Ballistics

Uses the trajectory of a bullet; the angle, the velocity, the caliber to determine what was used in the crime. After a potential murder weapon is located, it is then test fired and the barrel striations are compared between the bullet from the crime and the bullet in the crime lab. If they match up, the murder weapon can then be dusted for prints or trace evidence. The owner of the gun is not always the one that fired it during the crime. Different calibers use different bullets and gun powder, each type of gun would make the ammo travel at a different velocity and speed. That meaning that a 22 would not make the same wound as an AK47. They are just too different and would have a different impact overall. After shooting a gun, a residue is left behind that can then be tested for. The residue comes from the ejection of the cartridge from the barrel. Even if hands are washed, the residue rubs off on anything and will then transfer back.

Like any of the murder weapons, there is a trial and error until the exact type is found, the angle is determined and everything like that. All firearms have to be registered with the government, so once a gun is determined, an owner of said gun can then be determined with a potential person that pulled the trigger.

Ballistics. 2007. Forensic and criminalistic Testing, Inc. 5 May 2009 http://www.abqcrimelab.com/ballistics.php