ballistics

subdivisions of BALLISTICS:

Internal

External

Terminal

Terminal-Medical

what constitutes a complete firearm:Barrel

Bullet

Hammer

cartridge or ammunition (parts):

shell or casingpercussion capprimerpowder or propellantbullet or projectile

shape of free end:conicalhemisphericalhollow-pointwad cutterglazer dumdum armor piercingflare or tracerplastic sabotdouble actionsoft point

movements of the bullet

forwardspinningtumblingend-over-endwobblingtailwagyawdownward

classification of small firearms as to wounding power:low velocity< 1,400 ft/sechigh-powered> 1,400 ft/sec2,200 2,500 ft/sec

as to nature of the bore:smooth boreinside of the barrel has no grooves ex. shotgunrifled borewith spiral lands and grooves taking a gradual twist ex. military rifle

as to the manner of firing:

pistolfired by a single hand

riflefired from the shoulder

as to nature of the magazine:Cylindrical Revolving MagazineVertical or Horizontal Magazine

bulletflameunburned powderburning powderexpansile gas

abrasion collar

contusso-abrasiomarginal abrasion

contact fire

OUTSHOOT or EXIT WOUNDno definitive shapeedges are evertedbony spicules may be carried along

Shored exitback against the walltight fit clothingwaist band, belt, brassieres

ODD and EVEN RULE

Accidental :

Solitary woundNon-selected areaTestimony of assailantPossibility of accidentTestimonies

Suicidal:Closed or locked rooms, uninhabited or open places.Death weapon almost always presentMuzzle contact or very near contact Location should be accessible to wounding handSolitary woundCompatible direction and trajectoryPersonal history, suicide note, prior attempts, Positive paraffin testEntrance does not involve clothing

Questions to be asked by a Lawyer in court:

Range and direction?Possibility of self-infliction?Signs of struggle?Can victim fire back or resist the attack?Instant or gradual death?Relative position?Is the wound compatible with the weapon used?

NEAR FIRE (shotgun)

shotgun wounds:2-3 ft. muzzle-skin distance - single wound with large entry 3-4 ft.- entry serrated or scalloped (rat hole) 5-6 ft.- wad produces and independent injury at the vicinity of the entry shots 6 ft.- shots begin to separate from conglomerate10 ft.- each shot with independent entries

billiard ball ricochet effect

FORMULA:

D2 -1 = DD2 = distance between the two farthest shots in inchesD = muzzle-target distance in yards

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