CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS

AMMUNITION/ BALLISTICS

AMMUNITION

Cartridge Structure– Cartridge Case– Primer– Head– Propellant– Bullet– Blanks- No Bullet

Metal Jacket

Ammunition

AMMUNITION

Cartridge Cases– Made of Brass

• 30% Copper• 30% Zinc

– Aluminum– Brass, Plastic and Paper for shotguns

AMMUNITION

Function of Cartridge– Expand and seal chamber– Increase Gas Pressure– Press the case up against barrel– Seals– Springs back to almost same size– Aids extraction

AMMUNITION

Shapes– Straight– Bottle neck

• Permits more powder

– Tapered• Not in use

Ammunition

AMMUNITION

Case Head Designs– Rimmed– Semi-rimmed– Rimless– Rebated– Belted

5.56 Centerfire vs. Rimfire

AMMUNITION

Caliber Nomenclature– Rifled barrels

• Lands and grooves

– Diameter of bore from land to land– Sometimes groove to groove diameter– Bullet diameter

Some terminology

Barrel: the metal tube through which the bullet is fired.

Bore: the inside of the barrel, either:Smooth bore: Shotguns.

Not smooth bore: rifles, pistols.

Muzzle: the end of the barrel out of which the bullet comes out.

Primer: volatile substance that ignites when struck to detonate the powder in a cartridge.

Types of firearm weapons

Non-rifled: only long Rifled: short and long

The holder presses the firing pin which in turn strikes the primer which ignites the powder and produces large amount of hot gas.

Produces very high pressure that fires the bullet forcefully through the barrel leaving the muzzle, and onto the target.

What happens?

Mechanism of injury: As the missile traverses the body it causes

injury by:1. Basic contact of bullet and it’s fragments (if

present) with the tissue, so larger bullets create bigger damage at the same velocity.

2. Transferring some of its available kinetic energy to the tissue around it, so increasing velocity greatly increases damage.

3. It also causes cavitations in the tissue it passes as it accelerates molecules → makes them move centrifugally away from the axis of the bullet.

Bullets do not typically follow a straight line to the target. Rotational forces are in effect that keep the bullet off a straight axis of flight.

Mode of injury depends on the velocity of the missile

-Slow velocity (<340 m/s) speed of sound in air or less

-High velocity (1500 m/s) faster!High velocity missile causes a

shockwave around it’s track → severe disruption → ↑tissue pressure and more damage.

So a 10mm wide bullet may cause a 15mm wide track of damage…

SO…

Smooth bore weapon (Shotgun):

A gun with a smoothbore that shoots cartridges that contain "shot" or small metal pellets (of lead or steel) as the projectiles.

Ammunition: A shotgun shell(cartridge) may contain one large projectile (called a slug), a few pellets of large shot, or many tiny pellets. Cartridge made of a cylinder fitted into a metal base contains charge of propellant, wads, and shots.

Range is the most important factor, and can be estimated in over half of cases… Close range wounds are severe, but at even relatively short distances, wounding may be minimal.

The rifle weapon:

Rifles differ from shotguns in the length of the barrel and the presence of a butt stock.

They fire one projectile at a time through a thicker barrel that has spiral grooves on its inner surface → rotational movement.

They are much more accurate and shoot more powerful cartridges than handguns.

Ammunition: metal cylinder loaded with explosive propellant and bullet.

Rifle bullet/pistol bullet

AMMUNITION

Caliber Specification– U.S. System not consistent or accurate– .303 Savage = .308 bullet– .303 British = .312 bullet– .30-06 and .308 both fire a .308 bullet– .06 refers to year made

AMMUNITION

U.S. Caliber Designation– Confusing– Not accurate– .38 and .357– Difference is length of case and grains of

powder

AMMUNITION

Black Powder Cartridges– Designated by:

• Caliber• Black powder charge• Bullet weight

– Examples:» 45-70-405» Some smokeless powder cartridges used this

designation» .30-30

AMMUNITION

Metric Designation– Bullet diameter– Case length– Type of cartridge

AMMUNITION

Types of Cartridge– R = Rimmed– SR = Semi-Rimmed– RB = Rebated– B = Belted– No letter for rimless

AMMUNITION

Additional Terms– Magnum = Higher velocity than standard– Wildcat = Nonstandard, produced by small

entity

AMMUNITION

Head Stamps– All cases have stamps on bases– Imprinted for Identification Purposes

• Letters• Numbers• Symbols• Trade names

AMMUNITION

Head Stamps (Cont.)– Civilian made with manufacturers symbol– Military made with initials or codes

• Year of manufacturing• Match/nm = military match grade ammo• + = NATO• +P or +P+ = High Pressure

AMMUNITION

Bullet Powder Weights– Grain = weight not granules– 1 oz. = 437.5 grains– 1 grain = .0648 grams– Bullet and powder weights measured in

grains

AMMUNITION

Primer (Cont.)– Non-corrosive/Non-mercuric– Lead Styphnate– Barium Nitrate– Antimony Sulfide– Most U.S. primers contain all three

• *Detection of these compounds provides bases for GSR

AMMUNITION

Primers (Cont.)– Rimfire Ammo

• No primer assembly• Primer chemical is in rim

AMMUNITION

Propellants– Black Powder

• Charcoal• Sulfur• Potassium Nitrate

– Charcoal is fuel– Nitrate supplies oxygen– Sulfur creates density

AMMUNITION

Propellants – Black Powder– When powder burns

• Gas = 44%• Residue= 56%

– Residue appears as dense white smoke

AMMUNITION

Smokeless Powder– 1884 Vieille – French Chemist– Nitrocellulose– Used EtOH/Ether– Rolled into sheets– Cut into flakes– Single base

AMMUNITION

Smokeless Powder (Cont.)– 1887 – Alfred Noble– Nitrocellulose and Nitroglycerine– Rolled and cut into flakes– Double base

AMMUNITION

Ball Powder Winchester– 1933– Nitrocellulose dissolved– Formed into balls– Different diameters– Appears uniform round, black spheres or ovals– Reflective surface– Flattened round

• Irregular• Flattened chips

– Wide variation between round and flat

AMMUNITION

Powder Grains– Disk– Flake– Cylinder– Uncoated (Greenish color)– Coated w/Graphite (shiny black)

Ammunition

Powder (continued)– Powders burn at different rates– Gases and unburned grains are

discharged upon firing– Grains can be found in clothing and skin

Ammunition

Bullet– Originally lead spheres– Musket vs.. Rifle– Minnie ball (Capt.. Minnie, French Army)– Modern bullets

• Lead• Metal-jacketed

Ammunition

Bullets– Various shapes

• Round• Hollow point• Semi-wadcutter• Wadcutter

Ammo performance-Handguns

Cartridge Bullet gr. Velocity Ft-lbs

.380 95 955 190

9mm 124 1299 465

.40 S&W 155 1140 447

.45 ACP 230 855 405

.38 158 755 200

.357 158 1235 535

.44 mag 240 1350 971

Ammo performance-Rifles

Cartridge Bullet gr. Velocity Ft-lbs

.223 55 3150 1218

5.45x39 53 2985 1053

.270 130 3060 2702

.30-30 150 2390 1902

.308 150 2750 2520

.30-06 150 2740 2500

Bullet Comparison

Class characteristics– Number of lands and grooves– Diameter of lands and grooves– Width of lands and grooves– Depth of lands and grooves– Direction of rifling twist– Degree of twist

Bullet Comparison

Individual Characteristics– Imperfections on lands/grooves– Score the bullets– Jacketed bullets, more pronounced– Are peculiar to each firearm

Bullet Comparison

Factors impacting Ind. Characteristics– Rusted barrel– Jacketed/unjacketed– Velocity/pressure– Bullets vary from lot to lot

Bullet Comparison

Additional markings– Skid marks– Shaving

Compositional Analysis– Fragments are recovered– SEM-EDX– Comparison between suspected guns

bullets and recovered fragments

Bullet Comparison

Base markings– Imprinted from propelled powder grains– Most evident in bullets w/lead base– Shorter barrel, deeper marks– Different forms produce different marks

• Spherical=circular pits• Disk=circular imprints• Black powder=peppered

Bullet Comparison

Additional factors– Bullets fired in wrong caliber weapon– Decomposed bodies (Study after 66 days)

• Nylon clad-unaffected• Aluminum-mildly affected• Lead bullets, recovered from

– Brain, chest cavity, abdomen-mild tarnish– Fat, muscle-severe oxidation-impaired match

• Copper alloy-severe degradation

Bullet Comparison

Surface analysis of bullet– Non-organic material– Tissue analysis

DNA typing

Cartridge Case Comparison

Comparison “MAY” make ID possible– Type– Make– Model

Test and evidence cartridges compared– Use same brand and lot

Ammo consistency

Cartridge Case Comparison

Markings=imprints or scratches– Magazine marks– Breech block marks– Firing pin marks– Size,shape, and location of;

• Extractor and ejector marks

– Flute marks

Ballistics

Ballistics=Study of motion of projectiles– Internal– External– Terminal

• Wound ballistics

Ballistics

Forces– K.E.=1/2mv2

– Velocity place larger role in force– Doubling mass, doubles force– Doubling velocity quadruples force– Energy transfer/loss

Ballistics

Energy Loss/transfer– Amount of K.E. upon impact– Angle of yaw upon impact– Caliber, construction, shape– Density, strength, elasticity of tissue

Ballistics-Structural Mechanics

Elasticity (Stretching) Shearing Compression Cohesiveness Tensile strength Density

Ballistics

Movement through body– Crushes/shred tissue in path– Flinging, radially, surrounding tissue– Temp. cavity several times (12) size of bullet– Lasts 5-10 msec– Pulsates, contractions and collapse– +/- pressure sucks in bacteria/foreign materials

Ballistics

Ballistics

Temporary/Permanent Cavity– Max diameter of temp cavity is proportional to

amount of kinetic energy lost– Occurs at maximum yaw or fragments– Yaw continues until Cg is forward or approx 180

degrees rotation– Size of cavity is determined by amount of K.E. lost

by bullet– Size of cavity is determined to a degree by cross

section of round

Ballistics

Temporary/Permanent Cavity (cont.)– Compression, stretching, tearing of tissue– Handguns-Damage to area hit by bullet,

very little collateral damage– Rifles-Radial damage to nerves, tissue,

vessels, organs not struck by bullet– Damage related to density, elasticity and

cohesiveness of tissue– Muscle vs. Liver vs. Lung

Ballistics

Ballistics

Energy loss along wound track– Not uniform– Changes and variations occur due to;

• Angle of yaw• Change in density of tissue• Change in structural dimension of bullet (mushrooms)

– Fragmentation amplifies effect• .223 marked yaw at 12cm• Major frag/tissue disruption at 15-25cm

Ballistics

Ballistics

Critical velocity– At or above 2625-2953 ft/sec (FMJ)– At or above 1500-2000 ft/sec (expanding ammo)– Tissue damage more severe– Supersonic flow = strong shockwaves– Shockwaves travel through body– Damage is 20-30 times larger– Due to higher amount of K.E. loss

Ballistics

Critical amount of K.E. loss– Wounds are more severe– Exceeds elastic limits– Organ bursts– Projectile does not have to be near organ

Ballistics

Critical amount of K.E. loss-Head– Special case– Cranial cavity is a closed, rigid structure– 1% elasticity– No place for energy to disperse– Results in bursting injuries (high velocity)

Ballistics

Temporary cavity structure– FMJ– Hunting rifle round– Shotgun pellet

Ballistics

Temporary cavity size– 10-12 times diameter of bullet– High K.E. loss-20-30 times bullet

Permanent Cavity size• Handgun=smaller than round diameter• High velocity=size of bullet• Unless Elastic limit of tissue is reached=large

irregular tearing wound track.

Case Study

This case involved a barroom shooting.  The incident went something like this:

Case Study

Guy No.1- "Hey man, my quarters were up next!!   I've got the next game on that pool table!!"

Case Study

Guy No. 2- "Man you’re crazy!  I've had my quarters up there for over an hour!"

Case Study

Guy No. 1- "Oh yeah? Well not only are my quarters up next but your breath stinks too!!!"

Case Study

Guy No. 2- "You son-of-a-XXXXX!!!!! I'm gunna kill you!!!"

Case Study

Me- "Now guys, calm down it's only a pool game; it's only a quarter."

Case Study

Guy No.1 pulls out the Llama 45 auto below and points it at Guy No. 2.

Case Study

In a drunken stupor he fires a single shot at Guy No. 2, missing him and hitting me right between the eye's with this 45 AUTO, 230 grain full-metal-jacketed bullet.

Case Study

At the same time the pistol ejects the 45 AUTO cartridge case below into the corner pocket of the pool table.

Case Study

Guy No. 1 and Guy No. 2 run out of the bar get in a car and go home.   They tell mom they have been to the movies, hide the gun under their bunk bed and go to sleep.

Case Study

Meanwhile back at the bar, a riot has ensued because the other guys with quarters on the table are really p------ off because the spent case has jammed the pool table.  Order is finally restored when county police detectives clear the table.  

Case Study

My cold lifeless body is taken to the Medical Examiners Office for the 9 AM autopsy.

Case Study

Guy's No. 1 and 2 are later roused from bed by Detectives and the pistol, it's magazine, and four 45 AUTO cartridges are recovered from under the bed.

Case Study

The pistol, magazine, live ammunition, spent case, and bullet are later submitted to the lab for analysis.

Case Study

Although my ex-coworker is all but overcome with grief, he manages to set aside his personal ties to the case and conducts the required analysis in a totally professional and unbiased fashion.

Case Study

First course of business is to examine the pistol, which is found to be in perfect working condition.  The pistol is test fired in the water tank and standards from the pistol are compared to the spent case from the pool table and bullet from my head.

Case Study

The results of which are the match seen below.

Case Study

Breech Marks: Standard from pistol (left) compared

to the spent case from the bar (right).

Case Study

Bullet land impression comparison: Standard (left)

compared to "my" bullet (right).

Case Study

By the way, Guy 1 "walks" when his brother testifies that I started the fight by stealing his brother's hot wings.

Case Study

They really do have the best hot wings in town!!!

AMMUNITION

Primers– Shapes

• Berdan– Anvil built in case

• Boxer– Anvil built in

– Purpose– Fulminate of mercury

• Causes corrosion