Course Introduction

MODULE 1 – BALLISTICS AND FIREARMS

This module will provide you an overview of ballistics, its historical evolution, branches (internal, intermediate, external, and terminal ballistics), components (barrel, action, stock, firing pin, breech face, chamber, extractor, ejector, bore, choke, lead, muzzle, trigger, sear, and magazine) of firearms, and their manufacturing process. You will also gain an understanding of how firearms are classified on the basis of bone characteristics, loading features, action mechanisms, handling conditions, and velocity.

MODULE 2 – AMMUNITION

This module focuses on propellants, including their types, history, and the role they play in ballistic applications. You will also learn about projectiles, including lead pellets, and types of jacketed bullets (paper-patch, wire, metal patch, electroplated, gas-check, armor-piercing, tracer, incendiary, dum-dum, hollow point, and aluminum-tipped).

You will also learn about crannelures, the various compositions of primers, including boxer and berdan types, and the function of percussion caps. Additionally, the module covers cartridge cases or shells, focusing on their composition, shapes, types, and headstamps, as well as the different roles and types of wads used in ammunition.

MODULE 3 – INTERNAL BALLISTICS

In this module, you will explore firearm mechanics and internal ballistics, including the ignition of propellants, hang fire, and pressure space curves during firing. You will also learn about factors influencing muzzle velocity, short start pressure, velocity, and the space curve. The module covers the theory of recoil, Piobett's Law, and Le Due's Formula, providing insights into the scientific principles behind firearm function and behavior.

MODULE 4 – EXTERNAL BALLISTICS

This module provides a foundational understanding of exterior ballistics, focusing on the motion of a projectile in the air. You will learn the equations governing projectile motion to determine velocity, the principal challenges in exterior ballistics, and the concept of misfire. The module also highlights potential issues during ignition and discharge processes caused by defects in the firearm, contributing to a deeper understanding of projectile behavior outside the firearm.

MODULE 5 – TERMINAL BALLISTICS/FIREARM INJURIES

In this module, you will gain insights about projectiles’ wounding effect, which is based on factors like the target site, velocity, constructional features, and range, and methods of firearm injuries identification using indicators like pink coloration, blackening, tattooing, dirt rings, foreign material, charring, contusion, and specific wound characteristics. The module also covers firearm injuries evaluation and detailed wound analysis caused by firearms like pistols, revolvers, rifles, shotguns, muzzle-loading firearms, and zip guns. The concept of fatal injuries, extraordinary facts, the difference between postmortem and antemortem injuries, and considerations related to determining the age of injuries are also taught.

MODULE 6 – IMPROVISED FIREARMS

This module explores the classification, characteristics, and firing process of improvised firearms. You will learn about key components such as the barrel, chamber, action, and lock, and their roles in the functioning of these firearms. The module provides a detailed analysis of the evaluation process of improvised firearms, offering insights into their construction and operation while also highlighting the risks associated with such weapons.

MODULE 7 – COLLECTION AND PRESERVATION OF FIREARM EVIDENCE

This module focuses on the importance of collecting and preserving firearm evidence in investigations, including elements like cartridge cases, bullet characteristics, slugs and slots, glass fragments, discharge residues, clothes worn during an incident, bullet holes, and test exhibits. You will learn how these pieces of evidence are essential for reconstructing events, identifying weapons, and determining the trajectory and impact dynamics in forensic investigations.

MODULE 8 – EXAMINATION OF FIREARM EVIDENCE

This module focuses on the examination of firearm evidence in forensic investigations. You will learn how to analyze key elements such as cartridge cases, bullet characteristics, slugs, glass fragments, discharge residues, bullet holes, and injuries. The module also highlights the importance of evaluating clothing, test exhibits, and other physical evidence. These factors are crucial for reconstructing the sequence of events, identifying weapons, and determining the trajectory and impact dynamics in firearm-related incidents.

MODULE 9 – GUNSHOT RESIDUES

In this module, you will learn about gunshot residue’s role in investigations, types of residues (black and smokeless powder), GSR nature and location determination methods, GSR collection methods (dry and wet), and organic residue collection techniques. The module also covers techniques to evaluate GSR evidence, like visual examination, infrared photography, soft X-ray radiography, dermal nitrate tests, Walker's test, Harrison and Gilroy's test, Price's spot test, the Greiss test, neutron activation analysis (NAA), flameless atomic absorption spectroscopy (F-AAS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray fluorescence (XRF).

MODULE 10 – AUTOMATED IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM

This module will equip you with understanding about automated identification systems, like the National Integrated Ballistics Information Network (NIBIN) and Integrated Ballistics Information (IBIS) systems, with which you can analyze and match ballistic evidence from different crime scenes from their comprehensive database. You will learn about the imaging technology these systems use, along with historical significance, principles, examination procedures, and limitations due to the quality of input data in both systems.

MODULE 11 – CRIME SCENE RECONSTRUCTION

This module focuses on the process of crime scene reconstruction, emphasizing the importance of thorough documentation, including photography and evidence collection. You will learn how to gather arms, ammunition, and the victim’s clothing, and how to analyze the collected evidence. The module also covers the creation of a medico-legal report to assess injuries and forensic findings and the development of a theory to accurately reconstruct the sequence of events surrounding the crime.

MODULE 12 – COURTROOM PRESENTATION OF EVIDENCE

This module covers the role of the expert witness in presenting evidence in court. You will learn how to offer expert opinions on exhibits, present experimental data, and use illustrations such as cartridge cases and firearm ranges. The module also discusses using medical evidence to strengthen testimony, ensuring clear communication in court, and mastering cross-examination techniques to clarify, challenge, or enhance the expert’s evidence.