At the end of the session, the Law student should be able to-1) Recite the technical and legal definition of firearm2) Identify the (a) components of a weapon, (b)

objects and substances fired from a gun3) Familiarize himself with terms connected with the

firing of a gun4) Differentiate between a GSW of entrance from a

GSW of exit5) Know the “Odd and Even Rule” in GSW6) Enumerate the importance of X-ray examination

in GSW

◦ 7) Cite the role of Paraffin test in crime investigation

◦ 8) Know what questions to ask the medical practitioner in court

◦ 9) Identify the characteristics of GSW in cases of- Suicide Homicide Accident Murder

Technical Definition:◦ An instrument used for the propulsion of a

projectile by the expansive force of gases coming from the burning of gunpowder

Legal Definition (Sec. 877, Revised Administrative Code) –◦ Firearm or arm, as herein used, includes rifles,

muskets, shotguns, revolvers, pistols, and all other deadly weapons from which a bullet, ball, shot, shell, or other missile may be discharged by means of gunpowder or other explosives. The term also includes air rifles except such as being of small caliber and limited range are used as toys. The barrel of any firearm shall be considered as a complete firearm for all purposes thereof.

Cartridge or ammunition◦ A complete unfired unit consisting of bullet,

primer, cartridge case and powder charge

Firearm◦ The instrument for the propulsion of a projectile

by the expansive forces of gases from a burning gunpowder

Bullet Flame Gas (heated, compressed and expanded) Residues coming from-

◦ Bullet - fragment (jacket, lead)◦ Powder particles - powder grains, soot, graphite◦ Primer - lead, barium, antimony, etc◦ Barrel - lubricant, rust, dust◦ Cartridge case – copper, zinc

Smoke (Soot, Smudging, Fouling, Smoke Blackening)◦ Byproduct of combustion of the gunpowder◦ Almost black and deposited on the target (can be

wiped off)◦ Seen within a distance of up to 12 inches

Powder Grains◦ Unburned, burning or partially burned powder

together with graphite that comes out of the muzzle

◦ Responsible for tattooing (stippling, peppering) around the gunshot wound of entrance

Powder Burns◦ Blackening of the margin of the gunshot wound of

entrance due to smoke smudging, gunpowder tattooing and the burning of the wound margin

Abrasion Collar ◦ Depression of the skin upon contact with the

rough surface of the bullet Metal fouling

◦ Small abrasions or superficial lacerations on the skin around the wound

Tandem Bullet◦ Two or more bullets leave the barrel one after the

other and entered the target in a common hole

Singeing of hair◦ Burning of hair

Souvenir bullet◦ Bullet that has been lodged and remained in the

body Bullet migration

◦ Bullet that travelled to another part of the body Bullet embolism

◦ A special form of bullet migration wherein the bullet enters the heart or a big blood vessel and is carried by the blood to some part of the body

Wound of entrance Wound of exit

Appears smaller than the missile

Edges are inverted Oval or round shape (+) contusion collar or

contact ring Tattooing or smudging

may be present (near fire)

Underlying tissues not protruding

Paraffin test may be (+)

Always present

Always bigger than the missile

Edges are everted No definite shape (-) contusion collar

Always absent

Underlying tissues protruding

Paraffin test always (-) May be absent

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 gunshot wounds of entrance and exit is ODD, the presumption is that one or more bullets might have been lodged in the body

Facilitate the location of the bullet Reveal fragmentation Show bone involvement, like fracture Reveal the trajectory of the bullet Show the effects of the bullet wound like

hemorrhage, escape of air, laceration and other injuries

Also known as Dermal Nitrate Test, Diphenylamine test, Lung’s test, Gonzales’ test

Test on the skin of the dorsum of the hand or at the site of the wound of entrance

(+) in the presence of nitrate or nitrite Not conclusive NOT self-incriminatory because the act is

purely mechanical and does not require the use of mental faculty

Could the wound or wounds be inflicted by the weapon presented?

At what range was it fired? What was the direction of the fire? May it be possible that those gunshot

wounds were self-inflicted? Were there signs of struggle in the victim? Did the victim die instantaneously? Where was the relative position of the

assailant and he victim when the shot was fired?

Accessibility of the involved part to the hand of the victim

Usually only one gunshot wound Distance is short or close range Presence of a suicide note History of depression Wounding weapon tightly held by the victim (+) paraffin test Exclusion of other evidences

Wound found in any part of the body Victim at a certain distance from the

assailant Signs of struggle (defense wound) may be

present Disturbance of the surrounding Wounding weapon usually not found at the

scene of the crime Testimony of witnesses

Usually one gunshot wound Wound in any part of the body Absence of personal grudge between the

victim and the one who fired the gun Testimony from witnesses

Usually at the back (treachery) Multiple gunshot wounds Wounds show far distance fire Wounds in the vital parts of the body like

the head, heart, chest No defense wounds or any sign of struggle Firearm usually of high muzzle velocity Seldom is there any witness to the crime Presence of aggravating circumstances,

superior strength, aid of armed men, etc

Should the GUN MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY

in Danao City be legalized? Support your

answer.

http://crimephilippines.wordpress.com/category/forensic-science/