Possibility to Identify Bullets and other Components of the Cartridges by Consideration on Barrels and Projectiles Types

Giorgi Dzindzibadze

doi:10.19044/esj.2022.v18n29p47

Giorgi Dzindzibadze Grigol Robakidze University, School of Law, Tbilisi, Georgia Workplace: Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia, Forensic-Criminalistics Department, Examination Division, Ballistic Expertise Section. Head of the First Subunit/Chief Expert

DOI: https://doi.org/10.19044/esj.2022.v18n29p47

Keywords: Polygonal rifling, traditional rifling, smooth bore, barrel, bullet, identification

Abstract

There are three types of barrels - polygonal rifling, traditional (conventional) rifling, and smooth bore. Since the internal shape of each barrel is different, the projectiles passed in these barrels have different marks and some are more depicted than others. Identifying private signs is necessary for comparison. If such marks do not remain on the surface of the bullet, it will be unusable for the identification process, which is based on a comparison of general and individual marks. Although scientists have different opinions on this issue, some of them claim that it is possible to identify small shot fired from a smooth bore. This issue has been explored and reflected in this paper, and it is possible to conduct an identification research on bullets. The paper also focuses on the issues the expert should consider when identifying. It is probably clear to everyone that it is impossible to conduct research of this scale on objects (shots, pellets, plastic container) that do not have sufficient identification marks. A reasonable conclusion used in court as evidence should be based on a combination of durable individual barrel channel marks with other bullets or a combination of durable individual barrel marks of the experimental weapon. In some cases, the expert’s conclusion is used as direct evidence in court and a wrong conclusion can result in the conviction of an innocent person.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Metrics

Metrics Loading ...

PlumX Statistics

References

1. Bakhtadze, G. E. & Golenev, V. S. (2019). A brief excursion into the history of the identification of smooth-bore firearms by marks on projectiles. Criminalistics and Forensic Science, 1(22), 77-91.
2. Balashov, D. N., Balashov, N. M., & Malikov, S. V. (2005). Criminalistics. Moscow. In Russian.
3. Bertovsky, L. V. (2018). Criminalistics, a textbook for bachelors. Moscow. RG-Press. In Russian.
4. Burrard, G. (1962). The Identification of Firearms and Forensic Ballistics. New York. A. S. Barnes and Co.
5. Council Directive of 18 June 1991 on control of the acquisition and possession of weapons (1991). Official Journal of the European Communities, 9 (13), 51-58.
6. Criminalistics (2018). Edited by Bertovsky, L. V. Moscow. In Russian.
7. Criminalistics (2007). Edited by Filippov, A. G. Moscow. In Russian.
8. Criminalistics of the socialist countries (1986). Edited by Koldin, V. Ya. Moscow. In Russian.
9. Gunther, J. D. & Gunther, Ch. O. (2015). The Identification of Firearms. New York, NY: Skyhorse Publishing.
10. Heard, B. j. (2013). Forensic Ballistics in Court. Chichester, West Sussex. John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
11. Kiely, T. F. (2006). Forensic Evidence: Science and the Criminal Law. Second edition. Boca Raton, FL. Taylor & Francis Group.
12. Kiely, T. F. (2001). Forensic Evidence: Science and the Criminal Law. Boca Raton, FL. Corporate Blvd.
13. Orlov, Yu. K. (2016). Modern Problems of Proving and Use of Special Knowledge in Criminal Proceedings. Moscow. LLC Prospekt. In Russian.
14. Saferstein, R. (2020). Criminalistics. An Introduction to Forensic Science. Thirteenth Edition. Hoboken, NJ: Pearson Education.
15. Saferstein, R. (2018). Criminalistics, An Introduction to Forensic Science. 12th edition. Boston. Pearson Education.
16. Sedlacek, C. H. (2012). Alternative Individual Cartridge Case Identification Techniques. Lincoln, Nebraska. University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
17. Seleznev, A. V. & Sysoyev, E. V. (2012). Forensic Expertise. Tambov. Publishing house FGBOU VPO „TSTU“. In Russian.
18. Sinha, J. K. & shettry, M. L. (1972). Pellet Identification. Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology, Vol. 63, 134-136.
19. Thomas, G., Fadul, Jr., Hernandez, G., Wilson, E., Stoiloff, S., & Gulati, Sn. (2013). An Empirical Study to Improve the Scientific Foundation of Forensic Firearm and Tool Mark Identification Utilizing Consecutively Manufactured Glock EBIS Barrels with The Same EBIS Pattern. Final Report. Submitted By: Miami-Dade Police Department Crime Laboratory. Award Number: 2010-DN-BX-K269. Retrieved from https://www.ojp.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/244232.pdf
20. Thompson, R. M. (2010). Firearm identification in the forensic science laboratory. Alexandria. National District Attorneys Association.
21. Warlow, T. (2012). Firearms, the Law, and Forensic Ballistics. Third Edition. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.