What is Ballistics and What Does it Examine?
As is well known, Weapons Ballistics (Ballistics) is the study of phenomena and measurements related to the weapon and the cartridge it uses, which occur from the moment the gun’s firing pin strikes and ignites the primer of the cartridge in the chamber, until the moment the projectile(s) (bullet, pellets, etc.) from the weapon impact, penetrate, or pass through a target (object, human body, etc.), (b) come to their final stop, and (c) the effects caused to the struck object or human body are studied and analyzed.
Ballistics is divided into:
- Interior Ballistics: This is the study of phenomena and measurements from the moment the gun’s firing pin strikes and ignites the primer of the cartridge until the projectile(s) of the cartridge exit the muzzle of the gun.
- Exterior Ballistics: This is the study of the movement of the projectile(s) from the moment they exit the muzzle of the gun until they fall, come to a stop, or impact a target (object, human body, etc.).
- Terminal Ballistics: This is the study of phenomena from the moment the projectile impacts, penetrates, or passes through a target (object, human body, etc.) until it comes to a final stop and examines the effects on the impacted object.
A subdivision of Terminal Ballistics is Wound Ballistics, which is a specialized scientific field of study.
Wound Ballistics studies the phenomena from the moment a projectile impacts, penetrates, or passes through a human body until it comes to a stop, either within or after exiting the body. It examines the movements and effects of the projectile on human tissues, depending on the density of the tissues at the anatomical point of passage, combined with the interference of organs, bones, etc.
Topics related to wound ballistics require interdisciplinary collaboration between Forensic Pathologists and other Experts (Ballistics, Chemists, etc.), depending on the investigated act and always in conjunction with the operation and use of the examined object.
Special Topics:
- Ballistic Examination of Weapons and their Functionality.
- Accuracy of Ballistic Examinations – Sensitivity and Verification of Comparative Methods.
- Ballistic Investigation and 3D Imaging Investigation – Crime Scene Evaluation.
- Entry and Exit Wound Impressions and Ricochet.
- Bullet Trajectory and Direction.
- Ejection of Casings.
- Spread, Distribution, and Penetration of pellets as a result of firing hunting cartridges.
- Gunshot Residues and Gunpowder Residues.
- Casing and Bullet Alloys, Oxidation, and Corrosion.
- Required Trigger Pull Weight.
- Acoustics of Gunshots – Sound Intensity Levels Produced by Firearms.
- Wound Ballistics – Histological and Cellular Alterations.
- Stopping Power – Ability of a fatally wounded individual to continue moving.
- Skin Penetration – Minimum velocities required to pierce the skin.
- Evaluation of Deposition Sites of Biological Materials – Fingerprints in relation to the operation and use of specific objects.
- Tool Marks – Identification of Impressions (e.g., marks from friction, cutting, stabbing) caused by various objects on a damaged surface.
- Evaluation of Explosive Devices and Explosion Traces.
- Assessment of Break-ins by examining traces, keys, locks, door frames, safes, etc.
- Classification of Objects under Law 2168/93 “Regulation of matters concerning weapons, ammunition, explosives, explosive devices, etc.,” as amended and in force today, along with other related provisions.
- Crime Scene Reconstruction according to the available data and evidence, under Article 30, Paragraph 7, of PD14/2001.
