Basic Gun Diagram

Types of Firearms o Shotgun Smoothbore gun designed mostly to shoot lead pellets

of varying sizes

o Rifle A firearm having rifling in the bore and designed to be fired from the shoulder

Types of Firearms (conthellip)

o Handguns

o Revolver A firearm usually a handgun with a cylinder

having several chambers so arranged as to rotate around

an axis and be discharged successively by

the same firing mechanism

o Semi-automatic Pistol A repeating firearm requiring a

separate pull of the trigger for each shot fired and which

uses the energy of discharge to perform a portion of the operating or firing cycle

Ammunition Ammunition consists of four components

o Propellant

o Projectile

o Cartridge case

o Primer

o Self-contained ammunition in which the propellant projectile and primer are held together by a cartridge case is called fixed ammunition

Ammunition

bsappcom

bsappcom

bsappcom

bsappcom

Caliber of the Cartridge

Caliber is a measure the diameter of the cartridge in hundredths of an inch

Common calibers include 22 25 357 38 44 and 45

Why should the caliber of ammunition match the firearm that shoots it If they do not match what could go wrong

Forensic Science Fundamentals amp

Investigations Chapter 17 10

The Width of a Bullet determines Its Caliber

Types of Firearms o Shotgun Smoothbore gun designed mostly to shoot lead pellets

of varying sizes

o Rifle A firearm having rifling in the bore and designed to be fired from the shoulder

Types of Firearms (conthellip)

o Handguns

o Revolver A firearm usually a handgun with a cylinder

having several chambers so arranged as to rotate around

an axis and be discharged successively by

the same firing mechanism

o Semi-automatic Pistol A repeating firearm requiring a

separate pull of the trigger for each shot fired and which

uses the energy of discharge to perform a portion of the operating or firing cycle

Ammunition Ammunition consists of four components

o Propellant

o Projectile

o Cartridge case

o Primer

o Self-contained ammunition in which the propellant projectile and primer are held together by a cartridge case is called fixed ammunition

Ammunition

bsappcom

bsappcom

bsappcom

bsappcom

Caliber of the Cartridge

Caliber is a measure the diameter of the cartridge in hundredths of an inch

Common calibers include 22 25 357 38 44 and 45

Why should the caliber of ammunition match the firearm that shoots it If they do not match what could go wrong

Forensic Science Fundamentals amp

Investigations Chapter 17 10

The Width of a Bullet determines Its Caliber

Types of Firearms (conthellip)

o Handguns

o Revolver A firearm usually a handgun with a cylinder

having several chambers so arranged as to rotate around

an axis and be discharged successively by

the same firing mechanism

o Semi-automatic Pistol A repeating firearm requiring a

separate pull of the trigger for each shot fired and which

uses the energy of discharge to perform a portion of the operating or firing cycle

Ammunition Ammunition consists of four components

o Propellant

o Projectile

o Cartridge case

o Primer

o Self-contained ammunition in which the propellant projectile and primer are held together by a cartridge case is called fixed ammunition

Ammunition

bsappcom

bsappcom

bsappcom

bsappcom

Caliber of the Cartridge

Caliber is a measure the diameter of the cartridge in hundredths of an inch

Common calibers include 22 25 357 38 44 and 45

Why should the caliber of ammunition match the firearm that shoots it If they do not match what could go wrong

Forensic Science Fundamentals amp

Investigations Chapter 17 10

The Width of a Bullet determines Its Caliber

Ammunition Ammunition consists of four components

o Propellant

o Projectile

o Cartridge case

o Primer

o Self-contained ammunition in which the propellant projectile and primer are held together by a cartridge case is called fixed ammunition

Ammunition

bsappcom

bsappcom

bsappcom

bsappcom

Caliber of the Cartridge

Caliber is a measure the diameter of the cartridge in hundredths of an inch

Common calibers include 22 25 357 38 44 and 45

Why should the caliber of ammunition match the firearm that shoots it If they do not match what could go wrong

Forensic Science Fundamentals amp

Investigations Chapter 17 10

The Width of a Bullet determines Its Caliber

Ammunition

bsappcom

bsappcom

bsappcom

bsappcom

Caliber of the Cartridge

Caliber is a measure the diameter of the cartridge in hundredths of an inch

Common calibers include 22 25 357 38 44 and 45

Why should the caliber of ammunition match the firearm that shoots it If they do not match what could go wrong

Forensic Science Fundamentals amp

Investigations Chapter 17 10

The Width of a Bullet determines Its Caliber

bsappcom

bsappcom

bsappcom

Caliber of the Cartridge

Caliber is a measure the diameter of the cartridge in hundredths of an inch

Common calibers include 22 25 357 38 44 and 45

Why should the caliber of ammunition match the firearm that shoots it If they do not match what could go wrong

Forensic Science Fundamentals amp

Investigations Chapter 17 10

The Width of a Bullet determines Its Caliber

bsappcom

bsappcom

Caliber of the Cartridge

Caliber is a measure the diameter of the cartridge in hundredths of an inch

Common calibers include 22 25 357 38 44 and 45

Why should the caliber of ammunition match the firearm that shoots it If they do not match what could go wrong

Forensic Science Fundamentals amp

Investigations Chapter 17 10

The Width of a Bullet determines Its Caliber

bsappcom

Caliber of the Cartridge

Caliber is a measure the diameter of the cartridge in hundredths of an inch

Common calibers include 22 25 357 38 44 and 45

Why should the caliber of ammunition match the firearm that shoots it If they do not match what could go wrong

Forensic Science Fundamentals amp

Investigations Chapter 17 10

The Width of a Bullet determines Its Caliber

Caliber of the Cartridge

Caliber is a measure the diameter of the cartridge in hundredths of an inch

Common calibers include 22 25 357 38 44 and 45

Why should the caliber of ammunition match the firearm that shoots it If they do not match what could go wrong

Forensic Science Fundamentals amp

Investigations Chapter 17 10

The Width of a Bullet determines Its Caliber

The Width of a Bullet determines Its Caliber

Cartridge Cases The modern cartridge case serves several important functions

Contains the other components (projectile primer propellant) in a

single unit for convenience of handling and loading

Resists the firing-pin blow during ignition

Forms a gas seal (obturation)

Cartridge Case

Identification

Like bullets cartridge cases can be identified as having been fired by a specific firearm

Cartridge cases like those on the right are mostly made of brass but can also be made of other materials Cartridge cases come in a variety of finishes but all are made of a material that is softer than the materials found in a firearm

Any surface of the cartridge case that meets the inner workings of the firearm may be marked

Cartridge Case Identification

Like bullets cartridge cases can be identified as having been fired by a specific firearm

Cartridge cases like those on the right are mostly made of brass but can also be made of other materials Cartridge cases come in a variety of finishes but all are made of a material that is softer than the materials found in a firearm

Any surface of the cartridge case that meets the inner workings of the firearm may be marked

Bullet Design

ldquoBulletrdquo refers to the projectile(s) which actually

exits the barrel of the gun when fired

Bullets vary in shape and composition

There exist hundreds of different types of bullets

Most types are variations on three main shapes amp

three basic compositions

bsappcom

Three Main Shapes

bsappcom

Round Nose

Maximum penetration

Cheapest shape to manufacture

Easily loads into chambers

bsappcom

Hollow Point

Spreads or mushrooms on impact

Causes additional damage to target

Inhibits penetration

bsappcom

Wad Cutter Used exclusively as a practice load

Minimizes penetration

Rips a hole in target paper which is visible by the shooter

bsappcom

Three Basic Compositions of Bullets

Lead

frac12 Jacketed

Jacketed (Full metal jacket) bsappcom

Lead

Cheap

Dense

Soft

Easy to mold

bsappcom

frac12 Jacketed A lead bullet coated with copper half way up the exposed portion of the bullet

Used primarily for

hollow points

Copper improves

exit velocity

Lead promotes mushrooming

bsappcom

Jacketed A lead bullet completely coated in copper

Copper improves exit velocity

Used to hold the shape of the bullet in an effort to maximize penetration

bsappcom

What happens to bullets when they

are fired

bsappcom

Pull the Trigger

and

1A pin or hammer strikes the

primer This causes a spark

2The powder is then ignited

causing an explosion

3This explosion starts the

bullet down the barrel of the

gun

bsappcom

Down the Barrel

4As a bullet travels down

the barrel of a gun it is

twisted by the lands and

groves of the barrel

bsappcom

Out of the Barrel

5This rifling causes the

bullet to exit the end

of the barrel in a

spiral motion

bsappcom

What happens to a bullet when it hits a

target bullMost bullets tend to

mushroom when they hit a

target

bullSome bullets nearly

disintegrate

bullLeft are bullet fragments

from a frac12 jacketed hollow

point bsappcom

Some more bullets recovered after firing

The striations from the rifling are still visible bsappcom

Not all bullets mushroom the same A lot depends on the

speed and shape of the bullet and the characteristics of

the target

bsappcom

bsappcom

Examining Bullets Rifling

Rifling consists of grooves cut or formed in a spiral

nature lengthwise down the barrel of a firearm

A bullet is slightly larger in diameter than the bore

diameter of the barrel in which it is designed to be

fired

As a result a rifled barrel will impress a negative

impression of itself on the sides of the bullet like

those seen b

Ballistics

Cartridge Case

Identification

Like bullets cartridge cases can be identified as having been fired by a specific firearm

Cartridge cases like those on the right are mostly made of brass but can also be made of other materials Cartridge cases come in a variety of finishes but all are made of a material that is softer than the materials found in a firearm

Any surface of the cartridge case that meets the inner workings of the firearm may be marked

Cartridge Case Identification

Like bullets cartridge cases can be identified as having been fired by a specific firearm

Cartridge cases like those on the right are mostly made of brass but can also be made of other materials Cartridge cases come in a variety of finishes but all are made of a material that is softer than the materials found in a firearm

Any surface of the cartridge case that meets the inner workings of the firearm may be marked

Bullet Design

ldquoBulletrdquo refers to the projectile(s) which actually

exits the barrel of the gun when fired

Bullets vary in shape and composition

There exist hundreds of different types of bullets

Most types are variations on three main shapes amp

three basic compositions

bsappcom

Three Main Shapes

bsappcom

Round Nose

Maximum penetration

Cheapest shape to manufacture

Easily loads into chambers

bsappcom

Hollow Point

Spreads or mushrooms on impact

Causes additional damage to target

Inhibits penetration

bsappcom

Wad Cutter Used exclusively as a practice load

Minimizes penetration

Rips a hole in target paper which is visible by the shooter

bsappcom

Three Basic Compositions of Bullets

Lead

frac12 Jacketed

Jacketed (Full metal jacket) bsappcom

Lead

Cheap

Dense

Soft

Easy to mold

bsappcom

frac12 Jacketed A lead bullet coated with copper half way up the exposed portion of the bullet

Used primarily for

hollow points

Copper improves

exit velocity

Lead promotes mushrooming

bsappcom

Jacketed A lead bullet completely coated in copper

Copper improves exit velocity

Used to hold the shape of the bullet in an effort to maximize penetration

bsappcom

What happens to bullets when they

are fired

bsappcom

Pull the Trigger

and

1A pin or hammer strikes the

primer This causes a spark

2The powder is then ignited

causing an explosion

3This explosion starts the

bullet down the barrel of the

gun

bsappcom

Down the Barrel

4As a bullet travels down

the barrel of a gun it is

twisted by the lands and

groves of the barrel

bsappcom

Out of the Barrel

5This rifling causes the

bullet to exit the end

of the barrel in a

spiral motion

bsappcom

What happens to a bullet when it hits a

target bullMost bullets tend to

mushroom when they hit a

target

bullSome bullets nearly

disintegrate

bullLeft are bullet fragments

from a frac12 jacketed hollow

point bsappcom

Some more bullets recovered after firing

The striations from the rifling are still visible bsappcom

Not all bullets mushroom the same A lot depends on the

speed and shape of the bullet and the characteristics of

the target

bsappcom

bsappcom

Examining Bullets Rifling

Rifling consists of grooves cut or formed in a spiral

nature lengthwise down the barrel of a firearm

A bullet is slightly larger in diameter than the bore

diameter of the barrel in which it is designed to be

fired

As a result a rifled barrel will impress a negative

impression of itself on the sides of the bullet like

those seen b

Ballistics

Cartridge Case Identification

Like bullets cartridge cases can be identified as having been fired by a specific firearm

Cartridge cases like those on the right are mostly made of brass but can also be made of other materials Cartridge cases come in a variety of finishes but all are made of a material that is softer than the materials found in a firearm

Any surface of the cartridge case that meets the inner workings of the firearm may be marked

Bullet Design

ldquoBulletrdquo refers to the projectile(s) which actually

exits the barrel of the gun when fired

Bullets vary in shape and composition

There exist hundreds of different types of bullets

Most types are variations on three main shapes amp

three basic compositions

bsappcom

Three Main Shapes

bsappcom

Round Nose

Maximum penetration

Cheapest shape to manufacture

Easily loads into chambers

bsappcom

Hollow Point

Spreads or mushrooms on impact

Causes additional damage to target

Inhibits penetration

bsappcom

Wad Cutter Used exclusively as a practice load

Minimizes penetration

Rips a hole in target paper which is visible by the shooter

bsappcom

Three Basic Compositions of Bullets

Lead

frac12 Jacketed

Jacketed (Full metal jacket) bsappcom

Lead

Cheap

Dense

Soft

Easy to mold

bsappcom

frac12 Jacketed A lead bullet coated with copper half way up the exposed portion of the bullet

Used primarily for

hollow points

Copper improves

exit velocity

Lead promotes mushrooming

bsappcom

Jacketed A lead bullet completely coated in copper

Copper improves exit velocity

Used to hold the shape of the bullet in an effort to maximize penetration

bsappcom

What happens to bullets when they

are fired

bsappcom

Pull the Trigger

and

1A pin or hammer strikes the

primer This causes a spark

2The powder is then ignited

causing an explosion

3This explosion starts the

bullet down the barrel of the

gun

bsappcom

Down the Barrel

4As a bullet travels down

the barrel of a gun it is

twisted by the lands and

groves of the barrel

bsappcom

Out of the Barrel

5This rifling causes the

bullet to exit the end

of the barrel in a

spiral motion

bsappcom

What happens to a bullet when it hits a

target bullMost bullets tend to

mushroom when they hit a

target

bullSome bullets nearly

disintegrate

bullLeft are bullet fragments

from a frac12 jacketed hollow

point bsappcom

Some more bullets recovered after firing

The striations from the rifling are still visible bsappcom

Not all bullets mushroom the same A lot depends on the

speed and shape of the bullet and the characteristics of

the target

bsappcom

bsappcom

Examining Bullets Rifling

Rifling consists of grooves cut or formed in a spiral

nature lengthwise down the barrel of a firearm

A bullet is slightly larger in diameter than the bore

diameter of the barrel in which it is designed to be

fired

As a result a rifled barrel will impress a negative

impression of itself on the sides of the bullet like

those seen b

Ballistics

Bullet Design

ldquoBulletrdquo refers to the projectile(s) which actually

exits the barrel of the gun when fired

Bullets vary in shape and composition

There exist hundreds of different types of bullets

Most types are variations on three main shapes amp

three basic compositions

bsappcom

Three Main Shapes

bsappcom

Round Nose

Maximum penetration

Cheapest shape to manufacture

Easily loads into chambers

bsappcom

Hollow Point

Spreads or mushrooms on impact

Causes additional damage to target

Inhibits penetration

bsappcom

Wad Cutter Used exclusively as a practice load

Minimizes penetration

Rips a hole in target paper which is visible by the shooter

bsappcom

Three Basic Compositions of Bullets

Lead

frac12 Jacketed

Jacketed (Full metal jacket) bsappcom

Lead

Cheap

Dense

Soft

Easy to mold

bsappcom

frac12 Jacketed A lead bullet coated with copper half way up the exposed portion of the bullet

Used primarily for

hollow points

Copper improves

exit velocity

Lead promotes mushrooming

bsappcom

Jacketed A lead bullet completely coated in copper

Copper improves exit velocity

Used to hold the shape of the bullet in an effort to maximize penetration

bsappcom

What happens to bullets when they

are fired

bsappcom

Pull the Trigger

and

1A pin or hammer strikes the

primer This causes a spark

2The powder is then ignited

causing an explosion

3This explosion starts the

bullet down the barrel of the

gun

bsappcom

Down the Barrel

4As a bullet travels down

the barrel of a gun it is

twisted by the lands and

groves of the barrel

bsappcom

Out of the Barrel

5This rifling causes the

bullet to exit the end

of the barrel in a

spiral motion

bsappcom

What happens to a bullet when it hits a

target bullMost bullets tend to

mushroom when they hit a

target

bullSome bullets nearly

disintegrate

bullLeft are bullet fragments

from a frac12 jacketed hollow

point bsappcom

Some more bullets recovered after firing

The striations from the rifling are still visible bsappcom

Not all bullets mushroom the same A lot depends on the

speed and shape of the bullet and the characteristics of

the target

bsappcom

bsappcom

Examining Bullets Rifling

Rifling consists of grooves cut or formed in a spiral

nature lengthwise down the barrel of a firearm

A bullet is slightly larger in diameter than the bore

diameter of the barrel in which it is designed to be

fired

As a result a rifled barrel will impress a negative

impression of itself on the sides of the bullet like

those seen b

Ballistics

Three Main Shapes

bsappcom

Round Nose

Maximum penetration

Cheapest shape to manufacture

Easily loads into chambers

bsappcom

Hollow Point

Spreads or mushrooms on impact

Causes additional damage to target

Inhibits penetration

bsappcom

Wad Cutter Used exclusively as a practice load

Minimizes penetration

Rips a hole in target paper which is visible by the shooter

bsappcom

Three Basic Compositions of Bullets

Lead

frac12 Jacketed

Jacketed (Full metal jacket) bsappcom

Lead

Cheap

Dense

Soft

Easy to mold

bsappcom

frac12 Jacketed A lead bullet coated with copper half way up the exposed portion of the bullet

Used primarily for

hollow points

Copper improves

exit velocity

Lead promotes mushrooming

bsappcom

Jacketed A lead bullet completely coated in copper

Copper improves exit velocity

Used to hold the shape of the bullet in an effort to maximize penetration

bsappcom

What happens to bullets when they

are fired

bsappcom

Pull the Trigger

and

1A pin or hammer strikes the

primer This causes a spark

2The powder is then ignited

causing an explosion

3This explosion starts the

bullet down the barrel of the

gun

bsappcom

Down the Barrel

4As a bullet travels down

the barrel of a gun it is

twisted by the lands and

groves of the barrel

bsappcom

Out of the Barrel

5This rifling causes the

bullet to exit the end

of the barrel in a

spiral motion

bsappcom

What happens to a bullet when it hits a

target bullMost bullets tend to

mushroom when they hit a

target

bullSome bullets nearly

disintegrate

bullLeft are bullet fragments

from a frac12 jacketed hollow

point bsappcom

Some more bullets recovered after firing

The striations from the rifling are still visible bsappcom

Not all bullets mushroom the same A lot depends on the

speed and shape of the bullet and the characteristics of

the target

bsappcom

bsappcom

Examining Bullets Rifling

Rifling consists of grooves cut or formed in a spiral

nature lengthwise down the barrel of a firearm

A bullet is slightly larger in diameter than the bore

diameter of the barrel in which it is designed to be

fired

As a result a rifled barrel will impress a negative

impression of itself on the sides of the bullet like

those seen b

Ballistics

Round Nose

Maximum penetration

Cheapest shape to manufacture

Easily loads into chambers

bsappcom

Hollow Point

Spreads or mushrooms on impact

Causes additional damage to target

Inhibits penetration

bsappcom

Wad Cutter Used exclusively as a practice load

Minimizes penetration

Rips a hole in target paper which is visible by the shooter

bsappcom

Three Basic Compositions of Bullets

Lead

frac12 Jacketed

Jacketed (Full metal jacket) bsappcom

Lead

Cheap

Dense

Soft

Easy to mold

bsappcom

frac12 Jacketed A lead bullet coated with copper half way up the exposed portion of the bullet

Used primarily for

hollow points

Copper improves

exit velocity

Lead promotes mushrooming

bsappcom

Jacketed A lead bullet completely coated in copper

Copper improves exit velocity

Used to hold the shape of the bullet in an effort to maximize penetration

bsappcom

What happens to bullets when they

are fired

bsappcom

Pull the Trigger

and

1A pin or hammer strikes the

primer This causes a spark

2The powder is then ignited

causing an explosion

3This explosion starts the

bullet down the barrel of the

gun

bsappcom

Down the Barrel

4As a bullet travels down

the barrel of a gun it is

twisted by the lands and

groves of the barrel

bsappcom

Out of the Barrel

5This rifling causes the

bullet to exit the end

of the barrel in a

spiral motion

bsappcom

What happens to a bullet when it hits a

target bullMost bullets tend to

mushroom when they hit a

target

bullSome bullets nearly

disintegrate

bullLeft are bullet fragments

from a frac12 jacketed hollow

point bsappcom

Some more bullets recovered after firing

The striations from the rifling are still visible bsappcom

Not all bullets mushroom the same A lot depends on the

speed and shape of the bullet and the characteristics of

the target

bsappcom

bsappcom

Examining Bullets Rifling

Rifling consists of grooves cut or formed in a spiral

nature lengthwise down the barrel of a firearm

A bullet is slightly larger in diameter than the bore

diameter of the barrel in which it is designed to be

fired

As a result a rifled barrel will impress a negative

impression of itself on the sides of the bullet like

those seen b

Ballistics

Hollow Point

Spreads or mushrooms on impact

Causes additional damage to target

Inhibits penetration

bsappcom

Wad Cutter Used exclusively as a practice load

Minimizes penetration

Rips a hole in target paper which is visible by the shooter

bsappcom

Three Basic Compositions of Bullets

Lead

frac12 Jacketed

Jacketed (Full metal jacket) bsappcom

Lead

Cheap

Dense

Soft

Easy to mold

bsappcom

frac12 Jacketed A lead bullet coated with copper half way up the exposed portion of the bullet

Used primarily for

hollow points

Copper improves

exit velocity

Lead promotes mushrooming

bsappcom

Jacketed A lead bullet completely coated in copper

Copper improves exit velocity

Used to hold the shape of the bullet in an effort to maximize penetration

bsappcom

What happens to bullets when they

are fired

bsappcom

Pull the Trigger

and

1A pin or hammer strikes the

primer This causes a spark

2The powder is then ignited

causing an explosion

3This explosion starts the

bullet down the barrel of the

gun

bsappcom

Down the Barrel

4As a bullet travels down

the barrel of a gun it is

twisted by the lands and

groves of the barrel

bsappcom

Out of the Barrel

5This rifling causes the

bullet to exit the end

of the barrel in a

spiral motion

bsappcom

What happens to a bullet when it hits a

target bullMost bullets tend to

mushroom when they hit a

target

bullSome bullets nearly

disintegrate

bullLeft are bullet fragments

from a frac12 jacketed hollow

point bsappcom

Some more bullets recovered after firing

The striations from the rifling are still visible bsappcom

Not all bullets mushroom the same A lot depends on the

speed and shape of the bullet and the characteristics of

the target

bsappcom

bsappcom

Examining Bullets Rifling

Rifling consists of grooves cut or formed in a spiral

nature lengthwise down the barrel of a firearm

A bullet is slightly larger in diameter than the bore

diameter of the barrel in which it is designed to be

fired

As a result a rifled barrel will impress a negative

impression of itself on the sides of the bullet like

those seen b

Ballistics

Wad Cutter Used exclusively as a practice load

Minimizes penetration

Rips a hole in target paper which is visible by the shooter

bsappcom

Three Basic Compositions of Bullets

Lead

frac12 Jacketed

Jacketed (Full metal jacket) bsappcom

Lead

Cheap

Dense

Soft

Easy to mold

bsappcom

frac12 Jacketed A lead bullet coated with copper half way up the exposed portion of the bullet

Used primarily for

hollow points

Copper improves

exit velocity

Lead promotes mushrooming

bsappcom

Jacketed A lead bullet completely coated in copper

Copper improves exit velocity

Used to hold the shape of the bullet in an effort to maximize penetration

bsappcom

What happens to bullets when they

are fired

bsappcom

Pull the Trigger

and

1A pin or hammer strikes the

primer This causes a spark

2The powder is then ignited

causing an explosion

3This explosion starts the

bullet down the barrel of the

gun

bsappcom

Down the Barrel

4As a bullet travels down

the barrel of a gun it is

twisted by the lands and

groves of the barrel

bsappcom

Out of the Barrel

5This rifling causes the

bullet to exit the end

of the barrel in a

spiral motion

bsappcom

What happens to a bullet when it hits a

target bullMost bullets tend to

mushroom when they hit a

target

bullSome bullets nearly

disintegrate

bullLeft are bullet fragments

from a frac12 jacketed hollow

point bsappcom

Some more bullets recovered after firing

The striations from the rifling are still visible bsappcom

Not all bullets mushroom the same A lot depends on the

speed and shape of the bullet and the characteristics of

the target

bsappcom

bsappcom

Examining Bullets Rifling

Rifling consists of grooves cut or formed in a spiral

nature lengthwise down the barrel of a firearm

A bullet is slightly larger in diameter than the bore

diameter of the barrel in which it is designed to be

fired

As a result a rifled barrel will impress a negative

impression of itself on the sides of the bullet like

those seen b

Ballistics

Three Basic Compositions of Bullets

Lead

frac12 Jacketed

Jacketed (Full metal jacket) bsappcom

Lead

Cheap

Dense

Soft

Easy to mold

bsappcom

frac12 Jacketed A lead bullet coated with copper half way up the exposed portion of the bullet

Used primarily for

hollow points

Copper improves

exit velocity

Lead promotes mushrooming

bsappcom

Jacketed A lead bullet completely coated in copper

Copper improves exit velocity

Used to hold the shape of the bullet in an effort to maximize penetration

bsappcom

What happens to bullets when they

are fired

bsappcom

Pull the Trigger

and

1A pin or hammer strikes the

primer This causes a spark

2The powder is then ignited

causing an explosion

3This explosion starts the

bullet down the barrel of the

gun

bsappcom

Down the Barrel

4As a bullet travels down

the barrel of a gun it is

twisted by the lands and

groves of the barrel

bsappcom

Out of the Barrel

5This rifling causes the

bullet to exit the end

of the barrel in a

spiral motion

bsappcom

What happens to a bullet when it hits a

target bullMost bullets tend to

mushroom when they hit a

target

bullSome bullets nearly

disintegrate

bullLeft are bullet fragments

from a frac12 jacketed hollow

point bsappcom

Some more bullets recovered after firing

The striations from the rifling are still visible bsappcom

Not all bullets mushroom the same A lot depends on the

speed and shape of the bullet and the characteristics of

the target

bsappcom

bsappcom

Examining Bullets Rifling

Rifling consists of grooves cut or formed in a spiral

nature lengthwise down the barrel of a firearm

A bullet is slightly larger in diameter than the bore

diameter of the barrel in which it is designed to be

fired

As a result a rifled barrel will impress a negative

impression of itself on the sides of the bullet like

those seen b

Ballistics

Lead

Cheap

Dense

Soft

Easy to mold

bsappcom

frac12 Jacketed A lead bullet coated with copper half way up the exposed portion of the bullet

Used primarily for

hollow points

Copper improves

exit velocity

Lead promotes mushrooming

bsappcom

Jacketed A lead bullet completely coated in copper

Copper improves exit velocity

Used to hold the shape of the bullet in an effort to maximize penetration

bsappcom

What happens to bullets when they

are fired

bsappcom

Pull the Trigger

and

1A pin or hammer strikes the

primer This causes a spark

2The powder is then ignited

causing an explosion

3This explosion starts the

bullet down the barrel of the

gun

bsappcom

Down the Barrel

4As a bullet travels down

the barrel of a gun it is

twisted by the lands and

groves of the barrel

bsappcom

Out of the Barrel

5This rifling causes the

bullet to exit the end

of the barrel in a

spiral motion

bsappcom

What happens to a bullet when it hits a

target bullMost bullets tend to

mushroom when they hit a

target

bullSome bullets nearly

disintegrate

bullLeft are bullet fragments

from a frac12 jacketed hollow

point bsappcom

Some more bullets recovered after firing

The striations from the rifling are still visible bsappcom

Not all bullets mushroom the same A lot depends on the

speed and shape of the bullet and the characteristics of

the target

bsappcom

bsappcom

Examining Bullets Rifling

Rifling consists of grooves cut or formed in a spiral

nature lengthwise down the barrel of a firearm

A bullet is slightly larger in diameter than the bore

diameter of the barrel in which it is designed to be

fired

As a result a rifled barrel will impress a negative

impression of itself on the sides of the bullet like

those seen b

Ballistics

frac12 Jacketed A lead bullet coated with copper half way up the exposed portion of the bullet

Used primarily for

hollow points

Copper improves

exit velocity

Lead promotes mushrooming

bsappcom

Jacketed A lead bullet completely coated in copper

Copper improves exit velocity

Used to hold the shape of the bullet in an effort to maximize penetration

bsappcom

What happens to bullets when they

are fired

bsappcom

Pull the Trigger

and

1A pin or hammer strikes the

primer This causes a spark

2The powder is then ignited

causing an explosion

3This explosion starts the

bullet down the barrel of the

gun

bsappcom

Down the Barrel

4As a bullet travels down

the barrel of a gun it is

twisted by the lands and

groves of the barrel

bsappcom

Out of the Barrel

5This rifling causes the

bullet to exit the end

of the barrel in a

spiral motion

bsappcom

What happens to a bullet when it hits a

target bullMost bullets tend to

mushroom when they hit a

target

bullSome bullets nearly

disintegrate

bullLeft are bullet fragments

from a frac12 jacketed hollow

point bsappcom

Some more bullets recovered after firing

The striations from the rifling are still visible bsappcom

Not all bullets mushroom the same A lot depends on the

speed and shape of the bullet and the characteristics of

the target

bsappcom

bsappcom

Examining Bullets Rifling

Rifling consists of grooves cut or formed in a spiral

nature lengthwise down the barrel of a firearm

A bullet is slightly larger in diameter than the bore

diameter of the barrel in which it is designed to be

fired

As a result a rifled barrel will impress a negative

impression of itself on the sides of the bullet like

those seen b

Ballistics

Jacketed A lead bullet completely coated in copper

Copper improves exit velocity

Used to hold the shape of the bullet in an effort to maximize penetration

bsappcom

What happens to bullets when they

are fired

bsappcom

Pull the Trigger

and

1A pin or hammer strikes the

primer This causes a spark

2The powder is then ignited

causing an explosion

3This explosion starts the

bullet down the barrel of the

gun

bsappcom

Down the Barrel

4As a bullet travels down

the barrel of a gun it is

twisted by the lands and

groves of the barrel

bsappcom

Out of the Barrel

5This rifling causes the

bullet to exit the end

of the barrel in a

spiral motion

bsappcom

What happens to a bullet when it hits a

target bullMost bullets tend to

mushroom when they hit a

target

bullSome bullets nearly

disintegrate

bullLeft are bullet fragments

from a frac12 jacketed hollow

point bsappcom

Some more bullets recovered after firing

The striations from the rifling are still visible bsappcom

Not all bullets mushroom the same A lot depends on the

speed and shape of the bullet and the characteristics of

the target

bsappcom

bsappcom

Examining Bullets Rifling

Rifling consists of grooves cut or formed in a spiral

nature lengthwise down the barrel of a firearm

A bullet is slightly larger in diameter than the bore

diameter of the barrel in which it is designed to be

fired

As a result a rifled barrel will impress a negative

impression of itself on the sides of the bullet like

those seen b

Ballistics

What happens to bullets when they

are fired

bsappcom

Pull the Trigger

and

1A pin or hammer strikes the

primer This causes a spark

2The powder is then ignited

causing an explosion

3This explosion starts the

bullet down the barrel of the

gun

bsappcom

Down the Barrel

4As a bullet travels down

the barrel of a gun it is

twisted by the lands and

groves of the barrel

bsappcom

Out of the Barrel

5This rifling causes the

bullet to exit the end

of the barrel in a

spiral motion

bsappcom

What happens to a bullet when it hits a

target bullMost bullets tend to

mushroom when they hit a

target

bullSome bullets nearly

disintegrate

bullLeft are bullet fragments

from a frac12 jacketed hollow

point bsappcom

Some more bullets recovered after firing

The striations from the rifling are still visible bsappcom

Not all bullets mushroom the same A lot depends on the

speed and shape of the bullet and the characteristics of

the target

bsappcom

bsappcom

Examining Bullets Rifling

Rifling consists of grooves cut or formed in a spiral

nature lengthwise down the barrel of a firearm

A bullet is slightly larger in diameter than the bore

diameter of the barrel in which it is designed to be

fired

As a result a rifled barrel will impress a negative

impression of itself on the sides of the bullet like

those seen b

Ballistics

Pull the Trigger

and

1A pin or hammer strikes the

primer This causes a spark

2The powder is then ignited

causing an explosion

3This explosion starts the

bullet down the barrel of the

gun

bsappcom

Down the Barrel

4As a bullet travels down

the barrel of a gun it is

twisted by the lands and

groves of the barrel

bsappcom

Out of the Barrel

5This rifling causes the

bullet to exit the end

of the barrel in a

spiral motion

bsappcom

What happens to a bullet when it hits a

target bullMost bullets tend to

mushroom when they hit a

target

bullSome bullets nearly

disintegrate

bullLeft are bullet fragments

from a frac12 jacketed hollow

point bsappcom

Some more bullets recovered after firing

The striations from the rifling are still visible bsappcom

Not all bullets mushroom the same A lot depends on the

speed and shape of the bullet and the characteristics of

the target

bsappcom

bsappcom

Examining Bullets Rifling

Rifling consists of grooves cut or formed in a spiral

nature lengthwise down the barrel of a firearm

A bullet is slightly larger in diameter than the bore

diameter of the barrel in which it is designed to be

fired

As a result a rifled barrel will impress a negative

impression of itself on the sides of the bullet like

those seen b

Ballistics

Down the Barrel

4As a bullet travels down

the barrel of a gun it is

twisted by the lands and

groves of the barrel

bsappcom

Out of the Barrel

5This rifling causes the

bullet to exit the end

of the barrel in a

spiral motion

bsappcom

What happens to a bullet when it hits a

target bullMost bullets tend to

mushroom when they hit a

target

bullSome bullets nearly

disintegrate

bullLeft are bullet fragments

from a frac12 jacketed hollow

point bsappcom

Some more bullets recovered after firing

The striations from the rifling are still visible bsappcom

Not all bullets mushroom the same A lot depends on the

speed and shape of the bullet and the characteristics of

the target

bsappcom

bsappcom

Examining Bullets Rifling

Rifling consists of grooves cut or formed in a spiral

nature lengthwise down the barrel of a firearm

A bullet is slightly larger in diameter than the bore

diameter of the barrel in which it is designed to be

fired

As a result a rifled barrel will impress a negative

impression of itself on the sides of the bullet like

those seen b

Ballistics

Out of the Barrel

5This rifling causes the

bullet to exit the end

of the barrel in a

spiral motion

bsappcom

What happens to a bullet when it hits a

target bullMost bullets tend to

mushroom when they hit a

target

bullSome bullets nearly

disintegrate

bullLeft are bullet fragments

from a frac12 jacketed hollow

point bsappcom

Some more bullets recovered after firing

The striations from the rifling are still visible bsappcom

Not all bullets mushroom the same A lot depends on the

speed and shape of the bullet and the characteristics of

the target

bsappcom

bsappcom

Examining Bullets Rifling

Rifling consists of grooves cut or formed in a spiral

nature lengthwise down the barrel of a firearm

A bullet is slightly larger in diameter than the bore

diameter of the barrel in which it is designed to be

fired

As a result a rifled barrel will impress a negative

impression of itself on the sides of the bullet like

those seen b

Ballistics

What happens to a bullet when it hits a

target bullMost bullets tend to

mushroom when they hit a

target

bullSome bullets nearly

disintegrate

bullLeft are bullet fragments

from a frac12 jacketed hollow

point bsappcom

Some more bullets recovered after firing

The striations from the rifling are still visible bsappcom

Not all bullets mushroom the same A lot depends on the

speed and shape of the bullet and the characteristics of

the target

bsappcom

bsappcom

Examining Bullets Rifling

Rifling consists of grooves cut or formed in a spiral

nature lengthwise down the barrel of a firearm

A bullet is slightly larger in diameter than the bore

diameter of the barrel in which it is designed to be

fired

As a result a rifled barrel will impress a negative

impression of itself on the sides of the bullet like

those seen b

Ballistics

Some more bullets recovered after firing

The striations from the rifling are still visible bsappcom

Not all bullets mushroom the same A lot depends on the

speed and shape of the bullet and the characteristics of

the target

bsappcom

bsappcom

Examining Bullets Rifling

Rifling consists of grooves cut or formed in a spiral

nature lengthwise down the barrel of a firearm

A bullet is slightly larger in diameter than the bore

diameter of the barrel in which it is designed to be

fired

As a result a rifled barrel will impress a negative

impression of itself on the sides of the bullet like

those seen b

Ballistics

Not all bullets mushroom the same A lot depends on the

speed and shape of the bullet and the characteristics of

the target

bsappcom

bsappcom

Examining Bullets Rifling

Rifling consists of grooves cut or formed in a spiral

nature lengthwise down the barrel of a firearm

A bullet is slightly larger in diameter than the bore

diameter of the barrel in which it is designed to be

fired

As a result a rifled barrel will impress a negative

impression of itself on the sides of the bullet like

those seen b

Ballistics

bsappcom

Examining Bullets Rifling

Rifling consists of grooves cut or formed in a spiral

nature lengthwise down the barrel of a firearm

A bullet is slightly larger in diameter than the bore

diameter of the barrel in which it is designed to be

fired

As a result a rifled barrel will impress a negative

impression of itself on the sides of the bullet like

those seen b

Ballistics

Examining Bullets Rifling

Rifling consists of grooves cut or formed in a spiral

nature lengthwise down the barrel of a firearm

A bullet is slightly larger in diameter than the bore

diameter of the barrel in which it is designed to be

fired

As a result a rifled barrel will impress a negative

impression of itself on the sides of the bullet like

those seen b

Ballistics

Striations

bsappcom

bsappcom

bsappcom

bsappcom

bsappcom

Matching Procedure

Fire bullets from a suspected weapon

With the aid of a comparison microscope compare

these ldquotest firesrdquo to the suspected bullets

Striations must be identical for a positive match

bsappcom

Comparison

Microscope Two scopes-

One Field

bsappcom

bsappcom

bsappcom

bsappcom

bsappcom

bsappcom

bsappcom

Matching Procedure

Fire bullets from a suspected weapon

With the aid of a comparison microscope compare

these ldquotest firesrdquo to the suspected bullets

Striations must be identical for a positive match

bsappcom

Comparison

Microscope Two scopes-

One Field

bsappcom

bsappcom

bsappcom

bsappcom

bsappcom

bsappcom

Matching Procedure

Fire bullets from a suspected weapon

With the aid of a comparison microscope compare

these ldquotest firesrdquo to the suspected bullets

Striations must be identical for a positive match

bsappcom

Comparison

Microscope Two scopes-

One Field

bsappcom

bsappcom

bsappcom

bsappcom

bsappcom

Matching Procedure

Fire bullets from a suspected weapon

With the aid of a comparison microscope compare

these ldquotest firesrdquo to the suspected bullets

Striations must be identical for a positive match

bsappcom

Comparison

Microscope Two scopes-

One Field

bsappcom

bsappcom

bsappcom

bsappcom

Matching Procedure

Fire bullets from a suspected weapon

With the aid of a comparison microscope compare

these ldquotest firesrdquo to the suspected bullets

Striations must be identical for a positive match

bsappcom

Comparison

Microscope Two scopes-

One Field

bsappcom

bsappcom

bsappcom

Matching Procedure

Fire bullets from a suspected weapon

With the aid of a comparison microscope compare

these ldquotest firesrdquo to the suspected bullets

Striations must be identical for a positive match

bsappcom

Comparison

Microscope Two scopes-

One Field

bsappcom

bsappcom

bsappcom

Comparison

Microscope Two scopes-

One Field

bsappcom

bsappcom

bsappcom

bsappcom

bsappcom

bsappcom