Forensic Ballistics: Firearms Types and Classification
Published:
Questions
30
Duration
30 min
Faculty-reviewed
0
Updated
24 May 2026
About this mock
UGC-NET Forensic Science Unit V drill on firearms types and classification at the foundations level. Covers the rifled-versus-smoothbore distinction, lands and grooves, the role of spin stabilisation by the Greenhill rule, single-action and double-action revolvers, semi-automatic pistols with slide and detachable magazine, bolt-action rifles, double-barrel and pump-action shotguns, Indian service patterns (SLR 7.62 mm, AK pattern 7.62 by 39 mm, INSAS 5.56 mm), calibre nomenclature for .22 LR, .32 ACP, .315 sporting, 9 mm Parabellum, 7.62 by 39 mm and 12-gauge shotgun. Indian regulatory context under the Arms Act 1959 and the Arms Rules 2016 is woven throughout: prohibited bore (PB) versus non-prohibited bore (NPB), the .315 sporting / .32 revolver / 12-bore licensing pattern, and the cartridge basics of rimfire versus centrefire, straight versus bottlenecked versus belted case, and headstamp reading.
The mock is calibrated for first-pass UGC-NET Forensic Science Paper II aspirants, NFSU MSc Forensic Science entrants, and FACT applicants who need a quick refresh of firearms vocabulary before moving on to internal, external, and terminal ballistics. Each question carries a 250 to 400 word explanation that names the section, the manufacturer, the cartridge designation, or the standard reference, so the mock doubles as a revision sheet for the firearms half of Unit V.
Topics covered:
- Rifled versus smoothbore bores and the Greenhill spin rule
- Revolver versus semi-automatic pistol mechanics
- Indian service rifles (SLR, AK pattern, INSAS) and shotguns
- Calibre nomenclature (.22 LR, .32 ACP, .315, 9 mm Para, 7.62 by 39, 12-gauge)
- Arms Act 1959 PB versus NPB and licensing of .315 / .32 / 12-bore
- Cartridge case design, rimfire versus centrefire ignition
- Headstamp reading and case shape (straight, bottlenecked, belted)
- Indian regulatory framework under the Arms Rules 2016
Use this paper to lock down the firearm vocabulary before tackling the ballistics calculations. Allow 30 minutes.
Sources & references
Questions in this mock are written and verified against the following sources. Citations are recorded per question and shown in the explanation after submission.
- cited in 17 questions
Heard, Brian J., Handbook of Firearms and Ballistics: Examining and Interpreting Forensic Evidence, 2nd Edition (2008)
Wiley-Blackwell, Chapter 1 on firearms, barrel construction and rifling
- cited in 6 questions
Sharma, B.R., Forensic Science in Criminal Investigation and Trials, 5th Edition
Universal Law Publishing, Chapter on Forensic Ballistics, classification of long arms
- cited in 2 questions
The Arms Act, 1959 read with the Arms Rules, 2016
Government of India, Schedule I of the Arms Rules 2016: prohibited and non-prohibited bore categories
Open source - cited in 2 questions
Saferstein, Richard, Criminalistics: An Introduction to Forensic Science, 12th Edition
Pearson, Chapter 18 on Firearms, Tool Marks, Other Impressions, shotgun construction
- cited in 1 question
The Arms (Amendment) Act, 2019 (Act 50 of 2019)
Government of India, Section 3 of the Amendment Act: maximum number of firearms allowed per licensee
Open source - cited in 1 question
The Arms Act, 1959 (as amended by the Arms (Amendment) Act, 2019)
Government of India, Section 25: punishment for certain offences
Open source - cited in 1 question
How our mocks are built
Questions are written and edited by the ForensicSpot team and cited from peer-reviewed forensic textbooks, official syllabi and primary case law. Each one is verified before publishing. Detailed explanations show after you submit, so the test stays a real test. See a mistake? Tell us.
Common questions
What does the Forensic Ballistics: Firearms Types and Classification mock cover?+
UGC-NET Forensic Science Unit V drill on firearms types and classification at the foundations level. Covers the rifled-versus-smoothbore distinction, lands and grooves, the role of spin stabilisation by the Greenhill rule, single-action and double-action revolvers, semi-automatic pistols with slide and detachable magazine, bolt-action rifles, double-barrel and pump-action shotguns, Indian service patterns (SLR 7.62 mm, AK pattern 7.62 by 39 mm, INSAS 5.56 mm), calibre nomenclature for .22 LR, .3
How many questions and how long is the test?+
30 multiple-choice questions, 30 minutes total. Difficulty: easy. Tier: Premium.
Who is this mock for?+
Forensic science students and aspirants who want timed, exam-style practice with explanations and verified source citations on Forensic Ballistics, NET. Useful for postgraduate entrance preparation and for BSc / MSc forensic students testing their recall under time.
Are the questions reviewed?+
Each question carries a verified source citation. Faculty review for individual questions is in progress.
Do I need an account to take this mock?+
Yes, a free ForensicSpot account is required to start a timed attempt — this lets you save progress, see per-question explanations after submission, and track your topic-level performance over time.