FORENSIC BALLISTICS (CUTM2317)
Teacher
V. Pravallika
Category
Core Courses
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Course Code (Credit): CUTM 2317 (3+2+0)
COURSE OBJECTIVES
- To impart the knowledge of firearms and projectile
- To understand the basics of firearm mechanism
COURSE OUTCOMES
- To understand about the knowledge of different firearms, ammunitions, and projectile.
- To analyse and detect gunshot residue, gunshot powder, class and
individual characteristics of firearms and ammunitions. - Identify the range of fire using modern methods and also different wounds caused by firearms.
COURSE SYLLABUS
Unit I: Firearms
History and development of firearms. Classification of firearms. Weapon types and their operation. Firing mechanisms of different firearms.
Unit II: Internal ballistics
Definition, ignition of propellants, shape and size of propellants, manner of burning, and various factors
affecting the internal ballistics: lock time, ignition time, barrel time, erosion, corrosion and gas cutting.
Unit III: External Ballistics
Vacuum trajectory, effect of air resistance on trajectory, base drag, drop, drift, yaw, shape of projectile
and stability, trajectory computation, ballistics coefficient and limiting velocity, Measurements oftrajectory parameters, introduction to automated system of trajectory computation and automated
management of ballistic data.
Unit IV: Terminal Ballistics
Effect of projectile on hitting the target: function of bullet shape, striking velocity, striking angle and
nature of target, tumbling of bullets, effect of instability of bullet, effect of intermediate targets,
influence of range. Ricochet and its effects, stopping power.
Unit V: Ammunition
Types of ammunition. Constructional features and characteristics of different types of cartridges and
bullets. Primers and priming compounds. Projectiles. Headstamp markings on ammunitions. Different
types of marks produced during firing process on cartridge – firing pin marks, breech face marks,
chamber marks, extractor and ejector marks.
Unit VI: Examination of Firearm Evidence
Matching of bullets and cartridge cases in regular firearms. Identification of bullets, pellets and wads
fired from improvised, country made firearms. Automated method of bullet and cartridge case
comparison. Determination of range of fire and time of fire.
Mechanisms of formation of gunshot residues. Methods of analysis of gunshot residues from shooting
hands and targets, with special reference to clothing.
Unit VII: Firearms Injuries
Identification and nature of firearms injuries. Reconstruction with respect to accident, suicide, murder
and self-defence.
REFERENCES
1. B.J. Heard, Handbook of Firearms and Ballistics, Wiley and Sons, Chichester (1997).
2. W.F. Rowe, Firearms identification, Forensic Science Handbook, Vol. 2, R. Saferstein (Ed.),
Prentice Hall, New Jersey (1988).
3. A.J. Schwoeble and D.L. Exline, Current Methods in Forensic Gunshot Residue Analysis,
CRC Press, Boca Raton (2000).
4. E. Elaad in Encyclopedia of Forensic Science, Volume 2, J.A. Siegel, P.J. Saukko and G.C.
Knupfer (Eds.), Academic Press, London (2000).
Session 1
History and development of firearms and Classification of firearms.
Session 2
Weapon types and their operation.
https://www.unodc.org/documents/organized-crime/Firearms/Firearms_classification.pdf
Session 4
Definition, ignition of propellants, shape and size of propellants, manner of burning
https://www.bhu.ac.in/Content/Syllabus/Syllabus_300620200513010858.pdf
Session 5
various factors affecting the internal ballistics: lock time, ignition time, barrel time, erosion, corrosion and gas cutting.
https://www.bhu.ac.in/Content/Syllabus/Syllabus_300620200513010858.pdf
Session 6
Vacuum trajectory, effect of air resistance on trajectory, base drag, drop, drift, yaw, shape of projectile and stability, trajectory computation
Session 7
ballistics coefficient and limiting velocity, Measurements of trajectory parameters
Session 8
Introduction to automated system of trajectory computation and automated management of ballistic data.
Session 9
Effect of projectile on hitting the target - function of bullet shape, striking velocity, striking angle and nature of target
Session 10
Ricochet and its effects, stopping power.
Session 11
Tumbling of bullets, effect of instability of bullet, effect of intermediate targets, influence of range.
Session 12
Types of ammunition. Constructional features and characteristics of different types of cartridges and bullets.
Session 15
Different types of marks produced during firing process on cartridge – firing pin marks, breech face marks, chamber marks, extractor and ejector marks.
Session 16
Matching of bullets and cartridge cases in regular firearms.
Session 17
Methods of analysis of gunshot residues from shooting hands and targets, with special reference to clothing.
Session 18
Identification and nature of firearms injuries.
SUGGESTED READINGS
1. B.J. Heard, Handbook of Firearms and Ballistics, Wiley and Sons, Chichester (1997).
2. W.F. Rowe, Firearms identification, Forensic Science Handbook, Vol. 2, R. Saferstein (Ed.),
Prentice Hall, New Jersey (1988).
3. A.J. Schwoeble and D.L. Exline, Current Methods in Forensic Gunshot Residue Analysis,
CRC Press, Boca Raton (2000).
4. E. Elaad in Encyclopedia of Forensic Science, Volume 2, J.A. Siegel, P.J. Saukko and G.C.
Knupfer (Eds.), Academic Press, London (2000).
Our Main Teachers
Assistant Professor, Department of Forensic Science, School of Paramedical and Allied Health Sciences, Centurion University of Technology and Management, Vizianagaram