Republic of the Philippines

OCCIDENTAL MINDORO STATE COLLEGE

Labangan, San Jose, Occidental Mindoro
Website: www.omsc.edu.ph Email address: omsc_9747@yahoo.com
Tele/Fax: (043) 457-0231
College of Criminal Justice Education

FORENSIC BALLISTICS
LABORATORY ACTIVITY No. 9

Laboratory Activity: Understanding Gunpowder and Firearms

Identification
Objective:
To explore the definitions, classifications, manufacturing
processes, and identification principles related to gunpowder,
firearms, and bullets.

1. Introduction
Gunpowder, arms manufacturing, and the identification of firearms and bullets are crucial
in forensic science. They enable investigators to trace weapons and ammunition to their
sources, aiding in crime resolution and enhancing public safety. Understanding these
elements is essential for effective criminal investigations.
2. Research Activity
 Definition of Gunpowder
Gunpowder, also known as black powder, is a chemical mixture used as a propellant in
firearms and explosives. It is composed of three primary ingredients:

Potassium nitrate (saltpeter) – serves as the oxidizer

Charcoal – provides fuel
Sulfur – lowers the ignition temperature and increases the speed of combustion

When ignited, gunpowder rapidly burns and produces a large volume of hot gas, which is
used to propel a projectile from a firearm or create an explosive effect.

Historical Context
Gunpowder is one of the oldest known chemical explosives. It originated in 9th-century
China, where it was initially developed by alchemists searching for an elixir of
immortality. By the 10th century, it was being used in military applications such as fire
arrows and bombs. The knowledge of gunpowder spread along trade routes to the Middle
East and Europe, where it revolutionized warfare.

In Europe, by the 13th and 14th centuries, gunpowder was used in the earliest cannons
and hand-held firearms. The widespread adoption of gunpowder weapons led to major
changes in military tactics and the decline of medieval fortifications.

 Classification and Composition

Gunpowder is generally classified into two main types:

1.Black Powder (Traditional Gunpowder):

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 o Composition: Typically 75% potassium nitrate (saltpeter), 15% charcoal, and
10% sulfur.
o Use: Used historically in firearms, cannons, and fireworks. Still used today in
some antique firearms and pyrotechnics.

These types differ in chemical makeup, energy output, and combustion residue, with smokeless
powder being more efficient and cleaner-burning.

 Making of Rifled Barrels

The manufacturing of rifled barrels involves precision engineering to ensure accuracy,
strength, and durability. Rifling refers to the spiral grooves cut or formed inside the barrel
to impart spin to the bullet, stabilizing its flight. Here’s a simplified overview of the
process:

1. Barrel Blank Preparation

A solid steel bar (called a barrel blank) is selected and drilled with a straight, smooth
hole to form the bore
2. Reaming
The drilled bore is reamed to a precise diameter, ensuring a smooth and uniform
interior surface before rifling.
3. Rifling
Rifling is added by one of the following methods:
Cut Rifling: Grooves are cut one at a time using a cutting tool (broach or hook
cutter).
Button Rifling: A hard, shaped tool (button) is pushed or pulled through the bore,
forming grooves by displacement.
Hammer Forging: The barrel is hammered around a mandrel with reverse rifling
grooves, forming the rifling as the metal conforms.
Electrochemical Rifling: Grooves are etched into the bore using electrical and
chemical processes.
4. Stress Relief
The barrel is heat-treated to relieve internal stresses caused by machining, improving
structural integrity.
5. Finishing
The barrel undergoes polishing, threading (if required), chambering (cutting the space
for the cartridge), and external finishing like coating or bluing.

 Purpose of Riflings
Riflings are spiral grooves cut or formed into the interior of a firearm's barrel. Their main
purpose is to impart a spin to the bullet as it travels through the barrel and exits the
muzzle.
Why Riflings Are Used:

Stabilization of the Bullet: The spin caused by rifling stabilizes the bullet in flight
through gyroscopic action, much like how a spinning top remains upright.

Improved Accuracy: A stabilized bullet flies in a more predictable and straight path,
significantly increasing shooting accuracy.

Consistency: Rifling ensures each bullet exits the barrel in a uniform manner, leading
to more consistent performance.

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 Types of Barrel
Firearm barrels vary in design based on their intended use, material, and internal structure.
Below are the main types of barrels used in firearms, each with distinct features and
purposes:
1..Rifled Barrel

Description: Contains spiral grooves (rifling) inside the bore.

Purpose: Imparts spin to the bullet for greater accuracy and stability.

Used In: Rifles, handguns, and some shotguns (slug barrels).

2. Smoothbore Barrel

Description: Has a smooth interior without rifling.

Purpose: Allows for a spread pattern of projectiles (like pellets).

Used In: Most shotguns (especially for birdshot or buckshot).

3. Heavy Barrel (Bull Barrel)

Description: Thicker and heavier than standard barrels.

Purpose: Reduces barrel vibration and heat distortion, improving precision.

Used In: Sniper rifles and precision shooting firearms.

4. Fluted Barrel

Description: Features grooves or cuts along the barrel exterior.

Purpose: Reduces weight and increases surface area for cooling.

Used In: Tactical and competition firearms.

5. Polygonal Barrel

Description: Uses rounded polygonal shapes instead of traditional rifling.

Purpose: Improves gas seal, reduces barrel wear, and enhances velocity.

Used In: . modern pistols (e.g., Glock, HK).

6. Threaded Barrel

Description: Has threads at the muzzle end.

Purpose: Allows attachment of muzzle devices like suppressors or compensators.

Used In: Tactical and custom firearms.

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  Marks Found on Fired Bullets

Common Marks Left on Bullets After Firing

When a bullet is fired, various marks are left on its surface due to the interaction between the
bullet, the barrel, and other firearm components. These marks are crucial for forensic and
investigative purposes. Here are the common types of marks found on bullets after firing

1. Rifling Marks

 Description: Spiral grooves or striations on the surface of the bullet.

 Cause: These marks are made by the rifled grooves inside the barrel, which impart spin
to the bullet.
 Purpose: They are unique to each barrel and can be used to match a bullet to a specific
firearm.

2. Firing Pin Impression

 Description: A small, round indentation on the base of the cartridge.

 Cause: The firing pin strikes the primer of the cartridge to ignite the propellant.
 Purpose: The shape and size of the firing pin mark can sometimes be unique to a
particular firearm.

3. Breech Face Marks

 Description: Striations or impressions found on the base of the cartridge.

 Cause: Caused by the contact between the cartridge and the breech face (the rear part of
the firearm’s chamber) when the firearm is discharged.
 Purpose: Can be used to identify the specific firearm, as breech faces can have unique
markings.

4. Extractor Marks

 Description: Small, often circular marks on the cartridge casing.

 Cause: The extractor, which pulls the spent casing from the chamber, leaves distinctive
scratches or marks on the casing.
 Purpose: These marks can be used to trace the firearm, especially in semi-automatic and
automatic weapons.

5. Ejector Marks

 Description: Impressions or scratches on the spent casing.

 Cause: The ejector mechanism, responsible for expelling the casing after firing, can leave
marks on the cartridge.
 Purpose: Can be used to identify a firearm’s ejection mechanism and the firearm itself.

6. Chamber Marks

 Description: Small, faint scratches or impressions on the cartridge case.

 Cause: Caused by the chamber (where the round is seated before firing) as the casing
expands and contracts under pressure.
 Purpose: Can help in identifying the firearm, particularly in forensic investigations

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  Marks Found on Fired Shells

Types of Marks Found on Fired Shell Casings

When a firearm is discharged, several unique marks are left on the shell casing (cartridge case)
as it interacts with various parts of the firearm. These marks can be used in forensic
investigations to identify the firearm used in a crime. Here are the common types of marks found
on fired shell casings:

1. Firing Pin Impression

 Description: A distinct indentation on the primer (the small metal component at the base
of the casing).
 Cause: This mark is created when the firing pin strikes the primer to ignite the propellant.
 Purpose: Each firing pin has a unique shape, and the impression left on the primer can be
used to trace a casing back to a specific firearm.

2. Breech Face Marks

 Description: Scratches or striations on the base of the casing.

 Cause: These marks are caused by contact between the base of the shell casing and the
breech face (the rear of the chamber where the cartridge is seated).
 Purpose: These marks can be unique to each firearm's breech face, providing a means of
identifying the specific firearm used.

3. Extractor Marks

 Description: Scratches or lines on the body of the casing.

 Cause: The extractor is a part of the firearm that grips and pulls the casing from the
chamber. As it does this, it may leave marks on the casing.
 Purpose: These marks are characteristic of the extractor's shape and movement and can
be used to identify the firearm.

4. Ejector Marks

 Description: Impressions or scratches on the casing's body or mouth.

 Cause: The ejector is responsible for expelling the casing from the firearm after firing.
The interaction between the casing and ejector can leave marks.
 Purpose: The ejector mechanism can leave unique marks that help match the casing to a
specific firearm.

5. Chamber Marks

 Description: Small, faint scratches on the casing, typically near the shoulder or the
mouth.
 Cause: As the cartridge is loaded into the chamber and then fired, it expands to seal the
chamber and contracts afterward. This process can leave impressions on the casing.

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  Purpose: These marks are unique to each firearm’s chamber, allowing investigators to
trace the casing back to a specific weapon.

6. Case Mouth Marks

 Description: Small dings or impressions at the mouth of the shell casing (the open end).
 Cause: These marks can be caused by the interaction between the casing and the
firearm's chamber or ejector.
 Purpose: They may provide additional information regarding the firearm, though they
are typically less distinctive than other marks.

Importance of These Marks in Forensics

Forensic experts use these markings to link fired shell casings to specific firearms. The unique
nature of these marks means that, in many cases, investigators can determine the make and
model of the firearm used, or at least match a casing to a specific weapon recovered at a crime
scene.

References:
Andrade, T. (2016). The Gunpowder Age: China, Military Innovation, and the Rise of the West in
World History. Princeton University Press.
Britannica. (n.d.). Gunpowder | Definition, History, & Facts. Retrieved from:
https://www.britannica.com/technology/gunpowder
Hogg, I.V. (2002). The Complete Illustrated Encyclopedia of the World's Firearms.
U.S. Army Field Manual (FM 3-22.9), Rifle Marksmanship M16-/M4-Series Weapons.
U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). (n.d.). Fact Sheet -
Ammunition and Explosives. Retrieved from: https://www.atf.gov

Prepared by:

ANDALES, MELBERT G.
Section BSCRIM-4B

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Rubric for Laboratory Activity: Understanding Gunpowder and
Firearms Identification
Needs
Excellent (20-16 Good (15-11
Criteria Improvement (10-
points) points)
0 points)

Comprehensive Good
Limited
understanding; understanding;
understanding;
Understanding clear and most concepts
key concepts are
of Concepts detailed explained but
missing or
explanations of may lack some
unclear.
key concepts. detail.

Thorough and Good research;

Minimal
well-organized mostly organized
research; poorly
Quality of research; but may have
organized or
Research effectively uses minor issues
lacking credible
credible with source
sources.
sources. credibility.

Mostly clear
Clear, logical, Unclear or
presentation;
and engaging disorganized
Clarity of some minor
presentation; presentation;
Presentation lapses in
very easy to difficult to
clarity or
follow. follow.
engagement.

Total Points: ___ / 20

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