Ballistics (B5) Literature Review
Evaluation of the possibility of differentiation between various types of ammunition by means of GSR examination with SEM-EDX method (2001)
This paper assesses the use of a scanning electron microscope with an energy dispersive x-ray spectrometer (SEM-EDX) to analyse gunshot residue (GSR) and determine the type of ammunition used, as well as the gun it was fired from. GSR is the remains of the primer and propellant from the ammunition after a gun is fired. GSR analysis is widely used for a number of issues, such as determining if a suspect has fired a gun, estimating shooting distance, etc. [1]. It cannot usually give detailed information on the type of ammunition used. However, this paper aims to determine how effective SEM-EDX is at differentiating between a six different types of ammunition, fired out of six different pistols. A person will shoot a pistol containing the ammunition, then any residues on their hands will be sampled. The experiment measures the frequency of each class of GSR particle found on each of the six samples. SEM-EDX can analyse both the appearance of the GSR particles, and their chemical components. This is important in cases where pieces of evidence such as bullet casings are unavailable; GSR analysis with SEM-EDX may be able to determine the type of ammunition or gun used. The paper is 14 years old, since then computing and programming has become much more efficient, so the automated aspects of this experiment
Forensic ballistics and firearm investigation begin when the bullets, cartridges, a weapon, or any combination of the above found at a crime scene. With the evidence, a crime laboratory will explore for clues on some things that might cause a suspect or possible to prove that the things were used in the crime. By contrast, the markings on the bullets or cartridges found at the scene with those discharged from the suspect’s weapon, a ballistics expert will typically confirm if the rounds came from a similar weapon. Just the act of cycling a cartridge through the weapon without firing it will leave permanent scratches on the case that is distinctive to the weapon.
A 9mm luger round was discovered immediately after the alert of the victim. Then two 45 GPL CP round were discovered approximately 1 inch apart from each other at 0711. Close-up and medium range pictures were then taken of the bullets. A 9mm Luger was discovered with a red stain on the bullet at 0713 approximately 1.9 feet away from the tree on the scene. A sample was then collected and sent to the lab for testing at 0716. Talking to the officers at the hospital it was found that victim never woke-up and no other evidence was discovered on the scene. A cylindrical piece of metal was found at 0719 and documented and
We found a 40 caliber at the house that matched the casings from the scene, we diagramed the location and the condition as well as photographed before recovering and securing. I examined to see if the weapon was loaded and it was not. I marked the position of the cylinder, using two pen marks I put on the top of the cylinder alone each side of the top strap of the frame. I noted the loaded casings found in the box of ammunition in the field notes. It was then bagged and sent to the lab.
An investigation involving a firearm is a specialty of forensic science which focuses on the examination of firearms linked to ballistics. Ballistics is related to finding out the exact flight path of projectiles. Ballistics is the area of study that examines the exact path of the bullet from the moment it leaves the muzzle of the firearm up until it hits the target. During examination many items are collected for evidence including the firearm, bullets, live ammunition, cartridge casings, trace materials such as powder residue, and anything damaged by the projectile. Firearms are often divided into three processes: Internal, External, and Terminal Ballistics. Internal refers to the inside of the firearm; the space of time in which the shooter pulls the trigger, and the when the bullet is exiting. External ballistics is the flight between leaving the muzzle of the firearm, and it striking its target. Terminal ballistics is the impact of ballistics that refers to the examination in which the projectile strikes a target. All firearms leave markings on the cartridge casings once expelled when firing. Ballistic identification and microstamping laws make it possible to link a cartridge recovered to the
Have you ever wondered what a blacksmith and munitions maker at a Sugar Plantation in the 1800s was like? At the Levi Jordan Plantation, an excavation revealed a cabin that indicates a resident that worked lead, manufactured lead shot, and possibly other metals. This cabin is now called the “Smith’s Cabin”. At the Plantation, western artifacts used in African cultural context have been found during the excavation. Indications from these artifacts show that although these African and African Americans were no longer in their original cultural context, they still maintained some of their African cultural beliefs. The excavation of the Munition Makers’ cabin revealed information about the Munitions Maker, the purpose of the cabin, and showed findings of animal remains.
Although, the Glock is famous, it still needs the proper ammunition. As indicated in Campbell’s article, I also experienced the difference between poor and quality ammunition as well as reloaded. The quality impacts an officer’s confidence and shooting record. Although the situation was saved due to quality ammunition, hand-loads aren’t incompatible. Certain rules need to be adhered to in order to; function properly, save money, have specific tolerances to avoid overpressure and avoid blow ups.
The victim sustained a gunshot to the abdomen and in the head. After analysing photographs of the crime scene and the bullet entries in the body, the investigators were able to determine the trajectory of the bullet’s path and discovered that for the gunshot to the abdomen the assailant was approximately 2 feet away. After being shot in the abdomen, the victim attempted to distance herself when she fell and the assailant came closer and shot her in the head. The two bullets were retrieved from the body so they could examine the bullet’s tool marks and they discovered that the bullets are a .38 caliber. The bullet’s lands and grooves will later be used to match the bullets to the assailant’s
When evidence is gathered, different equipment and processes are used to determinate what it means. In 2011, the Federal Bureau of Investigation estimated that 8,583 murder victims, in the United States, died because of a firearm. Forensic scientist can use equipment, such as the Integrated Ballistic Identification System, to find what firearm was used (Bureau). "They used a shotgun loaded with double-O buckshot. Inside the casing for each shot are nine
Greed is a horrible trait to have, greed effect a person as a whole, a relationship, and how your outlook on life is. In Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Pardoners Tale, three friends get a chance to acquire so gold they were told is under a tree. This gold, they will soon find out, is costly to them.
Steinbeck begins the paragraph with a short, direct clause to highlight that Cathy’s desire for money is her main motivation. Steinbeck characterizes Cathy as a sinister woman by using “pulp,” a word with a negative connotation. “Pulp” also characterizes Mr. Edwards as a weakling compared to the monstrous Cathy. Not only does the word leave a negative impression on Cathy, but also on Edward. Cathy starts to steal from Mr. Edwards. However, Cathy also starts to steal his heart and conclusively exploits him. Steinbeck’s word choice also characterizes Cathy as a persistent individual, doing all she can to succeed in her plans. Steinbeck uses word choice with Cathy’s name: similar to Cain, Cathy also starts with a “C”, suggesting that Cathy also
Firearms that are left behind at a crime scene can be extremely helpful. This evidence includes not only the firearm itself but also the ammunition used in the firearm, componets that make up the firearms, and the residue that comes out when the
Only the most dangerous criminals in the world are faced with society’s ultimate penalty, or at least that is the theory. Capital punishment, commonly referred to as the Death Penalty has been debated for many decades regarding if such a method is ethical. While there are large amounts of supporters for the death penalty as a form of retribution, the process is avoidable financially as taxing for all parties involved. The financial expenses may be better off saved for life imprisonment with an emphasis in restorative justice for victims. Overall, there is unreasonable inefficiency with the capital punishment to justify the taking of another person’s life.
In this article called Gun Safety Group Sees Room to Reinforce Existing Law by Michael D. Shear, he talks about a mass shooting that took place at a coomunity college in Oregon. President Obama adressed to the news that he had to ask his staff to pretty much get rid of the governments gun laws to see if it would prevent more massacres. A group called Everytown for Gun Safety says that President Obama could help protect any future gun victims from attackers, by decidimg to change a few laws made by the government that are in the books. John Feinbatt who is the president of Everytown said that, the white house needs to take steps in making schools safer by keeping criminals away from guns. He also said that the Justice Department should make
Gunpowder single handedly changed the world. What once started as fireworks, would eventually become the greatest aspect of warfare known to man. It was first used by the Chinese, as colorful displays of fire in the sky, but under the rule of the Ming and Ching it became a feared machine of war. Although the effects of gunpowder were mainly positive, there are still some major disadvantages.
The Bill of Rights has stood for centuries as the ultimate embodiment of the rights of citizens in America, and the right to keep and bear arms is a vital part of the individual rights guaranteed by the Constitution. Gun control, or even a ban, infringes upon this fundamental freedom of America’s constitutional law. Furthermore, the problems being targeted are not problems, and the technology being discredited, ludicrous. Finally, gun control proponents base their arguments on fearful statistics, whereas statistics, in reality, favor less restrictive arms bans.