Forensic Ballistics & Firearms Examination

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Forensic Ballistics & Firearms Examination

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Forensic ballistics deals with the analysis of firearms, ammunition, and gunshot-related evidence to solve crimes. It plays a crucial role in cases involving shootings, homicides, and armed robberies.

1. Bullet and Cartridge Case Analysis

• Examines fired bullets and cartridge cases to match them with a specific firearm.
• Uses rifling patterns (grooves inside a gun barrel) to identify which weapon fired a bullet.
• Toolmark Analysis helps compare bullet striations and impressions left by a firearm.

2. Gunshot Residue (GSR) Analysis

• Detects microscopic particles (lead, barium, antimony) left behind after firing a gun.
• GSR can indicate whether a person recently fired a gun or was in close proximity to a shooting.
• Analyzed using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS).

3. Weapon Identification & Shooting Reconstruction

• Determines the type of weapon used in a crime based on ballistic evidence.
• Trajectory Analysis helps establish the shooter's position and angle of fire.
• Distance determination techniques assess how far the shooter was from the victim.

Forensic ballistics provides crucial evidence in solving gun-related crimes.