. Revolver - a type of pistol with a revolving cylinder in the
breech chamber to hold several cartridges so that the
Pistol - (automatic, semi-automatic, single-shot) a small revolver may be fired in succession without reloading.
firearm having a stock that fits in the hand and contains a
short barrel. A firearm designed to be fired with one hand and Ricochet - the deflection of a projectile after impact.
with a chamber that is integral to the barrel.
Rifle - a firearm having rifling in the bore and designed to be
Pistol Whipping - is the act of using a handgun as a blunt fired from the shoulder.
weapon, wielding it as if it were a club.
Rifle slug - a single projectile with spiral grooves and hollow
Pitch, rifling - the angle at which the rifling is cut in base intended for use in shotguns. The theory of the grooves
relationship to the axis of the bore. It is usually stated as the is that after leaving the gun barrels muzzle, the slug will
number of inches required for one revolution. Also, known as rotate and this reach its target much more accurately.
rate of twist.
Rifling - is the process of making helical grooves in the barrel
Primer - the ignition component of the cartridge; any igniter of a gun or firearm which imparts a spin to a projectile around
its long axis. Skid marks (slippage marks) - rifling marks formed on the
bearing surface of bullets as they enter the rifling of the
Rim - the flanged portion of the head of a rimfire cartridge, barrel before rotation of the bullets starts. Skid marks are
certain types of centerfire rifles and revolver cartridges and typically produced by revolvers and have the appearance of a
shot-shells. The flanged portion is usually larger in diameter widening of the land impression at their beginning point.
than the cartridge or shot-shells body diameter and provides
a projecting lip for the extractor to engage. In rimfire Slippage - mark on the surface of a fired bullet made when
cartridge, the rim provides a cavity into which the priming the bullet slides along the tops of the lands on the riflings.
mixture is placed. Slippage marks appear when the rifling is worn or when a
sub-caliber bullet is fired.
Rimfire - is a type of firearm cartridge. It is called a rimfire
because instead of the firing pin of a gun striking the primer Slug - is a heavy lead projectile that may have pre-cut rifling
cap at the center of the base of the cartridge to ignite it, the intended for use in a shotgun and often used for hunting large
pin strikes the base's rim. game.
Sabot - a device that ensures the correct positioning of a - a term applied to a single projectile for shot-shells.
bullet or shell in the barrel of a gun.
- a device, "shoe" which enables a sub-caliber Smokeless powder - propellant composed of nitrocellulose
projectile to be fired in a larger caliber barrel. (single-base powders) or nitrocellulose plus nitroglycerine
(double-base powders) Smokeless powders contain additives
Safety - a type of device that locks a weapon to prevent that increase shell life and enhance performance. They are
accidental discharge. made in variety of shapes (rods, perforated rods, spheres,
disks, perforated disks, and flakes.
Seating lines - the circumferential striae parallel to the axis
of the projectile generated on the surface of the bullet by the Smooth-bore - is one in which the gun barrel or bore is
cartridge case. without a rifling.
Semi-automatic/Self-loading firearm - is a weapon which Sporting clays - is a form of clay pigeon shooting often
perform all steps necessary to prepare the weapon to fire describe as a golf with a shotgun because a typical course
again after firing assuming cartridges remain in the weapons includes from 10 to 15 different shooting stations laid out
feed device or magazine. over natural terrain.
- a firearm that
uses the forces of combustion to extract and eject a cartridge Stabilizer - additive to smokeless powder that reacts with
and to chamber a new cartridge from the ammunition source acidic breakdown products of nitrocellulose and nitroglycerine.
with each pull of the trigger. Diphenylamine and ethyl centralite are common stabilizers.
Shot - a spherical pellet used in loading shot-shells or Stippling - disposition of fragments of gunshot powder
cartridges. residue into the skin as the result of a gunshot wound of
relatively close range.
Shot spread - the diameter of a shot pattern.
Striae - in firearms/toolsmarks - these are lines or grooves in
Shotgun - a smooth-bore shoulder firearm designed to fire an object that are characteristics of the object that produced
shot-shells containing numerous pellets or sometimes a single them and are the basis for an identification.
projectile.
Sulfur - a non-metallic yellow element. A constituent of
Shot-shell - a cartridge containing projectile designed to be blackpowder, burns easily when in powder form.
fired in a shotgun. The cartridge body maybe metal, plastic,
or paper. Tattooing - a characteristic pattern in the skin caused by
particles of unburned and partially burned powder from a gun
Signatures - in forensic ballistics, represents the location of blast at very close range. Also called stippling.
each feature and mark on an image from the bullet or
cartridge case. The acquired signatures can then be Test bullet - a bullet fired into a bullet recovery system in a
correlated with the IBIS correlation engine. These signatures laboratory for comparison or analysis.
which are mathematical representations of the images are
sent along with compressed images and demographics to a Test cartridge case - a cartridge case obtained while test-
server for correlation. firing a firearm in a laboratory that is to be used for
comparison or analysis.
Silencer - a tubular device attached to the muzzle of a
firearm to reduce the sound of the report. Test firing - the term used to designate the actual firing of a
firearm in a laboratory to obtain representative bullet and
Single-action - a type of revolver that needs to be cocked cartridge case for comparison or analysis. Also used to test
before each shot by pulling back the hammer. Requires the the functionality of a firearm.
firing mechanism (hammer or firing pin) to be cocked before
pressure on the trigger will release the mechanism. TNT (trinitrotoluene) - a high explosive used as a
component of some priming mixture.
Skeet shooting - is a recreational and competitive activity
where the participants, using shotguns attempt to break clay Tracer bullet - a bullet that contains a pyrotechnic
discs automatically flung in the air from two fixed stations at component ignited by the powder charge burn, leaving a
high speed from a variety of angles. visible trail of the flight path.
Trailing edge - the edge of a land or groove impression in a certain firearm or tool was used in the commission of
fired bullet that is opposite to the driving edge of that same crime.
land or groove impression. Also called the "following edge" A. Ballistics
when used in conjunction with the term leading edge. B. Forensic Ballistics
C. Ballistic Missile
Trajectory - the path of a projectile after leaving the muzzle D. Ballistic Fingerprinting
of a firearm.
4. It is a missile guided only during the relative brief
initial powered phase of flight whose course is
Trap shooting - is a shotgun shooting activity in which the
subsequently governed by the laws of classical
gunner shoots at clay target discs launch single or doubly
mechanics.
from one location but at various angle into the range field. A. Ballistics
B. Forensic Ballistics
Trigger guard - a protective device consisting of a curved C. Ballistic Missile
framework surrounding the trigger. D. Ballistic Fingerprinting
Trigger pull - amount of force applied to the trigger of a 5. The study of the processes originally accelerating the
firearm to cause it to discharge. projectile.
A. Internal Ballistic
Trigger pull gauge - the mechanism used to release the B. Transition Ballistic
firing pin of a firearm by applying pressure using a finger. C. External Ballistic
D. Terminal Ballistic
- instrument used to measure the needed
amount of force to be applied to the trigger of a firearm to
6. The study of the passage of the projectile through a
cause it to fire. medium.
A. Internal Ballistic
Twist of rifling - inclination of the spiral grooves to the axis B. Transition Ballistic
of the bore of a weapon; it is expressed as the number of C. External Ballistic
calibers of length in which the rifling makes one complete D. Terminal ballistic
turn.
7. The study of the projectiles behavior when it leaves
Velocity - the speed of a projectile at a given point along its the barrel and the pressure behind the projectile is
trajectory. equalized.
A. Internal Ballistics
Wad, base - a cylindrical component that is assembled into B. Transition Ballistics
the head end of a shot-shell. C. External Ballistics
D. Terminal Ballistics
Wad, shot protector - various designs of shot cups made of
plastic and designed to reduce pellet deformation during 8. It is also called a round.
barrel travel. A. Bullet
B. Shell
C. Primer
Walker test - the original chemical test for the detection of
D. Cartridge
the spatial distribution of nitrates in gunpowder residue.
Yaw - the angle between the longitudinal axis of a projectile
9. Employed a burning wick on a spring that was
and a line tangent to the trajectory at the center of gravity of locked back and released into a pan of powder upon
the projectile. pulling a trigger.
A. Matchlock
Yaw angle - angle between the axis of a bullet and its B. Wheellock
trajectory. C. Flintlock
D. Percussion
Zwilling - European term for a double-barreled shoulder arm
with one rifled barrel and one smooth-bored barrel. 10.Consists of a hammer that was locked and when
released, struck a cup containing a volatile primer that
Forensic Ballistics Reviewer 1 ignited on impact sending a flame through a small tube
into the barrel chamber.
1. The science of mechanics that deals with the flight, A. Matchlock
behavior and effects of projectiles. B. Wheellock
A. Ballistics C. Flintlock
B. Forensic Ballistics D. Percussion
C. Ballistic missile
D. Ballistic Fingerprinting
Remember the following definition of terms:
2. It involves the analysis of bullet impacts to
determine information of use to a court or other part of 1. Ballistics - The science of mechanics that deals with
the legal system. the flight, behavior and effects of projectiles.
A. Ballistics
B. Forensic Ballistics 2. Forensic Ballistics - It involves the analysis of
C. Ballistic missile bullet impacts to determine information of use to a
D. Ballistic Fingerprinting court or other part of the legal system.
10.A flanged metallic cup used in shot-shell primer 2. The cutting of metal from the surface of a bullet due
assemblies that provides a rigid support for the primer to cylinder misalignment in a revolver.
cup and anvil. A. Abrasion marks
A. Paper disc B. Shaving
B. Battery cup C. Abrasive machining
D. Rolling block widening the land impressions at the nose of the bullet.
3.Form on the bearing surface of bullets as they enter 4. Blowby - The escaping of gases past a fired bullet
the rifling of the barrel before the bullet engages the while the bullet is still in the barrel.
rifling.
A. Skidmarks 5. Leading - (metal fouling) The accumulation of lead
B. Action marks or bullet jacket material in the bore of a firearm due to
C. Slide the passage of bullets.
D. Anvil marks
6. Patch - A piece of cloth used with a rod to clean the
4.The escaping of gases past a fired bullet while the bore of a firearm.
bullet is still in the barrel.
A. Backspatter 7. Single-Action - An action requiring the manual
B. Bearing surface cocking of the hammer before sufficient pressure on
C. Barrel extention the trigger releases the firing mechanism.
D. Blowby
8. Dummy ammunition - An inert cartridge which
5. The accumulation of lead or bullet jacket material in cannot be fired.
the bore of a firearm due to the passage of bullets.
A. Leading 9. Muzzle wave - The air that is compressed and
B. Ballistite moves out spherically from a firearms muzzle after
C. Blowback firing a projectile.
D. Frizzen
10.Muzzle Brake - A device at or in the muzzle end of
6. A piece of cloth used with a rod to clean the bore of a barrel that uses the emerging gas behind the
a firearm. projectile to reduce recoil.
A. Fulminate of mercury
B. Nitro wad Answers: Forensic ballistics
C. Patch 1. B
D. Press forging 2. B
3. A
7. An action requiring the manual cocking of the 4. D
hammer before sufficient pressure on the trigger 5. A
releases the firing mechanism. 6. C
A. Single-Action 7. A
B. Automatic 8. A
C. Double-action 9. B
D. Semi-automatic 10. B
8. Marks produced by the random imperfections or 10.Pattern matching - The process of determining
irregularities of tool surfaces. These random whether or not the details of striated marks or
imperfections or irregularities are produced incidental impressions on two objects correspond, such as fired
to manufacture and/or caused by use, corrosion, or and unfired cartridge cases and shot-shell cases.
damage.
A. Individual characteristics Answers: Forensic Ballistics
B. Class characteristics 1. C
C. Sub-class characteristics 2. A
D. Toolmarks 3. B
4. D
9. Striae or patterns of minute lines or grooves in an 5. A
object. In firearm and toolmark identification these 6. C
marks are characteristic of the object which produced 7. B
them and are the basis for identification. 8. A
A. Individual characteristics 9. C
B. Toolmarks 10. A
C. Microscopic marks
D. Class characteristics
Forensic Ballistics Reviewer 8
10.The process of determining whether or not the
details of striated marks or impressions on two objects
1.The earliest known toolmark comparison case
correspond, such as fired and unfired cartridge cases
involving firearms occurred in London in
and shot-shell cases.
A. 1835
A. Pattern matching
B. 1837
B. Land and Groove identification
C. 1836
C. Pattern Identification
D. 1838
D. Toolmark identification
2. Published the first work describing wounds resulting
Remember the ff: Forensic Ballistics
from small caliber firearms.
A. Henry Goddard
1. Known standards - A collection and cataloging of
B. John Sedgwick
test-fired bullets and cartridge cases from known
C. Monsieur Noilles
firearms. Also, known as Fired standards.
D. Stonewall Jackson
2. General Rifling Characteristics - the number,
width, and direction of twist of the rifling grooves in a
3. A firearm with long barrel and for-end or forearm
barrel of a given caliber firearm.
extending nearly to the muzzle.
A. Rifle
3. Firearms identification - A discipline of forensic
B. Remington rifle
science which has as its primary concern to determine
C. Whitwoth rifles
if a bullet, cartridge case, or other ammunition
D. Musket
component was fired by a particular firearm.
4. A portion of a firearm's mechanism which ejects or
4. Toolmark identification - A discipline of forensic
expels cartridges or cartridge cases from a firearm.
science which has as its primary concern to determine
A. Ejector
if a toolmark was produced by a particular tool.
B. breech face
C. Extractor
5. Striations - Contour variations, generally
D. Firing pin
microscopic, on the surface of an object caused by a
combination of force and motion where the motion is
5. The negative impressions on the bearing surface of a
approximately parallel to the plane being marked.
bullet caused by the rifling in the barrel from which is
was fired.
6. Subclass characteristics - Discernible surface
A. Lapping
features of an object which are more restrictive than
B. Land and Groove impressions
class characteristics.
C. Obturation
D. Parkerizing
7. Class characteristics - Measurable features of a
specimen which indicate a restricted group source.
6. The ignition component of a cartridge.
They result from design factors, and are therefore
A. Priming mixture
determined prior to manufacture.
B. Priming powder
C. Priming Charge
8. Individual characteristics - Marks produced by
D. Primer
the random imperfections or irregularities of tool
surfaces. These random imperfections or irregularities
7. The locking and cartridge head support mechanism
are produced incidental to manufacture and/or caused
of a firearm that does not operate in line with the axis
by use, corrosion, or damage.
of the bore.
A. Frame
9. Microscopic marks - Striae or patterns of minute
B. Breechblock
lines or grooves in an object. In firearm and toolmark
C. Mandrel
D. Box lock 8. C
9. B
8. Developed the helixometer, a magnifier probe used 10. A
to examine the interior of firearm barrels and
accurately measure the pitch of rifling.
A. Goddard and Waite Forensic Ballistics Reviewer 9
B. Goddard and Gravelle
C. Doddard and Fisher
1. The curve taken by the bullet while in flight is called
D. Waite and Fisher
A. rifling curves
B. effective range
9. Essentially two microscopes connected to an optical
C. drift
bridge which allows the viewer to observe two objects
D. maximum distance
simultaneously with the same degree of magnification.
A. Compound microscope
2. A mechanism in a revolver that connects pivot
B. Comparison micoscope
between the frame and cylinder.
C. Dual microscope
A. trigger spring
D. Complex microscope
B. trigger guard
C. yoke
10.He is considered by many firearm examiners to be
D. anvil
the "father" of firearm and toolmark identification.
A. Calvin H. Goddard
3. Proof Marks - It is the examination and testing of
B. John H. Fisher
firearms by a recognized authority according to certain
C. Colonel H. W. Todhunter
rules and stamped with a mark to indicate that they are
D.Philip O. Gravelle
safe for sale and used by the public.
A. Provisional Proof
Remember the ff: Forensic Ballistics
B. Proof Marks
C. Skid Marks
1. The earliest known toolmark comparison case
D. Slippage Marks
involving firearms occurred in London in 1835.
4. Among the following, which is a long smooth bored
2. Monsieur Noilles - Published the first work
firearm that is designed to prepare a single shot?
describing wounds resulting from small caliber firearms.
A. Shotgun
B. Musket
3. Musket - A firearm with long barrel and for end or
C. Carbine
forearm extending nearly to the muzzle.
D. Caliber
4. Ejector - A portion of a firearm's mechanism which
5. It is the soft guiding metal which serves as the
ejects or expels cartridges or cartridge cases from a
container of priming mixture, paper disc and anvil.
firearm.
A. Primer cup
B. Primer mixture
5. Land and Groove impressions - The negative
C. Paper disc
impressions on the bearing surface of a bullet caused
D. Battery cup
by the rifling in the barrel from which is was fired.
6. An automatic weapon that can fire from 400 to 1,600
6. Primer - The ignition component of a cartridge.
rounds of ammunition each minute.
A. Armalite
7. Breechblock - The locking and cartridge head
B. Uzi
support mechanism of a firearm that does not operate
C. Machine gun
in line with the axis of the bore.
D. Glock
8. Goddard and Fisher - Developed the helixometer,
7. Historians considered that the age of gunpowder
a magnifier probe used to examine the interior of
began with its first use as a propellant for a projectile
firearm barrels and accurately measure the pitch of
on
rifling.
A. 1313
B. 1413
9. Comparison microscope - Essentially two
C. 1280
microscopes connected to an optical bridge which
D. 1350
allows the viewer to observe two objects
simultaneously with the same degree of magnification.
8. One from Hartford, Connecticut, who produced the
first practical revolver and became famous for its .45
10.Calvin H. Goddard - He is considered by many
caliber.
firearm examiners to be the "father" of firearm and
A. Samuel Colt
toolmark identification.
B. Carl Walther
C. Oliver Winchester
D. John C. Garand
Answers: Forensic Ballistics
1. A 9. It includes rocket launchers and such mounted guns
2. C as howitzers, mortars, antiaircraft guns, and naval
3. D guns.
4. A A. Gunnery
5. B B. Artillery
6. D C. Musketry
7. B D. Ballistics
10. That part of the handgun designed in a metal tube C. Drawing
through which the bullet is fired. D. Stamping
A. Grip
B. Frame 8. The slow forcing of material under high pressure
C. Barrel through a die reduce its diameter. This process is
D. Rifling generally performed in a hydraulic press. Lead wire
used in bullet making is extruded. Impact extrusion can
Answers: Forensic Ballistics Reviewer 9 be used to make bullet jackets and cartridge cases.
1. C A. Extrusion
2. C B. Swagging
3. B C. Drawing
4. B D. Stamping
5. A
6. C 9. Cutting holes in metal with a twist drill.
7. A A. Abrasive machining
8. A B. Broaching
9. B C. Reaming
10.C D. Drilling
1. A
2. D
3. C
4. B
5. D
6. C
7. B
8. A
9. D
10. C
11. B
12. A
13. A
14. B
15. C
16. D
17. D