- It refers to the study of projectile penetration on tissues
WOUND BALLISTICS
is a form of physical trauma sustained from the discharge of arms or munitions.
- A gunshot wound, also known as GSW, ballistic trauma or bullet wound
– gun muzzle pressed against, or within an inch or two, of the body.
Contact
– 6 inches to 2 ft.
Close discharge
– over 2 ft. or 3 ft.
Distance Discharge
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS ON BULLETS
SOUVENIR BULLET – bullet has been lodged and has remained in the body
- BULLET MIGRATION – bullet that is not lodged in place where it was previously located
- BULLET EMBOLISM – special form of bullet migration when the bullet loses its momentum while inside the chamber of the heart or inside the big blood vessels and carried out by the circulating blood to some parts of the body where it may lodged
– bullet has been lodged and has remained in the body
SOUVENIR BULLET
– bullet that is not lodged in place where it was previously located
BULLET MIGRATION
– special form of bullet migration when the bullet loses its momentum while inside the chamber of the heart or inside the big blood vessels and carried out by the circulating blood to some parts of the body where it may lodged
BULLET EMBOLISM
- If the number of gunshot wounds of entrance and exit found in the body of the victim is even, the presumption is that no bullet is lodged in the body, but if the number of the gunshot wounds of entrance and exit is odd, the presumption is that one or more bullets might have been lodged in the body.
The “Odd and Even Rule” in Gunshot Wounds
- Deals with the attributes and properties of shots and pellets. Focused with the study of shots/pellets from smoothbore firearms like shotguns and muskets
SHOTS BALLISTICS
- It is an open wound produced by the penetration of pellets or shots within the tissues of the body. In shotgun fire, the pellets penetrate and usually lodged inside the body and a tendency for a wider dispersion of pellets at a certain distance except in contact and near contact fires.
SHOTGUN WOUND
COMPUTATIONS
mm-Cal. and Cal. to mm
Cal to mm (x 25.4) Cal.38–mm.38x25.4=9.652or9mm
mm to Caliber (x .03937)
5.56 mm – Cal 5.56 x .03937 = .2188972 or .22 Caliber
SYSTEM OF CALIBER MEASUREMENTS
American System (2 digits)
Expressed in hundredths of an inch such as Cal .45, .38, .25, .30.
English System (3 digits)
Expressed in thousandths of an inch such as Cal .357, .380, .223.
Continental/ European System
Expressed in millimeters such as Cal 9mm, 5.56mm, 7.62mm.
-(2 digits)
Expressed in hundredths of an inch such as Cal .45, .38, .25, .30
American System
-(3 digits)
Expressed in thousandths of an inch such as Cal .357, .380, .223.
English System
Expressed in millimeters such as Cal 9mm, 5.56mm, 7.62mm.
Continental/ European System
The 9 Problems in Forensic Ballistics
- Given an Evidence Bullet, the FA Examiner will determine its Caliber and the FA that was used
- Given an Evidence Cartridge Case / Shell, the FA Examiner determine its Caliber and the FA that was used.
- Given Two or more Evidence Bullets, the FA Examiner determine if the evidence bullets were fired from one and the same firearm, or two different firearms.
- Given Two or more Evidence Cartridge Cases /Shells, the FA Examiner determine if the evidence cartridge cases were fired from one and the same firearm or two different firearms
- Given an Evidence Bullet and an Evidence Firearm, the FA Examiner determine if the evidence bullet was fired from the evidence firearm.
- Given an Evidence Cartridge Case and an Evidence Firearm, the FA Examiner determine whether the evidence cartridge case/shell was fired from the evidence firearm.
- Given an Evidence Firearm, the FA Examiner determine if it is serviceable by test firing.
- Given an ammunition (unfired) determine its serviceability
- Given pellets/shots, determine the size of shots.
● All evidence bullets are fired bullets but not all fired bullets are evidence bullets.
● All test bullets are fired bullets.
● Test bullets are not evidence bullets but may serve as
standard specimens
● Evidence bullets maybe called slug when found in the crime
scene.
REMINDERS
Republic Act 10591
defines firearms
“refers to any handheld or portable weapon, whether a small arm or light weapon, that expels or is designed to expel a bullet, shot, slug, missile or any projectile, which is discharged by means of expansive force of gases from burning gunpowder or other form of combustion or any similar instrument or implement. For purposes of this Act, the barrel, frame or receiver is considered a firearm.
FIREARM
“are herein used includes rifles, muskets, carbines, shotguns, revolvers, pistols and all other deadly weapons from which a bullet, ball, shot, shell or other missile may discharge off by means of gunpowder or other explosives. The 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 (Sec. 877, Revised Administrative Code see also Sec. 290 National Internal Revenue Code).
FIREARMS” OR “ARMS”
– An imitation firearm used in the commission of a crime shall be considered a real firearm as defined in this Act and the person who committed the crime shall be punished in accordance with this Act: Provided, That injuries caused on the occasion of the conduct of competitions, sports, games, or any recreation activities involving imitation firearms shall not be punishable under this Act. (RA 10591)
SEC. 35. Use of an Imitation Firearm.
- Is the tube, usually made of metal, through which a controlled explosion or rapid expansion of gases are released in order to propel a projectile out of the end at a high velocity.
Gun Barrel
