Firearms and Toolmarks Quiz 1 Flashcards
Premise of Firearms and Tool Mark Analysis
Based on uniqueness.
Discipline supported by “Theory of Idenitfication”.
Based on examiner experience and training.
Common Types of Firearms
Pistols.
Revolvers.
Shotguns.
Rifles.
Antique Firearms
Not considered actual firearms today under Title 18.
More of a psychological deterrent than weapon.
Decreased velocity, rainbow trajectory (poor accuracy).
Practical Firearms
All modern day firearms.
Early Firearm Ignition Types
Matchlock.
Wheel Lock.
Flintlock.
All system attached to firearm itself.
Ignition System
How to light/ignite black powder.
Matchlock
Developed after simply using matches.
Attached a match which was lowered to ignite.
Wheel Lock
Spring powered wheel that lowered and created sparks.
Had a hard time functioning and rusted.
Flintlock
Flint against steel plate to create sparks.
Breakthrough Ignition Systems
Pin Fire.
Rim Fire.
Center Fire.
Pin Fire System
Combustion within projectile.
Firing pin.
If dropped, it can fire without a firearm.
Rim Fire System
Primer in rim of cartridge.
Hammer/firing pin attached to firearm.
Can still self-fire if enough pressure is put on primer.
Center Fire System
Used by most firearms today.
Cartridge holds all components of a live round of ammunition.
Combustion takes place within projectile itself.
See image.
Types of Ammunition
Pistol Load.
Hand Load.
Target Load.
Common Bullet Types
Wadcutter. Full Metal Jacket. Jacketed Hollow Point. Jacketed Soft Point. Lead Round Nose. Semi Wadcutter.
Rifling
Most valuable asset to firearms structure.
Spiral grooves cut into the bore of a barrel.
Stabilizes bullet.
Leaves opposite pattern on bullets.
Spins bullet, making it faster and more accurate.
Common Rifling Types
Conventional (cuts are seen easily).
Polygonal (smoother, harder to see).
Rifling Class Characteristics
Predetermined manufacture features.
Direction of twist.
Number of lands and grooves.
Rifling Individual Characteristics
Striations in grooves.
Caliber
Refers to nominal diameter of the bore within the firearm in inches (.357).
Ammunition: Nominal bullet diameter without the decimal in included (357).
Action
The working mechanism of the firearm.
May be broken down into action types (bolt, auto, lever, etc.)
Process of how weapon is fired (load, fire, eject, reload).
Projectile
An object propelled by force of rapid burning gas or other means.
Bullet
A non-spherical projectile for use in a rifled barrel.
Cartridge Case
The container that holds all the components which make up a live round of ammunition.
Propellant
The chemical composition within a cartridge that produces combustion and gases propelling the projectile.
Primer
The ignition component of a cartridge case.