Forensic Ballistics
Forensic Ballistics Quiz Crafted by -
Ms. Manashree Mane
Assistant Professor,
Department of Forensic Science,
School of Sciences,
JAIN (Deemed-to-be-University),
Bangalore 560027, Karnataka
Introduction to Forensic Ballistics
The term ballistics refers to the science of study of the action, motion and behaviour of a projectile during its flight in any given medium. The flight path of a bullet includes travel down the barrel called Internal Ballistics, path through the air called External Ballistics, and path through a target called Terminal Ballistics. Ballistic expert need to answer the questions such as the type of The Firearms used, Identification of the Firearm, Individual Characteristics of Firearm, Range of Firing, Direction of Firing, Identification of the Shooter and Medico legal aspects: - Suicide/Homicide/Accident.
Let's look at the questions and their answer with explanation.
Que 1. The cartridges that neither have primer nor powder and are only used for weapon functioning test or practice safe loading and unloading of weapons are termed as:
a) Grenade-launcher cartridges
b) Caseless cartridges
c) Dummy cartridges
d) Tear-gas cartridges
Answer - c) Dummy cartridges
Explanation - Dummy cartridges are used for weapon functioning test or for practicing safe loading-unloading of weapons.
Que 2. What is the main purpose of cartridge case other than for holding the components together?
a) Annealing
b) Obturation
c) Stamping
d) Loading
Answer - b) Obturation
Explanation - Obturation prevents explosive escape of high-pressure gases through the breech.
Que 3. Which of the following cartridge that has configuration of base with extractor flange less than the diameter of cartridge case?
a) Rimmed
b) Rimless
c) Semi-rimmed
d) Rebated
Answer - d) Rebated
Explanation - Rebated cartridges generally used in high-powered cannon ammunition has an extractor flange less than the diameter of cartridge case.
Que 4. What is the ratio of copper and zinc in the brass composition used for making cartridge cases?
a) 50:50
b) 90:10
c) 40:60
d) 70:30
Answer - d) 70:30
Explanation - The usual composition of copper and zinc for making brass cartridge cases is 70:30
Que 5. Which of the following cartridges have two bullets instead of one fitted in tandem?
a) Pistol
b) Revolver
c) Caseless
d) Duplex
Answer - d) Duplex
Explanation - A duplex cartridge has two bullets instead of one and leave muzzle end one after the other
Que 6. Which of the following substance is generally added to increase the hardness of lead bullets?
a) Mercury
b) Barium
c) Antimony
d) Manganese
Answer - c) Antimony
Explanation - Antimony or Tin is usually added to lead bullets for increasing its hardness
Que 7. Which of the following bullets have copper cup crimped to their base?
a) Boat-tailed
b) Gas-check
c) Paper-patch
d) Wire-patch
Answer - b) Gas-check
Explanation - Gas-check bullets have copper cup crimped to their base in order to protect bullet base from melting due to high temperature and pressure of the propellant gases.
Que 8. Which of the following cartridges are used where weapons only have to be loaded and fired and no cartridge needs to be extracted?
a) Shotgun
b) Rifle
c) Caseless
d) Blank
Answer - c) Caseless
Explanation - Caseless cartridges burn after firing where cartridges need not be extracted out of the weapon. They are made using High Ignition Temperature Propellant
Que 9. Which of the following term implies stamp applied to various parts of weapon during and after manufacture to show that the weapon is safe to use with ammunition for which it is designed?
a) Calibre
b) Gauge
c) Headstamp
d) Proof marks
Answer - d) Proof marks
Explanation - Proof marks are stamped on various parts of weapon during and after manufacture to indicate the weapon is safe to use with ammunition
Que 10. Which of the following weapon usually leaves behind skid marks on bullets that are fired and examined for under comparison microscope?
a) Pistols
b) Revolvers
c) Shotguns
d) Matchlock
Answer - b) Revolvers
Explanation - Revolvers leave behind skid marks on the bullets that can be observed under microscope.
Que 11. Entrance wounds in skin may have an X-shape due to tail fin from which of the following projectiles?
a) Pellets
b) Birdshot
c) Flechettes
d) Slugs
Answer - c) Flechettes
Explanation - Flechettes leave behind X-shape on entrance wound due to their tail-fin
Que 12. In fired Rim-fire cartridge cases, which of the following impression is the most identifying mark which may help determining make of the weapon?
a) Rifling
b) Firing pin
c) Extractor
d) Ejector
Answer - b) Firing pin
Explanation - The size, shape and location of firing pin on fired rim-fire cartridge cases may help in determining the make of the weapon
Que 13. Which of the following ammunition is designed for use in vast majority of the revolvers?
a) Rimless
b) Rimmed
c) Semi-rimmed
d) Belted
Answer - b) Rimmed
Explanation - The revolver cartridges are usually rimmed with a flange to enable cartridge to be extracted from the weapon
Que 14. The characteristic insert used is armour piercing bullets is made using which of the following material?
a) Plastic
b) Lead
c) Iron
d) Tungsten Chromium Steel
Answer - d) Tungsten Chromium Steel
Explanation - The Armour piercing bullets were designed to cause more damage using hard tungsten chromium steel insert
Que 15. The “Cooling Tower” method is the manufacturing process used for-
a) Bullets
b) Percussion caps
c) Shots
d) Gunpowder
Answer - c) Shots
Explanation - Molten lead alloy is dropped through sieves from a height of about 50 to 75 metres in towers. A blast of cold air is sent upward in the tower. The pellets are formed during the fall. They are dropped down in a water tank kept at the base of the tower. They are collected, rumbled, and graded.