FORENSIC BALLISTIC

Ballistics

In the broadest sense, ballistics is the science of motion

of projectiles and the condition governing that motion.
• “science refers to;
• Systematized body of knowledge;
• Research and development;
• Training and expertise
• Experienced and education of people involved in it.
Motion – mobility or movement of the projectile from the time it
leaves the shell empty, it leaves the gun muzzle and until it reach
its target or fall in the ground. 

Three types of Motion

 Direct Motion – forward motion of the bullet or shots out of the

shell by the action of the expansive force of gases from a
burning gunpowder.
 Rotatory Motion – action of the bullet passing through a rifled
bore barrel firearm which is either twisted to the left or to the
right.
 Translational – action of bullet once it hits a target and
subsequently ricocheted.
 In the narrowest sense or Technically speaking;

Ballistics refers to “Science of Firearms

Identification”;
Which means, we could identify the ff;
• Type of Firearm
• Caliber of firearm
• Make and possible owner of the firearm?
HOW??
 BALLISTICS –Firearms Identification
• It involves the scientific examination of fired bullets, fired
shells or cartridge case, firearms and allied matters.
• With the application of science, and with the aid modern
equipment's and proper techniques, it is now possible to
determine whether certain evidence like fired bullets, fired
shells and firearms was fired from a particular firearm or
suspected firearm.
 Two kinds of weapon according to projectile they
propelled
1. Artillery- types of weapon that propelled projectile more than 1
inch in diameter.
Ex. Missile, Cannons, Mortars.

2. Small Arms – types of weapon that propelled projectile less than

1 inch in diameter.
Ex. Pistol, Revolver, Rifle, Machine guns, shot guns
Artillery
Small arms
Small arms – (Section 3, RA No. 10591).
Refer to firearms intended to be primarily designed for individual
use or that which is generally considered to mean a weapon
intended to be fired from the hand or shoulder, which are not
capable of fully automatic burst of discharge, such as;
a. hand guns – pistol, revolver
b. Rifle – shoulder arm designed to be fired from the shoulder
that can be discharged a bullet through a rifled barrel by different
actions of loading, which may be classified as lever, bolt or self-
loading.
c. Shotguns – designed to shoot a number of ball shots or
single projectile through a smooth bore by the action or energy
from burning gunpowder
Ballistics – derived from a Greek word “ballo” or
“Ballein” which literally means “to throw”. Its
root word was also said to have derived from the
name of an early Roman machine war called
the “BALLISTA” – a gigantic bow or catapult
which used to hurl missiles or large objects such
as stones at a particular distance to deter
animals or enemies.
 The word Forensic as applied to ballistics, or
to any other subject, suggest a relationship to courts
of justice and legal proceedings and the term was
derived from a Latin word “Forum” meaning a
market place, where people gathered for public
disputation or public discussion. “Forensic
ballistics” describes the subject under consideration
– the Science of Investigation and Identification of
firearms and ammunition used in crimes
FIREARMS IDENTIFICATION – refers to the Investigation and Identification of firearms by means
of ammunition fired through them. This involves the following;

1. Field Investigation – this is the job of a police officer

who responds to the crime scene. This is a routine job
of an investigator and this involves recognition,
collection, marking, preservation and transmittal of
firearms identification exhibits like fired bullets, fired
cartridge cases, fragments, firearms and allied
matters.
 2.Technical Examination or Laboratory examination –
this the job performed by a Forensic firearm
examiner in the laboratory. It involves markings of
physical evidences, test firing of evidence firearms to
obtain test bullets and shells or cartridge cases for
comparative purpose, photomicrography under the
bullet comparison microscope, preparation of
comparative charts and reports regarding his findings
and conclusion.

3. Legal Proceedings – Court Trial – this is where the

firearms identification reports and exhibits are
presented and defended in court.
 
COL. CALVIN H. GODDARD – father of
modern ballistics, a medical
practitioner by profession during world
war ll.
MEN BEHIND THE DEVELOPMENT OF
FIREARMS

1. Horace Smith – founder of the great firm Smith and

Wesson, and pioneered the making of breech-loading
rifles.
2. Daniel B. Wesson – an associate or partner of Smith in
revolver making.
3. John T. Thompson – pioneered the making of
Thompson Submachine Gun.
4. John M. Browning – wizard of modern firearms and
pioneered the breech loading single shot rifle.
• David “Carbine” Williams – Makers of the first
known carbine.
1.Alexander John Forsyth – “introduced the
Percussion Ignition”.
2.Elisa King Root – designed the machinery for
making Colt Firearms.
3.Eliphalet Remington – one of the first rifle
maker
4.John Mahlon Marlin – founder of the Marlin
Firearms Company.
5.James Wolfe Riply – simulated the development
of the Model 1855 rifle-musket.
1.Samuel Colt (1814-1862) – produced the first
practical revolver
2.Henry Deringer – he gave his name to a whole
class of firearms (rifles and pistols).
3.John C. Garand – designed and invented the
Semi-Automatic US Rifle. Caliber .30. MI
4.Oliver F. Winchester – one of the earliest rifles
and pistols maker
5.Berthold Schwartz – invented gunpowder
6. Major Uziel Gal – Israeli army who designed UZI
(Israel).
Firearm – (Technical def.) is an instrument used for
the propulsion of projectile by means of expansive
force of gases coming from a burning gun powder (FBI Manual)
Legal Definition. (Sec. 877 of Revised Administrative Code
as well as Section 290 of National Interna Revenue Code)
•  
• Sec. 877 “FIREARMS” or “ARMS” as herein used includes rifles,
muskets, carbines, shotguns, pistols, revolvers, and all other weapons from
which bullets, balls, shots, shells, or other missiles may be discharged by
means of gun powder or other explosives. This term also includes air
rifles except such as being of small caliber and limited range used as toys.
The barrel of any firearm shall be considered a complete firearm for all
purposes hereof.
 • Two types of Firearm according to its bore

• Rifled bore firearm – with rifling inside the barrel.

• Smooth bore firearm – without rifling inside the barrel.

 Raised/elevated
portion

Depressed portion
RIFLING

Rifling consists of number of helical grooves cut in the surface of the bore. It
includes the lands and grooves. The lands and grooves are running parallel
with one another concentrically

Lands – the elevated or raised portion inside the gun barrel

Grooves – the depressed portion of the inner portion of the barrel

•PURPOSE OF RIFLING
 
- To impart motion of rotation of the bullet.
- To insure stability in flight.
- So that the bullet will travel nose forward to the target.
• .
 SYSTEM OF MEASUREMENT OF THE
CALIBER OF AN ARM
1. American system of measurement – system of
measurement express in hundredths of an inch. Caliber
of the firearm is represented with a decimal point and a
two digit numbers. Ex. Cal. 22, cal. 25, cal. 30, cal. 38
etc.
2. English system of measurement – it is express in
thousandths of an inch, caliber of the firearm is
represented with a decimal and three digit numbers.
Ex. Cal. 380, cal. 357.
3. Continental or European system of measurement – it is express in millimeters. Ex.
9mm, 5.56mm, 7.62 mm etc
TYPES OF RIFLED BORE FIREARM
Pistol Revolver Rifle

Cal. 25 Cal. 22 Cal.22 LR

9 mm Cal. 38 Cal. 30
Cal. 380 Cal. 44 5.56x45 NA
Cal. 40 Cal. 357 7.62x39 SOV -
Cal. 45 Ca. 50 S-A 7.62x51mm NA
Cal. 50
Three main Parts of a
Pistol

1. Barrel assembly
2. Slide Assembly
3. Frame or Receiver
Assembly
1. Barrel Assembly

2. Cylinder Assembly

3. Frame or Receiver
Assembly
BASIC PARTS OF THE FIREARMS

• Action
• Barrel
• Stock
• Extractor
• Ejector
• Muzzle
• Trigger
• Trigger Guard
BASIC PARTS OF A FIREARMS
ACTION – IS THE HEART OF THE FIREARM-THE MOVING PARTS THAT
LOAD AND FIRE THE AMMUNITION AND EJECT CARTRIDGE CASE.
SEVERAL TYPES OF ACTIONS ARE USED IN MODERN FIREARMS.
(MUZZLE LOADER AND BREECH LOADER).
Parts of Firearm

 Extractor – causes the empty shell to be withdrawn /pull out from chamber

 Ejector – causes the empty shell to be thrown out of the firearm

 Barrel – initiate paths of bullet 
 Center Pin – serve as the locking device for the cylinder-Cylinder – serve as
chamber and magazine
 Frame – houses the internal parts Hammer – push the firing pin
 Ratchet – device used to help in the withdrawal of the cartridge of shells from
the chamber of the cylinder
 Trigger – activates the part necessary to fire the weapon
 Trigger Guard – prevents the trigger from unnecessary action to avoid
accidental firing
 Yoke – connecting pivot between frame and cylinder
•Miscellaneous Types of Gun

 Cane gun, knife pistols, cellphone gun, etc. – devices principally designed for other
purpose to which a gun mechanism is incorporated also called as Freakish gun.
 Flare Gun – designed for tracing or sending signals
 Freakish Gun – firearm mechanism is attached to prevent easy identification
 Gas Gun – designed from firing tear gas.
 Harpoon Guns – barbed spear in hunting large fish.
 Liberator – U.S. government made smooth bore gun used in Europe during war
designed to fire an automatic colt pistol cartridge caliber .45
 Multi-Barreled Gun – containing a number of barrels.
 Paradox Gun – contains lands and grooves a few inch from the muzzle point
 Tools – generally used for construction of furniture.
 Traps – used for trapping animals that are fired to woods.
 Zip Gun – all type of homemade gun.
CANE GUN
FLARE GUN
GAS GUN
HARPOON GUN
 • TYPES OF FIREARMS ACCORDING TO ITS MECHANICAL OPERATION
• 
1. Single Action – is a firearm that must be manually cocked before
firing. The trigger performs single function of releasing the hammer to
fire the gun.
2. Single Action Semi-Automatic – needs only be cocked for the first
shot, the hammer is cocked automatically for the subsequent shots.
3. Double Action – a hand gun that can be fired without first cocking the
hammer. The trigger performs two functions; cocking and releasing
the hammer.
4. Gas Operated – An automatic or semi automatic firearm with a locked
breech that uses a small amount of the expanding gas created by the
burning powder charge to cycle the action
5. Blowback – a semi- automatic or automatic system of operation for
self-loading firearms that case as it is pushed to the rear of expanding
gases created by the obtains energy from the motion of the cartridge
ignition of propellant charge in which the breech is not locked during
firing, but held closed only by the recoil spring and the weight of the
bolt .
FIREARMS ACCORDING TO FIRING MECHANISM
Firing mechanism – is the mechanical system that transfer energy to
generate heat that causes the chemical reaction that propels the bullet or
ball going to the barrel of a firearm.
Action – is the (heart) functional mechanism of a breech loading or
muzzle loading firearms that handles (loads, locks, fires, extract, ejects)
bullet or method by which mechanism takes place.

MANUAL LOADING AUTOMATIC LOADING

Bolt action Blow back

Lever Action Recoil operated
Slide/Pump Action Gas Operated
Break Through Action
 Bolt Action Type -
reloading takes
place by
manipulating the
bolt back and
forth.
Break Action

– is a type of firearm
where the barrel(s) are
hinged and can be
“break open” to
expose the breech.
Multi barrel break
action firearms are
usually subdivided into
over and under or side-
by-side configurations
for two barrels
The Lever action
firearms use a linked
lever to eject and chamber
cartridge.
Slide or Pump action – loading takes place by back and forth
manipulation of the forearm of the gun.
System of Action
Blowback – a semi- automatic or automatic system of operation for self-loading
firearms that obtains energy from the motion of the cartridge case as it is pushed
to the rear of expanding gases created by the ignition of propellant charge in
which the breech is not locked during firing, but held closed only by the recoil
spring and the weight of the bolt .

Recoil Operated – a locked breech semi automatic or automatic system using a

portion of the recoil energy to cycle the action.

Gas Operated – An automatic or semi automatic firearm with a locked breech

that uses a small amount of the expanding gas created by the burning powder
charge to cycle the action
1. Smooth Bore Firearms – those firearms that have no rifling inside
the gun barrel from the breech end up to the muzzle. Such as;

1. Shotguns- weapon designed to shoot number or shots or pellets

in one discharge
2. Muskets – an ancient smooth bore and muzzle loading
3. Zip gun – all types of homemade guns

Paradox gun – an exemption to the smooth bore firearm due to its

rifling about one centimeter from the muzzle.

Gauge – as applied to shotgun ,it indicates the bore diameter is

equal to diameter of lead ball weighing in pounds
SHOTGUN/GAUGE –
CARTRIDGE CASE
AMMUNITION
•Legal Definition – (Ammunition) refers to a complete unfired unit
consisting of a bullet, gunpowder, cartridge case and primer or loaded shell
for use in any firearm (Section 3, RA No. 10591).

Cartridge
Technical Definition - 
 
•Origin – derived from the Latin word “Charta” meaning – a “paper”
and also from the French word “Cartouche” meaning – a rolled paper.
This only indicates that the first type of cartridge was made up of a rolled
paper. It was about the turn of the 16th century that the term “cartridge”
comes to use
 

 
• 
WHAT IS A CARTRIDGE?
 TWO TYPES OF BULLET ACCORDING TO ITS
MECHANICAL CONSTRUCTION.

Lead Bullet Jacketed Bullet

Those made of a core of lead

covered by jacket of harder
Those are made of lead or alloy of this
materials such as gilding metal,
metal-lead ,tin and antimony which is
slightly harder than the ordinary lead. copper-alloy of approximately 90%
zinc
 GENERAL TYPES OF BULLET ACCORDING TO SHAPE
OF THEIR NOSE OR FREE END

Conical (Pointed) – the free end of the bullet is tapering and pointed. 
Hemispherical (Round) – the free end is dome like and commonly
observed in short firearm.
Wad cutter (Square nose) – the free end is flattened commonly used in
target practices.
Semi- wad cutter- combine features of semi-wad bullet and the round
nose bullet with a sharp-edge designed to cut a  hole in paper target.
Hallow point - bullet which has a cavity or hallow shape at the tip
designed to expand on impact to soft target.
Semi- Jacketed or Soft point- a jacketed bullet with jacket cut back at
the nose to reveal the lead core.
Rifled slug - generally plain lead projectile used in smooth firearm.
 TYPES OF BULLET ACCORDING TO THEIR MAXIMUM EFFECT
 Ball Type - ( have a soft core) for anti-personnel and general use.
 Armor piercing – (consist of penetrator with hardened steel cores,
tungsten carbide or depleted uranium enclosed within a softer
jacket)designed to penetrate light steel armor. 
 Explosive Bullet – containing a charge of explosive
 Incendiary Bullet –( contains a mixture such as phosphorous or
other materials that can be set on fire upon impact) caused fire in a
target.
• Tracer Bullet –(contains compounds usually similar to barium
nitrates which is set on fire when the bullet projected) capable of
leaving visible
CARTRIDGE ACCORDING TO THE SHAPE OF
THE BODY

Straight Case Tapered Case Bottled Neck Case

CARTRIDGE CASE
CARTRIDGE CASE ACCORDING TO THEIR RIM
 CLASSIFICATION OF CARTRIDGE CASE
ACCORDING TO THE CONFIGURATION OF ITS RIM
 
 
1. RIMMED – It has a flange at the base which is larger than the diameter
of the body of the base cartridge case. This flange is to enable the
cartridge case to be extracted from the weapon in which it is used.
2. SEMI – RIMMED – It has a flange which is slightly larger than the
diameter of the cartridge case and a groove around the case body just in
front of the flange.
3. RIMLESS – The flange diameter is the same as the case body, and the
groove around the case body in front of the flange is for extraction
purposes.
4. REBATED- It has an extractor flange which is less than the diameter of
the cartridge case.
5. BELTED CASE – It has a pronounced raised belt encircling the base of
the cartridge, the belt is for additional strength in high pressure cartridge.  
• 
PRIMER
PRIMER
 PARTS OF A PRIMER AND
FUNCTIONS

Primer Cup- it is the soft gliding metal which

serves as the container of the priming mixture,
paper disc and anvil.

Priming Mixture- contains small amount of

explosive mixture which is sufficiently sensitive
to result of chemical reaction being set up by
the caused of its sudden blow.
Paper Disc- this is made a thin shellacked
paper disc that protects the priming
mixture that will cause its disintegration.

Anvil- it is made of spring tempered brass

place inside the primer and it is on this
side or point which the priming mixture is
crushed.
PRIMER
 Primer Pocket-
Cavity in the
center of a base of
a cartridge
designed to
accommodate and
hold securely the
primer into a
center position
FUNCTIONS OF A PRIMER POCKET

1. Holds the primer securely in a center

position;
2. Prevents the escape of gas to th4 rear of
the ammunition;
3. Provides full support for the primer anvil,
without the latter, it could not be fires.
TWO TYPES OF PRIMER ACCORDING
TO THEIR FLASH HOLE
 BERDAN VS BOXER

Berdan primer – (Primer

with two flash holes,
invented by Col. Hiram
Berdan

Boxer primer – ( Primer

with one flash hole, invente
by Col. Edward Boxer.
CARTRIDGE ACCORDING TO THE LOCATION
OF THE PRIMER
•History of Gunpowder

 Gunpowder is that mixture of chemicals of various

compositions designed to propel the projectile by means of its
expansive force of gas when burned.
 The formula for gunpowder appears in the writings
 of the 13th-century English monk Roger Bacon.

 Berthold Schwartz, a German monk of the early 14th

century, may have been the first person to employ gunpowder
for propelling a projectile.
• 
•Black Powder – oldest known explosive, was initially made
from saltpeter, charcoal and sulfur.
GUN POWDER
Two type of gun powder
1. Black powder
Composition:
Potassium Nitrate75%
Charcoal 15%
Sulphur 10%
2. Smokeless Powder
Nitrocellulose 60%
Nitroglycerine 35%
Vaseline 5%
HEADSTAMP OR BASE OF THE CARTRIDGE
 IMPORTANCE OF CARTRIDGE CASE IN
FIREARMS IDENTIFICATION

By means of fired cartridge case you can determine

the particular firearm used. Recovered fired cartridge case
can tell the caliber and type of firearm from it was fired. It
can determine also the condition of barrel, chamber and
other operating mechanism of the firearm used.
 THREE TYPES OF BALLISTICS
(Branches of Ballistics)
 
1. INTERIOR BALLISTICS – refers to the science of
motion of projectiles while inside the gun barrel.
This extends from the breech to the muzzle of the
gun. It involves all the reactions that that takes
place while the bullet is still in the gun. This
includes the following;
INTERIOR BALLISTICS
a) Firing pin hitting the primer.
b) Ignition of the primer
c) Combustion of the gun powder
d) Expansion of the heated gas
e) Pressure developed
f) Energy generated
g) Recoil of the gun
h) Velocity of the bullet
i) Rotation of the bullet to the barrel
j) Engraving of the cylindrical surface of the barrel
INTERNAL BALLISTICS
2. EXTERIOR BALLISTICS (external) – refers to the science of
motion of projectiles after leaving the muzzle of the firearm. It
involves the following;
a. Muzzle blast – the noise created at the muzzle point of
the gun due to expanding gas
comes in contact with the air in the surrounding atmosphere.
b. Muzzle Energy – energy generated at the muzzle of the
gun.
c. Trajectory – the actual curve path of the bullet during
its flight from the gun to the target.
 d. Range – the straight distance from the muzzle to
the target.
 Accurate - shooter or gunner has control of his shots.
 Effective - bullet was fired it is still capable of
inflicting fatal injury.
 Maximum Effective - farthest distance that the bullet
can inflict fatal injury. 
 Maximum - farthest distance the bullet could travel.
 Velocity – rate of the speed of the bullet
e.

per unit of time, measured in foot/second.

 Revolver - 600 ft/sec

 Pistol - 1,200 ft/ sec
 Rifle - 2,500 ft/ sec
 Shotgun -3,300 ft/sec
Pull of Gravity - downward reaction of the bullet towards the earth
surface due to its weight.
Air Resistance - force of the air encounter by the bullet in its flight.
Behavior of Bullet while in Flight.

1. Yaw –it refers to rotation of bullet away from line of

flight.
2. Precession – rotation of bullet away from line of axis.
It decreases as the distance of the bullet from barrel
increases.

3. Nutation – refers to small circular movement at the tip

of bullet.
EXTERNAL BALLISTICS
study of projectile in motion
 3. TERMINAL BALLISTICS – refers to te
effects of the impact of the bullet on the target.

Terminal Ballistics is the study of the bullet

penetration in solids and liquids. It can be subdivided
into penetration potential, which is the capability of the
bullet to penetrate various materials, and wound
ballistics, which s the effect the bullet has on living
tissue.
ENTRY/PENETRATION
TERMINAL PENETRATION POTENTIAL
Terminal Penetration/Wound ballistics
a) Terminal Accuracy – size of the bullet
grouping the target.
b) Terminal Energy - energy of the bullet when
it hits the target. Also striking energy.
c) Terminal Velocity – speed of the bullet upon
hitting the target.
d) Terminal Penetration – depth of bullet
penetration on the target or object hit.
 Striking angle/ bullet penetration

Right Angle – when the bullet

strikes the skin at right angle, the
entrance wound has a circular
appearance.

Obliquely: when the bullet strikes

the skin obliquely, the entrance
wound would be usually oval. It is
an indication the barrel of the
firearm was inclined in
comparison n with the surface, the
direction of inclination indicated
by the property of the wound to
the other end of the burn area.
WOUND BALLISTICS
CLOSEL Contact or Near Fire

• Entrance wound may be a large circular or oval depending

upon the angle of approach of the bullet.
• Abrasion collar or ring is distinct
• Smudging, burning and tattooing are prominent with singeing
of the hair
• Muzzle imprint may be seen depending upon the degree of
slapping of the skin of the gun muzzle.
• There is blackening of the bullet track to a certain depth.
• Carboxyhemoglobin is present in the wound and surrounding
areas.
 
•Short Range Fire (1 to 15cm. distance)

• Edges of the entrance wound is inverted

• If within the flame reach (about6 inches in rifle and
high powered firearms and less than 3 inches from an
ordinary handgun), there is an area of burning.
• Smudging is present due to smoke
• Powder tattooing is present.
• Abrasion ring or collar is present
WOUND BALLISTICS

Medium range (more than 15cm. but less than 60cm)

• Gunshot wound with inverted edges and with abrasion

collar is present.
• Burning effect is absent
• Smudging may be present if less than 30 cm. distance.
• Gunpowder tattooing is present but of lesser density and
has a wider area of distribution.
• Contact ring is present.
Fired more than 60 cm. distance

• Gunshot wound is circular or oval depending

on the angle of approach with abrasion collar.

• Wound of entrance has no burning, smudging

or tattooing. 

• Contact ring is present.

 Factor which make the wound of entrance
bigger than the caliber.

• In the contact or near fire

• Deformity of the bullet which entered

• Bullet might have entered the skin sidewise

• Acute angular approach of the bullet

 BASES FOR FIREARM
IDENTIFICATION

• Firearms identification is actually a refined tool marks

Identification
• The natural wear and tear of the tools involves.
• When the softer surface comes in contact with the
harder surface, the softer surface will receive an
impressions or scratches from the harder object.
• No two things are absolutely identical
 TWO GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS IN FIREARM
IDENTIFICATION

1. Class Characteristics – characteristics in firearm identification that are

determinable prior to the manufacture of a firearm and it is within the control of
man.
• Patent
• Pistol
• caliber
• No.of lands and grooves
• Width of the lands
• Depth of the grooves
• Direction of twist
• Pitch of rifling
2. INDIVIDUAL CHARACTERISTICS
• Characteristics in firearm identification that are
determinable after the manufacture of a firearm
and that is beyond the control of man
• Corrosion – natural wear and tear of the inner
surface of the gun barrel due to rust or leading.
• Erosion – natural wear an tear of the inner
portion of the gun barrel due to sliding action or
friction.
 SEVEN PROBLEMS IN FIREARMS
IDENTIFICATION
1. Given a fired bullet;
2. Given a two or more fired bullets;
3. Given a fired cartridge case;
4. Given a two or more fired cartridge case;
5. Given a fired bullet and a suspected firearm;
6. Given a fired cartridge case and a suspected;
firearm
7. Given a firearm.
BASES IN BULLET IDENTIFICATION

a) No two barrels are microscopically identical as the surface of

their bores; all posses individual characteristics markings.
b) When a bullet is fired from a rifled barrel, it becomes engraved
by the rifling, and this engraving will vary on its minute details
with every individual bore. So, it happens that the engraving on
a bullet fired from one barrel will be different from that on a
similar bullet fired from another barrel. And conversely, the
engraving on the bullet fired from the same barrel will be the
same.
c) Every barrel leaves its thumb mark on every bullet which it
was fired through it, just as every breech face leaves its
thumb mark on the base of the fired cartridge cases.
 MARKS THAT CAN BE FOUND ON A
FIRED BULLET/BULLETS
1. Lands and Grooves marks – marks caused by the rifling
inside the gun barrel;
2. Shaving mark – mark usually found on a fired bullet fired
from a revolver with poor alignment of the cylinder to the
barrel.
3. Skid Mark – mark caused by abrupt movement of the bullet
before it initially rotate to the barrel
4. Stripping mark- mark found on a loose fit barrel or eroded
barrel.
LANDS AND GROOVES MARKS
SKID MARK
 BASES FOR CARTRIDGE CASE IDENTIFICATION

a) The breech face and the striker of every single

firearm leave microscopically individualities at their
own characteristics.
b) The firearm leaves its fingerprints or thumb marks
on every cartridge which it fires.
c) The whole principle of identification is based on the
fact that since the breech face of every weapon
must be individually distinct, the cartridge case
which it fires is imprinted with this individuality.
The imprints on all cartridge case fired from the
same weapon are the same and those fired from
other weapon are also different.
 MARKS FOUND A FIRED
1. Firing pin Mark – generally found on the base of the cartridge
case eitherCARTRIDGE CASE
at the center or rim of the case.
2. Breech Face mark-found on the base portion of the case
cause by the backward movement to the breech face of the
base of the shell.
3. Chamber mark- found around the body of the fired cartridge
case cause by the irregularity nips inside the wall of the
chamber.
4. Ejector mark-found on a cartridge case fired from automatic
firearm, It is located near the rim of the case cause by the
throwing of shell out of the gun.
5. Extractor mark – marks found on the extracting groove of
a fired cartridge case cause by withdrawal of empty shell
from a chamber of an arm.
6. Shearing mark- sometimes called “secondary firing pin
mark” found on the primer near the firing pin
7. Magazine lip mark-marking found on the two sides of the
rim cause by the magazine lips during the loading of the
cartridge case into the magazine for firing.
FIRING PIN MARK
SHEARING MARK
EJECTOR MARK
EXTRACTOR MARK
Physical Examination of Evidence Bullet
BULLET COMPARISON THROUGH
NAKED EYE
 The Examination Process
Through the use of
Bullet Comparison Microscope
 METHODS AND TECHNIQUES USE
FOR EXAMINATION OF BULLET AND
CARTRIDGE CASE COMPARISON

• Visual examination
• Comparison Miroscope
• Bore Scope
• Comparison Camera
• Photographic comparison
EXAMINATION PROCESS
BULLET COMPARISON FIG 1
Evidence Standard
BULLET COMPARISION FIG 2
Evidence Standard
Physical Examination of a Fired Cartridge
case
CARTRIDGE CASE COMPARISON
Evidence Standard
EJECTOR MARK COMAPARISON
Evidence Standard