MEN BEHIND THE FIREARM

EQUIPMENTS USED IN FIREARM EXAMINATION

It is designed to permit the firearm examiner to
differentiate two fired bullet or shell, by simultaneously observing their
magnified image in a single microscopic field. Fired bullet and shell are
examined and compared in either INTERMARRIAGE (half of the same
image of the evidence bullet/shell and half of the same image of the test
bullet/shell of the same direction, the same magnification, and the same level
or plane are merge into one image to look for the congruency of stations or
the same markings) and in JUXTAPOSITION (critical side by side
comparison at the same time, direction, magnification, image and level or
plane to find the same feature, structure of striations to the specimens under
observation). Bullet Comparison Microscope

It is generally used in the primary examinations of fired bullet and

shells to determine the relative distribution of the class characteristics or for
orientation purposes. It can also be used in the closed-up examination of
tampered serial numbers of firearms.
In the middle of 19th century, Francis Herbert Wenham of London
designed the first successful stereomicroscope. The first modern stereoscopic
microscope was introduced in the United States by Cycloptic.

Stereoscopic Microscope

It contains a series of microscopic lenses of different magnifications that can

be used in examining fired bullets or fired shells to determine the class
characteristics and also for orientation purposes. This instrument contains a
large circular ground glass, and a diameter about 14 inches, wherein the
observation and comparison of class characteristics is dome similarly with the
bullet comparison microscope.

Shadowgraph

Similar to bullet comparison micro-scope in which two fired bullets of shell

can be compared simultaneously by projecting the image on a large screen
and is observed at a vertical and comfortable viewing.
The instrument was invented by William Howard Livens, an engineer and
British army.

CP-6 Comparison Projector

It used is to obtain test fired bullets or test fired shells for examination and
comparison to the questioned bullets or shell. Several designs of bullet recovery
box are now adopted, for as long as it could meet the desired result in test firing
and retrieved the fired bullet undamaged. This is commonly filled with cotton but
sometimes water tank, sawdust with oil, sand, waste threads, darak, banana trunks
or rubber strips can be used and separated by cardboards.

Bullet Recovery Box

It is used in measuring pitch of riflings of firearms. This instrument is

generally used in highly advanced ballistics laboratory. With this instrument,
it is possible to measure the angle of twist in a rifled pistol or revolver barrel.
It is used in inserting the telescope and aligning it with the axis of the bore.
The scope is mounted in a rotatable bearing, with a graduated disc which
permits reading circular measurements to three minutes of an arc.
This instrument was invented by John H. Fisher.

Helixometer

This is used in making measurements such as bullet diameter, bore diameter,

barrel length and other important details.

Micrometer/Caliper

Used for determining weights of bullets or shotgun pellets for possible

determination of type, caliber and make of firearms from which fired.

Analytical or Torsion Balance

A small instrument that is sometimes used in examining the internal surface of the
gun barrel with a tiny lamp at the terminal portion and this is inserted inside the
bore for internal examination.

Onoscope

Used primarily for determining the bore diameter of firearms.

Taper Gauge

A high powered electron microscope used to identify left over particles like
gunpowder residues and primer residues. This is a computer system
combined with an electron microscope and laser spectrophotometry unit. Its
power is so great that with a mere speck of dust it could identify the
elemental components of the particle under examination.

Scanning Electron Microscope

Used in the laboratory for marking fired bullets, fired shells and firearms
submitted for examination.

Electric Gun Marker/Stylus

It is used to measure the speed of bullet.

It was invented by Alfred Lee Loomis in 1918.

Chronograph

It is used to separate the bullet form the cartridge case.

Bullet Puller

It is similar to the bullet comparison microscope; the only difference is the

magnified image is seen in the monitor. It is more convenient to use than a
manual one. Computerized Comparison Microscope