Forensic Science
FORENSIC SCIENCE: BALLISTICS

Forensic Science:
Ballistics
Deloris B.
Brown Mackie College- Cincinnati

Ballistic isn’t just for Crime Shows CSI, CSI: Miami, CSI: New York, Body of Proof are just a few of the many crime shows that show us the exciting view of the type of forensic science that is use. I bet you are wondering what Forensic Science is. It is any science used for the purposes of the law, and therefore provides impartial scientific evidence for use in the courts of law, e.g. in a criminal investigation and trial. It is physical evidence that is gathered from the past to use in the present for criminal cases. Physical evidence can include footprints, fingerprints, strands of hair, fluids, and even body parts. However my favorite type of evidence is bullet fragments. I bet you are wondering how you find bullet fragments. Well you can use forensic ballistics. Forensic ballistics involves analysis of bullets and bullet impacts to determine information of use to a court or other part of a legal system. Separately from ballistics information, firearm and tool mark examinations ("ballistic fingerprinting") involve analyzing firearm, ammunition, and tool mark evidence in order to establish whether a certain firearm or tool was used in the commission of a crime. This area of study examines the path of a bullet from when it leaves the firearm up until it strikes the target. During investigations in which the use of firearms is suspected, a number of artefacts may be collected for examination, including firearms, cartridge cases, bullets, live ammunition, trace materials, and any material damaged by a projectile. The study of firearms and firearm ballistics is often