Ballistics

Forensic Science II

Ballistics

Machinegun Barbie meets Benny the chimp Gambino

Ballistics
the study of projectiles, trajectories, and the effect on the target

Internal

ballistics

What happens in the weapon

External

ballistics

What happens after the bullet leaves the barrel

Terminal

ballistics (wound ballistics)

What happens when the bullet hits the target

Components of typical round

5.56 round (from M16/M4)

Distal femur 5.56/55gr

Sequence of events

Firing pin or striker hits primer Primer detonation Ignition/deflagration* of powder Increase pressure within casing d/t expanding gases Bullet forced from casing into rifling of barrel Rifling imparts spin as bullet traverses barrel length Bullet leaves barrel, followed by hot, stillexpanding gases (creates muzzle blast and muzzle flash) * deflagration rapid burning (NOT explosion)

Primer indentation

Muzzle blast
the sound associated with the round being fired

Muzzle flash
the light or flame associated with the round being fired

http://www.filmfodder.com/

Physics of recoil
For

every action, there is an equal & opposite reaction Bullet travels forward, case is forced backwards against the breechface or breechblock, causing recoil In an automatic or semi auto matic weapon, this recoil is what drives the action to cycle http://www.firearmsid.com/A_featurevideo. htm

Forensic applications
strike firing pin toolmarks Case head toolmarks
Primer

Breechface markings Extractor markings Ejector markings

Powder

types

Sabot round

Speed of sound
In

air:
344 m/s, or 1128 fps, or ~770 mph

In

water:
1480 m/s or, 4856 fps. > 3000 mph

Super-sonic round

Sub-sonic round

Super-sonic large caliber

shot column shotgun pellets

Terminal ballistics

http://www.glenbrook.k12.il.us/

http://www.glenbrook.k12.il.us/

Useful terms..
Point of Initial Intersect. This is where the bullet crosses the LOS (Line of Sight) for the first time. MO Maximum Ordinate. This is the highest point the bullet reaches during its parabolic flight path. PSI Point of Secondary Intersect. This is the point where the bullet crosses the LOS for the second time.
PII

More terms.

POI Point of Impact. This is the point where the bullet impacts the target. POA Point of Aim. This is where the shooter was aiming the weapon. If the sights are properly adjusted: POI = POA (= DOA)

Mechanics of projectile wounding

Location
Penetration Temporary

wound cavity Permanent wound cavity Projectile deformation/fragmentation

Location
Penetration

Temporary wound cavity

Permanent
Projectile

wound cavity

deformation

Mechanic of projectile wounding

Physical

cutting/crushing of tissue

Caliber related

Kinetically

disrupting/stretching tissue that is adjacent to the path of the projectile

Low velocity (most handgun rounds) High velocity (rifle rounds & shrapnel from explosions) KE = m x v2

Permanent & temporary wound cavities

Cannelure fragmentation

Fragmentation effect

Bullet deformation

GSR pattern

GSR pattern

stippling

Searing of clothing & skin

Entrance wound searing

Soot on clothing

Muzzle imprint

Shored contact wound

Shotgun close range

Striae formation - shotgun

Pellet dispersion

http://www.rit.edu/~andpph/exhibit-shotgun-blast.html

http://www.rit.edu/~andpph/exhibit-shotgun-blast.html

http://www.rit.edu/~andpph/exhibit-shotgun-blast.html

http://www.rit.edu/~andpph/exhibit-shotgun-blast.html

http://www.cuttingedgetraining.org/

http://www.pulsephotonics.com/gallery.htm

Pellet dispersion

Shotgun intermediate distance

HV GSW exit wound frontal bone

Glaser safety slug exit wound

.50 BMG at nearly 1 mile!!!!!!