Firearm Mechanics
Ballistics 101
The Guns
Cartridges
WILD CARD
100
This is the portion of the casing that ignites the gunpowder
What is the primer
100
This is the study of bullets and firearms
What is ballistics
100
Revolvers and semi-automatic pistols fall into this firearm category
What is handguns
100
This type of bullet does not have a visible primer and is found in .22 cal firearms
What is a rimfire
100
The amount of this on a victim is usually proportional to the distance between the victim and the shooter
What is gunshot residue
200
This is the end of the barrel from which the projectile exits the firearm
What is the muzzle
200
The caliber of a bullet is determined by what two measurements?
What is its diameter
200
This type of firearm includes rifles and shotguns
What is a long gun
200
This is the portion of the bottom of cartridge casing that identifies the caliber and manufacturer of the bullet
What is a headstamp
200
The caliber of a bullet is measured in one-hundredths of an inch, along with this measurement
What are millimeters
300
These marks are found on the back of the bullet
What are firing pin marks
300
All modern guns, except shotguns, have these patterns
What are rifling
300
The casings for this type of handgun is straight, with no indentation near the rim. All of its cartridges are kept in a cylinder.
What is a revolver
300
This includes primer powder, gunpowder, the bullet, and the casing material that holds them all together
What is the cartridge
300
This is created when a firearm is used within 6 inches of the victim
What is tattooing
400
This can be composed of lead, copper, or combinations of various metals. It can be metal-jacketed, hollow-pointed, or even plastic-coated.
What is a bullet
400
What is the difference between semiautomatic and fully automatic hand guns?
What is
Semiautomatic fire one bullet per trigger pull. Automatic fire repeatedly as long as the trigger is pressed
400
These marks are minute scratches produced as the cartridge is removed from the chamber after firing
What are ejector markings
400
This is the portion of the barrel rifling that indents into the barrel of the gun
What are grooves
400
Give the FOUR Individual Characteristics found on cartridge casings
Firing Pin Indentations
Breechblock Marks
Ejector Marks
Extractor Marks
500
This database has files of ballistic markings, in addition to information on cartridge casings
What is NIBIN
500
What are the major components of gunpowder?
What is potassium nitrate, charcoal, and sulfur
500
Label all parts of the casing below:
500
What evidence from rifling pattern can be used to determine if a bullet was fired from a suspect's weapon? Give 3 DIFFERENT examples
What is
Direction of the Lands and Grooves twist
Width of the Lands and Grooves
Depth of Lands and Grooves
500
Name the tool used to COMPARE cartridge and bullet evidence
What is a comparison microscope