Forensic Ballistics: Firearm Types, Ammunition, and Scene Examination

This second easy-level Forensic Ballistics mock covers a completely different set of foundational topics — zero repetition from Easy Mock 1 — focusing on firearm classification, ammunition types, range determination, wound morphology, and scene examination procedures. All thirty questions are pitched at the definitional level.

Questions cover: single-action vs double-action revolvers (DA = one pull cocks and fires), revolver vs semi-automatic pistol structural differences (cylinder vs magazine; spent cases in cylinder), rimfire vs centerfire primer location (spun into hollow rim vs center cup), black powder vs smokeless powder (less smoke + more energy from smokeless), barrel length effect on muzzle velocity (longer barrel = higher velocity), class characteristics of fired bullets (number/width of lands and grooves + twist direction + degree), close-range wound features (soot that can be wiped; no muzzle imprint), distant wound features (abrasion ring only; no soot or stippling; indeterminate range), exit wound vs entrance wound morphology (larger + everted + no abrasion ring), headstamp markings (manufacturer + calibre + year/lot), comparison microscope role (simultaneous side-by-side viewing; the gold standard), country-made firearms (katta) forensic challenges (non-standard + possibly no rifling + unsafe), magazine vs clip distinction (magazine has spring-follower; clip is simple holder), muzzle energy formula KE = ½mv² (velocity squared = dominant factor), individual characteristics allowing specific-firearm identification, Boxer vs Berdan primer types (single vs multiple flash holes + easy vs hard to reload), bullet yaw in tissue (tumbling = larger effective cross-section = more damage), button rifling method (cold-forming by carbide button), headstamp forensic casework use (manufacturer + calibre + tracing ammunition source), water tank for test fire recovery (recovers undamaged bullet for comparison), shotgun slug vs shot load (single solid vs pellets), ricochet bullet features (flattening + surface material + altered trajectory), Hague Convention and FMJ ammunition (expanding bullets prohibited in war), barrel leading from unjacketed bullets (lead deposits in grooves; jacketing prevents this), intermediate target effects on wounds (fragments in wound + range estimation unreliable), cold hammer forging barrel method (hammers outside + rifled mandrel inside), squib load significance (insufficient charge + bullet lodged in barrel + catastrophic if next shot fired), barrel corrosion effects (obliterates individual striation characteristics), revolver cylinder rotation mechanism (linked to trigger pull in DA or hammer cock in SA), and country-made firearm SFSL examination protocol (document first + make safe + rifling assessment + controlled test fire if safe), and single-shot vs repeating firearm classification.

Topics covered:

• Firearm classification: revolver vs pistol, SA vs DA, single-shot vs repeating, country-made vs standard
• Ammunition: rimfire vs centerfire, black powder vs smokeless, slug vs shot, magazine vs clip, Boxer vs Berdan
• Wound science: close/distant range wound features, exit vs entrance morphology, intermediate target effects, yaw, ricochet
• Forensic examination: comparison microscope, water tank, headstamp use, barrel leading, squib load, barrel corrosion, SFSL katta protocol
• Ballistics concepts: class vs individual characteristics, muzzle energy formula, barrel length effect, cold hammer forging, Hague Convention

Each question cites Saferstein's Criminalistics 13th edition. Allow 30 minutes.