Ballistics Flashcards

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1
Q

How are shotguns classified?

A

By gauge

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2
Q

Gauge

A

The number of appropriately sized bullets that could be made from one pound of lead; the smaller the gauge, the bigger the bullet

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3
Q

Contents of a cartridge

A

Projectile
Propellant
Primer
Casing

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4
Q

Types of shotgun projectiles

A

Birdshot, buckshot, slug

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5
Q

Tool

A

A device or implement used to carry out a particular function

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6
Q

Firearm

A

A weapon from which a shot is discharged by gunpowder

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7
Q

Ballistics

A

The study of projectiles, trajectories, and the effect on the target

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8
Q

Firearms Identification

A

Methods to determine whether a bullet or cartridge was fired by a particular weapon

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9
Q

Barrel

A

Metal cylindrical part of a firearm through which the bullet travels

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10
Q

Muzzle

A

Discharging end of the barrel of a firearm

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11
Q

Chamber

A

Firearm compartment that holds the cartridge

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12
Q

What is the chamber of a rifle called?

A

The breech

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13
Q

What is the chamber of a revolver called?

A

The cylinder

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14
Q

Hammer/Striker

A

Part that hits the primer or firing pin or explodes the percussion cap, causing the gun to fire

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15
Q

Magazine/Cylinder

A

Detachable firearm component in which cartridges are held to be fed into the firing chamber

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16
Q

Types of firearms

A

Handguns, shotguns, and rifles

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17
Q

Handgun types

A

Revolver

Semi-automatic pistol

18
Q

Shotgun types

A

Single shot
Pump action
Automatic

19
Q

Rifle types

A

Single shots

Automatic

20
Q

Three types of ballistics

A

Internal - travel within gun
External - gun to target
Terminal - wound ballistics

21
Q

Casing materials

A

Steel
Brass
Aluminum
Nickle-coated brass

22
Q

Caliber

A

Diameter of the bullet in either hundredths of an inch or mm or inside bore of the barrel

23
Q

Why is the bullet actually slightly larger than the caliber?

A

So it fits snugly in the barrel, creates a seal, and doesn’t rattle around

24
Q

Primer types

A

Center vs Rim

Berdan vs Boxer

25
Q

Cartridge Identification

A
Manufacturer markings
Markings by the process
Extractor 
Breech
Firing pin
26
Q

Extractor

A

Hooks the cartridge and pulls it out to hit the ejector

27
Q

Process markings

A
Firing pin marks
Chamber marks
Breech impressions
Ejector
Extractor
28
Q

Gunpowder Identification

A
Granule shape (ball, flattened ball, flake, stick)
Chemical composition
29
Q

Methods of bullet identification

A

Metal composition
Caliber
Barrel Rifling

30
Q

Common metal compositions

A

Copper
Zinc
Steel

31
Q

Full Metal Jacket

A

Brass or copper coated; doesn’t fragment

32
Q

Weight of a bullet is measured in…

A

grains

33
Q

What type of bullet can penetrate armor

A

Steel centered bullets

34
Q

Barrel rifling

A

Grooves cut into the barrel to spin the bullet, leaves marks on the bullet which can be used for identification (4/right, 6/right, 6/left, 16/right)

35
Q

Types of bullet tracing (5)

A
Caliber, grains, and type
Material it's made of
Rifling pattern
Distinguishing features
Blood on the bullet
36
Q

Preferred firearm for crime and why

A

Shotguns; no rifling and harder to trace

37
Q

Greiss test

A

Tests for nitrates (unburned gunpowder) on clothing and suspect’s hand

38
Q

Negatives of Greiss test

A

False negative - wash hands, gloves

Nitrates stop appearing after 48 inches

39
Q

Higher velocity =

A

bigger impact

40
Q

Air resistance is less effective in _____ altitudes

A

high

41
Q

Physical ballistic evidence at the scene (4)

A

Wound entrance/exit
Final position of bullet
Environmental factors
Witness testimony