Handbook of Firearms and Ballistics

Brian Heard began his career as an examiner in firearms and ballistics with the Metropolitan Police Forensics Firearms Laboratory at New Scotland Yard, London, UK. He rose to the level of Deputy Head of the Laboratory before joining the Royal Hong Kong Police as a ballistics officer. He is currently the officer in charge of the Ballistics and Firearms Identification Bureau for the Royal Hong Kong Police. He appears regularly in court as an expert witness in cases involving firearms, ammunition, tools and toolmarks, and has undertaken the research, development and implementation of improved techniques for the collection, examination and interpretation of gunshot residue particles via a scanning electron microscope. He also lectures to police training establishments and related organisations on all aspects of forensic ballistics, forensic firearms and toolmark examinations, gunshot residue analysis and the use of these techniques in criminal investigations.

"I would strongly recommend that this book be made available to practicing firearms examiners, laboratory directors, others interested in this field of science and attorneys." (AFTE Journals, 2011) "Brian Heard provides readers with a sophisticated forensic interest in firearms with a hugely detailed and authoritative ‘state of the art' manual of all aspects of firearms and ballistics . . . Neil Davison also provides us with a detailed, thorough, and an authoritative manual on the huge variety of ‘non-lethal' weapons that are available, in development, or whose development has been terminated or fallen into abeyance." (A Journal of Policy and Practice, 16 February 2011)"This second edition of the Handbook of Firearms and Ballistics is welcomed, particularly given the lack of collected research elsewhere." (The Howard Journal, February 2010)

• Developments in Forensic Science ixAcknowledgements xiForeword xiii1 Firearms 11.1 A Brief History of Firearms 11.2 Weapon Types and Their Operation 191.3 Proof Marks 322 Ammunition 432.1 A Brief History of Ammunition 432.2 Ammunition Components 482.3 Non-toxic Shot 772.4 A Brief History of Propellants 802.5 Priming Compounds and Primers 862.6 Headstamp Markings on Ammunition 943 Ballistics 1013.1 Internal, External and Terminal Ballistics 1013.2 Internal Ballistics 1023.3 External Ballistics 1093.4 Terminal Ballistics 1244 Forensic Firearms Examination 1454.1 A Brief History of Forensic Firearms Identifi cation 1454.2 Rifl ing Types and Their Identifi cation 1544.3 Fluted, Annular Ringed, Helical, Perforated and Oversized Chambers 1664.4 Basic Concepts of Striation Matching 1704.5 Basic Methodology Used in Comparison Microscopy 1824.6 Mathematical Proof of Striation Matches 1864.7 Accidental Discharge 1914.8 Identifi cation of Calibre from the Bullet Entry Hole 1974.9 Ricochet Analysis 2004.10 Bullet Penetration and Trajectory through Glass 2045 Range of Firing Estimations and Bullet Hole Examinations 2115.1 Introduction 2115.2 The Use of X-ray Photography 2125.3 Range of Firing Estimations for Pistols and Rifl es 2195.4 Chemical Tests for Range of Firing Estimations and Bullet Entry/Exit Hole Identifi cation 2275.5 Range of Firing Estimations for Shotguns 2336 Gunshot Residue Examination 2416.1 Introduction 2416.2 Formation of Discharge Residue 2416.3 Distribution of GSR Particles 2426.4 Identifi cation of GSR Particles 2436.5 The Use of the SEM for GSR Detection 2476.6 Sample Collection 2486.7 GSR Retention 2516.8 Conservation of GSR Particles on the Hands 2516.9 GSR Distribution on the Hands 2526.10 Identifi cation of Type of Ammunition, Country of Origin from GSR Analysis 2556.11 Environmental Contaminants 2566.12 Sources of Elements Commonly Found in Lead-Based GSRs 2576.13 Extending the Recovery Period for GSR 2597 Gun-Handling Tests 2717.1 Introduction 2717.2 Methodology for Ferrozine Use 2747.3 Case Notes 2758 Restoration of Erased Numbers 2778.1 Introduction 2778.2 Methods Used for Removal of Serial Numbers 2778.3 Theory behind Number Restoration 2788.4 Non-recoverable Methods of Number Removal 2798.5 Practice of Number Restoration 2808.6 Chemical Methods of Restoration 2808.7 Reagents Used for Various Metals 2818.8 Electrolytic Methods of Restoration 2838.9 Reagents Used 2838.10 Ultrasonic Cavitation for Restoration 2848.11 Magnetic Particle Method for Restoration 2848.12 Other Methods of Restoration 2858.13 Laser-Etched Serial Numbers and Bar Codes and Their Restoration 2869 Qualifying the Expert and Cross-Examination Questions 2919.1 Introduction 2919.2 General Background Questions 2939.3 Comparison Microscopy 2949.4 GSRs 2979.5 Ferrozine Test 3009.6 Standard of Review: ‘Daubert Trilogy’ 30010 Classifi cation of Firearm-Related Death 30510.1 Multiple-Shot Suicides 307References 30911 Glossary 311Appendix 1 Important dates in the History of Firearms from 1247 333Appendix 2 GSR results for Chinese and USSR ammunition 341Appendix 3 Primer content of some cartridge-operated nail guns 345Appendix 4 Commercial and General Abbreviations for Bullet Confi gurations 347Appendix 5 Trade Names 353Appendix 6 Gun Marks 373Appendix 7 Powder Burn Rate 377Appendix 8 Hearing Loss 381Appendix 9 General Firearms Values Conversion Table 389Index 393