Lesson 4. Branches of Ballistics

FIREARMS IDENTIFICATION
Questioned Document
Firearms
Medico-Legal Identification
Fingerprint
Chemistry
Identification
Physical Polygraphy
Identification
Photography
DARIO F GUINAYEN
BRANCHES
OF
BALLISTICS
DARIO F GUINAYEN
1. Interior/Internal
It involves all reactions that
take place while the bullet is still
in the gun.
This extends from the “breech”
to the “muzzle” of the gun.
DARIO F GUINAYEN
Interior (Internal) Ballistics
From the release of the firing pin to the

moment the sound of the shot can be
heard as it leaves the muzzle occupies
only about 0.01 seconds.
DARIO F GUINAYEN
2. Exterior/External
Refers to the attributes and
movements of the bullet after it has
left the gun muzzle.
Deals with what happens after the
bullet leaves the barrel.
DARIO F GUINAYEN
This branch involves the following:
a. Muzzle Blast - the sound
associated with the round being
fired.
Muzzle flash - the light or flame
associated with the round being
fired.
b. Muzzle Energy
c. Trajectory – the actual pattern or
the curved path of the bullet in flight.
Stages of trajectory:
1. straight horizontal line
2. parabola like flight
3. vertical drop
d. Range – the straight distance
between muzzle and target.
Types of Range:
1. Accurate - the distance within
which the shooter has control
of his shots.
2. Effective range – the
distance at which the projectile
can be expected to be lethal.
3. Maximum range – the
farthest distance that a projectile
can be propelled from a firearm.
Point Blank Range
A shot fired so closed to the
target that no sighting is
necessary for effective aiming.
e. Velocity – speed of the bullet
measured in ft/sec.
f. Air resistance (drag) – force of

the air encountered by the bullet
in its flight.
g. Pull of gravity – downward
reaction of the bullet towards
the earth center due to its
weight.
h. Penetration – the entry of the bullet

on target.
3. TERMINAL BALLISTICS
The study of the behavior of a
projectile when it hits its target.
Deals with the destructive actions
and effects that occur at the
end of the projectile’s flight.
Terminal Ballistics
It is often referred to as
stopping power when dealing
with human or other living
targets.
It involves the following:
a. Terminal accuracy – refers to the

size of bullet grouping on the target.
b. Terminal energy – refer to the

energy of the projectile when hitting
the target.
c. Terminal penetration – the depth
of entry of the projectile on the
target.
d. Terminal velocity – refer to the

speed of the bullet
Note:
When a projectile hits its target,
terminal ballistics phenomenon that
occur may be one or a combination
of the following:
a. Indentation
b. Penetration
c. Perforation
d. Ricochet
e. Fragmentation
f. Detonation and other related
blast phenomena
g. Combustion and incendiary
effects
Reminder
 Interior, Exterior and Terminal
Ballistics all deals with the study
of motion of projectiles.
4. SHOT BALLISTICS
Refer to the study of shots
from smooth bore firearms like
shotgun and muskets.
5. WOUND BALLISTICS
The study of the effects of a
projectile on a target and the
conditions that affects them.
Bullet wound Phenomenon
Entry wound is generally clean, round
holes slightly smaller than the bullets that
caused them; as the bullet travels
through the body it produces a
shockwave, which damages the tissue
around its path. This is known as
“TISSUE QUAKE”.
SHOCKWAVES FROM A BULLET IN
FLIGHT
3 Basic Kinds of GSW
Distinguished by the
Proximity of the
Weapon Causing
Them
1. Contact – gun muzzle pressed
against, or within an inch or
two, of the body.
2. Close Discharge – 6” to 2ft
3. Distance discharge – over
2 or 3 ft.
The appearance
of the wounding
characteristics in
the skull is shown
in the diagram.
There is beveling
of the skull
outward away
from the direction
of origin of the
bullet.
The physical effects that indicate a
contact shot may include:
1. ripping and tearing of cloth,

2. burning and/or singeing of cloth,
3. melted tips of artificial fibers,
4. heavy vaporous lead (smoke)
deposits around a suspected bullet
hole.
Entrance Vs. Exit wounds
6.
Forensic Ballistics
Forensic Ballistics
It is the science of analyzing FA
usage in crimes by means of the
ammunition fired through them.
Forensic ballistics involves
analysis of bullets and bullet
impacts to determine the type.
Forensic Ballistics
 This is the real branch of
science which the police use as
their guide in field investigation.
Divisions of Forensic
Ballistics
1. Field Investigations
2. Technical Examinations of the
Ballistic Exhibits
(3) Legal Proceedings/Court
Duty
FIREARMS IDENTIFICATION
In its narrowest meaning, is the
science by which one can determine
whether or not a particular bullet was
fired from a particular gun.
Firearms Identification
In its broadest definition, it is

the knowledge with which one
is enabled to reveal any
pertinent facts about FA’s or
ammunition which assist in the
investigation of a crime.
Firearms Identification
Discipline of forensic science which has
as its primary concern the examination of
bullets, cartridge cases, and other
ammunition components to determine if
they were fired from a specific firearm.
(AFTE Definition)
Note: Firearms Identification
is a forensic science often
referred to as ballistics or
forensic ballistics.
END of LESSON 4

Lesson 4. Branches of Ballistics

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FIREARMS IDENTIFICATION

From the release of the firing pin to the

f. Air resistance (drag) – force of

h. Penetration – the entry of the bullet

a. Terminal accuracy – refers to the

b. Terminal energy – refer to the

d. Terminal velocity – refer to the

1. ripping and tearing of cloth,

In its broadest definition, it is

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