Forensic Ballistics Overview
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Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of the Bullet Comparison Microscope in Forensic Ballistics?

  • To compare evidence bullets or shells to test bullets or shells to determine if they were fired from the same gun. (correct)
  • To identify the manufacturer of a firearm based on its serial number.
  • To analyze the chemical composition of gunshot residue on a suspected weapon.
  • To measure the pitch of riflings in firearms.

    • What does the term "Ballistics" originate from?

  • Latin words meaning "to throw" and "to propel"
  • Greek words meaning "to throw" and "to hurl" (correct)
  • Ancient Roman war machines called "Ballista"
  • The name of a famous early ballistics researcher.

    • What kind of science best describes Ballistics?

  • A pure science focused on the laws of motion.
  • A branch of chemistry focusing on the chemical reactions involved in firing a weapon.
  • An applied science dealing with the practical application of physics to projectile motion. (correct)
  • A social science studying the impact of firearms on society.

    • What is the primary purpose of a Stereoscope in Forensic Ballistics?

    <p>To provide a detailed examination of fired bullets and cartridge cases for class characteristics and orientation. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a scientific instrument utilized in Forensic Ballistics?

    <p>Spectrophotometer (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the Helixometer used for in Forensic Ballistics?

    <p>To measure the distance a bullet travels in one complete rotation within the barrel. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term used to describe any metallic or non-metallic ball that is propelled from a firearm?

    <p>Projectile (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A Bullet Recovery Box is most closely associated with which of the following tasks?

    <p>Firing a suspected weapon to collect test fired bullets and shells for comparison. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term for the failure of a cartridge to explode after the firing pin strikes the primer?

    <p>Misfire (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of a Taper Gauge?

    <p>Determining the bore diameter of firearms (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term used to describe the actual pattern or curved path of a bullet in flight?

    <p>Trajectory (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term for the action of a bullet passing through a rifled barrel, resulting in a twist either to the left or right?

    <p>Rotatory Motion (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a factor that affects a bullet's trajectory?

    <p>Caliber of the bullet (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term for the stable rotating motion of a bullet during its flight?

    <p>Gyroscopic Stability (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term for the speed of a bullet?

    <p>Velocity (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term for the LOUD BANG sound created at the muzzle end of the barrel of the firearm after explosion?

    <p>Muzzle Blast (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term for the energy generated after a bullet leaves the firearm?

    <p>Muzzle Energy (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term for the greatest distance a projectile can travel when fired at the optimum angle of elevation of the barrel?

    <p>Maximum Range (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the branch of ballistics that deals with the motion of a projectile while it is still inside the firearm?

    <p>Interior Ballistics (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term for the backward movement of the gun after firing?

    <p>Recoil (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of the motion of a bullet inside the barrel?

    <p>Trajectory of the bullet (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term for the delay of explosion of the gunpowder after the firing pin hits the primer?

    <p>Hangfire (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term for the wobbling motion of a bullet due to uneven pressure applied to one side?

    <p>Yaw (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term for the depth of the bullet on the target?

    <p>Terminal Penetration (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Forensic Ballistics

    • Ballistics is the science of projectile motion and the conditions affecting it. It's an applied physics, evolving as modern civilization advances.
    • A projectile is any object propelled from a firearm, metallic or non-metallic.
    • Ballistics is not an exact science; it's a dynamic field subject to improvement.

    Origin of the Word Ballistics

    • Derived from the Greek words "ballo" and "ballein," meaning "to throw."
    • Also associated with the Roman war machine, the Ballista, a giant catapult.

    Scientific Instruments in Forensic Ballistics

    Bullet Comparison Microscope

    • Crucial tool in ballistics labs.
    • Used to compare evidence bullets/shells with test bullets/shells to determine if they came from the same firearm.

    Stereoscopic Microscope

    • Preliminary examinations for fired bullets/shells, identifying class characteristics (relative distributions).
    • Used for examining altered serial numbers on firearms.

    Bullet Recovery Box

    • Used in test firing to recover bullets and cartridge cases for comparison with evidence.

    Helixometer

    • Measures the "pitch of riflings" in firearms.
    • Rifling pitch is the distance a bullet travels in one complete 360-degree rotation within the barrel.
    • Often used in advanced ballistics labs or commercial agencies.

    Analytical/Torsion Balance

    • Weighs bullets/shotgun pellets to potentially determine firearm type, caliber, and make.

    Ooscope

    • Small instrument for examining a gun barrel's internal surface.
    • Tiny lamp inserted for internal viewing.

    Taper Gauge

    • Used to identify firearm bore diameter.

    Electric Gun Marker

    • Used in labs to mark bullets, shells, and firearms.

    Chronograph

    • Measures bullet speed (muzzle velocity).

    Shadowgraph

    • Contains microscopic lenses for examining fired bullets/shells, determining class characteristics for orientation purposes.
    • Features a large circular ground glass.

    Projectile Motion

    • Projectile motion is categorized into:
      • Direct Motion: The forward motion of the bullet caused by expanding gases from burning gunpowder.
      • Rotatory Motion: The bullet's rotation as it travels through the rifled barrel (twisted left or right).
      • Translational Motion: The bullet's movement after hitting a target, potentially causing ricochet.

    Branches of Ballistics

    • Early ballistics was divided into:
      • Internal (or Interior) ballistics
      • External or Exterior ballistics
      • Terminal ballistics
    • Modern ballistics includes forensic ballistics, addressing firearm-related crime investigations.

    Internal Ballistics

    • Focuses on the projectile's motion inside the firearm:
      • Firing pin striking primer
      • Primer mixture ignition
      • Gunpowder/propellant combustion
      • Heated gas expansion
      • Pressure development
      • Energy generation
      • Gun recoil
      • Bullet velocity within the barrel
      • Bullet rotation within the barrel
      • Marks/cavities engraved on the bullet
    • Land: elevated portion of the barrel
    • Grooves: depressed portion of the barrel

    Misfire vs. Hang-Fire

    • Misfire: Failure of a cartridge to explode after firing pin impact
    • Hang-fire: Delayed explosion of gunpowder after firing pin impact.

    Exterior Ballistics

    • Examines projectile motion after leaving the firearm's muzzle:
      • Muzzle blast (loud bang sound)
      • Muzzle energy (energy after leaving the firearm)
      • Trajectory (bullet's flight path)
      • Range (distance between firearm and target)
      • Effective range
      • Accurate range
      • Maximum range
      • Velocity (bullet speed)
      • Air resistance
      • Gravity's pull
      • Penetration
      • Gyroscopic Stability (rotating motion of bullet)
      • Yaw (wobbling motion due to uneven pressure)
      • Bullet drop vs. gravity
      • Bullet fired upward: velocity remains mostly the same on descent (unless air resistance is significant).

    Terminal Ballistics

    • Studies the bullet's effects on the target:
      • Terminal accuracy (bullet grouping size)
      • Terminal energy (bullet's energy)
      • Terminal velocity (bullet's speed)
      • Terminal penetration (bullet's depth of impact)
    • Types of damage caused by bullets.

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    Description

    Explore the fascinating field of forensic ballistics, which focuses on the science of projectile motion and the tools used in ballistics labs. Learn about essential instruments like bullet comparison microscopes and their roles in crime scene investigations. This quiz will deepen your understanding of how ballistics contributes to forensic science.

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