FIREARMS

IDENTIFICATION

CHAPTER 10
PREPARED BY:
CACA, DARRYLE MAE D.
FIREARMS IDENTIFICATION

 It is discipline of forensic science which primary concern is to

determine whether or not the submitted collected fired
cartridge cases, fired bullets or other ammunition components
were fired from a particular firearms.

 It is often referred to as “FORENSIC BALLISTICS” It is

regarded as the highest form of an uncontestable and conclusive
piece of evidence with an outmost legal significance.
 In the investigation of crimes involving firearms and ammunition, the
police authorities are basically guided by this science. Today, firearms
examiner is well-demand and looked for the assist the law enforcers in
the solution of the criminal cases involving firearms.
 Firearm identification has long been recognized and accepted as a
potent aid in dispensing justice as proven in so any decided criminal
cases, both on the civil and military court.
 One of the famous and controlling decided criminal case by the supreme
court, recognizing the testimony of a Forensic Expert was the case of the
PNP vs, Timbol Bros et al. The case fully established the relevance of
this branch in police science in criminal identification and investigation
SIGNIFICANCE OF FIREARM IDENTIFICATION

In crime detection and investigation is obvious and should not

be overemphasized.

History shows and swiedge in this area of forensic science

greatly helps in facilitating the investigation of criminal cases.
 Researches have shown that every sun leaves certain marks
on every bullet that it fires and that these marks differ from
those made by any other gun. Hence, firearms examiners can
examine these marks hence determine whether a particular
bullet was fired from a particular gun.
Therefore, the knowledge in forensic ballistics and firearms
identification is definitely important in reconstructing the
circumstances of the crime and corroborating victims, with
firearms evidence. statements made by witnesses, and
PRINCIPLE IN FIREARM IDENTIFICATION

1. It is refined toolmarks identification.

2. The natural wear and tear of the tools are involved.

3. When the soft surface comes in contact with the s no hard

surface, it leaves with the impressions or scratches from any
irregularities on the hard surface.

4. The principle of individuality, that is no two things is

absolutely identical.
BULLET IDENTIFICATION

Bullets collected for comparison to a specific firearm are

examined first
to see if they are of a caliber that could have been fired from the
submitted
firearm.
They are then examined to determine if the pattern of rifling
impressions found on the bullet match the pattern of riming
contained in the barrel of the questioned firearm, If these class
characteristics agree the next Step is to try to make a positive
match between the individual characteristics that may have
transferred to the bullet from the barrel.

Imperfections in the surface of the interior of the barrel leave

striations on the projectiles. Striations have the potential to be
consistently reproduced in a unique Pattern on every bullet
that passes down the barrel of a firearm.
MARKS FOUND ON FIRED BULLETS

a. LANDS MARKS

depressed portion caused

by lands that can be found
in the cylindrical surface of
the fired bullet
MARKS FOUND ON FIRED BULLETS

Groove marks –

raised or elevated portions

caused by the grooves that
can be found in the
cylindrical surface of the
fired bullet.
MARKS FOUND ON FIRED BULLETS

Skid marks

found on the anterior portion

of the fired bullets and caused
by the forward movement of a
bullet from the chamber
before it initially rotates due
to the rifling inside the barrel.
MARKS FOUND ON FIRED BULLETS

Stripping marks/ slippage marks

–

found on a bullet fired though loose

fit barrels wherein the riflings are
already worn out. Shaving marks
found on bullets fired from a
revolver due to poor alignment of
the cylinder with the bore.
PRINCIPLES INVOLVED IN BULLET IDENTIFICATION

1. No two barrels are microscopically identical as to the internal surfaces is

the hangs or their Sees.

2. When the bullet is fired from a rifled barrel, it becomes engraved by the
riflings and these engravings will vary in its minute details with every
individual firearm. Therefore, the engravings on the bullet fired from one
barrel will be different from another bullet fired from another barrel. On the
other hand, the engravings on bullets fired from the same barrel will be the
same.

3. Every barrel leaves its thumb mark or fingerprint on every bullet in it.
MARKS FOUND ON FIRED SHELLS GENERAL
TYPES OF MARKS IN FIRED SHELLS
Striated Action Marks

are common to cartridge cases

that have passed through the
action of an auto loading or
repeating firearm. Striated action
marks can be produced on
cartridge cases by contact with a
number of different areas within
the firearm.
MARKS FOUND ON FIRED SHELLS GENERAL TYPES OF
MARKS IN FIRED SHELLS

b. Impressed Action Marks, with a few exceptions, are

produced when a cartridge case is fired in a firearm. The two
most common impressed action marks are firing pin impressions
and breechface marks.
MARKS FOUND ON FIRED SHELLS GENERAL TYPES OF
MARKS IN FIRED SHELLS

1.Chamber mark - found in the body of the shell due to the

irregular makings in the chamber. It is a result of any or all
the following
a. Chambering
b. Expanding during firing
c. Extraction

2.Firing pin mark - found in the primer cup or the rim of the
cartridge case
caused when the primer cup struck by the firing pin.
MARKS FOUND ON FIRED SHELLS GENERAL TYPES OF MARKS IN
FIRED SHELLS

3.Firing pin drag marks - produced when a projecting firing pin comes into

contact with a cartridge case or shotshell during the extraction, ejection cycle.

4. Shearing marks -firing pin mark found near the firing pin mark and
usually found in pistols.

5. Extractor mark - extracting groove in automatic firearms produced when

cartridge case comes in contact with the extractor rod of a firearm in the
withdrawal of an empty cartridge case after firing.

6.Ejector marks - located in the rim in automatic firearms produced when A

cartridge case comes in contact with the ejector of a firearm after firing.
MARKS FOUND ON FIRED SHELLS GENERAL TYPES OF
MARKS IN FIRED SHELLS

7.Pivotal mark – found on the shell caused by turning of the

cartridge.

8.Magazine lip markings - found at the low points of the rim of the
base of the shell; caused by the magazine lips during the loading of the
cartridge into the magazine for firing.

9. Breechface marks - found on the base of the cartridge case as a

result of the rearward movement of cartridge case during firing.

10.Ejector port mark - these are marks caused by the contact

IMPRESSED ACTION MARKS
SHEARING MARKS
PRINCIPLES INVOLVED IN SHELL IDENTIFICATION

1. The breechface and the firing pin of every firearm have microscopic
Individualities of their own.

2. Every firearm leaves its fingerprint or thumb mark on every cartridge

it fires.

3. The whole principle of identification of shells is predicated or based on

the fact that since the breechface of every weapon must be individually
distinct, the cartridge cases which fires, are imprinted with this
individuality. The imprints of all cartridge cases fired from the same
weapon are similar, and those on cartridge cases fired from different
weapons are different
FIREARM CHARACTERISTICS
RELATED TO IDENTIFICATION

These are characteristics that are determinable even prior to

the manufacture of firearms. They are factory specifications and
within the control of man. they serve as the basis for identifying a
certain group y class of firearms. These are:

1. Bore diameter/ caliber - the diameter in which the bore was

reamed. It is the distance measured between two opposite lands
inside the bore.
Different system of measurement of the caliber of
firearm

a. American System - expressed in hundred on an inch.

(Ex. .38 special)

b. English System - expressed in thousands of an inch. (Ex.

.357 magnum)

c. Continental / European expressed in millimeter. (Ex. 9

mm)
FIREARM CHARACTERISTICS
RELATED TO IDENTIFICATION

1. Bore diameter/
caliber –

the diameter in which the

bore was reamed. It is the
distance measured
between two opposite
lands inside the bore.
FIREARM CHARACTERISTICS
RELATED TO IDENTIFICATION

Number of lands and

grooves

the number of lands is

always equal with the
number of grooves.
FIREARM CHARACTERISTICS
RELATED TO IDENTIFICATION

Width of lands - it is
dependent on the bore
diameter, the bigger the
caliber, the wider the width of
the lands and grooves. It is the
remainder of the circumference
after subtracting the groove
width.
FIREARM CHARACTERISTICS
RELATED TO IDENTIFICATION

4. Width of grooves - it
15 measured as the
shortest distance between
the two sides or edges of
grooves.
FIREARM CHARACTERISTICS
RELATED TO IDENTIFICATION

5. Direction of twist it is the twisting of the lands and grooves

whether clockwise or counterclockwise for the bullet to have
gyroscopic motion during its fight.

6. Depth of groove - measured on the radius of the here as seen

in the cross section. It is equal to the height of the side of the lands.

7. Pitch of riflings - the twist of lands and grooves. It also refers

to the distance advanced by the riflings in a complete run.
GENERAL TYPE OF RIFLINGS

Steyr Type - 4RGL (four

lands and grooves, the
direction of twist is to the
right and the width of
grooves is equal to the
width of lands)
GENERAL TYPE OF RIFLINGS

Carbine Type - 4RG2X

(four lands and grooves,
the direction of twist is to
the right and the width of
grooves is twice to the
width of lands)
GENERAL TYPE OF RIFLINGS

Smith and Wesson Type -

5RGL (five lands and
grooves, the direction of
twist is to the right and the
width of grooves is equal to
the width of lands)
GENERAL TYPE OF RIFLINGS

Browning Type - 6RG2X

(six lands and grooves, the
direction of twist is to the
right and the width of
grooves is twice the width
of lands)
GENERAL TYPE OF RIFLINGS

Colt Type - 6LG2X (six

lands and grooves, the
direction of twist is to the
left and the width of
grooves is twice the width
of lands
GENERAL TYPE OF RIFLINGS

Webley Type - 7RG3X

(seven lands and grooves,
the direction of twist is to
the right and the width of
grooves is thrice the width
of lands)
GENERAL TYPE OF RIFLINGS

Army type or 4RG 3X

(four lands and grooves is
thrice the width of lands)
GENERAL TYPE OF RIFLINGS

Winchester Type - 6RG3X

(six lands and grooves, the
direction of twist is to the
right and the width of
grooves is thrice the width
of lands)
Il. Individual Characteristics

These are characteristics peculiar and not found in all other firearms.
They serve as the basis for the identification of a particular firearm
and identifiable only after the manufacture of the firearm. These
characteristics are beyond the control of the man and have random
distribution beside the gun. Their existence made firearm is brought
about by the tools used manufacture in their normal operation
resulting in there and tear, abuses, mutilations, corrosions, erosions
and other fortuitus causes.These characteristic are generally found in
the interior surface of the gun barrel and breechface.
7 PROBLEMS OF FIREARM IDENTIFICATION

1.Given a bullet; to determine the caliber and type of

firearms used.

In this problem, there is a need to determine the general rifling

characteristics to identify the possible type of firearm used.

 The bullet must be described as its appearance and take note

of the place of recovery (Physical Examination). Such a bullet
will be submitted to PNP-Firearms and Explosive Office (PNP-
FEO) for cross matching.
2. Given a cartridge case; to determine the caliber, name
of the manufacturer and the type of fire arm used.

In this problem, marks found on the headstamp must be

obtained to identify the manufacturer, the year of manufacture
and the possible firearm that used such type of cartridge case.
The specimen must be described and take note of the place of
its recovery (Physical Examination). Such a cartridge case will
be submitted to PNP-Firearms and Explosive Office (PNP-FEO)
for cross matching.
3. Given a bullet and firearm, to determine whether Or not
the bullet was fired from suspected firearm submitted.

 In this problem, the physical examination will be first conducted

on the submitted specimens to determine the possible caliber of
the firearm and the whing characteristics.

 Then, describe and determine Whether the firearm is

serviceable and capable of discharge.

If the markings are comparable and them, is a possibility mark in

a bullet came from the freated there is a need that the bandards
from the submitted
4. Given a fired cartridge case and a suspected firearm, to
determine whether or not the cartridge case was fired from the
suspected firearm submitted.
In this problem, a physical examination will be first conducted on the
submitted specimens to determine the possible caliber of the firearm
and the markings present on the cartridge case. Then, describe and
determine whether the firearm is serviceable and capable of discharge.
 If the markings are comparable and there is a possibility that the
cartridge case came from the firearm, there is a need to obtain
standards from the submitted firearm. After obtaining the test fired
cartridge case as standard, a microscopic examination will now be
conducted.
5. Given two or more bullets, to determine whether or not
the bullets were fired from only one weapon.

In this problem, a physical examination will be conducted to all

submitted specimens (consider Problem #1). Group submitted
bullets based on their caliber and rifling characteristics. There
after microscopic examination will be conducted to bullets of the
same caliber.
6.Given two or more fired cartridge cases, to determine
whether or not the cartridge cases were fired from only
one weapon.

In this problem, a physical examination will be conducted

to all submitted specimens (consider Problem #2.) Group
submitted a cartridge casconsised on their caliber and the
similarities of impressions. Thereafter microscopic
examination will be conducted to cartridge cases of the
same caliber.
7. Given a firearm, serviceable or not to determine
whether it serviceable or not.

In this problem, the submitted firearm will be examined to

determine its operability and functionality. it also includes
transamination of tampered serial numbers and the changing
of major parts of a firearm.
FIRED BULLET IDENTIFICATION

1. A submitted firearm will be fired in the bullet recovery

box several times to obtain standards from the firearm. To
obtain the standard bullet to be used must be the same as
the evidence bullet. For every one (1) evidence bullet, there
is a need to obtain three (3) to five (5) standards.
FIRED BULLET IDENTIFICATION

2. Fired standards are examined first to determine if in fact

the barrel is producing striated marks in a unique and
consistent pattern. Once a consistently reoccurring pattern to
the marks is identified on standards, the standards are
compared to the evidence bullets to see if the same pattern to
marks exists on the evidence. To make these comparisons the
firearm examiner will use a comparison microscope.
FIRED BULLET IDENTIFICATION

3. The comparison macroscope consists of two macroscopes mounted side by

side and connected by an optical bridge. There are two stages on the lower
part of the macroscope that the bullets to be compared are mounted on. The
bullets are attached to the stages using some type of sticky substance.
Images of the bullets travel up through the objectives, bounce off several
mirrors in the optical bridge, and are combined in a round field of view seen
by looking into the stereoscopic eyepieces. The resulting image will show the
bullets mounted to the stages, side-by-side, with a thin dividing line down
the middle. Make a progressive adjustment for better magnification.
FIRED BULLET IDENTIFICATION

4. The stages that the bullets are attached to allow the

bullets being examined to be rotated on their axis and
moved up, down, to the left, and to the right. The bullets
are rotated around to see if any microscopic similarities
are present. Most positive identifications are made on
striations that Occur in land impressions and the best
marks are usually near the base of the bullets.
Note: Firearm examiners will examine the entire bullet for striations that
agree with the standards. Bullets can have as many as six, eight or even
twenty-two different land and groove impressions and each one may have
areas of agreement between the striations.
Results of Bullet Identification When comparisons are made
between firearms and fired ammunition, the results can read as
follows:

a. Exhibit 1 (bullet) was identified as having been fired from

Exhibit 2 (firearm). This conclusion is reached after all class
characteristics agree and a sufficient correlation between
individual characteristics is found.
b. Exhibit 1 (bullet) could neither be identified nor eliminated as having

been fired from Exhibit 2 (firearm). All comparisons were inconclusive.

This conclusion is reached if class characteristics agree but there is an

insufficient correlation between individual characteristics.

c. Exhibit 1 (bullet) was not fired from Exhibit 2. This conclusion is

reached if class characteristics disagree.

Note: In some cases, a firearm may not be recovered for comparison. When this happens, firearm

examiners can examine bullets for general rifling characteristics (GRC) in an attempt to determine

what brands of firearms from which the bullet may have been fired.
CARTRIDGE CASE IDENTIFICATION

Like bullets, cartridge cases can be identified as having been

fired by a specific firearm. As soon as cartridges are loaded
into a firearm the potential for the transfer of unique tool
marks exists. However, the cartridge does not have to be fired
for these marks to be transferred. Simply loading a cartridge
into a firearm identified. can cause unique identifiable marks
that can be later.
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 be in two basic forms. Tool marks produced
on the cartridge cases as the microscopic striations found on bullets, cartridge cases can
pick up striated action marks. The other form of marks that can be left on a cartridge case
is impressed with action marks.
 Cartridge cases are compared to fired standards from a firearm using a comparison
microscope as described on the bullet identification. Standards are first examined to
determine what marks, if any, the firearm is consistently reproducing. Evidence cartridge
cases are then directly compared to the standards to see if they too are also similarly
marked.
RESULTS OF CARTRIDGE CASE IDENTIFICATION

a. Exhibit1 (cartridge case) was identified as having been fired by Exhibit 2

(firearm). This conclusion reached if the action marks present on the questioned
cartridge case are determined to be because of the actual firing process.

b. Exhibit (cartridge case) could neither be identified nor eliminated as having

been fired by Exhibit 2 (firearm). This conclusion reached if the cartridge case
lacks sufficient action marks to be identified as having been fired by the
questioned firearm or the firearm in question fails to produce reproducible
individual characteristics on standards. All general class characteristics such as
caliber and firing pin shape would have to agree.
RESULTS OF CARTRIDGE CASE IDENTIFICATION

c. Exhibit 1 (cartridge case) was not fired by Exhibit 2 (firearm). This

conclusion can sometimes be reached when the submitted cartridge case
exhibits very good individual characteristics that are very dissimilar to those
produced on standards. However, consideration must be given to the
possibility that the firearm in question could have changed significantly. If all
dissimilarities can be accounted for, a negative conclusion will be reached.

d. Exhibit 1 (cartridge case) was identified as having passed through the

action of Exhibit (firearm. This conclusion can be reached if the cartridge case
is found to have action marks that result from simply loading and / or
unloading a cartridge case in a firearm.
PURPOSE OF THREE STANDARDS

1. First is for preliminary

2. Second is for confirmation
3. The third is for the conclusion
RELATED LABORATORY EXAMINATIONS

1. Gunpowder Residue Analysis - it is principally

composed of burned and unburned particles from the
explosive primer, the propellant, as well as components
from the bullet, the cartridge case and the firearm used.
Gunpowder residues are being analyzed by the Forensic
Chemist. The common method used is by means of
swabbing the bore of the firearm.
RELATED LABORATORY EXAMINATIONS

2. Serology examination and Autopsy conducted by the

Medico Legal Officer

3. Developing of latent fingerprints from the de avered

ballistic exhibits through gas method or using a fuming box.

4. Macro etching examination to verify altered firearms

serial numbers by the Physical Examination Division.
END!! THANKYOU FOR
LISTENING….
PREPARED BY:
CACA, DARRYLE MAE D.
BS CRIM 4 DELTA 2024