Ballistics is a science that deals with the motion of projectiles. Forensic Ballistics is the branch of forensic science that deals with every aspect of firearms, ammunitions and firearm wounds. The Ballistics Department is specialized in the scientific analysis of all ballistic related evidence with the purpose of identifying, interpreting and establishing the facts in a firearm related incident. A firearm is an assembly of a barrel and action part from which a projectile(s) is propelled/fired by products of combustion.

SUBMISSION EXAMPLES / EXHIBITS UNDERTAKEN FOR EXAMINATION OR ANALYSIS

• All types of standard firearms and ammunitions of various make, model and caliber and parts thereof.
• All types of homemade/improvised firearms and ammunitions and parts thereof.
• Bullets recovered from the crime scene, bullets recovered from the body, cartridge cases, pellets, wads, propellant, etc.
• Manufacturing tools/appliances for firearms and ammunitions.
• Victim’s/accused’s apparel.

ANALYTICAL SCOPE

• Examination of firearm(s) or part(s) thereof/manufacturing tool(s).
• Examination of serviceability/working condition of firearms.
• Examination of firearms and their mechanism to determine possible defects that are prone to accidental discharge.
• Identification of firearm for type, make and model.
• Examination of firearm, whether its part(s) tempered with.
• Examination of homemade instruments and miscellaneous firearms to determine whether or not they comply with the description of “firearm” as defined in Section 2 interpretation of Firearm Act Chapter 16:05.
• Determination of possible type of weapon from which a suspect bullet or cartridge case was fired.
• Establish linkage with fired cartridge/bullet/firearm involved in other case(s) referred to.
• Inter se comparison to ascertain number of firearms involved.
• Examination of ricochet possibilities.
• Examination of ammunition or parts thereof/manufacturing tools.
• Identification of ammunition/parts thereof for type, make and caliber.
• Identification of bullet/slug/parts thereof.
• Identification of shots and pellets.
• Identification of wad/wad pieces.
• Identification of propellant charge.
• Linkage of fired/misfired cartridge case with firearm.
• Linkage of fired bullet/bullet fragments with firearm.
• Bullet/pellets/wads whether fired or not.
• Chemical tests for ammunition and firearm discharge residue.
• Determination of entrance and exit shot hole.
• Test firing.
• Reconstruction of events leading to a shooting incident including gunshot residue distance determination.

INSTRUMENTATION

The Ballistics Department utilizes a range of equipment incorporating physical, chemical and microscopic examinations, these instruments include:

• Measuring tools
• Chemical reagents and equipment
• Bullet recovery tank
• Comparison microscope