Ballistics
Abstract
This paper will identify what ballistic examiners do when they look for when they exam ballistic evidence. Also the paper explains how bullets are not the only thing that is needed to match a weapon to its bullet, casing are used as well. New technology's are discussed as well and how they work.
Forensic Study of Ballistics
Firearm ballistics is a very astringent forensic science. The study of firearm ballistics is process that is ever-changing and most times crucial to the conviction of criminals that committed crimes with firearms. A bullet matching the rifling of a firearm and the firearm itself would usually suffice, but if the bullet can not be found the cartridge of the bullet would be just as effective. Firearm ballistics is an important part of the criminal investigation process when a firearm is used to commit a crime.
Once a bullet, cartridge case, and weapon are collected from a crime scene and delivered to the lab it begins the process of being compared together. The first thing that is examined is the caliber of the weapon and bullet (Doyle, 2005). If the two calibers do not match then that bullet was not fired from that weapon. The way that caliber is determined is through "rifling" of the barrel (Meyer, Ronald "personal communication," May 4, 2005). The rifling is the process in which firearm manufactures hollow out the barrel of their weapons and create spiral grooves in the barrel (Meyer, Ronald "personal communication," May 4, 2005). The surfaces of these grooves are called lands and the measuring of two opposite lands determine the caliber (Meyer, Ronald "personal communication," May 4, 2005). For example, if the distance of the lands were fifty millimeters apart the caliber of the weapon would be .50 caliber weapon. Also weapon manufactures use spiral grooves that impact a clockwise or a counter clockwise spin when they rifle out the barrel...
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