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Handbook of Firearms and Ballistics
Examining and Interpreting Forensic Evidence Second Edition
Brian J. Heard

A John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., Publication

Handbook of Firearms and Ballistics
Second Edition

Handbook of Firearms and Ballistics
Examining and Interpreting Forensic Evidence Second Edition
Brian J. Heard

A John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., Publication

This edition firstpublished 2008, © 2008 by John Wiley & Sons Ltd Wiley-Blackwell is an imprint of John Wiley & Sons, formed by the merger of Wiley’s global Scientific, Technical and Medical business with Blackwell Publishing. Registered office: John Wiley & Sons Ltd, The Atrium, Southern Gate, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 8SQ, UK Other Editorial Offices: 9600 Garsington Road, Oxford, OX4 2DQ, UK 111 River Street,Hoboken, NJ 07030-5774, USA For details of our global editorial offices, for customer services and for information about how to apply for permission to reuse the copyright material in this book please see our website at www.wiley.com/ wiley-blackwell The right of the author to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. Allrights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, except as permitted by the UK Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, without the prior permission of the publisher. Wiley also publishes its books in a variety of electronic formats. Some content thatappears in print may not be available in electronic books. Designations used by companies to distinguish their products are often claimed as trademarks. All brand names and product names used in this book are trade names, service marks, trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. The publisher is not associated with any product or vendor mentioned in this book. Thispublication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered. It is sold on the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering professional services. If professional advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Library of Congress Cataloguing-in-Publication Data Heard, Brian J.Handbook of firearms and ballistics : examining and interpreting forensic evidence / by Brian J. Heard. p. cm. Includes index. ISBN 978-0-470-69460-2 1. Forensic ballistics. 2. Firearms. 3. Firearms–Identification. I. Title. HV8077.H43 2008 363.25′62–dc 22 2008029101 ISBN: 978-0-470-69460-2 A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library. Set in 10.5/12.5 Sabon by SNP Best-SetTypesetter Ltd, Hong Kong. Printed in Singapore by Markono Print Media Pte Ltd. First Impression 2008

Contents
Developments in Forensic Science Acknowledgements Foreword 1 Firearms
1.1 1.2 1.3 A Brief History of Firearms Weapon Types and Their Operation Proof Marks Further Reading

ix xi xiii 1
1 19 32 42

2 Ammunition
2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 A Brief History of Ammunition AmmunitionComponents Non-toxic Shot A Brief History of Propellants Priming Compounds and Primers Headstamp Markings on Ammunition Reference

43
43 48 77 80 86 94 99

3 Ballistics
3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Internal, External and Terminal Ballistics Internal Ballistics External Ballistics Terminal Ballistics References

101
101 102 109 124 143

4 Forensic Firearms Examination
4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.84.9 4.10 A Brief History of Forensic Firearms Identification Rifling Types and Their Identification Fluted, Annular Ringed, Helical, Perforated and Oversized Chambers Basic Concepts of Striation Matching Basic Methodology Used in Comparison Microscopy Mathematical Proof of Striation Matches Accidental Discharge Identification of Calibre from the Bullet Entry Hole Ricochet Analysis Bullet Penetration...