Ballistic Analysis

Ballistic AnalysisNote #2

Bullets to Guns• It is extremely difficult to convict someone of a

murder without possession of the murder weapon•Matching a bullet with a gun is essential in most

cases of shooting• Striations on bullets• Impressions on cartridge cases

Striation• Bullets become

scarred by rifling as they travel down the barrel of a gun

• No two rifle barrels have identical striated markings

Striations

Matching Procedure• Fire bullets from a suspected weapon•With the aid of a comparison microscope,

compare these “test fires” to the suspected bullets• Striations must be identical for a positive

match

Comparison Microscope

Two scopes in one field

Cartridge Cases• The weapon’s firing and loading

mechanisms impress the shell with markings• The impression of firing pin into the

primer•Other surface markings on cartridge case

• The markings on the shell can be compared to determine the suspected weapon

Impression on Primers

Markings on the Cartridge Cases

•https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBKJZTkbypo&feature=player_embedded

Other Information from Ballistic Analysis

•Gunpowder: assessment of the distance of weapon and wound up to 4 feet• Effects on target: type of firearms• Primer residue on the hand: identification of the

shooter• Serial number of the firearm: identification of the

weapon