CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION
Firearms, a subject which has interested man for centuries. Firearms were devised by
man for the very purpose of hunting and protecting himself from other human beings or
animals. Firearms were hence an essential tool used to shape the modern world.
However, since firearms were considered lethal weapons, restrictions for the
manufacturing, use, sale and ownership were implemented in almost all countries in an
attempt to prevent the malicious use of firearms.
Since a firearm is a lethal weapon, it is one the perfect tools to commit a crime.
Homicides, suicides, robberies, kidnappings and threats are some of the events in which
firearms are extensively used. In order for justice to be delivered, certain scientific
methods were implemented in order to match the firearm used to commit the crime to the
fired projectile, the spent cartridge case and ultimately to the shooter.
These scientific methods of matching the projectile and spent cartridge case to the
firearm are based on tool mark examination. Hence the field of Forensic Ballistics is
based on tool mark analysis. The basic principle of tool mark examination is that softer
materials are indented or imprinted with the markings of the harder material. In this case
the harder materials are the parts of the firearm such as the barrel (bore), chamber and the
breech face. The softer materials being the bullet/projectile and spent cartridge case.

A Firearm is defined as any weapon that is designed to propel a projectile or

projectiles by means of combustion and expansion of gases. This definition is likely to
vary depending on factors such as country legislation, amendments made to existing laws
and the design of guns and the purpose they are intended for. The definition of firearms
vary from country to country and hence some countries have strict firearm laws requiring
the owner to have a license. In India the legal definition of a firearm according to the
Arms Act 1959 is
"Firearms means arms of any description designed or adapted to discharge a projectile or
projectiles of any kind by the action of any explosive or other forms of energy, and
includes,—
i) artillery, hand-grenades, riot-pistols or weapons of any kind designed or adapted for
the discharge of any noxious liquid, gas or other such things,

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(ii) accessories for any such firearm designed or adapted to diminish the noise or flash
caused by the firing thereof,
(iii) parts of, and machinery for manufacturing, firearms, and
(iv) carriages, platforms and appliances for mounting, transporting and serving artillery"
The Arms Act 1959 is divided into
(i) Prohibited Bore (PB)
(ii) Non Prohibited Bore (NPB)

Prohibited Bore, Any firearm that is used as a service weapon by the defence forces
such as the three wings of the military and the police force. This category includes
Automatic, semi-automatic rifles, pistols (except the Ashani 7.65 IOF Pistol and double
action .22 and 0.32 revolvers) revolvers and artillery. These weapons may not be
operated or owned by any firearm license holder or non license firearm holder except to
conditions mentioned in the No.11026/16/2009-Arms GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS INTERNAL SECURITY-II DIVISION ARMS
SECTION. [1]

Non Prohibited Bore, These firearms can be owned by the general public after
acquiring a firearm license. The list of firearms are- [2]
.22 Sporting rifle
.315/8mm Sporting rifle
.30-06 Sporting rifle
DBBL 12 Bore Shotgun
SBBL Pump Action Shotgun
Modified .32 Pistol
Ashani MK II 7.65mm Semi Automatic pistol
.32 Revolver MK III
.32 Revolver Nirbeek (Light Weight)
.32 Revolver Anmol (Long Barrel)
.32 Revolver MK IV

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 Types Of Smooth Bore Firearms, Smooth Bore Firearms are firearms without rifling
(Lands and Grooves) in the bore. The inner surface of the barrel(bore) is smooth. The
barrel is smooth in order to facilitate the type of projectiles that may be used in the barrel
i.e Bird Shot, Buck Shot and Slugs otherwise known as LG and SG, etc. Smooth bore
firearms are generally categorised as-
 SBBL - Single Barrel Breech Loader Firearm- The Firearm consists of a single barrel
and the ammunition is loaded from the breech end.
 DBBL - Double Barrel Breech Loader - The Firearm consists of two barrels (side by
side vertically or horizontally) and the ammunition is loaded from the breech end.
 SBML- Single Barrel Muzzle Loader- The Firearm consists of a single barrel, but the
ammunition is loaded from the muzzle end.
 DBML- Double Barrel Muzzle Loader- The firearm consists of a double barrel and
the ammunition is loaded from the muzzle end.
In the beginning, all firearms were muzzle loaders but it was soon discovered that that
the addition of lands and grooves in the barrel coupled with a cylindrical projectile was
far more accurate and increased the range and trajectory path of the projectile when
compared to more spherical projectiles, hence rifling of firearms was invented. However,
these rifled firearms were not capable of firing multiple projectiles without gradually
damaging the bore of the firearm and causing in-barrel pellet deformation and thus
smooth bore firearms still exist today in the form of shotguns, country made/homemade
or improvised guns and some artillery. It is also important to keep in mind that smooth
bore firearm barrels are more easier to manufacture. The projectile fired from a smooth
bore firearms may in some cases have the same muzzle velocity of many rifled firearms
but the range substantially decreases due to the increased effects of external factors on
the projectiles. Nevertheless smooth bore firearms can cause the same amount or even
more damage than rifled firearms from close to mid range targets, especially when
multiple projectiles are used. The barrel of most smooth bore firearms are capable of
withstanding moderate to high amounts of pressure exerted on the barrel walls and hence
larger projectiles such as the 1 ounce slug may be used as a single projectile in the 12
gauge/0.729" bore shotgun.
Company Made Firearms, means those firearms that are manufacture according to
all standards of firearm manufacturing and the within the jurisdiction of that country.

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Company made firearms are generally manufactured on a large scale by companies such
as Remington, Berretta, Colt, Indian Ordinance Factory, Rifle Factory Ishapore etc, but
small scale manufacturers may also manufacture company made firearms within the
jurisdiction of the country. The minimum requirement of a firearm to be classified as a
company made firearm is have registered engraving of a serial number on the action
mechanism, the barrel and the slide, standard testing must be conducted on the firearm
such as durability test, firing test, jamming test, chambering tests, extraction and ejection
tests, accuracy tests and so forth, before it can be marketed under the brand of the
company in that country. Registered engraving means that once the firearm is issued to or
purchased either as a service weapon or a civil weapon to an armed personnel or a
civilian respectfully, the serial number of that firearm must be registered to the arms
license of that individual. This is done in order to keep track of the firearm in case it is
lost or used maliciously.

Country Made Firearms, on the other hand are those firearms that are made without
the authority and licensing of that country where they are manufactured. These firearms
are manufactured by small scale manufacturers who do not follow any standards or
regulations of that country. These firearms are made either by unskilled gunsmiths or by
skilled gunsmiths with the sole purpose of making an income by use of their skills or for
malicious use. Country made firearms do not contain any serial numbers and hence are
very difficult to trace back to the owner or manufacturer. Country made firearms may be
based on company made models of firearms or may be designed by the manufacturers
themselves. Improvised firearms are a type of country made firearm that is made from
materials or tools that were intended for very different purposes. The nail gun for
example can be used to fire live cartridges instead of nails with some amount of
alterations. Another great example is the blank gun, that can be modified to fire live
ammunition by drilling through the bore. Country made firearms can be divided as-
 Zip guns- Improvised guns that are not made by gunsmiths. Made with available
household materials and hardware supplies. Example Nail guns and blank guns.
 Pipe guns- These guns are also made with various hardware materials but the barrels
of these firearms are made from metal pipes and hence the name. Most country made
muzzle loaders are in fact pipe guns where the smooth inner surface of a metal pipe is
considered as a smooth bore firearm barrel.

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 Replica Firing Guns- These guns are made by skilled or professional gun smiths
working as small scale manufactures. These guns are made as close as possible to
 company made gun models. These guns are even chambered in the exact same calibre
as the company made models. They do not have engraved serial numbers but
resemble and work in the exact same way as a company made firearm.
 An important thing to keep in mind is that country made firearms can be made to
chamber standard company made ammunition or country made ammunition as well.
Country made firearms are available in SBBL, DBBL, SBML and DBML variants.
Most country made firearms are smooth bore firearms.

Forensic Significance, Firearms as mentioned earlier can be identified from their

empty cartridge cases and fired projectiles. It is based on the principle of tool mark
examination where softer materials are imprinted or indented with the impressions of
the harder materials when they come into contact with a certain amount of force. This is
very true as an empty cartridge case ejected from a firearm, is covered with identifiable
marks of that firearm such as chamber marks, extractor and ejector marks, breech face
impressions, slide drag marks, magazine lip marks, firing pin impressions, firing pin drag
marks, firing pin hole marks etc. The fired projectile also contains these marks in form or
rifling marks called lands and groove marks. These land and groove marks on the
recovered projectile/bullet can be matched to the firearm it was fired from by comparing
the rifling marks to a test fired bullet fired from the suspected firearm into a bullet
recovery box, and comparing the bullets under a comparison microscope for a positive or
negative match. The same is done for the spent cartridge case and a positive or negative
match is determined. Cartridge cases and projectiles are recovered from the scene of
crime to be examined by a ballistics expert, if the firearm in question is found then the
test of comparison may be commenced. The comparison of spent cartridge cases is a
common practice for both smooth bore and rifled firearms. The projectile comparison on
the other hand is only applicable for rifled firearms as smooth bore firearms do not leave
rifling marks on the projectiles. This is a huge limitation in the field of forensic ballistics.
Crime Scenario: A person wielding a 12 bore pump action shotgun walks into a bank to
commit a robbery. The suspect has no intention of causing harm to anyone in the bank,
however the situation is critical and the suspect ends up shooting a cashier, who
succumbs to his injuries. Being of ballistics background the suspect is aware of the

5
advancements in cartridge case comparison and hence takes the cartridge case along with
him as he leaves the bank with the stolen cash. After the post mortem examination of the
victim, six projectiles were recovered from the chest and sent to the forensic science
laboratory as evidence items. A few weeks later a suspect is apprehended and a 12bore
shotgun is seized and sent to the forensic science laboratory as evidence that may be
linked to the shooting at the bank.
The fired cartridge case however is not recovered and hence advancements in the case
has come to a complete halt. The ballistician states that there is no standard method of
comparison to compare pellets fired from a smooth bore firearm to the suspected firearm.
The comparison of pellets/projectiles fired from a smooth bore firearm cannot be
compared to test fired pellets or projectiles, because when pellets are fired from a smooth
bore firearm, the pellets may or may not touch the walls of the gun barrel in the exact
same spot the previous pellets had touched. Which means that questioned
pellets/projectiles cannot be compared to test pellets for barrel marks because of the
irregular trajectory of the pellets within the barrel from the breech end till the muzzle end
after firing occurs.
Forensic Science Laboratories therefore stick to just cartridge case examination and
comparison in case of smooth bore firearms. However, in a country like India, most
shootings occur with the use of country made firearms and not company made firearms.
Country made firearms as mentioned earlier have smooth bores instead of rifled bores
(1.3 country made firearms, page 4, line 1). Hence comparison can only be conducted on
test fired cartridge cases. This however, has major limitation, as cartridge case
comparison can only be done is the firearm was designed to do so. Only breech loading
firearms are capable of firing cartridge cases, muzzle loaders do not fire cartridge cases.
Muzzle loaders instead are loaded first by measuring black powder and pouring it down
the barrel, then a charge wad(cloth, cotton or even coir) in inserted and rammed using
the ram rod, after which the pellets are inserted followed by another wad and again
rammed by the use of a ram rod. Hence, there is no cartridge case for comparison.
Therefore, if the question of comparison arises for country made muzzle loaders or any
smooth bore firearm where the cartridge case has not been found. The answer would be
"Comparison between test pellets and questioned pellets, in order to prove or disprove
whether the questioned pellets were fired from this firearm or not, cannot be done due to
the lack of evidences".

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If this is the case, then most crimes related to muzzle loaders and smooth bore firearms
are left unsolved. This is a major issue whether the forensic science laboratories
acknowledges the fact or not, most gun related crimes in India are committed by the use
of illegal guns, mostly because they are easily available, inexpensive and most
importantly they cannot be traced.
According to Small Arms Survey 2016 there are 61,401,000 illegal firearms (mostly
country made firearms).

[1]

fig 1.1 Small arms statistics

From this statistical chart it is evident that most gun crimes (homicides) are committed
using illegal guns. This is the major reason a standard needed to be implemented in order
to identify smooth bore firearms by the examination of their pellets. Thus the principle of
this topic. "The identification of smoothbore firearms (including country made firearms)
by the analysis of their projectiles under a comparison microscope" If a reliable standard
is implemented, then many of these pending cases may be examined.

Contributions to The Study, The main contribution of this study would be to

establish a method for the identification of smooth bore firearms by the examination of
their pellets or projectiles. Unlike rifled firearms, there is no standard method for
comparison of pellets fired from a smooth bore firearm. The other major contribution to
the study would be to prove or disprove the credibility of a comparison method
developed during the years 1970 to 1980. If proved positive, then the comparison method

7
may be developed as a standard. However, if proved negative then this method may not
be adopted or attempted in the future again. The comparison method was developed

nearly 40 to 50 years ago in Chandigarh, India, but due to reasons unknown, this method
has not been adopted by most, if not all forensic science laboratories in India. This study
would stand as evidence to approve or disapprove the credibility of that method.
According to many forensic science laboratory experts and directors, this method was not
adopted because the method has not been tried and tested since its development ,
moreover the method was developed 40 years ago and no one had any interest to
implement it into the laboratory as a standard.

As stated above, if gun crime in India is committed largely by the use of country
made firearms, it is a matter of concern, especially if there is no standard method of
comparison for smooth bore firearms. This method, surely should have been proven or
disproven years or even decades ago, but no interest was shown in this regard, in the field
of ballistics, and even if it was shown, it was never documented. If nobody had proved or
disproved this method before, any effort put towards doing so, would mean overcoming a
huge milestone in the field of forensic ballistics in India. The method of comparison
according to the persons who developed it, is very simple and inexpensive to carry out,
yet bears accurate results. I want to prove or disprove this method and put an end to the
controversies behind this method.
For Reference to the study of smooth bore firearms, the British Pellet data chart and the
American Pellet data chart are as follows-

8
fig 1.2 British Pellet Data Chart [4]

9
fig1.3 American Pellet Data Chart [4]

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 CHAPTER II
LITERATURE REVIEW
J.K Sinha and M.L.K Shettry (1972) " Pellet Identification" Identification of pellets
fired through smoothbore firearms is not known and is looked upon as insoluble problem.
But the importance of pellet identification cannot be over emphasised, especially in
India, where the use of smooth bore firearm is encountered very frequently in crimes, it
has been observed that pellets, especially of larger sizes such as L.G. And S.G., often
carry identifiable markings. These are scratched by the surface irregularities of the
barrels. The pellets carrying these markings can be identified provided such markings can
be produced on test specimens. However, statistical probabilities are very small that other
shots fired through the same barrel, would touch exactly identical points every time. Due
to the difficulties in obtaining desired test specimens, the identification of fired pellets
remains impracticable. Identification of such pellets should be possible if the markings
from the requisite points area could be reproduced. A successful attempt has been made
to obtain such test specimens. With special reference to smooth bore country made
pistols (short barrel) chambered for 12 bore cartridges. The possibility of identifying
pellets identified through bore firearms has been investigated with special reference to
locally made smooth bore pistols chambered for 12 bore cartridges. It has been found that
fired pellets having identifiable markings can be identified. However, for comparison,
instead of firing test cartridges, test specimens are obtained by pushing slightly oversized
cylindrical lead pieces through the barrel.[3]

Tom Warlow (2016) "Shotgun Missile Injuries" Normal small shotgun pellets used in
the loadings of game or clay pigeon shooting cartridges have relatively low penetrating
power in most materials, including human tissue, once the pattern has spread so that
pellets impact the target separately. fig 2.2 providing details of pellet striking energy
versus range, shows that the individual pellets carry only modest amounts of kinetic
energy due to their low mass and relatively low velocities. Tom Warlow also states that
wadding used in shotgun cartridge cases may contain the inner barrel markings just like
pellets. Moreover If the muzzle end of a firearm is rough, it will impart scratches on
plastic cartridge wads, especially if the barrel of a shot gun is sawn off for greater spread
of pellets at short distances.

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This technique may come in handy when implemented in this study in case a country
made/improvised/modified SBBL or DBBL firearm is encountered. As SBBL and DBBL
firearms often use standard size 12bore/10bore/.410" etc, cartridges which contain wads
of either fibrous material or plastic. This confirms that even wads recovered from the
crime scene must be compared to the inner walls of the suspected smooth bore firearm in
order to confirm a positive or negative match.[4]

fig 2.2[4]

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 CHAPTER III
AIM AND OBJECTIVE

Aim:-
The aim is to identify smooth bore firearms, by the analysis of their projectiles under a
comparison microscope.

Objective:-
 To prove that the identification of smooth bore firearms from the analysis of their
projectiles can be accepted as a standard method.
 To study the striation pattern on differently shaped projectiles.
 To determine if the study is applicable to all smooth bore firearms or not.

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 CHAPTER IV
MATERIALS AND METHODS

Materials Required
1. Steel Strip/Aluminium Strip having thickness of 0.50 to 0.80 mm.
2. Binding metal wire (any metal) of thickness and length as required.
3. casting sand or clay.
4. Lead scraps or recycled lead.
5. A steel container.
6. Any source of fire that is capable of exceeding a temperature of 4000C.
7. Metal forceps or cast iron blacksmiths pliers or stainless steel pliers.
8. Recovered pellets.
9. Questioned smooth bore firearm.
10. Ramrod.
11. Stereo microscope.
12. Comparison microscope.
13. Bullet Recovery Box.
14. SBML Single Shot removable barrel firearm.
15. SBML Multi Shot removable barrel firearm.
16. Metal pellets/ projectiles to be test fired.

Methodology
Sample Collection:
 2 cylindrical projectiles (C1 and C2) were fired from a single shot SBML firearm
with a removable barrel.
 2 spherical projectiles (S1 and S2) were fired from a multi shot SBML firearm with a
removable barrel.
 The projectiles were loaded into the firearm after measuring the required amount of
black powder using a measuring cylinder and pouring it down the barrel from the
muzzle end.
 The projectiles were loaded into the firearm by first covering the muzzle end with
cotton, placing the lead projectiles on top of the cotton and then ramming it into the

14
 barrel. Additional cotton was rammed into the barrel after the projectile, to prevent
the projectile from falling out.
 A percussion cap was placed on the nipple and the hammer was half cocked for
safety.
 Keeping safety in mind, the firearm was aimed at a tank of water and fired into the
water tank to collect the projectile, as using an improvisedbulletrecovery box with
cotton would not only be a tedious task but dangerous as well.
 The fired projectiles were then recovered and wrapped in a thick cotton layer and tied
with thin binding wire. Each projectile was packaged separately and then placed in a
rigid box for support.
 The 2 cylindrical projectiles which were recovered from the water tank were marked
as C1 and C2. C1 and C2 are projectiles fired from the single shot SBML firearm
with a removable barrel.
 The 2 spherical projectiles which were recovered from the water tank are marked as
S1 and S2. S1 and S2 are projectiles fired from the multi shot SBML firearm with a
removable barrel

Manufacture of Lead Casts

Lead casts, one of the most important materials required for the experiment are relatively
simple to manufacture.
1. First the bore diameter of the breech end of the suspected firearm was noted using a
Vernier Caliper.
2. A circular casting mould was formed by winding(coiling) the steel/aluminium strip in
accordance to the diameter of the bore of the firearm. Once the desired diameter was
achieved, metal binding wire was used to hold the mould from unwinding(uncoiling).
Hence the exact bore diameter was achieved by this trial and error process.
3. This steel mould was then placed in casting clay or casting sand and pushed about 1/4
of its height into the clay. This was done in order to stop the molten lead from
seeping out from that side while being poured.
4. A steel container containing lead was placed on the burner and heated to
approximately 3280C (327.50C is the melting point of lead).

15
5. Once the lead had melted, an iron rod was used to clear the Dross(floating impurities)
aside.
6. The molten lead was poured into the steel mould and allowed to cool only for a
minute and half, before removing the mould along with the cast using the metal
pliers, it was then placed into a bucket of water. This should be done after the lead
solidifies but before it returns to room temperature because if the lead is left to return
to room temperature, it may fuse to the steel or aluminium strip. Although unlikely, it
is better to follow this method, or the melting and casting process might have to be
repeated again in order to achieve the desired cast.
7. The lead cast was then removed from the steel mould by gently opening the mould
from one side, taking care as to not scratch the cast.
8. The walls of the cast were examined for a smooth finish.
9. 2 lead Casts were produced in the same manner for the single shot SBML pistol and
the multi-shot SBML pistol respectively according to their bore diameter.
10. The lead casts were labelled as cast 1 and cast 2. Cast 1 was used for the comparison
of C1 and C2. Cast 2 was used for the comparison of S1 and S2.
11. It is observed that aluminium strip is better to obtain and coil than steel strip. I
certainly recommend that aluminium be used instead of steel. Aluminium is not
affected by the molten lead as aluminium has a melting point of 660.30C.

16
fig4.1 Cast 1 (Cylindrical projectile) fig4.2 Cast 2 (spherical projectiles)

17
fig4.3 C1 fig4.4 S1

fig 4.5 C2 fig 4.6 S2

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fig 4.7 Removable SBML Firearm Barrel used to shoot Cylindrical Lead Projectiles

fig4.8 Bore Surface irregularities of the smooth bore firearm

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 CHAPTER V
OBSERVATIONS
Observations follow a standard observation procedure. The samples were first observed
by naked eye, then under a stereo microscope and finally under a comparison
microscope.
Observations made under a comparison microscope were documented. First the
cylindrical projectiles were observed and documented. Then the spherical projectiles
were observed and documented.

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Cylindrical Projectiles
 C1 and C2 were compared for a positive or negative match.
 It was observed that C1 and C2 have different barrel striations on their surfaces
when compared to each other.
 It was observed that C1 matches the striations present on lead Cast 1.

fig5.1 Match of C1 with Cast 1

 It was observed that C2 matches the striations present on lead Cast 1.

fig5.2 Positive Match of C2 with Cast 1

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Spherical Projectiles
 S1 and S2 are compared for a positive or negative match.
 It was observed that S1 and S2 have different barrel striations on their surfaces
when compared to each other.
 It was observed that S1 matches the striations present on lead Cast 2.

fig5.3 Positive Match of S1 with Cast 2

 It was observed that S2 matches the striations present on lead Cast 2.

fig5.4 Positive Match of S2 with Cast 2

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 CHAPTER VI
RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

Result
Both Cylindrical projectiles C1 and C2 are having identifiable striation patterns
both spherical projectiles S1 and S2 are having identifiable striation patterns. Both
cylindrical projectiles and spherical projectiles are matching with their respective casts.

Limitations
 Since the projectiles (regardless of shape) fired from a smooth bore barrel have
minimum contact with the barrel walls, they may or may not have barrel striations on
their surfaces. If any pellet with barrel striations is observed, it must be compared to a
lead cast of the barrel of the suspected smooth bore firearm.
 The process of matching the projectiles to their lead cast will take a fair amount of
time and hence this method is a time taking process.
 Lead casting, although an easy process requires good skill to be casted according to
the bore diameter of the firearm.
 This method is not applicable to SBML and DBML Firearms in which one end of the
barrel is permanently sealed. However if matching the firearm to the
pellets/projectiles is crucial to the case investigation, then the sealed end of the barrel
may be cut and removed with permission from the court.
Conclusions
It was concluded that the method for comparison of smoothbore firearm projectiles
to the lead casts of the barrel is a reliable method of comparison.
It was concluded that smooth bore firearms can be identified by the analysis of their
pellets/projectiles under a comparison microscope.
It was also observed that this method is very suitable for firearms that have a
tapering barrel or a choke present at the muzzle end. This method is a reliable method
for comparison of pellets/projectiles, and may be adopted or implemented by the
forensic science laboratories as a standard comparison method for smooth bore
firearms.

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 CHAPTER VII
REFERENCES

1. https://mha.gov.in/sites/default/files/DAAM-PolicyIndividuals-211209.pdf

2. FACTORY, O. P. INDIAN ORDNANCE FACTORIES. Stylus, 13, 14.

3. Sinha, J. K., & Kshettry, M. L. (1972). Pellet Identification. J. Crim. L. Criminology & Police Sci.,
63, 134.

4. Warlow, T. (2016). Firearms, the law, and forensic ballistics. CRC Press.

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