Forensics Vocab

Rifiling

The spiral pattern of lands and grooves in the barrel of a firearm

Ejector

the mechanism in a firearm that throws the cartridge or fired case from the firearm

Striations

stripes

bore

to drill a hole

Extractor

the mechanism in a firearm by which a cartridge of a fired case is withdrawn from the chamber

barrel

the long, metal tube that guides a projectile out of a firearm

Lands

The raised areas between two grooves in the rifling of a gun barrel that impart grooves on the bullet. Metal between grooves

residue

whatever is left after a part is taken, disposed of, or gone; remainder; rest

shell

payload-carrying projectile that, as opposed to shot, contains an explosive or other filling

Grooves

The spiral grooves cut or swaged inside a gun barrel that gives the bullet a spinning motion

Breechblock

the rear part of a firearm barrel

cartridge

a case that holds a bullet, primer powder, and gunpowder. Includes shell and bullet.

caliber

is a measurement of the diameter of the bullet or the bore. Used for handguns and rifles

gauge

defines the number of solid balls the same diameter as the inside of the barrel that could be made from a pound of lead. Used in shotguns

Tool mark

discipline of forensic science which has as its primary concern to determine if a toolmark was produced by a particular tool. Figure out where it is manufactured

bullet wipe

If a firearm has been fired more than 3 feet from a target, usually no residue is deposited, but a dark ring, k