FORENSIC BALLISTICS

Q and A

Presented by
Dr. JEZREEL VICENTE, RC, CSP, CCS, CST, CSMS
Program Head, Forensics, University of Baguio
Guest Instructor, PPSC-CARTC, Baguio City
VP for Luzon, PCAP National
Mobile no. 0977-8877-300

1. The science of motion of projectile is _____.

A. ballistician
B. forensic ballistics
C. firearms identification
D. ballistics

Forensic Ballistics - is the study of firearms Identification by means of the

ammunition fired through them.

2. What is the characteristics of a DUM-DUM BULLET that was invented in INDIA?

A. boat tail bullet
B. incendiary bullet
C. soft and hollow point bullet
D. sharp pointed military bullet

3. The caliber of firearms can be determined through the bore diameter, measured
from ___:
A. Rifling
B. Two opposite grooves
C. Two opposite lands
D. Lands and grooves

4. This holds a round in the chamber, and absorbs the recoil of the cartridge when the
round is fired, preventing the cartridge case from moving.
A. Extractor
B. Breech face
C. Head space
D. Breechblock

5. The firearms that propelled projectiles more than one inch in diameter is called
_____.
a. Short arms
b. Small arms
 c. Artillery
d. Handguns

Small arms – less than 1 inch in diameter. Jurisdiction of Ballisticians.

6. A SMITH & WESSON type of firearm has a class characteristics of:

A. 4 Rifling, RHT
B. 5 Rifling, RHT
C. 6 Rifling, RHT
D. 7 Rifling, RHT

Types of Rifling
 Colt type = 6 Rifling, LHT
 Steyr Type = 4 Rifling, RHT
 Army type = 4 Rifling, RHT
 Browning Type = 6 Rifling, RHT
 Webley type = 7 Rifling, RHT
 Smith and Wesson Type = 5 Rifling, RHT

7. When the bullet enters the breech end of the barrel, what marks are left when
bullet moves straight forward without yet turning motion because the Rifling did not yet
get the bullet.
A. Land marks
B. Skid marks
C. Slippage marks
D. Shaving or stripping marks

8. These marks are found on bullets fired from a Revolver due to a poor alignment
of the cylinder and barrel of a revolver and is common to Home Made Guns.
a. Shaving or stripping marks
b. Skid marks
c. Pivot marks
d. Landmarks

MARKS ON BULLET
 Land Marks – caused by lands in the barrel
 Groove marks – caused by grooves in the barrel
 Skid marks – caused by the bullet that moves forward before rifling catch the bullet.
 Slippage marks – caused by rifling in a worn out, oversize or oily barrel.
 Shaving/Stripping marks – this is done with the bullet when the chamber and the
barrel are not aligned.

9. The inventor of gunpowder is credited to _____:

A. Alexander John Forsyth
B. Philip O. Gravelle
C. Berthold Swartz
 D. Roger Bacon

Wu Ching Tsun – the unrecognized inventor of gunpowder.

Roger Bacon (1248) - an English monk and scientist, credited with the invention of
gunpowder (blackpowder).
Constantine Anklitzen (a.k.a. Berthold Schwartz) (1300) - A German monk was credited
for the application of gunpowder for propelling missile.

10. What is the equipment that measures the pitch of rifling?

A. Chronograph
B. Helixometer
C. Onoscope
D. Torsion Balance
Chronograph – speed of bullet or muzzle velocity
Onoscope – interior surface of barrel.
Analytical balance (Torsion) – weight of projectiles

Equipment Used In Ballistics Laboratory

 Calipers – Caliber
 Chronograph – speed of bullet or the muzzle velocityOnoscope – interior surface
of barrel.
 Taper Gauge – bore diameter = Caliber
 Analytical balance (Torsion) – weight of projectiles
 Bullet Recovery Box – for test firing
 Comparison Microscope – used to determine the similarity and dissimilarity two
fired bullets or cartridges.
 Stereocope Microscope – used in preliminary examination of fired bullets and
fired shells.

11.What do you call the hitting of a bullet in sideway to the target?

a. Keyhole shot
b. Yaw
c. Through and through
d. Oblique wound

Yaw – the unstable movement of bullet which may tumble and wobble.

12. A cartridge case whose rim diameter is the same with the diameter of its body.
a. rimmed
b. belted
c. Semi-rimmed
d. rimless

13. Which of the following is used to measure Caliber?

a. Micrometer
 b. Caliper
c. Torsion Balance
d. Taper gauge
Micrometer - for bullet and shell
Torsion Balance – for bullet and shell
Taper gauge – for barrel

14. When two specimens are compared under the comparison microscope and
is being examined side by side:
a. Positively match
b. Pseudo match
c. Juxtaposition
d. Intermarriage
Intermarriage – the half image of evidence and test are put as one.

15. In the United States, home-made weapons are generally referred to as:
a. Freakish device
b. Zip guns
c. Matchlock
d. Flare guns

Paltik – Philippines
- No serial number
- Manufactured by bogus companies

16. The color of the point of Tracer Bullet is:

A. Red
B. Blue
C. Black
D. Red and Blue

Armor-piercing Bullet – has Black tip

Tracer Bullet – Barium Nitrates (projected upward)
Incendiary Bullet – Phosphorous (sets fire on target)

17. A 12-gauge shotgun has an equivalent diameter of :

a. .730”
b. .728”
c. .729”
d. .724”

Principle:
The lower the gauge no. = the bigger the pellets, less in no.
The higher, the smaller the pellets, more in number.
18. A complete unfired unit of ammunition inserted into the chamber of firearm for
firing is referred to as:
a. Bullet
b. Shell
c. Primer
d. Cartridge

19. Rifling located inside the barrel of a gun is a combination of:

a. Pitch of rifling
b. Twist
c. Lands & grooves
d. Cannelures

20. Class characteristics are determinable even ______ the manufacture of firearm:
a. During
b. After
c. Before
d. Before and after

Examples of Class Characteristics:

1. Caliber
2. No. of Lands and Grooves
3. Rifling Twist

21. Given a firearm to a ballistician, what is to be done?

a. To determine whether serviceable or not
b. To determine the caliber
c. To determine the power
d. To determine the owner

22. An investigator who recovered a fired bullet from the crime scene will request the
ballistician to determine:
a. Owner of the firearm
b. Model of the firearm
c. Caliber and type of the firearm used
d. Manufacture

23. The heavier and longer a bullet is, the _____ the rifling twist rate needs to be to
stabilize it in flight, therefore a lighter shorter bullet needs a _____ rifling twist rate to
give proper bullet spin for correct flight.

A. Faster - slower
B. Slower-faster
C. Faster-faster
D. Slower-slower
25. If a firearm’s caliber is expressed in hundredths of an inch such as Cal .45, .38, .25,
.30.. What caliber measurement is used?
A. American System
B. English System
C. Continental system
D. European System

Different Systems of Caliber Measurements

1. American System (2 digits)

Expressed in hundredths of an inch
such as Cal .45, .38, .25, .30.

2. English System (3 digits)

Expressed in thousandths of an inch
such as Cal .357, .380, .223.

3. Continental/ European System

Expressed in millimeters
such as Cal 9mm, 5.56mm, 7.62mm.

Computations: mm-Cal. and Cal. to mm

Cal to mm (x 25.4)
Cal .38 – mm
.38 x 25.4 = 9.642 or 9 mm

mm to Caliber (x .03937)
5.56 mm – Cal
5.56 x .03937 = .2178972 or .22 Caliber

NOTE: After computing, always go to the nearest Caliber (Just like no. 1)

25. That science dealing with the motion of projectile from the time the firer squeezes
the trigger up to the time it reaches the muzzle of the barrel is called:
A. Posterior ballistics
B. Interior ballistics
C. Exterior ballistics
D. Terminal ballistics

Branches of Ballistics:

1. Interior Ballistics
 Also called Internal Ballistics
 Study of projectile while still inside the barrel
  From Breech to the Muzzle of barrel
 Misfire – failure to explode
 Hangfire – delayed explosion

2. Exterior Ballistics (External )- from after leaving the muzzle to before immediately
hitting the target.
 Muzzle blast – noise or sound created at the muzzle
 Muzzle energy – the energy (wave) generated at the muzzle
 Trajectory – the actual curve path
 Range – between muzzle and target.
 Velocity – rate of the speed of the bullet (feet per second)
 Air resistance – encountered by bullet on flight.
 Yawing - the unstable movement of bullet on flight such as wobbling (Tailwag) or
tumbling of bullet before hitting target.
 Keyhole shot – caused by yawing of bullet resulting to hitting of target sideways
resulting to oval-like entry of bullet.
 Pull of gravity – the downward movement of the bullet after reaching its
maximum range.
 Penetration – the entry of the bullet to the target.
 Ricochet – the bouncing of a projectile after hitting a surface.

3. Terminal Ballistics - the study of effects/impact of projectile to the target.

 Terminal accuracy – size of the bullet grouping on the target
 Terminal energy – energy of the projectile upon striking the target.
 Terminal penetration – depth of the bullet penetration on the target.
 Terminal velocity – speed of the bullet inside the target.

4. Forensic Ballistics – science of FA identification by means of the ammunition fired

through them.
 Field investigation – CSI by investigators/SOCO.
 Technical/Laboratory Examination – refers to the examination/comparison
conducted by Firearm examiner.
 Legal proceedings – Court Duties

26. It is where the priming mixture is crushed by blow from the firing pin.
A. Priming mixture
B. Primer cup
C. Anvil
D. Disc

27. In order for marks on bullet to be acceptable to form part as evidence in court, it
must be _____.
A. Prominent
B. Consistent
 C. Significant
D. Caused by the rifling

28. A gun with barrel which is smoothbore but at the near end of its barrel contains
rifling.
A. Shotgun
B. Paradox gun
C. Musket
D. Carbine

Characteristics of FAs
 Class Characteristics – these were set even before the manufacture of FAs.
These are factory specifications.
 Individual Characteristics – are determined after the manufacture of FA.

Significant Features of Class Characteristics

 Caliber or Bore Diameter – determined with a bullet, shell, or bore of the gun.
 No. of Lands and Grooves – always the same in number.
 Width of Lands and Grooves – how wide the lands and grooves. NOT always the
same.
 Twist of Rifling – either RIGHT or LEFT.
 Pitch of Rifling – one complete turn of bullet inside the barrel.
 Depth of Grooves – how deep the groove or the height of every land.

29. The bullet weight of Cal .45 is _____.

A. 300 grains
B. 230 grains
C. 320 grains
D. 200 grains

Grain - the smallest unit of weight

31. A primer with two flash holes or vent with the anvil integral with the cartridge case
and is also called as EUROPEAN TYPE OF PRIMER.
A. Berdan
B. Boxer
C. Boxer-Berdan
D. Battery Cup Type

Kinds of primer:
 Boxer = has ONE flash vent or flash hole.
 Berdan = has TWO flash vents or flash holes.
 Boxer-Berdan = has THREE vents/flash holes
 Battery Cup Type = for shotgun ammo
31. When loaded firearm is found in the crime scene, what is the first thing to be
done by the collector?
A. The FA should be cautiously observed of presence of fingerprints
B. The FA should be properly handled and unloaded
C. The FA should be properly dusted for fingerprints
D. The FA should be properly marked for future identification.

32. The term muzzle velocity refers most accurately to the:

A. Acceleration of the projectile in flight
B. Speed of ammunition
C. Rate of combustion of gunpowder
D. Speed of bullet

33. Fired bullet is initialed at _____, EXCEPT:

A. Base or Posterior portion
B. Nose or Anterior Portion
C. Ogive
D. Side or Bearing Surface

34. Fired shell is initialed at what part?

A. Inside or outside of the shell near the mouth
B. Inside or outside the fired shell
C. Outside near the mouth of the shell
D. On the body of the shell near the mouth

Except for .22 Caliber = It should be marked on the body of the shell near the mouth.

35. Rifling in the bore of small arms is designed to :

A. To increase the speed of the bullet

B. To decrease the amount of recoil
C. To mark the bullet for purposes of identification
D. To prevent the bullet from turning and over and in the air

36. The caliber of the gun is determined in:

A. Its barrel length
B. The circumference of its barrel
C. The size of the ammunition used
D. The diameter of bore, measured from two opposite lands.

37. What process of making barrel, where hole of barrel with the use of barrel blank is
used.
A. Drilling
B. Reaming
C. Broaching
D. Lapping

Reaming –to remove imperfections, scratches and irregularities

Broaching - the construction of rifling inside the barrel
Lapping - smoothening/polishing of the inner surface of the barrel.
D+R = Smooth bore D+R+B+L = Rifled bore

38. The most commonly used high explosives in the world.

A. Trinitrotoluene (TNT)
B. Dynamite
C. Bomb
D. Grenade
Low explosives – deflagrate
High explosives - detonate

39. Paraffin test is conducted purposely to:

A. Detect whether a witness is telling the truth.
B. Discover whether the deceased person was poisoned.
C. Estimate the approximate time of death of the deceased
D. Determine whether a suspect has fired a gun recently

40. The term double action is _____.

A. The revolver has both safety and automatic firing action.
B. The pressure upon the trigger both cocks and releases the hammer.
C. The revolver can fire with or without automatic shell ejection.
D. The shell of a fired shot is ejected and fresh cartridge is pushed from the
magazine at the same time.

41. Inventor of micrometer.

A. Calvin H. Goddard
B. Cherubin d’Oreans
C. Alfred Lee Loomis
D. William Gascoine

Alfred Lee Loomis – Chronograph

Cherubin d’Oreans – ist streoscopic microscope

42.Identifying markings or imprint are NOT left on a shell by the :

A. firing pin
B. ejector
C. extractor
D. hammer
43. It is the part of the mechanism in a firearm that withdraws the shell from the
chamber is :
A. Hammer
B. Firing pin
C. Ejector
D. Extractor

Ejector – throws or ejects the shell from the firearm.

44. As part of the old procedure, a revolver found in the crime scene must be picked
up by _____:

A. Inserting a pencil or ball pen in the barrel.

B. Placing a piece of wire or string through the trigger guard.
C. Grasping the handle with a handkerchief.
D. Grasping the barrel with clean cloth.

45. The part of a .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol found at the scene of the crime is
normally marked for identification in the:
A. Lower receiver/frame
B. magazine
C. Slide/upper receiver
D. Barrel

46. Occurs when a cartridge fails to explode on time or there is a delayed in explosion
due to faulty functioning of the primer or faulty ignition of the propellant is:
A. Misfire
B. Recoil
C. Hang-fire
D. Velocity

47. The maximum distance from the muzzle at which a firearm discharge will usually
produce detectable powder pattern on a target is about:
A. 6 to 10 inches
B. 6 to 10 feet
C. 6 to 10 yards
D. 6 to 10 meters

48. When a semi-automatic pistol is used in the crime scene, the ____:
A. empty shell remain within the chamber.
B. empty shell in most cases is found at the scene.
C. empty shell is rarely found at the crime scene.
D. empty shell is usually disposed by the perpetrator.
49. Before FA is test fired, what SOP that should be done first?
A. Swab the inside barrel
B. Mark the parts of FA to be used
C. Prepare the bullet recovery tube
D. The firer should be a marksman

50. What is the current law that prohibits possession of firearm when unauthorized?
A. RA 10591
B. RA 8294
C. PD 1866
D. RA 8293

Additional Notes:
 If homicide or murder - aggravating circumstance.
 If rebellion, insurrection, sedition or subversion or attempted coup d’etat – absorbed
 Tampering of Firearm’s Serial Number. The penalty of Prision Correctional for 4
years

Coverage of “Unlicensed firearm”

 firearm which is unlicensed;
 firearm with expired license; and
 use of licensed firearm in the commission of crime.

Some Important Terms:

 Permit to carry firearm outside residence (PTCFOR) – a written authority issued to
any person by the PNP Chief for the duration and purpose specified therein.

 Residence - where the firearm and ammunition are being permanently kept. It
includes - office or house and premises of the house enclosed by walls and gate
separating said premises from adjacent properties.

 Duty detail order (DDO) – serves as FA license for Security Guards.

 Acknowledgement Receipt (Are) – is a document that proves receipt of issued FA to

PNP Personnel. This shall serve as FA License to members of PNP.

 Letter Order (LO) - issued to PNP personnel when intending to carry FA for specific
missions such as raid and other police operations.

Presented by
Dr. JEZREEL VICENTE, RC, CSP, CCS, CST, CSMS
Program Head, Forensics, University of Baguio
Guest Instructor, PPSC-CARTC, Baguio City
VP for Luzon, PCAP National