Ballistics Flashcards
Barrel
The long metal tube that guides a projectile out of a firearm
Breech or (Breechface)
The end of the barrel attached to the firing mechanism of a firearm where the cartridge is loaded or unloaded
Bullet
The projectile that is released when a firearm is discharged
Caliber
A measure of the inside diameter of a firearm barrel
Cartridge
A case that holds a bullet, primer powder and gun powder
Firearm
A weapon capable of firing a projectile using a confined explosive as a propellant
Ballistics
The study of projectiles and firearms
Grooves
DEPRESSIONS found on the inside of a firearms barrel that are created when firearm is manufactured
Gunshot Residue (GSR)
The tiny particles expelled from a firearm when fired
Lands
RIDGES found on the inside of a firearms barrel that are created when firearm is manufactured
Muzzle
The end of the barrel from which the projectile exits a firearm
Rifling
The spiral pattern of lands and grooves in the barrel of a firearm
Shell casing
The metal housing for the gun powder of a firearm
Trajectory
The path of flight of a projectile
True or false (correct if false):The lands and grooves of a barrels rifling improve the accuracy of a bullet
True
True or false (correct if false) : The caliber of a cartridge is always measured in mm.
False
Usually measured in inches
True or false (correct if false): Firing Pin marks are found on the back of a bullet.
False. Cartridge cases
True or false (correct if false): Lands and grooves help match a crime scene bullet with its shell casing
False. Gun
True or false (correct if false): The caliber of a bullet is related to its width
True
True or false (correct if false): Semiautomatic pistols store cartridges in a cylinder.
False! magazine
True or false (correct if false): The equation for determining the height from which a shot was fired is B= Ax sin(O)
False! B= atan(O)
True or false (correct if false): The grooves on a bullet are made by the lands on the barrel and thus correspond in width.
True
True or false (correct if false): The head stamp always lists the caliber of the cartridge.
False! Usually
True or false (correct if false): Handguns are more accurate and shoot to longer distances than rifles.
False
Rifles
Handguns
True or false (correct if false): Lands and grooves help match a crime scene bullet with its shell casing
False. Gun
True or false (correct if false): The caliber of a bullet is related to its width
True
True or false (correct if false): Semiautomatic pistols store cartridges in a cylinder.
False! magazine
True or false (correct if false): The equation for determining the height from which a shot was fired is B= Ax sin(O)
False! B= atan(O)
True or false (correct if false): The grooves on a bullet are made by the lands on the barrel and thus correspond in width.
True
What 4 things does a cartridge contain?
Bullet, case, gunpowder, primer
What are the 7 steps that are taken when firing a gun? Start with pulling trigger and end with bullet hitting the target
- pull trigger
- Hammer hits firing pin
- Firing pin hits primer
- Primer ignites gunpowder
- Pressure shoots out bullet
- Bullet travels along trajectory
- Bullet hits target
What is the purpose of the extractor?
To remove the spent casing
What are the two different types of handguns?
Pistol and revolver
What are two similarities of a revolver and pistol?
Close range and both handguns
What are two differences of a pistol and revolver?
Pistol: magazine/ safety
Revolver: cylinder/ no safety
What are the three types of rifles?
Bolt action, lever action, and automatic
What is one difference between bolt action, lever action and automatic rifles ?
Bolt: longer distance
Lever action: less powerful
Automatic rifles: military
What are three similarities between the bolt action, lever action and automatics?
Long guns, larger rounds, and greater distances
What are the three different types of shotgun ammunitions?
Bird shot, buck shot, and slug
What is one difference between the three shotgun ammunitions: bird, Buck and slug?
Bird shot: small pellets Buck: larger pellets
Slug: single bullet
What is one similarity about the three shotgun ammunitions: bird, Buck and slug?
All are used for hunting birds or small animals that move quickly
What are the three types of ballistics?
Internal, external and terminal
What is one difference between the three types of ballistics: internal, external and terminal?
Internal: inside the firearm
External: flight of bullet
Terminal: the target
What is one similarity between the three types of ballistics: internal, external and terminal?
All scientific analysis of all ballistics evidence is to determine what actually happened.
