Ballistics Unit Test

Action

Mechanism in firearm that loads, locks, and fires/ejects cartridges

Ballistics

The study of motion, behavior, and effects of projectiles as they travel

Barrel

Long, hollow tube of a firearm through which projectile is fired

Bullet

Projectile expelled from the barrel of a firearm

Caliber

Internal diameter of the barrel or bullet

Cartridge

A complete ammunition unit consists of bullet, casing, gunpowder, and primer

Chamber

Part of firearm where cartridge is placed before firing

Drag

Persistence a projectile experiences as it moves through the air

External ballistics

The study of behavior of a projectile after exiting the barrel

Firearm

A weapon that uses a confirmed explosive to propel a projectile through a barrel

Gunpowder

Chemical propellant used in ammunition to generate gases to propel bullets

Hammer

Component in firearms that strikes the firing pin

Internal ballistics

Study of processes occurring within the firearm

Magazine

A storage device for holding multiple cartridges

Magnum

Designation for firearms/cartridges that are more powerful than standard versions

Muzzle

Open end of a firearm barrel (bullet exits)

Revolver

Type of firearm with rotating cylinder containing multiple cambers for cartridges

Rifling

Spiral grooves cut into the interior of a firearm barrel to impart spin on bullet

Semi-automatic weapon

Firearm that automatically reloads after each shot but needs a separate trigger for each round fired

Shotgun

Firearm designed to fire a spread of projectiles (for hunting or close range)

Shrapnel

Fragments from a bomb, shell, or explosive device

Sight

A device on a firearm used to assist in aiming at a target

Silencer

A device that reduces the sound of a shot and muzzle flash

Stock

Part of a firearm that provides structural support

Striations

Microscopic grooves or marks

What is Ballistics?

the science of the travel of a projectile

in flight. The flight path of a bullet includes: travel

down the barrel, path through the air, and path

through a target.

Bullet Injury

1. Laceration and crushing - Low velocity bullets,

as in handguns, do virtually all their damage via

crushing.

 2. Cavitation - Significant with projectiles travelling in

excess of 1000 fps. A "permanent" cavity is caused

by the path of the bullet itself,, causing the wound

cavity to be stretched outward.

 3. Shock waves - Shock waves compress the

medium and travel ahead of the bullet, as well as to

the sides, At high velocity, generated shock waves

can reach up to 200 atmospheres of pressure.

Which term describes a complete unit of ammunition that includes the bullet, casing, primer, and propellant?

Cartridge case

What material is found inside a bullet recovery tank?

Cotton, Gel, Water

Describe caliber:

Inter bore of the of the gun caliber, Diameter of a bullet projectile, Interior diameter of the barrel of the firearm

Which two units of measure are weapons made in?

Inches, Millimeters

The spiral lands and grooves insid ethe barrel of a frime arm are called:

Riffling

The instrument used to compare bullets and match striations is a specialized instrument called:

Comparison Microscope

Where are bullets loaded in a firearm?

Chamber

In a shotgun case, what does it have that is not in in a handgun or rifle

Wad

What has to be struck in order for a bullet to be fired

Primer

Tool marks are encountered most frequently in ________ cases but may also be found in other types of crimes

Tool marks are encountered most frequently in _________cases but may also be found in other types of crimes

burglary

Visible two dimensional marks formed from soil, dust, paint, blood, ink, etc

Patent impressions

Three dimensional imprints left in pliable materials such as snow, mud, soil, or soap

Plastic impressions

What could a car run over to leave plastic tire impressions?

Snow