FORENSIC BALLISTICS- FINAL MODULE

TOOLMARK EXAMINATIONS
Toolmark examinations and comparisons represent the core area of study for firearm and toolmark
examiners. The conceptual and practical aspects of toolmark identification provide the skills
necessary for firearms identification; “firearm identification” is a specialized subset of toolmark
identification. Toolmark identification is based on the following concept:
(a) A tool is defined as the harder of two objects which, when brought into contact with each other,
results in the softer object receiving a toolmark.

(b) Tools (e.g., screwdrivers, firearms, bolt cutters, etc.) will bear unique microscopic characteristics
due to the manufacturing processes they undergo and use and abuse.

(c) These characteristics will mark surfaces (e.g., locks, cut wires, fired bullets, etc.) with class and
individual characteristics.

(d) These class and individual characteristics are reproducible and identifiable with a particular tool.

PRINCIPLES INVOLVE IN SHELL IDENTIFICATION

1. The breech face and firing pin of every single firearm have individual microscopic individualities
of their own;
2. Every firearm leaves its fingerprint or thumbprint on every cartridge it fires;
3. That, since the breech face of every weapon, has the individual distinction, the imprints of all
cartridge cases fired from the same weapon are the same.

PRINCIPLES INVOLVE IN BULLET IDENTIFICATION

(1) No two barrels are microscopically alike or identical as the internal surface of the bore or barrels
all possess individual characteristics of their own;
(2) When a bullet is fired from a rifled gun barrel, riflings are engraved therein, which vary in its
minute details with other firearms, even of the same type.
(3) Every barrel leaves its mark known as a “thumb mark or fingerprint” on every bullet that passes
through it.
 THE FOLLOWING ARE THE EQUIPMENT GENERALLY
USED IN FIREARMS IDENTIFICATION:
(1) Bullet Comparison Microscope
The most important equipment for scientific firearms examination. It is used for comparing
evidence shells and bullets and test shells and bullets to determine whether they are fired from the
same gun or not. Bullet comparison microscope was introduced in 1925. The first person to own
and use this equipment is Dr. Calvin H. Goddard, the known father of Modern Ballistics. To
date, bullet comparison microscopes are used with ease and convenience because of the
technology.

What is shown is an old bullet comparison microscope where you need to peep at the eyepiece of
the microscope (as with the stereoscopic microscope) to look at the minute detail of the striations
and impression). The equipment below will give the examiner a direct enlarged image on the screen
of the computer and will be recorded automatically and ready for printing as they wish.
(2) Stereoscopic Microscope
It is similar to a microscope. Its only difference is that it has two eyepieces. It has the capability to
examine two bullets or shells microscopically. This is very useful in the preliminary examination.
Unlike bullet comparison microscope, it has no camera attachment and therefore cannot produce a
photomicrograph.

(3) Onoscope
A small instrument sometimes used in examining the internal surface of the gun barrel. It has a tiny
lamp at the internal portion and this is inserted inside the bore for internal examinations.
(4) Shadowgraph
Another instrument whose function is similar to a microscope. It contains a series of microscopic
lenses of different magnifications that can be used in examining fired bullets or fired shells to
determine their class characteristics especially for preliminary examination and orientation
purposes.

(5) Caliper
An instrument used in making measurements such as bullet diameter, bore diameter, barrel length,
and other important details.

(6) Helixometer
This is an instrument used in measuring the pitch of riflings.
(7) Micrometer
Have the same use as in helixometer.

(8) Analytical or Torsion Balance

This is used for determining weights of bullets or shotgun pellets for possible determination of
type, caliber, and make of firearms.

(9) Bullet Recovery Box (Drum)

A box used for test firing of the suspected firearms. Other means used in the test-firing of
suspected firearms to obtain test bullets or test shells for comparative purpose are the following:
(10) Magnifying Glass
Use for preliminary examination and orientation purposes of the different marks (striation) on a
bullet, shell, and firearms.

(11) Taper Gauge

Used primarily for determining the bore diameter of firearms.

(12) Chronograph
For determining the speed of the bullet or the muzzle velocity of the bullet
 PROCEDURES IN COLLECTION
IDENTIFICATION AND PRESERVATION OF
PHYSICAL EVIDENCE
A thorough understanding of physical evidence, its protection, preservation, and examination are
necessary if the following important duties are properly performed:

[1] Once an officer has taken evidence into his possession, he must be able to establish its chain of
custody until;

= The same is presented in court;

= Or return it .to the victim or suspect, as the case may be.

[2] It is necessary to be able to establish where the evidence has been at all times:

= If the officer expects to overcome questions presented by the defense;

= And to impress the judge or court that the evidence has been properly protected.

[3] If the evidence is out of the officer’s control for any period of time, he must be able to establish:

= Who had the evidence; and

= When it was returned.

COLLECTION OF PHYSICAL EVIDENCE

When collecting physical evidence, the officer or investigator should collect all articles, which are or
may at some future date, be something of value as evidence. These articles consist of:
(1) Any physical object, which may tend to or indicate whether or not a crime was committed;
(2) Anything which may connect some particular person with the crime or crime scene;

EXAMPLE OF FIREARMS EVIDENCE

(a) The lethal or fatal weapon

(b) Fired bullet or bullets.

(c) Fired cartridge case

(d) Metal fragments

(e) Broken glasses

(f) Shotgun

DESIGNATION OF INVESTIGATING OFFICER TO COLLECT ALL PIECES OF EVIDENCE

This is so for the purpose of:

(1) Making the introduction of exhibits in court simpler; and

(2) Being able to keep records, and remembers where, when, and what was collected, which is much
better if several men have to hands the same exhibits;

GREAT CARE OF PHYSICAL EVIDENCE

The keyword is do not “MAC” the evidence:
[1] Mutilate – in no case should the evidence be mutilated in any way, such as crushing, if ever this
can be avoided.
[2] Alter – in no case should the evidence be altered in any way that may change its original nature.
If alterations do occur the investigator or officer should take note in his report why this happened.
[3] Contaminate – and finally, in no case should the evidence be contaminated, that is adding
anything which, may change the nature of the physical evidence.
SKETCHING AND PHOTOGRAPHING THE CRIME SCENE
The crime scene should be sketched and photographed. Photographs of the victim should be taken
and all other suitable articles like a weapon, bullets, shells, holes, and all other related evidence,
before removing them.
STATE THE PROCEDURE IN PROPER PACKING OF FIREARMS OR WEAPON BULLETS AND
SHELLS:
The following are the procedure in proper packing of firearms or weapon, bullets, and shell:

[1] After marking the physical evidence. It must be wrapped surely in some soft material; it should
always be placed in a suitable container to prevent any further or needless mutilation;
[2] Never, under any circumstances, place a discharged or fired bullet in clothing or pocket without
first carefully wrapping it with some & protective covering.
[3] Regarding bullets, which are lodged in walls, furniture, wood trims, or even trees, extremes care
must be exercised in removing this evidence. Do not attempt to dig out the evidence bullet with
the knife, or ice pick; rather cut around the evidence in order not to touch it with anything that
would tend to mark it.
[4] If the bullet or slug has broken up into many fragments or pieces, secure as many fragments as
possible. These fragments may be fitted together which may aid in analyzing and examining it.
[5] If cartridge cases or shells are found at the crime scene, after marking them, they should be
preserved as carefully as possible.
[6] If cartridge cases are found and appear loaded in a weapon, it is best to transport said weapon
to the laboratory as it is, with the exception that a tag is secured to the weapon labeled, danger,
loaded weapon.
[7] If for security reasons, the weapon must be unloaded, the investigator must carefully mark each
cartridge and cartridge case together with the location of its origin.
[8] When a firearm is found at the scene of the crime the investigator should take note of the
following pertinent facts about the firearms:
(a) Types of firearms (pistol, revolver, etc.);
(b) Make of the firearm (colt, S&W, etc.);
(c) The caliber of the firearm (cal. 22,38. etc.);
(d) Serial no. (most important);
(e) Load in the cylinder, if revolver, or load in the magazine, if pistol;
(f) Other features of significance (length of the barrel, nickel, or plated);
(g) Position of a firearm in relation to a dead body at the crime scene;
(h) Other distinct outside marks.
[9] When a bullet/bullets are found at the crime scene, the following should be noted;
(a) Type of bullet (lead or jacketed);

(b) The caliber of the bullet;

(c) Shape or form of the bullet (round nose, flat nose, etc,);

(d) Other metal or bullet fragment if any; and

(e) Relative position

[10] When shell or shell are found at the scene of the crime, the following should be noted down;
(a) Number of the shells and order of recovery;

(b) The caliber of the shells;

(c) Trademark or brand of the shells;

(d) Relative position of the shells at the crime scene.

THE FOLLOWING ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT REASON FOR THE MARKING OF EVIDENCE:
[1] The officer may be called to the witness stand several weeks or month later, or even years later
after the commission of the crime, to identify the object he collected at the time of the offense;
[2] The officer can not completely rely on his memory because there will be many more cases that
he will handle after every case;
[3] Defense counsel may require that the complete “chain and custody of evidence” be established

THE FOLLOWING ARE THE PROCEDURAL STEPS IN MARKING PHYSICAL EVIDENCE:

[1] Use a distinctive mark in order to exclude others, such as your initials, serial numbers, or
personal marks;
[2] Record the mark used together with the position of the mark;
[3] Record any serial number or other distinctive marks found on the physical evidence;
[4] If ever possible, mark the object Itself with Due Care in order to avoid any damages or
alternation;
[5] Do not forget to mark the container where the physical evidence is placed, notwithstanding the
marking already on the object itself;
[6] Whenever tags are used, make a corresponding entry in it and attach it accurately to the object.
HOW TO MARK FIREARM EVIDENCE
Bullet
The fired bullet or slug should be marked by the investigator or a police officer who recovers it with
his initials nose or base as the case may be, together with the corresponding date of recovery. (see
sample markings)
Fired Shell
The initials of the recovering investigator together with the date of recovery should be made just
on the inside and near the mouth with a sharp and metallic instrument.

Firearms
Any suspected firearm should be marked by the investigator or police officer who recovered it, with
his initials and corresponding date, on any of the three main and separable parts, barrel, cylinder,
and frame, in case of revolver and barrel, slide, frame or receiver, in case of a pistol. Of course, this is
done without utter disregard for taking down the serial number of the firearm.
A TAG should Be PROVIDED WITH THE FOLLOWING ENTRIES
(a) type of firearm;
(b) make of firearm;
(c) serial number;
(d) date of recovery;
(e) place of recovery;
(f) name of a victim if any; and
(g) name of the suspect
WHAT ARE DONTs IN MARKING OF FIREARM BULLET AND SHELL?
The following are don’t in marking firearm, bullet, and shell:

(1) Never use [x] as an initial for identifying mark;

(2) Do not put any identifying mark in a cylinder or peripheral surface of any bullet or slug.
(3) Do not put any identifying mark on the base of a shell;
(4) Do not put any identifying mark on any separable part of a firearm.
RULES IN PRESERVING PHYSICAL EVIDENCE
(1) Evidence should be properly preserved for future identification and presentation during the trial
of the case;
(2) Firearm evidence must be kept in the proper place and under a proper condition so that it will
be of greatest value in the prosecution of the case;
(3) Fired bullet & shell after having been marked should be wrapped in tissue paper & sealed in a
box;
(4) The container should be properly labeled or marked;
(5) Each article of evidence should be placed in a separate container, and each container shall be
accordingly marked for future references;
(6) Use a container that will not easily break and one which is large enough that the evidence can
be removed and replace without difficulty;
(7) The suspected firearm should be properly wrapped and placed in a container to prevent loss or
tampering.